Therefore, we urge you to take the time to review the FAA notices posted below in addition to the following lines in order to assess the impact a property release may have on your airport. This is why it is imperative to ensure that all parties involved in this process, including users, are familiar with both the implications of such an action and the procedures that have to be followed. Too often, AOPA has seen development projects on airports that subsequently create a precarious situation for the airport. This occurs when changes to the airport property are made with intentions other than to improve the viability of the airport. Such action thwarts the intent of the federal government when either a surplus property transfer or grant agreement was executed.
All airports are an important component of the national airport system.
Simply put, the airport has to be used for aviation purposes. The FAA has to approve the sponsor's request for a release or non-aviation usage of the land in question. This means that there is a need for the sponsor, users and the FAA to ascertain the benefit to aviation in real and documented terms. When an airport sponsor requests a property release, the underlying reason needs to clearly lead to a benefit to aviation and the airport. The FAA will address the benefit to aviation according to established statutes, regulations, policies and of course the obligations and assurances that are part of the contracts airport sponsors signed with the federal government.