On December 2, 2013 the FAA published its Notice of an Opportunity to Participate in the Military Airport Program (MAP). The MAP allows the Secretary of Transportation to designate current joint-use or former military airports to receive grants from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
The MAP provides capital development assistance to civil airport sponsors of designated current joint-use military airfields or former military airports that are included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Airports designated to the MAP may be able to receive grant funds from a set-aside (currently four percent of AIP discretionary funds) for airport development, including certain projects not otherwise eligible for AIP assistance. These airports are also eligible to receive grants from other categories of AIP funding.
The Secretary will consider for designation only those current joint-use or former military airports, at least partly converted to civilian airports as part of the national air transportation system, that will reduce delays at airports with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings, or will enhance airport and air traffic control system capacity in metropolitan areas, or reduce current and projected flight delays.
The maximum term for MAP designation is five fiscal years. Previously designated airports may apply for redesignation of an additional term not to exceed five years.
One of the most significant advantages of participating in the program is that in addition to eligible AIP projects, MAP can fund fuel farms, utility systems, surface automobile parking lots, hangars, and air cargo terminals up to 50,000 square feet. More specifically, designated or redesignated military airports can receive up to $7,000,000 each fiscal year to construct, improve, and repair terminal building facilities. In addition, designated or redesignated military airports can receive a maximum of $7,000,000 each fiscal year for MAP eligible projects that include hangars, cargo facilities, fuel farms, automobile surface parking, and utility work.
To qualify for the MAP, applicants must submit a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan which identifies the conversion projects for which they will be seeking MAP funding. Among the various considerations, the FAA will evaluate the extent to which development needs funded through the MAP will make the airport a viable civil airport that will enhance system capacity or reduce delays.
Airport sponsors interested in the MAP should be aware that competition for these funds could be high. A maximum of 15 airports per fiscal year may participate in the MAP, of which 3 may be General Aviation (GA) airports. There are 8 slots available for designation or redesignation in FY 2014. There are no GA slots available in FY 2014.
Applicants must complete and submit a Standard Form 424 (SF 424) Application for Federal Assistance and provide supporting documentation to the appropriate FAA Airports regional or district office serving that airport. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2014.
If you would like assistance in applying for the MAP, or seek more information about this program, please contact Glenn Wicks or Ronce Almond at (202) 457-7790.