Military Air Transportation: Airports With A Special Designation

what do you call military airports

Military airports are known as joint-use airports, and they are used for both military and civil aviation. These airports contain the facilities of both a civil airport and a military base. In some cases, if one type of operation is considered the primary user, the other user may be referred to as an enclave. A civil enclave is an area at a military base that is designated for civil aviation use, while a military enclave is the opposite, with a section of a civil airport allocated for military use.

Characteristics and Values

Characteristics Values
Name Military airports are also known as Joint-use airports or military enclaves.
Description These are airports used for both military and civil aviation.
Examples McGhee Tyson Airport, Harrisburg International Airport, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, and many others.
Management The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the Military Airport Program (MAP) and designates which airports will be joint-use or former military airports each fiscal year.
Funding The FAA awards grant funds to civil sponsors for the development of aviation facilities for the public through the MAP.
Conversion The FAA assists in converting former military airfields to public use, helping to reduce congestion at existing airports.
Operations Civil enclaves are areas at military bases allotted for civil aviation, often with curfews and altitude restrictions. Military enclaves are areas of civil airports allocated for military use.
Security Security at civil enclaves may be the responsibility of the military or civil security authorities, depending on the country.

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Military airports are also known as 'military air bases'

Military airports are also known as military air bases. They are used exclusively for military aviation and are often located near military bases or other secure areas. These airports are typically controlled by the respective country's armed forces and may have specific security protocols in place.

In some cases, military airports can also accommodate civil aviation, becoming what is known as a joint-use airport. These airports serve dual purposes, catering to both military and civilian air traffic. A designated area within the military air base is allotted for civil aviation operations, known as a civil enclave. Conversely, a military enclave refers to an allocated section of a civilian airport for military use.

Civil enclaves are prevalent in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, where legacy military air bases from World War II accommodate domestic air traffic instead of constructing new civilian airports. Examples of such joint-use airports include Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States manages the Military Airport Program (MAP), which facilitates the conversion of military airfields for public use. This program also promotes joint-use airports, providing grants to civilian sponsors for the development of aviation facilities accessible to the public.

Joint-use airports present certain considerations, such as curfews for civil aircraft, altitude restrictions, and security responsibilities. The revenue generated from civil use of air traffic control (ATC) services typically goes to the military, although the allocation of capital expenditure responsibilities for improvements may vary between countries.

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'Joint-use' airports are for both military and civilian aviation

Military airports, often known as airbases, are aerodromes used by military personnel to conduct military aircraft flight operations. They are equipped with aircraft facilities, including air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, emergency response facilities, weapon storage, and briefing rooms for military operations. Civilian airports, on the other hand, are landing and take-off locations for commercial and private flight operations. They are subject to the regulations and standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Some airports are used by both military and civilian aircraft and are known as joint-use airports. These airports are owned by the Department of Defense and allow for shared use of the airfield by both military and civilian users. Joint-use airports typically contain facilities of both a civil airport and a military air base. They benefit both the government and civilians economically by sharing airport facilities.

Civil enclaves are a common feature of joint-use airports, where a designated area of a military air base is allocated for civil aviation use. This is often seen in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, where a portion of an existing air base is used for domestic air traffic instead of constructing a new civilian airport. Civil enclaves may have curfews and altitude restrictions for civilian aircraft to navigate.

A military enclave, on the other hand, is the opposite, where a section of a civil airport is designated for military use. This is prevalent in the United States, with Air National Guard operations taking place at smaller regional airports managed by civilian authorities. Examples of airports with military enclaves include McGhee Tyson Airport, Harrisburg International Airport, and Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport.

Joint-use airports offer advantages such as shared resources and efficient utilization of airspace and infrastructure. They can also foster collaboration and coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities. However, there may be challenges in terms of security, congestion, and the need to balance the operational requirements of both civilian and military users.

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The FAA's Military Airport Program (MAP)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the Military Airport Program (MAP) as an authorizing agency. The MAP is a grant set-aside from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which awards grant funds to civil sponsors of military airfields for the development of public aviation facilities. The program also assists new sponsors in converting former military airfields to public use, reducing congestion and delays at existing airports.

Under the MAP, the FAA may designate up to 15 joint-use or former military airports each fiscal year, with a maximum of three general aviation (GA) airports and 12 commercial service or reliever airports. Airports may be designated for a period of one to five fiscal years, and previously designated airports can apply for redesignation for additional terms. The FAA's goal is to transition MAP airports to regular AIP participation by aiding the conversion to civilian airport operations.

Airport sponsors applying for the MAP must complete and submit an SF-424 form, providing supporting documentation to the FAA Regional Airports Division or Airports District Office. Designated airport sponsors can receive up to $7 million per fiscal year for terminal projects and infrastructure improvements, such as fuel farms, utility systems, parking lots, hangars, and air cargo terminals. These projects may also qualify for additional AIP funding if they meet the eligibility and justification requirements.

The MAP provides capital development assistance to civilian sponsors of designated joint-use military airfields or former military airports included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The program offers financial assistance to sponsors converting military airfields to civilian or joint military/civilian use, funding projects like building or rehabilitating surface parking lots.

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Civil enclaves are areas at a military airport for civilian use

Military airports, often known as airbases, are aerodromes used by military personnel for military aircraft operations. They are distinct from civilian airports in terms of their functions, facilities, and lighting equipment. Military airports have various aircraft facilities, including air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, emergency response facilities, weapon storage, and briefing rooms for military operations. Some military aviation bases have built protective aircraft shelters to safeguard military aircraft from enemy attacks.

Civilian airports, on the other hand, are utilized for commercial or general aviation flights and must adhere to the regulations and standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They often feature terminal buildings that offer services such as flight check-ins, baggage drop-offs, and waiting areas, along with amenities like restaurants, lounges, and retail shops.

Some airports serve a dual purpose, accommodating both civilian and military aviation operations. These are known as joint-use airports, and they typically contain facilities of both a civil airport and a military airbase. Joint-use airports offer economic benefits to both the government and civilians by sharing airport facilities. Examples of joint-use airports include Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, which uses the runway and ATC services of Eglin Air Force Base, and Charleston International Airport, which utilizes the runways and services of Charleston Air Force Base.

Civil enclaves are designated areas within military airports that are specifically allotted for civil or civilian aviation use. These enclaves are commonly found in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, where a portion of a military airbase is allocated for domestic air traffic instead of constructing a new civilian airport. Civil enclaves may operate with certain restrictions, such as curfews during which civil aircraft are not permitted to operate, and altitude restrictions to avoid interfering with military activities. The management and security of civil enclaves may be handled by either military personnel or joint civilian-military crews, depending on the country's regulations.

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Military Enclaves are areas at a civilian airport for military use

Military airports that are used for civil aviation are known as joint-use airports. They are typically used for both military and civil aviation and contain the facilities of both a civil airport and a military base. For example, in the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the Military Airport Program (MAP), which includes joint-use airports. The FAA designates airports that are part of the MAP for a period of 1 to 5 fiscal years.

Civil enclaves are areas at military airports for civil aviation use. They are common in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, where a portion of a military airport is designated for domestic air traffic instead of building a new civilian airport. Civil enclaves may have restrictions, such as curfews and altitude limits, to accommodate military operations.

On the other hand, a military enclave is an area within a civilian airport that is allocated for military use. These are common in the United States, with Air National Guard (ANG) operations taking place at smaller regional airports run by civil authorities. Airports with ANG enclaves include McGhee Tyson Airport, Harrisburg International Airport, and Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. Essentially, every state without a major Air Force base has military operations present in at least one civilian airport.

Civilian and military aviation authorities may collaborate in various ways at joint-use airports. For instance, air traffic control at civil enclaves may be managed by the armed forces or a joint civilian-military crew. Similarly, security at these airports may be the responsibility of either military personnel or civil security authorities, depending on the country.

Frequently asked questions

Military airports that are also used for civilian aviation are called joint-use airports.

A joint-use airport is an aerodrome that is used for both military and civil aviation.

Examples of joint-use airports include Changi Air Base in Singapore, which shares runway facilities with Singapore Changi Airport, and Šiauliai International Airport, which uses the runways and infrastructure of the Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania.

A civil enclave is an area at a military air base that is designated for civil aviation use. Civil enclaves are common in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, where a portion of a military air base is used for domestic air traffic instead of building a new civilian airport.

Civil enclaves within joint-use airports typically have specific operating hours, with curfews, typically after sunset, during which civil aircraft are not permitted to operate. They may also have altitude restrictions for civilian aircraft.

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