Depending upon the size of the airport, the manager may have one or more assistants, such as an assistant manager, engineer, controller, personnel officer, and maintenance superintendent. If the airport is operated by a city, the accounting and payroll functions may be done at city hall rather than at the airport. Conversely, some airport managers control a large professional staff and have total responsibility for all matters relating to the operation of the airport. If the manager is self-employed as a small airport operator, he or she probably also operates an aircraft repair station, sells aviation fuel, gives flight lessons, and offers taxi or charter flights. At a large airport, the manager works in an office usually located in the terminal building.
Office hours are regular except in times of emergencies.
Travel may be required to negotiate leases with airline tenants or to confer with state and federal officials. If the manager operates a very small airport, he or she may spend long hours giving flying lessons, making charter flights, or working in the aircraft repair station. In many cases the airport manager is a part of the local government and is involved in official meetings and community projects, especially those concerned with aviation. However, there are full-service airports in every state of the union. As with any managerial position, the job of an airport manager requires experience and training.