We also believe that airport design and construction standards need to be more flexible. But state highway standards are less expensive to implement while maintaining the highest degree of safety and durability. Most state aviation agencies already utilize their own state highway specifications for state or local funded airport projects. We ask you to support approval of state highway specifications for airfield pavement construction at general aviation airports serving aircraft under 60,000 pounds. Building these small airport runways to acceptable state standards is safe, efficient, and less costly for both the federal government and the individual states.
Flexible standards make good common sense.
New technologies available to other transportation modes should also be explored to determine their applicability to aviation. We also recommend that you actively promote flexibility through innovative financing by the FAA acceptance of such programs as state infrastructure banks or state revolving loan funds. We have seen other modes of transportation and other types of infrastructure projects successfully implement these financing techniques. Our nation s smallest airports have the fewest funding options and the most difficulty attracting capital. Meeting the funding needs of these airports, especially nonhub, other commercial service and general aviation airports will be a major challenge in the future.