Nevada Aviation
Industry Updates and News

Nevada’s airports will receive $231,448,014 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act (H.R. 748, Public Law 116-136), signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020.

McCarran International and Reno-Tahoe International will receive $195,485,334 and $30,957,866 respectively and Boulder City and Elko will each receive more than $1M in grants. Twenty-six other airports in Nevada that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) will receive a total of $957,000 with individual awards ranging from $20,000 to $157,000.

These funds can be used for any purpose for which airport revenue could otherwise be used. This means these funds are available for operating costs (salaries, utilities, etc.)

In addition, the CARES Act provides funds to increase the federal share to 100 percent for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and supplemental discretionary grants already planned for fiscal year 2020. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients in Nevada must contribute 6.25 percent of the project costs.

Click https://www.faa.gov/airports/cares_act/ for more information on the CARES Act grants for airports, including a detailed listing of grants by State, city and airport.

Please click the links below to view the travel advisories from Governor Sisolak:

Travel Advisory 1

Travel Advisory 2

You are urged to self quarantine and monitor your health for 14 days as the state works to contain the spread of COVID-19. DO NOT visit public places or come into contact with persons not in your household. Learn more at nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.

November 21, 2019

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) applauded $2,000,000 in grant funding awarded under the Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program to Battle Mountain Airport in Battle Mountain, Nevada. The funds will go to reconstruct the airport’s apron.

“Airports in our rural communities in Nevada are economic hubs and vital parts of their health care delivery, which is why we’re glad to see this Department of Transportation grant to aid Battle Mountain Airport. With many Nevadans living hours from the closest hospital, it’s key to invest in our airport infrastructure to protect Nevadans in emergencies and keep businesses running smoothly day-to-day. We’ll continue to work in the U.S. Senate to improve infrastructure in Nevada and across the country.”

BACKGROUND:

The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides grant funding to airports across the country in order to strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure. Airports are awarded funding based on their passenger volume and demonstrated project needs.

Senator Cortez Masto has championed legislation that strengthens innovation and promotes critical infrastructure in Nevada and throughout America, including the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Bill.

As a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s Aviation and Space Subcommittee, Senator Rosen is a strong supporter of investing in Nevada’s aviation infrastructure.

Kurt Haukohl, NDOT State Aviation Manger, will share the history of general aviation in Nevada and the Nevada Airport Update as part of the Frances Humphrey Lecture Series at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City on Thursday August 22nd beginning at 6:30 pm.  

Cost: Admission is $8 for adults; Free for members and children age 17 and under.

Seating is limited. Click HERE for more information and to make a reservation.

DESCRIPTION

Nevada has a long history in aviation. From early exhibition flying in Carson City and Reno to WWII Army Air Corp pilot training all over the state to the present day Reno Air Races. Today in Nevada there is a wide variety of aviation happening every day. Our skies are full of commercial, military, general and glider aviation. Kurt Haukohl, NDOT State Aviation Manger, will share the history of general aviation in Nevada and the Nevada Airport Update.

Kurt Haukohl has been a pilot for 50 years and has over 9,900-hours of flight time. He has been working in the aviation industry since he was 19 years of age. He has degrees from Florida Institute of Technology in Air Commerce and Flight Technology. In addition to working as a pilot, flight instructor, and aerobatic competitor he has also worked for the FAA, California Department of Transportation, and as a private consultant. Kurt is on the Board of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and is currently the Director of the Western Pacific Region.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. The Nevada grants include awards to:

• Austin
• Battle Mountain
• Fallon Municipal Airport
• Ely Yelland Field
• Hawthorne Industrial
• Reno/Tahoe International Airport 
• Reno Stead
• Silver Springs
• Minden-Tahoe Airport
• Winnemucca Municipal Airport
• Henderson Executive
• McCarran International
• Beatty
• Tonopah
• Elko Regional

A listing and project summaries of all AIP awards can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grantapportion_data/media/FY19-AIP-Grants-Announced.pdf

The 80th (2019) Session of the Nevada Legislature adjourned sine die on June 4, 2019.  Despite widespread recognition of the importance of Nevada's General Aviation Airports and support from many legislators throughout the Session no funding was appropriated for the Nevada Aviation Trust Fund for the 2019-2021 Biennium.  We have already begun working with our aviation partners and other stakeholders in business and public safety to pursue dedicated funding for Nevada's airports during the interim. 

Aviation related bills that were enacted during the 2019 Session include:

AB 242 which creates the Nevada Air Service Development Commission and the Nevada Air Service Development Fund.  

AB 400 which prohibits the approval of abatements of the taxes imposed for local schools under certain circumstances.

AB 406 which revises provisions relating to the Carson City Airport Authority.

SB 421 which appropriates $1 million to establish and carry out a program relating to certain unmanned aircraft systems.

Nevada Aviation - Aerospace - Airports Day at the Nevada Legislature in Carson City will be held on Monday April 22nd.  This is a great opportunity for NvAA Members to network with aviation and aerospace industry professionals and tell legislators about the important role that airports have in serving our communities and State.  For more information please visit the Nevada Business Aviation Association website at: http://nvbaa.org/ or contact NvAA Executive Director, Jeff Fontaine at: ccjfontaine@gmail.com or 775-443-7667.

Thanks to our sponsors, presenters and attendees for making NvAA's 20th Annual Conference a great success!  NvAA's 2020 Annual Conference will be held in Tonopah.