City's Plan To Stop Accepting AIP Funds Flawed

Oceanside Municipal Airport in Southern California isn't going anywhere -- it will remain open in perpetuity. Representatives with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association tell Aero-News the FAA made that crystal clear last week in a letter to Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood.

"Over the years, some Oceanside officials have been trying to let the airport go quietly. They're claiming to 'improve' the airport, but in actuality, they're laying plans to close the airport in 20 years," said AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn. "Anti-airport activists and developers should take the FAA's proactive stance to ensure the facility's future viability as a sign to back off."

"AOPA and the FAA see right through their scheme," Dunn added.

Below is Oceanside's plan, which was approved in November 2006:

• Build 40 new hangars on the south side of the airport to increase $3.9 million in revenue for the airport enterprise fund
• Pursue nonaviation-related commercial development on the north side
• Reject all federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds in order to close the airport in 20 years when the current grant obligations expire

And therein lies the problem with Oceanside's 'scheme', as termed by AOPA: the airport cannot be closed -- ever -- because part of the airport's property (roughly 14 acres on the north side) was purchased with federal money specifically for airport development.

"When you take FAA funds for land acquisition, the grant obligates the entire airport, not just that bought with FAA funding," Dunn pointed out.

Brian Armstrong, Manager of the Los Angeles Airports District Office for the FAA, agrees.

"Choosing not to accept additional AIP funds or making an offer to repay past AIP grants will not change the city's federal obligation to keep the airport open indefinitely," Armstrong wrote.

The FAA acknowledged there have been exceptions to the policy... but only when those closures would bring a greater benefit to the aviation industry, such as the opening of a newer airport nearby. That's not the case with Oceanside.

"Because of the important role that this airport plays, the FAA does not anticipate granting any request for release to allow closure of the airport," the agency said, adding that its stance would not change now or in the future.

Ever helpful, the FAA also made recommendations as to how the city could better spend its time on airport planning.

• Use the north side of the airport (which must be used for aviation purposes) to build 100 hangars, generating more than $12 million over 25 years
• Continue to accept AIP funds to keep the airport functioning

"We hope the city officials understand that their futile attempts to close this airport will not succeed," Dunn said. "We stand ready to help the city invest in their airport in order to reap the maximum economic benefit of having a world-class facility."

FMI: Read The FAA's Letter To Oceanside's Mayor (.pdf)