... in an upcoming webinar, tackling a topic which is frequently misunderstood by many. Mike France, recently promoted to director of regulatory affairs for the National Air Transportation Association, will conduct the free webinar. According to NATA, “The FAA recommends that all federally obligated airports create, implement, and maintain comprehensive minimum standards for aeronautical service providers to ensure compliance with federal grant assurances.â€
Explains France, “We want to give a basic overview of the Airport Improvement Program, the grant assurances, and minimum standards. It will cover basic information for airport sponsors and tenants, and anyone interested in learning more on what should and should not be contained in minimum standards.â€
An interesting thing with minimum standards is that the intent of the document is often misunderstood by tenants, an assessment with which France agrees. The concept is to provide a level playing field, and to protect those tenants who have already made a significant investment on an airfield. “Absolutely it is often misunderstood by tenants,†comments France.
“Minimum standards are a tool to help airports meet their grant assurances. The webinar will look at how to properly construct a minimum standards document to protect the airport and current tenants, and those interested in developing in the future. The development of minimum standards needs to have proper input from all the stakeholders and be enforced over time. Enforcement is the key issue, whether they are published by the airport or codified by a city. That enforcement provides benefits to the current tenants and to their airports.â€
The webinar will be conducted December 16; visit www.nata.aero for information or contact France directly at [email protected].
Thanks for reading. jfi