La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § IX-337

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-337 - General Aviation Airport Certification (GAAC) Pilot Program

A. The GAAC Pilot Program is a program designed to enhance the economic impact, development, and marketing strategies of the general aviation airports who elect and are approved to participate in the program. This shall be an opt-in program, which means the airport sponsor has the option of participating in a value adding and strategically based program. The prioritization of additional point values within this program are reflected in Exhibit 4. The state considers implementation based on the airport's overall safety strategies, airport development policies, revenue procedures, documented inspection practices, and utilization of infrastructure improvements, which are consistent with the overall development objectives of the LASP and the GAAC Program.

B. Program Application Requirements

1. Applications in writing for the GAAC shall be filed with DOTD, in accordance with this Chapter and the GAAC, prior to the beginning of participation in the program. Failure to file the application in its entirety may result in the application being delayed, suspended, or denied.

2. Once a fully executed application is received, DOTD may assign a program number to the airport sponsor/airport to complete the review and provide advance notification to the airport sponsor confirming receipt and a qualification determination. The airport sponsor shall be notified of the program number and estimated timeframe for review of the application packet.

3. The airport sponsor shall provide all information for the GAAC Policy Program to verify the airport qualifications including, but not limited to, airport operations, safety protocols, security, revenue practices, audits, pavement management plan, airport self-inspection program, maintenance practices, minimum standards, rates/charges, wildlife mitigation plan, airport emergency operation plan, training requirements, grant management performance, and airport compliance procedures.

4. Determination. DOTD shall make an initial determination of whether the airport sponsor and airport qualify for the GAAC Pilot Program. If additional information is required after the initial review is completed, DOTD may request, in writing, additional information from the airport sponsor.

5. If the airport sponsor and airport are qualified by DOTD to participate in the GAAC Pilot Program, DOTD will provide guidance in writing to the airport sponsor regarding the next steps to proceed in the certification process of the airport sponsor and airport, in accordance with the GAAC Policy Program and the Airport Construction and Development Program.

C. Program Agreements. Upon DOTD approval of the airport sponsor and airport to participate in the program, DOTD may develop the following documents to complete the certification process. The documents may contain, but not be limited to the following.

1. DOTD and Airport Sponsor Contractual Agreement. This agreement will contain the approvals by DOTD for the airport sponsor to participate in the program. The agreement will also contain the requirements that the airport sponsor shall uphold and not deviate from during the agreement period. There may be separate and various levels of certification and agreement periods with distinctive requirements for each. DOTD may discuss these levels of certification with the airport sponsor prior to issuing a contractual agreement.

2. Airport Sponsors shall agree to participate in the program for a period of not less than one year.

3. There may be a one year extension granted to the airport sponsor by DOTD without further certification requirements.

4. The airport sponsor shall agree that the program will be completed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. It is the sole responsibility of the airport sponsor to certify the appropriate development, completion, and authenticity of all work documents required from the airport sponsor throughout program participation.

5. Upon successful approval into the program, DOTD may issue a State Certification Operations Document to the airport sponsor to reflect the airport sponsor's participation in the program in accordance with this chapter, the GAAC Policy Program and the Airport Construction and Development Program.

6. DOTD reserves the right and authority to terminate the contractual agreement under any circumstances without advanced written notice to the airport sponsor.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § IX-337

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 491427 (8/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with SCR 67 (1997) and R.S. 2:6.