Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The FAA is updating its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant assurances to incorporate mandates included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, including a requirement surrounding the availability of 100-octane low lead (100LL) aviation gasoline through Dec. 31, 2030.&nbsp;The updates also eliminate several stipulations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion and sustainability efforts, and instead reflect a series of new executive orders on those issues.
Modifications to the program took effect with <a href="https://bit.ly/43e8sS7">a notice</a> published in the April 25 Federal Register to expedite processing of fiscal year 2025 grants, the agency said. However, the FAA will still accept comments on the updates through May 9. “If necessary, in response to comments received, the FAA will consider appropriate revisions to these grant assurance modifications,” the agency added.
Sponsors who receive AIP grants for airport planning, development, noise compatibility planning, or noise mitigation must agree to certain assurances, the agency explained, noting that assurances are granted to airport sponsors, non-airport sponsors undertaking noise compatibility program projects, planning agency sponsors, and aviation state block grant programs. The FAA grants assurances periodically, most recently in 2022.
In changes announced last week, the agency added a Grant Assurance 40 requiring airport owners or operators that had made any 100LL avgas available during calendar year 2022 to “not restrict or prohibit the sale of or self-fueling” of the fuel. The requirement remains in effect until the earlier of Dec. 31, 2030, “or the date on which the airport or any retail fuel seller at the airport makes available an unleaded aviation gasoline that has been authorized for use by the administrator of the [FAA] as a replacement for 100-octane low lead aviation gasoline for use in nearly all piston-engine aircraft and engine models; and meets either an industry consensus standard or other standard that facilitates the safe use, production, and distribution of such unleaded aviation gasoline, as determined appropriate by the administrator.”
In addition, other changes reflected the removal of executive orders targeting certain requirements surrounding equal employment opportunity, “environmental justice,” advancement of racial equity and support for underserved communities, prevention of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, and tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad.
Among other updates, the FAA further added measures reflecting executive orders on restoring freedom of speech, ending “radical and wasteful government DEI programs” and preferences, “unleashing American energy,” “defending women from gender ideology extremism,” and restoring merit-based opportunity.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

FAA Calls for Continued Aviation Gasoline in Airport Grant Assurances

FAA made several updates to its AIP grant assurances, including on DEI as well as avgas

The FAA has made several updates to its airport grant assurance requirements surrounding leaded avgas, DEI, and sustainability.