1 - Finance & Administration Flashcards
(27 cards)
The development of commercial aviation in the U.S. owes a great deal to who, as well as to 3 other revolutions.
Early pioneers of aviation; U.S. Postal Service; the two world wards; the Jet Age
Who and in what book does this person describe an airport as “An entity usually owned by the government, hosting aircraft that are usually privately owned by individuals and corporations conducting commerce and that utilize airspace that is controlled by the federal government.”
Sam Hoerter in his book, The Airport Management Primer
Entity legally responsible for the operation of the airport.
Airport Sponsor (or Airport Owner); This entity is most commonly a municipality such as a city or county
The policymaking board may be an extension of what?
The municipality, such as the Board of County Commissioners, the City Council or possibly a separately appointed Authority
Who does the airport director or manager report to in most cases?
The policymaking board, County Administrator or Executive, City Manager, or a Division or Department head within the municipal structure
These people must balance the desires of the airport sponsor with the needs and desires of the key stakeholders such as airport business operators, airport users such as passengers and pilots, the surrounding community, and the regulatory agencies such as FAA, TSA and State Aviation agencies.
Airport Executives
True or False: The governing body or policymaker of an airport sets goals, identifies strategies for fulfilling the vision of the airport, approves plans and programs, assigns and oversees the airport managers responsibilities, and often selects consultants and service providers.
True
Who implements the policies, manages the day-to-day operations at the airport, and reports to the governing body?
Airport Executive
Who ensures the safety, security and efficiency of the airport, maintaining its facilities, ensuring passenger and aircraft flow, preparing financial plans such as budgets, enforcing rules and regulations, overseeing planning and construction projects and securing new business and revenue streams?
Airport Executive
True or False: Successful airport executives must understand the culture of their airport.
True
At a large commercial service airport, who typically has a significant influence on the plans, day-to-day operations and revenue streams at the airport, which typically provides them with this?
Airlines; Greater political leverage
True or False: While the airlines may represent a significant financial contribution to the airport revenue stream, an airport executive in this situation must also not forget to take care of the small GA operator.
True
GA operator has this type of political leverage at an airport that is not represented by the amount of aviation fuel they purchase or the size of their leasehold.
Pre-established relationship
Joint use and shared use airports will see this significant influence on the planning and operations.
Military influence
These types of airports are usually locally operated entities, but they must operate under federal regulations, advisory documents, best practices, Grant Assurances to the federal government, FAA Orders, and Security Directives.
Civil Airports
Airport Executives are responsible for a variety of issues at civil airports which they have little control such as… (5)
1) Local zoning and non-compatible land development around the airport
2) Aircraft noise
3) Changes in commercial airline operations
4) Mergers and route structures
5) Corporate air travel habits and trends.
Airports represent a variety of perspectives to a community. List 3 of them.
1) Economic development
2) Employment
3) A source of environmental concern (noise, air pollution)
True or False: Airports have traditionally served as evacuation centers during national disasters.
True - Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005 expanded the role of airports during disasters to include the temporary relocated center of government, emergency ops center for the local government, temporary hospitals, and morgues, and staging areas for FEMA, U.S. military, and other aid agencies.
An Airport Executive routinely manages tasks such as (but not limited to) 7 things.
1) Negotiating a lease with a new tenant
2) Resolving an air carrier dispute
3) Filling out the paperwork for a federal grant application
4) Participating in an interview with the local press
5) Attending a meeting with homeowners to discuss airport noise
6) Overseeing construction of a taxiway or runway extension
7) Responding with turnout gear and a fire truck to an airport emergency
Airport Executives and policymakers must understand and balance these two dichotomous philosophies.
1) The airport is a public entity and must be managed as a public entity
2) The airport is a business enterprise and must also be managed as a business
* An airport is a public entity that is run like a business.
Local government agencies often struggle with what understanding about airports?
The unique nature of airports. These government agencies attempt to put the airport into a category or frame-of-reference that they can better understand.
Much of the capital development money of many airports comes from where?
Federal Government
True or False: Public airports are generally owned by government entities and do not exist to create a profit, though self-sufficiency may be their financial goal.
True
Who encourages airports to be self-sufficient, with all operational expenses covered by airport revenues; however, many small commercial service and GA airports remain partially funded by local taxpayers through the general fund?
The FAA
