Ruth Haines
Airports are classified according to their purpose, function, size, and types of aircraft they can accommodate. They are also categorized based on their size, capacity, purpose, and kind of aircraft they can handle. Commercial service airports are publicly owned airports that have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger service. General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire. GA airports are public-use airports that do not have scheduled service or have less than 2,500 annual passenger boardings. They are typically connected to other public transportation systems, creating a multi-modal system. GA airports can provide important and sometimes critical access to more remote areas. They can also act as potential diversion points for pilots in distress due to unforeseen conditions or other emergencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | All civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire |
| Aircraft | Light and ultra-light aircraft, sport aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, business aircraft, gliders, helicopters |
| Purpose | Transportation of passengers, baggage, cargo, and mail, as well as services for aircraft operations, maintenance facilities, and storage |
| Operations | Business flying, personal flying, industrial flying, charter activity, aerial photography, law enforcement, banner towing, skydiving, sightseeing flights, medivac, organ transplant transport, search and rescue |
| Number of Airports | 3,000 general aviation airports in the US, 1,000 in Canada, 1,800+ worldwide |
| Number of Aircraft | 90% of civil aircraft in the US, 96% in the UK |
| Number of Pilots | Over 80% of US-certified pilots, 19,000 pilots with professional licenses |
| Economic Impact | $247 billion in economic activity, 1.2 million jobs in the US, $150 billion in business aviation in the US |
| Size | Smaller than commercial airports, with varying sizes of facilities and runways |
| Connection to Public Transport | Often connected to other modes of public transportation |
| Location | Provide access to remote areas |
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What You'll Learn
- General aviation airports are public-use airports with under 2,500 annual passenger boardings
- They provide access to remote areas and are used for emergency diversions
- Reliever airports reduce congestion at commercial airports and enhance regional air traffic
- General aviation includes recreational flying, emergency services, aerial photography, and law enforcement
- Over 90% of civil aircraft in the US are general aviation aircraft
General aviation airports are public-use airports with under 2,500 annual passenger boardings
A general aviation airport is a public-use airport with under 2,500 annual passenger boardings. They are categorised based on their purpose, function, size, and the types of aircraft they can accommodate. General aviation airports are often used for agricultural purposes, such as scrub dusting or mosquito spraying, and can also be used for recreational flying, including balloon, glider, and sport aircraft operations.
General aviation airports are typically connected to other public transportation systems, creating a multi-modal system. They can provide important access to remote areas and act as diversion points for pilots in distress. These airports come in all shapes and sizes, from large regional airports to farm strips, and they may have facilities and runways of varying dimensions.
General aviation is particularly popular in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by pilots of general aviation aircraft. In the United States, there are approximately 5,000 public-use airports, with about 3,000 of those being general aviation facilities. General aviation generates more than $247 billion in economic activity annually and supports 1.2 million jobs in the country.
General aviation airports are distinct from commercial service airports, which are publicly owned airports with at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger service. Commercial service airports often have longer runways, more complex layouts, and larger terminals with various amenities for passengers.
In summary, general aviation airports serve a vital role in providing access to remote areas, supporting local economies, and contributing to the aviation industry's overall connectivity and efficiency.
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They provide access to remote areas and are used for emergency diversions
General aviation airports are public-use airports that do not have commercial service or have less than 2,500 passenger boardings per year. They are often referred to as reliever airports, providing additional capacity and relief for larger primary commercial airports in the area. They are usually connected to other public transportation systems, creating a multi-modal system.
General aviation airports come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from large regional airports to farm strips. Due to their size and location, they can provide critical access to remote areas. They are also used as emergency diversion points for pilots facing unforeseen conditions or other emergencies.
General aviation includes a wide range of activities, such as recreational flying, emergency medical services, aerial photography, law enforcement, and disaster relief. In the United States, an estimated 65% of general aviation flights are for business and public services. These airports play a vital role in connecting people and supporting local economies.
General aviation is particularly prominent in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by general aviation pilots. In the United States alone, there are approximately 5,000 public-use airports, with around 3,000 dedicated to general aviation. These airports contribute significantly to the aviation landscape, with over 90% of civil aircraft registered in the United States falling into the general aviation category.
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Reliever airports reduce congestion at commercial airports and enhance regional air traffic
General aviation airports are public-use airports that do not have commercial services or have less than 2,500 passenger boardings per year. They are used for a variety of purposes, including business flying, personal flying, charter activity, aerial photography, and law enforcement. More than 90% of civil aircraft registered in the US are general aviation aircraft, and they support 1.2 million jobs across the country.
General aviation airports fall under the broader category of reliever airports. Reliever airports are designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce congestion at commercial service airports and provide improved general aviation access to the community. They are typically smaller or less busy airports that help to reduce crowding at major airports. Reliever airports may be publicly or privately owned.
Reliever airports reduce congestion at commercial airports by providing additional capacity and relocating non-jet general aviation activity. By removing smaller and slower aircraft, commercial airports can operate more flights with larger aircraft and handle more passengers, increasing their overall efficiency. For example, the ONT reliever airport in San Bernardino County, California, was developed to relieve pressure from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which was approaching its maximum capacity of 78.9 million passengers per year.
Additionally, reliever airports enhance regional air traffic by dispersing aircraft over a larger area. Many flights that use reliever airports would otherwise use primary commercial airports, resulting in increased delays. For instance, the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) serves as a reliever airport for the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), enhancing air traffic in the region.
In summary, reliever airports play a crucial role in reducing congestion at commercial airports and improving the efficiency of air traffic in their regions. By providing additional capacity and accommodating smaller aviation activities, reliever airports enable commercial airports to handle a larger volume of passengers and flights.
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General aviation includes recreational flying, emergency services, aerial photography, and law enforcement
General aviation airports are public-use airports that do not have scheduled services or have fewer than 2,500 annual passenger boardings. These airports make up approximately 88% of airports in the US National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
Recreational flying is facilitated by general aviation airports, which provide a space for pilots to practice their hobby.
General aviation plays a vital role in emergency services and medical care operations. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are used to provide emergency medical services (EMS) to the general public, with air ambulances transporting patients directly to hospitals and trauma centres. Air-medical transport provides a higher level of care en route to the hospital and is especially important for rural communities, which may be cut off from vital emergency care. In the US, there are approximately 550,000 air EMS missions flown each year.
Aerial photography involves taking photographs or videos from an aircraft or other airborne platforms. This includes fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs (drones), balloons, blimps, rockets, pigeons, kites, and skydiving or wingsuiting with action cameras. Aerial photography has been used for military purposes, such as cartography, and for civilian purposes, such as inspecting power transmission lines or agricultural fields.
General aviation aircraft are crucial for law enforcement operations, providing a wider field of vision, assisting with alerts, conducting traffic enforcement, and helping with search and rescue missions. Aircraft can cover large distances quickly, making them essential for security and firefighting missions. In the US, many law enforcement agencies have specialised aviation units operating fixed-wing planes or helicopters, with 201 aviation units providing aerial law enforcement coverage across 46 states.
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Over 90% of civil aircraft in the US are general aviation aircraft
General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations except for commercial air transport or aerial work. Aerial work is defined as specialized aviation services for other purposes, including agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation, and patrol. However, for statistical purposes, ICAO includes aerial work in its definition of general aviation. Thus, GA represents the "private transport" and recreational components of aviation, most of which are accomplished with light aircraft.
In the United States, there are approximately 5,000 public-use airports, with about 3,000 of those being general aviation facilities. This means that over 90% of civil aircraft in the US are general aviation aircraft, and over 80% of US-certified pilots operate these aircraft. General aviation is particularly popular in North America, with over 6,300 airports available for public use by pilots of general aviation aircraft (around 5,200 airports in the US and over 1,000 in Canada). In comparison, scheduled flights operate from around 560 airports in the US.
General aviation generates more than $247 billion in economic activity annually and supports 1.2 million jobs across the country. It provides more than 1% of the United States' GDP, accounting for 1.3 million jobs in professional services and manufacturing. However, safety is a key concern in general aviation, as it accounts for the overwhelming majority (94%) of civil aviation fatalities in the United States. The accident rate in general aviation is over 13 times greater than the motorcycle accident rate, and the fatality rate is over 10 times greater.
General aviation airports are public-use airports that do not have commercial service or have scheduled service with fewer than 2,500 passenger boardings each year. These airports can be used for various purposes, including business flying, personal flying, industrial flying, charter activity, aerial photography, law enforcement, and skydiving. They also play an important role in providing additional capacity and relief for primary commercial airports in the area.
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Frequently asked questions
A general aviation airport is a public-use airport that does not have commercial service or has less than 2,500 passenger boardings per year.
There are four categories of general aviation airports: National, Regional, Local, and Basic.
General aviation activities include business flying, personal flying, industrial flying, aerial photography, law enforcement, banner towing, skydiving, sightseeing flights, medivac, organ transplant transport, and search and rescue.
General aviation airports can provide access to remote areas and act as diversion points for pilots in distress. They also enhance air traffic in the region by dispersing aircraft over a larger area.
