Airport Master Plan 2012 - City of Waterville

7.4 Comparable Airports: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
The scope of the project called for a review of the lessons learned during the establishment of the Airport
authorities at the comparable Airports, as well as a review of the best practices that are implemented for
each Airport.
During follow up interviews conducted with each Airport, it was reported by all Airport managers that the
authorities were established an average of 30 years ago, prior to the tenure of any current member of
Airport or authority staff that serves the Airport and therefore no one was able to speak on the topic of
any lessons learned.
In addition, each Airport manager reported that the Airports currently do not use an established set of best
management practices. In light of this information, additional research was completed to identify
published best practices that can be referenced by WVL during the development of its best practices.
Two samples were identified and are summarized herein.
“Arizona Best Practices Guide” (2007): Available online at www.azAirports.org
Developed in cooperation by the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA), the FAA’s Western
Pacific Region, and the Arizona Department of Transportation – Aeronautics Division, the
purpose of this Guide is to clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations of all affected parties
when conducting Airport related business, as well as to ensure that issues are addressed and dealt
with in a uniform manner. It identifies the roles and responsibilities of each agency; the
processes involved with general service agreements, Airport capital improvement plans,
environmental overviews, FAA & ADO funding resources, and bids; contractor allowances
(defined as the sum of money available to help pay the expense of any unforeseen circumstance
to help contractors cover additional eligible costs incurred during construction that otherwise
would require processing amendments); and the sponsor contact list.
“Aviation Best Practices Report of New York State” (2000): Available online at www.nysdot.gov
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in cooperation with the state’s
Airports developed this report as a compilation of practices and ideas submitted by Airports and
consultants in response to a survey conducted by NYSDOT. Its intent is to serve as a medium for
the exchange of experiences and to promote discussion on continuous improvement efforts
employed in the aviation industry. As a fluid document, the State openly invites Airports to send
in additional suggestions and recommendations for periodic updates of the report. The report
identifies best practices for:
Management Practices (e.g. Airport management, FBO management, land Use/zoning,
and noise abatement)
Operations Practices (e.g. Snow removal, pavement management/maintenance,
environmental management, deicing, obstruction removal/management)
Aviation Awareness Practices (e.g. Aviation safety and education)
Marketing/Public Relations Practices \
Economic Development Practices (e.g. Improving air service and business development)
While both documents can provide WVL with invaluable insight into best management practices, certain
topics apply more directly to the immediate goal of improving the management of WVL. For example,
the identification of agency roles and responsibilities and recommended communication processes found
in the “Arizona Best Practices Guide” could streamline the establishment of any new management
structure. With respect to the “Aviation Best Practices of New York State”, the intent, description, and
The City of Waterville Maine
Airport Management Structure Assessment – Page 7-17
Airport Solutions Group, LLC & The Louis Berger Group, Inc. December 2011