Funding Responsibility for Navigation and Landing Systems

	American Association of Airport Executives & Airports Council International - North America Legislative Affairs Representing the nation's airports in Washington, D.C.

Funding Responsibility for Navigation and Landing Systems

Last year, the Committee directed FAA not to shift funding responsibility for air traffic control equipment items which have historically been acquired and maintained by the Federal Government. The Committee reiterates that the procurement and maintenance of navigational aids, landing aids, and approach lighting systems are generally the responsibility of the government, as part of the "contract" that aviation passengers and general aviation pilots enter into through the payment of aviation excise taxes. The FAA has the responsibility to provide a national system of air traffic control equipment and services. The Committee believes that proposals to shift a subset of these responsibilities to airports is inappropriate and could result in the dimunition of aviation safety, since airports are neither staffed nor funded to assume ownership, operation, or maintenance of such equipment.

The procurement and maintenance of such equipment should remain a financial responsibility of the FAA, and the agency should not move forward on any proposal to transfer this responsibility without specific congressional authorization. The Committee has seen at least one instance this year where FAA suggested that landing aids and ATC equipment for a control tower should be financed by the local airport. The Committee reiterates that this is inconsistent with direction provided last year.
105th Congress Legislation Index