Aviation Funding
Federal Funding
Airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) are eligible to receive funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports, up to 95% of the eligible costs.
Projects that enhance airport safety, capacity, and security, and address environmental concerns are eligible. Airports can utilize these funds on most airfield capital improvements, snow removal equipment, and equipment storage buildings.
State Funding
The Airport Improvement, Development and Security Projects program finances airside preservation and development projects at publicly owned airports. Projects may include land acquisition; runway, apron and taxiway construction and rehabilitation; airfield drainage, airfield signage, airport layout plans (ALPs) and master plans; airport lighting; access control; and installation of navigational and communication aides.
The General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure (GAVI) program offers funding for landside development and for the restoration of airport fuel facilities, hangars, maintenance buildings, and terminals. Only general aviation airports are eligible, and minor renovation and maintenance projects are not eligible. Up to 85% of the funding may come from the state.
Similar to the GAVI program, the Commercial Service Vertical Infrastructure (CSVI) program offers financial support for landside development and for the renovation of airport fuel facilities, hangars, maintenance buildings, and terminals at commercial service airports. The CSVI program follows a 50/40/10 formula, in which half of the available funds are apportioned evenly to each airport, 40 percent of the funds are allocated based upon the ratio of enplaned passengers at each airport to the total number enplaned passengers, and the remaining 10 percent is appropriated based upon the ratio of air cargo tonnage at each airport to the total air cargo tonnage.
The Aviation Weather Observing System (AWOS) involves aviation weather reporting stations at forty-one airports. This data is then convey to the national weather system.
The Emergency Operational Repairs initiative provides emergency repairs to airside infrastructure, communication and navigational equipment, lighting, and other safety-related elements. The State of Iowa funds 70 percent of each project, up to $5,000.
The Pavement Management Program involves pavement examinations, which are intended to extend the life of airfield pavements. This program allows for the prioritization of projects.
The Runway Marking Program offers publicly owned airports pavement markings that are essential for safety. Through this program, airports are marked on an as-needed basis.
The Office of Aviation supports numerous Aviation Outreach and Education Programs that encourage a secure, robust, and viable air transportation system in the state.
The state’s Air Service Development Program offers support to commercial service airports, with the goal of sustaining and augmenting passenger air service. Capital investments are aimed at attracting and maintaining air service in Iowa, based upon the service market.
The Wildlife Mitigation Program seeks to face wildlife concerns at airports, educate airport personnel about mitigation strategies, and acquire funding for wildlife mitigation programs.
The Windsock Program provides windsocks at airports and heliports. Windsocks are fundamental safety instruments that offer pilots knowledge of wind speed and direction.
