The United States is home to approximately 5,200 public use airports that provide access to general aviation aircraft, of which only 500 offer commercial airline service. This means that business aviation reaches 10 times the number of our nation’s airports than the airlines. Providing a critical lifeline to communities, general aviation aircraft fulfill an essential role in fire management, humanitarian aid, emergency evacuation, air ambulance and other life-saving missions.
According to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), general aviation businesses - which are primarily considered small businesses – support 1.2 million jobs and provide over $247 billion in economic output in our nation alone. Without these crucial businesses, many cities would face a serious void in disaster relief capabilities, as well as opportunities to support high-skilled jobs, economic activity and connectedness in diverse communities.
In light of the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for airports to expand access to general aviation while contributing to the nation’s recovery efforts. Moving forward, it will remain a primary focus of the Biden administration for airports and the aviation industry to support environmental sustainability.
For example, the President has expressed his desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, utilize renewable forms of energy and aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For the aviation industry, this means a new focus on technology to utilize green energy and reduce carbon emissions.
A key goal of the Biden plan to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure is to position the United States as the world’s clean energy leader through focus on strategic research areas such as clean energy, clean transportation, clean industrial processes and clean materials over the next four years. This includes the creation of a new Advanced Research Projects Agency on Climate to target affordable, impactful technologies to achieve the nation’s 100 percent clean energy target.
In support of this environmental agenda, a growing number of general aviation businesses are actively participating in initiatives related to: sustainable aviation fuels; solar power and battery storage systems; 100 low lead alternative fuels; eliminating per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); fixed-base operator and aviation facility infrastructure efficiencies for aircraft operations; and aircraft noise mitigation technologies.
In addition, NATA is partnering with industry coalitions to highlight the achievements of general aviation businesses in building on efficiency gains, sustainability and other efforts to reduce their environmental impact. NATA and other trade organizations identify these top environmental policy priorities for 2021 and beyond:
Utilizing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
General aviation has made tremendous progress toward integrating sustainable fuels, but difficulties remain in production capacity. A $2/gallon blender’s tax credit for sustainable aviation fuels would provide parity with biodiesel for SAF, eliminating the competition for production and supply between the two.
Eliminating the use of toxic PFAS foam in aircraft hangars
Business and general aviation share the goal of eliminating the use of toxic PFAS firefighting foam in their hangars, but these systems are mandated by state and local fire officials as a condition of occupancy/construction as set forth in National Fire Protection Association 409 standard. Because there is no satisfactory drop-in replacement agent, and the use is not regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the federal government currently has no ability to preempt their installation. However, a few states have banned the use of PFAS. In the current situation, modifications to foam fire suppression code are needed to accommodate today’s modern aircraft fleet and hangar design standards.
Providing tax credits and lease incentives for solar farms at airports on undeveloped land and rooftops
The FAA’s Voluntary Airport Low Emissions program, which provides air quality credits for future airport development, has been undersubscribed despite improvements in the 2018 reauthorization. Eligibilities should be reexamined that could leverage public-private partnerships or unique partnerships with businesses located at airports to transition to renewable and solar energy.
Developing stationary energy storage systems
Electricity generation from renewable energy sources is rapidly growing. To integrate their variable nature, energy storage systems are growing on a parallel basis. This market is broken into two branches called front-of-meter (FTM) and behind-the-meter (BTM). The FTM sector, which is related to the operation of the electricity infrastructure, employs batteries to maintain a continuous flow of electricity to consumers. The BTM sector, which is the customer side of the market, involves the use of batteries by consumers to decrease electricity costs. This market is in its early stages, and the future adoption of green policies is expected to drive the adoption of renewable energies in both segments. Airports face the challenge of keeping infrastructure requirements in pace with electric aircraft designs.
Notably, last January, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a report exploring Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft. Acknowledging that small gasoline-powered aircraft are the single largest emitter of lead in the United States, the study acknowledges the complexity of eliminating emissions in the general aviation sector and recommends a multi-pronged approach. Strategies range from changing operations and practices at airports to developing future lead-free fuels and propulsion systems. Providing incentives to suppliers could propel their use of suitable replacements, including engine technologies utilizing alternative fuels.
Overall, the NAS concludes that significantly reducing lead emissions from gasoline-powered aircraft will require the leadership of the FAA and other government agencies, as well as the nation’s pilots, airport managers, aviation fuel and service suppliers, and aircraft manufacturers.
The same conclusion can be drawn in regard to the advancement of the general aviation industry’s long-held goal to expand access to aviation, while embracing technological advancements and sound policies that promote a cleaner future. The integrity of the national airspace system depends on this evolution.
Curt Castagna, president and CEO of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, is a member of the Los Angeles County Airport Commission, president of the Van Nuys and Long Beach Airport Associations, and board chair of the National Air Transportation Association. A certified private and instrument-rated pilot, he has instructed courses in aviation administration at Cal State Los Angeles for over two decades.
