Page 59 - Planning and Design of Airports

The Natur e of Civil Aviation and Airports 37

and the municipalities. This relationship was furthered when the
Federal Airport Act of 1946 authorized the CAA to issue grants
directly to municipalities, as long as such a procedure was not
opposed to state policy. In the meantime, the majority of states were
doing very little in the way of providing funds to municipalities for
airports. While significant increases in state aid for airport develop-
ment have occurred in the last several years, the amount of federal
aid has been substantially higher.
States such as Alaska, Rhode Island, and Hawaii directly own
and operate many of the airports within their respective boundaries.
Other states support municipality-owned airports through state
block grant funding programs. In those states where monetary aid is
made available for airport development, the plans, specifications,
and design for airport construction are generally reviewed by the
state aeronautical agency.
There is no doubt that participation by the states in airport devel-
opment is assuming a more significant role with the emergence of
recent legislation in Congress to channel funds directly to state aero-
nautical agencies through block grant programs. The public concern
for environmental control has resulted in legislation being passed at
the state level, in addition to federal statutes, aimed at the control of
aircraft noise and pollution. As general aviation and commuter activ-
ities continue to grow, the states will have to share the burden with
the federal government in providing facilities for these activities,
enforcing safety regulations, and other matters.

Aviation Organizations and Their Functions
The organizations directly involved in United States and interna-
tional air carrier transportation and general aviation activity have an
important influence on airport development as well as aircraft opera-
tions. These organizations and their functions can be classified into
four groups, namely, federal agencies, state agencies, international
government agencies, and industry or trade organizations.

Federal Agencies of the United States Government
There are several agencies at the federal level which dictate policy of
direct and indirect effects on air transportation. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are those
agencies with the most direct influence on civil aviation policy, and
airport planning and design.

Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the agency within the U.S.
Department of Transportation responsible for the safe and efficient