1 - Finance & Administration

Question 1

The development of commercial aviation in the U.S. owes a great deal to who, as well as to 3 other revolutions.

Answer 1

Early pioneers of aviation; U.S. Postal Service; the two world wards; the Jet Age

Question 2

Who and in what book does this person describe an airport as “An entity usually owned by the government, hosting aircraft that are usually privately owned by individuals and corporations conducting commerce and that utilize airspace that is controlled by the federal government.”

Answer 2

Sam Hoerter in his book, The Airport Management Primer

Question 3

Entity legally responsible for the operation of the airport.

Answer 3

Airport Sponsor (or Airport Owner); This entity is most commonly a municipality such as a city or county

Question 4

The policymaking board may be an extension of what?

Answer 4

The municipality, such as the Board of County Commissioners, the City Council or possibly a separately appointed Authority

Question 5

Who does the airport director or manager report to in most cases?

Answer 5

The policymaking board, County Administrator or Executive, City Manager, or a Division or Department head within the municipal structure

Question 6

These people must balance the desires of the airport sponsor with the needs and desires of the key stakeholders such as airport business operators, airport users such as passengers and pilots, the surrounding community, and the regulatory agencies such as FAA, TSA and State Aviation agencies.

Answer 6

Airport Executives

Question 7

True or False: The governing body or policymaker of an airport sets goals, identifies strategies for fulfilling the vision of the airport, approves plans and programs, assigns and oversees the airport managers responsibilities, and often selects consultants and service providers.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Who implements the policies, manages the day-to-day operations at the airport, and reports to the governing body?

Answer 8

Airport Executive

Question 9

Who ensures the safety, security and efficiency of the airport, maintaining its facilities, ensuring passenger and aircraft flow, preparing financial plans such as budgets, enforcing rules and regulations, overseeing planning and construction projects and securing new business and revenue streams?

Answer 9

Airport Executive

Question 10

True or False: Successful airport executives must understand the culture of their airport.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

At a large commercial service airport, who typically has a significant influence on the plans, day-to-day operations and revenue streams at the airport, which typically provides them with this?

Answer 11

Airlines; Greater political leverage

Question 12

True or False: While the airlines may represent a significant financial contribution to the airport revenue stream, an airport executive in this situation must also not forget to take care of the small GA operator.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

GA operator has this type of political leverage at an airport that is not represented by the amount of aviation fuel they purchase or the size of their leasehold.

Answer 13

Pre-established relationship

Question 14

Joint use and shared use airports will see this significant influence on the planning and operations.

Answer 14

Military influence

Question 15

These types of airports are usually locally operated entities, but they must operate under federal regulations, advisory documents, best practices, Grant Assurances to the federal government, FAA Orders, and Security Directives.

Answer 15

Civil Airports

Question 16

Airport Executives are responsible for a variety of issues at civil airports which they have little control such as… (5)

Answer 16

1) Local zoning and non-compatible land development around the airport
2) Aircraft noise
3) Changes in commercial airline operations
4) Mergers and route structures
5) Corporate air travel habits and trends.

Question 17

Airports represent a variety of perspectives to a community. List 3 of them.

Answer 17

1) Economic development
2) Employment
3) A source of environmental concern (noise, air pollution)

Question 18

True or False: Airports have traditionally served as evacuation centers during national disasters.

Answer 18

True - Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Katrina in 2005 expanded the role of airports during disasters to include the temporary relocated center of government, emergency ops center for the local government, temporary hospitals, and morgues, and staging areas for FEMA, U.S. military, and other aid agencies.

Question 19

An Airport Executive routinely manages tasks such as (but not limited to) 7 things.

Answer 19

1) Negotiating a lease with a new tenant
2) Resolving an air carrier dispute
3) Filling out the paperwork for a federal grant application
4) Participating in an interview with the local press
5) Attending a meeting with homeowners to discuss airport noise
6) Overseeing construction of a taxiway or runway extension
7) Responding with turnout gear and a fire truck to an airport emergency

Question 20

Airport Executives and policymakers must understand and balance these two dichotomous philosophies.

Answer 20

1) The airport is a public entity and must be managed as a public entity
2) The airport is a business enterprise and must also be managed as a business
* An airport is a public entity that is run like a business.

Question 21

Local government agencies often struggle with what understanding about airports?

Answer 21

The unique nature of airports. These government agencies attempt to put the airport into a category or frame-of-reference that they can better understand.

Question 22

Much of the capital development money of many airports comes from where?

Answer 22

Federal Government

Question 23

True or False: Public airports are generally owned by government entities and do not exist to create a profit, though self-sufficiency may be their financial goal.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Who encourages airports to be self-sufficient, with all operational expenses covered by airport revenues; however, many small commercial service and GA airports remain partially funded by local taxpayers through the general fund?

Answer 24

The FAA

Question 25

Some airports may engage in profit-making ventures such as these two.

Answer 25

1) Providing fuel or related aeronautical services

2) developing non-aeronautical property such as industrial parks

Question 26

True or False: Revenue generated on airport property through the use of airport assets such as fire trucks, snow plows, and personnel, is not required to be used for the operation of the airport.

Answer 26

False - It is required

Question 27

True or False: While most people believe that airports are essential to the commerce of the U.S., some GA airports have been closed because community leaders failed to see the benefit provided by the airport.

Answer 27

True