§47146 General aviation program runway extension pilot program

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must run a pilot program that gives grants to general aviation airports so they can lengthen a primary runway by up to 1,000 feet. The goal is to let larger turboprop and turbojet planes use those airports and to help the airports grow and stay economically viable. No more than 2 airport sponsors can get a grant each fiscal year. Grants must be used to plan, design, or build the runway extension. Applicants must apply when and how the Secretary requires. The Secretary will favor projects that show the current runway is too short for nearby businesses, that the short runway hurts jobs or local economic growth, and that the airport is not within 20 miles of another NPIAS airport with a similar runway. Projects that meet those priorities are treated as justified costs even if a benefit‑cost test or certain FAA handbook rules would otherwise block them. The federal share of costs follows section 47109. Within 5 years of starting the pilot, the Secretary must report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on applicant interest, changes in large‑aircraft use (compared to before the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, using data sponsors give no later than 6 months before the report), and the economic opportunities sponsors report (also no later than 6 months before the report). For fiscal years 2025–2028, the Secretary may use funds under section 47116(b)(2) for this program.