Congressman McHenry Announces Full Federal Funding for Hickory Airport’s Air Traffic Control Services
Washington,
Jan 10, 2006 -
WASHINGTON – Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced today the Hickory Regional Airport will receive full federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Contract Tower Program. The funds will finance the airport’s air traffic control services for the airspace surrounding the Hickory region.
“The Hickory Regional Airport is a key part of the infrastructure for attracting businesses and promoting economic growth in the Unifour area,” said Congressman McHenry. “I am pleased with the FAA’s decision as it will allow the City of Hickory to cut operating costs without reducing airport resources.”
In November 2005, Congressman McHenry asked the FAA for favorable consideration of the City of Hickory’s request for full funding based on its eligibility. Prior to the recent FAA decision, the City was required to pay 51% of the operational costs ($12,016 per month) to run the airport’s control tower as part of the FAA’s Cost Share Program. The airport’s air traffic control services will begin receiving full federal funding February 1, 2006.
The Cost Share Program requires airports with benefit/cost ratios of less than 1.0 to continue to pay a portion of the cost of providing air traffic control services. The Hickory Regional Airport’s cost/benefit ratio recently increased to 1.47, which made it eligible for full funding under the Contract Tower Program.
FAA’s Contract Tower Program, which began in 1982, now includes 226 smaller airports throughout the country. It provides a cost effective way for the FAA to ensure consistent safety standards by contracting air traffic control services to the private sector at visual flight rule airports.
