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General
Eligible airport owners seeking Federal assistance may accomplish such requests for aid through the FAA Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP). The ACIP serves as the primary planning tool for systematically identifying, prioritizing and assigning funds to critical airport development and associated capital needs for their airport. The FAA relies on the ACIP to serve as the basis for the distribution of limited grant funds under the Airport Improvement Program.
A sponsor's ACIP represents their five-year program for planning and development at their airport. Sponsors identify individual projects by submitting an ACIP Data Sheet for each work item they desire in the first three years.
Submittal Requirements
An ACIP Data Sheet must be submitted for each work item listed within the sponsor's ACIP for the current and two subsequent federal fiscal years. As a prerequisite for AIP eligibility, all such identified work must comply with the current approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP) as well as be environmentally cleared to proceed. For projects seeking discretionary funds in excess of five million dollars, a benefit/cost analysis is also required.
The Sponsor must identify the name of the airport, the project description and the local priority of the requested work. The data sheet must also include the following information:
- Sketch - color-coded sketch that depicts and identifies the scope of the proposed project.
- Justfication - the justification statement should be brief and yet describe the need for each requested work item.
- Cost Estimate - A cost estimate for each work item shall be submitted with sufficient detail to permit a review for reasonableness of fees. The total cost estimate (including, engineering, administrative, legal, and appraisal costs, etc. and excluding contingency costs) should show the breakout of Federal, State and Local shares.
- Sponsor’s Verification - The verification that the project is properly planned and is ready to “go” within the first year of the three-year ACIP program period. Except for equipment acquisition, proposed development and land acquisition must be shown on an approved ALP, have cleared environmental processing, and the land already acquired or have a signed purchase agreement. These requirements must be completed before a project can be considered for funding. For the second and third years of the ACIP program, the sponsor should be working towards satisfying these requirements.
- If required, evidence of State and Regional Clearinghouse coordination should be provided along with the ACIP Data Sheet.
When requesting Federal assistance for snow removal equipment, please include an inventory of the existing equipment and calculations based on Chapters 4 & 5 of the Airport Winter Safety and Operations, Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-30 and the Airport Snow and Ice Control Equipment, AC 150/5220-20 showing the minimum equipment needed, along with the ACIP Data Sheet. A spreadsheet for the equipment sizing calculations is available below.
If requesting Federal assistance for general aviation apron expansion, include calculations based on Appendix 5 of the Airport Design Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 showing justification for the size of apron needed, along with the ACIP Data Sheet. A spreadsheet for apron sizing is available below.
If requesting Federal assistance for revenue producing facilities (fuel farms, hangers), please contact the State Airport Planner responsible for your state for eligibility requirements. Submit with the ACIP Data Sheet; 1) A statement that airside development projects are complete or a financial plan to fund airside needs over the next three years, 2) A statement that approach surfaces are clear of obstructions, and 3) A statement of capacity justification for the project.
Timing of Submission
The sponsor may submit a request-for-aid at any time during the year. However, in order to be included in a specific federal fiscal year (FFY: October 1 – September 30), timely submittal of the request is essential. Typically, requests for a particular federal fiscal year should be submitted by February of the previous federal fiscal year. For example, requests for FFY 2009 should be submitted by February of 2008.
Resources
Advisory Circulars
- 150/5200-30 - Airport Winter Safety and Operations
- 150/5220-20 - Airport Snow and Ice Control Equipment
Forms
- ACIP Data Sheet (MS Word, 220 KB)
- ACIP Data Sheet (PDF, 35 KB)
Software Tools
- Snow Removal Equipment Sizing Calculator (MS Excel, 103 KB)
- Apron Area Calculator (MS Excel, 42 KB)
