AOPA Resources for You
ASN Volunteer Orientation Guide
AOPA’s Airport Support Network (ASN) has more than 1,600 AOPA members across the United States that provides a first line of defense for general aviation’s community airports. You too can join. This ASN Orientation Guide introduces you to the program, the type of issues facing community airports, and how to protect your airport for the future. View the guide now. View it now >>
Resources for Airport Managers/Sponsors
Airport Development and Management
Guide to Creating a Practice Runway (March 12, 2020)
ACRP Report 16: Guidebook for Managing Small Airports
ACRP Synthesis 1: Innovative Finance and Alternative Sources of Revenue for Airports
ACRP Synthesis 19: Airport Revenue Diversification
ACRP Report 77: Guidebook for Developing General Aviation Business Plans
ACRP Synthesis 4: Counting Aircraft Operations at Non-Towered Airports
ACRP Synthesis 3: General Aviation Safety and Security Practices
ACRP Report 28: Marketing Guidebook for Small Airports
Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Activities- The FAA urges airport sponsors to establish reasonable minimum standards that are relevant to the aeronautical activity being proposed. These minimum standards are intended to protect the level and quality of services offered to aircraft owners, pilots, and the public at large.
ACRP Report 58: Airport Industry Familiarization and Training for Part-Time Airport Policy Makers
Aircraft Hangar Development - This guide will help you and your airport owner successfully plan, design, and complete a new hangar development project at your airport.
How We Did It: Aviation City Fly-in Camp-out Center - How one group of pilots set up an FAA-approved camp-out center at their airport
Airport Legal Research Digests: Understanding Procurement Requirements (July 17, 2014)
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: Cooperation and Coordination for Effective Response (June 18, 2014)
Aeronautical and Non-Aeronautical Special Event Planning at General Aviation Facilities (June 12, 2014)
Techniques for Successful Airport Wildlife Management Programs (April 3, 2014)
Safety Management Systems (SMS) Tools and Strategies for Implementation (March 24, 2014)
Airport Terminal Planning and Design, A Focus on Wayfinding and Roadways (Dec. 6, 2012)
Airport Governance and Ownership (Nov. 14, 2012)
Cleared for Takeoff! Airport Inspection and Ramp Safety Practices (May 10, 2012)
Small Airports: Practical Guidance for Survival (Dec. 5, 2011)
Current Trends at Airports: Rights and Responsibilities (Nov. 14, 2011)
Wildlife vs. Aviation: Repelling and Deterring Techniques (Oct. 24, 2011)
Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Sustainable Construction Strategies for Airports (Oct. 10, 2012)
Aviation Fuel Costs and Alternatives (June 5, 2012)
AIRPORT NOISE
ACRP Report 15:Aircraft Noise: A Toolkit for Managing Community Expectations
Airport Noise and Compatible Land Use- This booklet is intended as a guide in the understanding of the issues, rules, procedures, and policies applicable to airport noise and compatible land use planning.
The Effects of Aviation Noise (May 29, 2014)
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Candidate Forums- Helping pilots discover where candidates stand on issues important to GA.
Case Study: An Airport Open House – This case study tells the story of how one airport invited the general public to visit and see what it was all about. While each airport is different, there may be ideas and lessons to learn from this event, which drew some 2,000 people to explore what happens behind the scenes at the airport.
Holding an Airport Open House - A step-by-step guide to staging an airport open house that will help non-pilot neighbors appreciate the value of a convenient community GA airport.
How to Have a Successful Media Event - A concise brochure that includes facts about GA, ideas for involving reporters and strategies for successful events promoting your local GA airport.
Media Support - For GA facts and statistics visit the AOPA Newsroom.Public Relations- The Key to Your Airport’s Success
Take 'em Flying! - An appropriate and well-planned flight in a general aviation aircraft is probably the quickest way to overcome misconceptions about general aviation. The brochure Take 'em Flying! encourages pilots to share their love of flying by providing a firsthand flying experience to people unfamiliar with general aviation. (requires Adobe Reader)
What Is General Aviation? - Reveals the breadth of GA, from personal, recreational and business flying to air ambulance, law enforcement, agricultural application, and much more. (requires Adobe Reader)
Writing a Letter to the Editor - An AOPA guide offering insights of experienced journalists on writing a letter to the editor that will set the record straight. It also gives tips on getting a letter published or broadcast.
Land Use and Obstructions
ACRP Report 38: Understanding Airspace, Objects, and Their Effects on Airports
ACRP Report 27: Enhancing Airport Land Use Compatibility, Volume 1: Land Use Fundamentals and Implementation Resources
ACRP Report 27: Enhancing Airport Land Use Compatibility, Volume 2: Land Use Survey and Case Study Summaries
Airport Advocates: Participating in the Planning Process - This handbook will guide you through the steps of the land-use and airport planning processes, offer examples of successful advocacy efforts, and introduce you to the buzz words, political groups, and industry practices that will help you become an effective airport advocate.
ACRP Report 32: Guidebook for Addressing Aircraft/Wildlife Hazards at General Aviation Airports.
Economic Impact
AOPA’s Guide on Economic Impact of GA (PDF)
The National Association of State Aviation Officials(NASAO) provides the latest economic impact data on civil aviation available.
The Alliance for Aviation Across America, which is supported in part by AOPA, has economic impact data in a user-friendly format. Please note: Free registration is required in order to access the reports.
ACRP Synthesis 7: Airport Economic Impact Methods and Models
Airport Funding and Compliance
FAA Airport Compliance- This booklet is intended as a guide in understanding the rules, procedures, and policies applicable to the FAA’s procedures for airport compliance.
Federal Aviation Administration Links
Airport Support Groups
Organizing your Airport Group - Establishing an airport support group will help build public support for the airport.
Protecting Your Local Airport - Political pressures, greed, and even pilot apathy are the top killers of GA airports. That’s why AOPA relies on dedicated pilots like you to be GA’s first line of defense.
ACRP Report 44: A Guidebook for the Preservation of Public-Use Airports
Airport closures at privately owned/public-use airports - Your favorite privately owned airport is going to be sold to a developer! What can you do?