Airport Improvement Program

State Block Grant Pilot Program Is a Success Gao ID: T-RCED-96-86 March 14, 1996

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has traditionally provided Airport Improvement Program funds directly to airports. In 1987, Congress authorized FAA to begin a pilot program using state block grants to provide program funds to small airports. Under the pilot program, FAA provides program funds directly to states that, in turn, select and fund projects at small airports. Participating states have assumed FAA's inspection and oversight role at these airports. Seven states were selected to participate in the current program, which will expire at the end of 1996 unless it is reauthorized. This testimony discusses the (1) extent to which the seven states are providing the same level of services to small airports that FAA provided, (2) factors that have enhanced the states' ability to perform effectively, (3) benefits that have accrued from the states' participation, (4) problems that have arisen during the pilot program, and (5) level of interest that other states have shown in the program.



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