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Airport manager outlines landing-fee debate and revenue sources as commission reviews rates and charges
Summary
Airport Manager Nathan Coyle briefed the commission on airport finances, FAA/state grant rules, and industry debate about landing fees that use ADS‑B tracking data; commissioners asked about noise abatement, touch-and-go training flights, and impacts on flight schools.
Airport manager Nathan Coyle told the commission Aug. 19 that the Amelia Island-area airport is a self-sustaining enterprise with multiple revenue streams and significant recent growth in fuel flow and operations, and he framed a national debate over whether airports should use ADS‑B tracking data to bill individual landings.
Coyle said operating revenue is supported by ground leases (about 45% of operating revenue), hangar rentals and fuel-flow fees, and that the airport participates in FAA and state aviation grant programs (FAA typically funds eligible capital projects at about 90%). He said the airport has seen fuel-flow volumes roughly double from about 250,000 gallons a year to roughly 500,000 gallons, with most of that jet fuel.
On landing fees, Coyle explained that new satellite tracking (ADS‑B) enabled a vendor model that bills arrivals based on tracked landings; the flying community has criticized that approach because pilots and operators bore the capital cost of adopting ADS‑B and now face additional per-landing charges. He said some jurisdictions and a June congressional bill—the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act—would curtail the commercial use of ADS‑B data for revenue generation, and that Florida legislatures limited use in narrowly defined cases (for example, nonprofit flight schools with four‑year degree programs).
Commissioners used the presentation to press staff on noise-abatement guidelines, how touch-and-go training fits into voluntary pattern recommendations, and the airport’s obligation not to use aeronautical revenues for non-airport purposes under FAA grant-assurance rules. Coyle said FAA guidance requires rates and charges to be fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory and that revenues must be used for airport operation and capital purposes (no revenue diversion). He recommended continued consultation with aviation users before changing fees and noted state and federal legislative activity could affect whether ADS‑B-derived landing fees are permitted.
The commission asked for follow-up material on the airport building maintenance (paint, railings) and scheduled repairs found in the FY budget; Coyle and staff confirmed railing replacements and deck recoating are budgeted for the coming fiscal year.
