FAA Gets It Right

I had a chance to read the FAA funding commitment letter, and I can report their support is strong and unequivocal. Here’s what lies at the core of their decision:

In conducting its funding analysis, FAA determined that both physical and environmental restrictions at the existing site make it impractical and extremely costly to update to meet FAA standards.

The existing primary air carrier runway is 6,304 feet long with nonstandard safety areas. Even if FAA were to upgrade the existing site, it would not result in an airfield that fully complied with FAA standards. These limitations on the existing airfield provide sufficient justification for a Federal investment in the project.

FAA’s analysis also showed that an amount of funds equivalent to the safety and standards project at the current site invested at the replacement airport would contribute to a facility that would provide for a full standard safety area.

FAA also said:

We commit to work with the Panama City – Bay County International Airport District toward the successful completion of this project.