Arlington Municipal Airport Development Plan Arlington Airport Development Plan | Page 245
and access roads. Additional buildings and structures may be eligible if the function of the structure is
to serve airport operations in a non‐revenue generating capacity, such as maintenance facilities. Some
revenue‐enhancing structures, such as T‐hangars and fuel farms, may be eligible if all airfield improve‐
ments have been made; however, the priority ranking of these facilities is very low. At Arlington Mu‐
nicipal Airport, funding for these types of projects is unlikely due to higher‐priority projects being rec‐
ognized.
Whereas entitlement monies are guaranteed on an annual basis, discretionary funds are not assured.
If the combination of entitlement, discretionary, and airport sponsor match does not provide enough
capital for planned development, projects may be delayed.
Set‐Aside Funds
Portions of AIP funds are set‐asides designed to achieve specific funding minimums for noise compati‐
bility planning and implementation, select former military airfields (Military Airport Program), and se‐
lect reliever airports. Arlington Municipal Airport qualifies for set‐aside funding since it is a reliever
airport.
FAA Facilities and Equipment Program
The Airway Facilities Division of the FAA administers the Facilities and Equipment (F&E) Program. This
program provides funding for the installation and maintenance of various navigational aids and equip‐
ment of the national airspace system. Under the F&E program, funding is provided for FAA ATCTs, en‐
route navigational aids, on‐airport navigational aids, and approach lighting systems.
While F&E still installs and maintains some navigational aids, on‐airport facilities at general aviation
airports have not been a priority. Therefore, airports often request funding assistance for navigational
aids through AIP and then maintain the equipment on their own.
Guidance on the eligibility of a project for federal AIP grant funding can be found in FAA Order
5100.38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook, which can be accessed at:
http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/aip_handbook/media/AIP‐Handbook‐Order‐5100‐38D.
STATE AID TO AIRPORTS
The State of Texas participates in the federal State Block Grant Program. Under this program, the FAA
annually distributes general aviation state apportionment and discretionary funds to TxDOT, which in
turn distributes grants to airports within the state. In compliance with TxDOT’s legislative mandate
that it “apply for, receive, and disburse” federal funds for general aviation airports, TxDOT acts as the
agent of the local airport sponsor. Although these grants are distributed by TxDOT, they contain all
federal obligations.
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