FAA chose these states, in part, because they were diverse in their organization, staff size, budget, airport systems, and location. 1). 2). Such tasks include assisting with long-range airport planning, approving changes to airport layout plans to reflect future construction plans, and conducting environmental assessments. Safety and security inspections: The seven block grant states conduct safety inspections at small airports and investigate compliance issues and zoning concerns. The airport officials told us that they typically see state inspectors more frequently than FAA inspectors and believe that the state inspectors have more direct and current knowledge of individual airport’s needs. When New Jersey joined the pilot program, it had a relatively small state grant program and was not providing that same range of services to small airports as FAA had been providing. First, the program has expedited project approvals because the block grant states may now approve project scope’s and financing which formerly required FAA approval. FAA’s and States’ Purposes and Priorities Have Differed

During the pilot program, FAA’s and the states’ views on the purpose of the state block grant pilot program have differed. In FAA’s view, however, according to the Director of FAA’s Office of Airport Planning and Programming, the state block grant program is a tool to develop a national system of airports and the priority system is one method to ensure the development of that system. Interested States Would Like More Autonomy to Manage AIP Funds

Many of the interested states would be more inclined to participate in the block grant program if they could use their own methodology for selecting projects.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO discussed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) state block grant pilot program, which is part of its Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) the 7 states in the pilot program are providing a board range of services to small airports and performing many functions that FAA formerly performed, such as long-range planning assistance, grant administration, safety and security inspections, and technical assistance and oversight; (2) airport officials believe that the only differences between FAA and state services are that state inspectors visit more frequently and are more knowledgeable; (3) the states' success under the pilot program is due to their already established state-financed airport development and inspection programs, experience with planning and oversight functions, and experienced staff; (4) participants and FAA believe that the program has streamlined AIP project approval processes, reduced paperwork requirements, eliminated duplication, and enhanced FAA ability to shift resources to other high-priority tasks; (5) the states would rather use their own project criteria than FAA national criteria because they include more state-level factors, but FAA believes its criteria are more equitable and ensures the development of a national airport system; and (6) 80 percent of nonparticipating states would like to receive block grants and most could successfully administer the grants, but they are concerned about autonomy and the availability of administrative funds under the program.