Introduction
Georgia is characterized by a vast number of general aviation airports. The state has one hundred and four publicly owned, and public use airports. In addition, it has nine commercial airports and ninety-five general aviation airports. The airports are vital regarding the state’s transportation and economic infrastructure (Li & Trani, 2017). Furthermore, the majority of the businesses carried out in Georgia use the airports for the transportation of personnel, clients, vendors, and commodities, which foster economic development. The airport industry supports onsite and local businesses through the provision of aviation –related goods and services to both the aircraft and passengers. The general aviation industry promotes economic activity in the Georgian community, via the creation of more construction jobs, as well as the purchase of goods and services. Moreover, through GA transport, business and leisure visitors can stimulate local economies, since they spend their money on services such as lodging, recreation, and entertainment, among others. WilburSmith Associates (2010) argue that Georgia’s airports contribute immensely to the state’s economy. The airports support four hundred and seventy-one, one hundred and seventy and seventy-five jobs. In addition, the airports provide seventeen point seven billion dollars in payroll, as well as sixty-two point six billion dollars in the statewide economic impact. General Aviation airports have therefore become an essential economic growth contributor in the state of Georgia.
History of General Aviation Development in Georgia
General aviation has undergone immense development and transformation over the years. Ben Epps is considered a legend since he was among the first individuals to be enshrined in the Georgia Aviation Hall of fame. Ben Epps was the first individual to construct a unique design monoplane in the state of Georgia, which was referred to as the Epps 1909 Monoplane. Epps was the mastermind behind the popularity of GA in Georgia. The contemporary GA has experienced great transformations since Epps aviation Era. Over the years, the expansion of the global economy has necessitated safe, rapid, accessible, and convenient transportation. Small aircraft have become the norm. The planes are more convenient as compared to airline travel since they can operate at Suburban and rural airports. The main difference between the current and the past GA is the use of technology in the contemporary aviation models, making transportation more efficient and effective.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The Total Number of GA Airports in Georgia
According to WilburSmith Associates (2010), Georgia has one hundred and four public use airports. Out of this number, nine of these airports are commercial service airports, while the remaining ninety-five are general aviation airports. The airports, excluding Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International, support one point two million annual boarded commuters. In addition, the airports provide services to seven hundred and twenty thousand commercial service visitors, and one point one million general aviation visitors. The airports also support five hundred plus on-airport businesses.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson is among the busiest general aviation airports globally. The airport is situated in Clayton County. In addition, it is named after two prominent politicians in Georgia, William Hartsfield, and Maynard Jackson. Hartsfield established the airport on an abandoned racetrack when he was the mayor of Atlanta. The name Jackson was also added to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport after the death of the former mayor of Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson is a large airport which occupies four thousand, seven hundred acres. Moreover, the terminal complex occupies over one hundred and thirty acres. The airport also has two hundred concession outlets, which are inclusive of food, beverage, as well as retail and convenience outlets. The passengers can procure tickets and make registrations, and luggage claims through the north and the south station. It is mandatory for passengers to take a security check-in Concourse T, which consists of precisely fifteen gates. The airport has two hundred and seven domestic and international gates in totality. In addition, the airport is also equipped with nine four-car trains, which operate on tracks. The tracks run along both sides of the transportation mall to provide transportation of passengers between concourses. Moreover, Hartsfield-Jackson is comprised of five runways which run from east to west. Nonetheless, the airport also has a pair of tracks north of the terminals, as well as three to the south. The runways are parallel, which enables several aircraft to depart and land at the same time. The structure prevents planes from crossing paths. Every single pair of runways is operated by traffic controllers, under the Federal Aviation Administration. Moreover, the airport also has a ground controller which=o is charged by the responsibility of steering aircraft between the ramps and the runways. Furthermore, there is also a tower controller who has the responsibility of taking care of the aircrafts, before landing. The airport is also equipped with a vast number of other controllers who assist with other tasks such as the delivery of predeparture authorizations to aircraft is at the gate.
DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)
PDK is also one of the most popular airports in the state of Georgia. Furthermore, the airport is the most effective when it comes to learning how to fly an aircraft. The airport is characterized by numerous corporate jets, helicopters, and private aircraft, which offer a productive atmosphere for the acquisition and enhancement of skills and self-confidence, where flying is concerned. The airport has a fully staffed control tower. Furthermore, parallel runways characterize the airport, fostering simultaneous departures and arrivals, which promote the smooth and efficient running of the airport. In addition, the airport is situated in Chamblee. The airport occupies seven hundred and forty-five acres. It is also comprised of three runways with a concrete surface. In the year 2010, the company was reported to have had two hundred and two, four hundred and ninety-one aircraft operations. In addition, the airport is characterized by four hundred and forty-seven aircraft, sixty-eight percent of which are single-engine, seventeen percent multi-engine, eleven percent jet, and five percent helicopter. Moreover, PDK has more than one hundred hangars. The airport has contributed immensely to the economy of the state of Georgia.
Administration, Policy, and Funding
The interim general manager oversees all the operations of Hartsfield-Jackson airport. PDK, on the other hand, is controlled by an airport director who handles all the activities of the airport. The leaders report to the Georgia Department of Transportation for administration, formulation of policies, and funding. According to Georgia Department of Transportation (2012), the Georgia Department of Transportation is the body which is charged with the duty of formulating long-term policies with regards to the establishment, growth, and maintenance of airports, and aviation facilities in the state of Georgia. In addition, the body is selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a state Block Grant Program, for the administration and provision of federal funds in publicly owned GA airports. The Georgia Department of Transportation administers, funds, and formulates policies for both PDK, as well as Hartsfield-Jackson, among other publicly-owned General Aviation Airports.
Economic Impact
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson has been deemed the most efficient and effectively managed airport globally. The airport immensely impacts the economy of Georgia. According to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (2013), this airport is referred to as the economic engine of the whole of the South-East region. The airport produces sixty-four point three billion dollars annually to Georgia’s economy. Moreover, the airport has impacted a decrease in the rates of unemployment in Georgia, since it has created more employment opportunities. Hartsfield-Jackson is the leading work center in Georgia since it accounts for at least one in every eleven jobs. Hartsfield currently has a vast number of staffs who directly work for the airport or provide assistance for the various operations carried out within the airport. The creation of more employment opportunities has improved the living standards of the citizens of Georgia (Kalinke, 2013). The incomes earned from working at Hartsfield-Jackson have enabled people to make enough to sustain themselves. In addition, the increased salaries have fostered increased expenditures, which significantly contribute to an increase in government revenue and a growth in the economy of Georgia. Furthermore, the airport has enabled the citizens of Georgia to access more goods and transport these commodities from one location to the other. Consequently, small businesses have expanded since entrepreneurs are able to access resources and avail commodities to the required consumers, at the required time. Furthermore, the companies that are located near the airport have flourished and expanded, since passengers and new individuals who travel through this airport can purchase the goods and services offered by these businesses. Nonetheless, Hartsfield-Jackson has also resulted in a variety of adverse effects in Georgia. For instance, the increase in aircraft emissions has dramatically affected the quality of air in Georgia. Kalinke (2013) argues that the airport operations at Hartsfield-Jackson have gravely affected the environment at Georgia. The increase in the emissions of carbon four oxides has promoted global warming. In addition, water wastes (nitrates and phosphates) stimulate acidification and eutrophication (Robertson, 2018). The residues have also contributed to the obliteration of aquatic environment, as well as the contamination of soil and groundwater. It is critical for practical steps and strategies to be employed, to alleviate the harmful effects of emissions on the Georgian environment. Most importantly, the airport impacts a lot of noise pollution. Noise pollution makes the people who reside around the airport uncomfortable. A lot of noise affects the concentration of students, when it comes to studying, which affects their academic performance since concentration is a critical factor when it comes to learning. Strategies to reduce noise pollution are essential to protect the surrounding communities from the health effects caused by noise pollution.
DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)
PDK has impacted great positive transformations in Georgia. The airport has enhanced the skills and expertise of individuals in the field of aviation and flight. Training, which is provided by the airport, has enabled individuals to secure employment and perform diligently in their areas of specialization. Moreover, the airport has provided many people with jobs, allowing them to earn and enhance their living standards. According to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (2013), the airport has further augmented business activities since manufacturing companies make use of it to transport and deliver cargo to the required places. Consequently, businesses have been able to run smoothly and the constant flow of money guaranteed. The airport has also enabled people from all over the world to travel to places that they wish, fostering interaction between diverse individuals from all walks of life, which is a critical contributor of diversity, a core priority in the modern world. Airports are critical with regards to their involvement with numerous aspects of the economy. PDK provides entrepreneurs in the local community with access to global markets. It enables the DeKalb community to retain and attract business to the local community, fostering more job opportunities and economic prosperity in this locale. The safe and efficient air services created by PDK develop environments which allow the present and fresh businesses to be victorious. As a result, the community’s tax base is increased. Airports are referred to as a crucial link to survival. Moreover, PDK airport has brought individuals from different places in the world, to and from DeKalb County. As a result, the local communities have been able to interact with diverse individuals, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of different ethnic cultures. Consequently, the airport has promoted diversity in DeKalb County, which is a critical unification aspect in Georgia, the United States, and the global society, at large. In addition, PDK has fostered the integration of diverse cultures into the American community which is essential in lessening the gap between Native Americans and other marginal groups. Noise pollution is one of the core effects of the operations carried out by PDK airport. The company has attempted to develop programs to lessen the total noise disturbances which are caused by the daily maneuvers of the airport. People who reside near the airport suffer from sleep disturbances due to exposure to nighttime aircraft noises. Sleep is a critical aspect of human life. The lack of adequate sleep impacts the quality of human life and makes individuals unable to perform as required. It is therefore crucial for the more productive approaches to decrease noise to be taken, to improve the quality of human life.
Primary Users
According to Pritchett (2017), Hartfields-Jackson and PDK have a number of primary users. The primary users of Hartsfield-Jackson airport are the people of Clayton County. Similarly, the primary users of PDK are the inhabitants of Chamblee. In addition, the two airports are used by individuals from different places worldwide. The two airports serve anyone who is in need of flight services and training, among others.
Constituencies Involved
Clayton and Fulton County are directly involved with Hartfield's Airport since the two have collaborated so that they can magnify their efforts to develop a stout, secure, striking, and vibrant economic community. The DeKalb County is one of the primary constituencies involved with DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, since the citizens of this community are the ones who are affected, both positively and negatively, by the long-lasting unresolved projects of the airport. In addition, Louisville Jefferson County is also directly involved with the airport and has the power to oversee and regulate civil aviation operations in the US.
Entities with the Power to make Transformations
There are two primary entities which have the power and authorization to make various transformations in these airports, as well as in all other airports in the state of Georgia. The bodies are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Georgia Department of Transportation for administration. The GDOT articulates and implements policies for the GA airports. On the other hand, FAA has the power to facilitate the construction and procedures of all the airports situated in America.
Opposers of PDK
PDK Watch Inc. is an excellent example of a group that opposes PDK airport. The organization was established to defend the existing residential neighborhoods around PDK airport from noise pollution, which results from the operations of the airport. The organization safeguards one hundred thousand residents situated in the northeast of Atlanta. For the attainment of the organization's objectives, PDK Watch retains a good rapport with the director of PDK and the county commissioner of DeKalb County to make sure that various airport issues do not affect the surrounding communities. Furthermore, when it is hugely required, the organization mobilizes its supporters, which can generate a vast number of emails and calls to the County Commissioners with regards to the issues of concern.
Opposers of Hartsfield-Jackson
According to Yamanouchi (2018), one of the chief opposers of Hartsfield-Jackson is Ed Bastian, the Chief executive officer of Delta. Bastian is against the state takeover of the airport, as planned by Georgia’s legislature. Bastian does not support the manipulation of the airport for political gain. He has further collaborated with Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin group, to retain the airport's operations with the city, which they deem efficient.
Supporters of PDK
The Georgia Department of Transportation dramatically supports DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. This is the entity which is charged with the obligation of creating and executing long-term policies with regards to the establishment, growth, and maintenance of PDK airport. The group further offers federal funds to the airport, enabling the airport to maintain efficient and effective flight operations.
Supporters of Hartsfield-Jackson
Hartsfield-Jackson is supported dramatically by Clayton and Fulton County. The Counties have collaborated so that they can expand their efforts to develop an active, protected, striking, and vibrant economic community. Robertson (2018) claims that ATL concessionaires such as Ecco and Grindhouse Killer Burgers, among others, are also major supporters of the airport. The collaboration between ATL and Hartsfield enables these concessionaires to make available, quality food to the passengers and employees. In addition, ATL concessionaires offer a range of food alternatives, to sufficiently fulfill the eating needs of individuals in the airport. The Georgia Department of Transportation also supports the airport. The entity provides Hartsfield-Jackson with the required federal funds for its maintenance and the promotion of efficient flight services (Georgia Department of Transportation, 2012).
Conclusion
General aviation has dramatically transformed transportation in the modern society. GA has made transportation more efficient and effective in rural and suburban areas. Moreover, general aviation has been beneficial in improving the economy of the state of Georgia. The airports have created more job opportunities for the locals, enabling them to earn salaries, gratify their needs, and sustain not only themselves but also their families. The increase in employment opportunities in areas adjacent to general aviation airports has enhanced the living standards of the people of Georgia. Furthermore, small businesses and entrepreneurs have thrived as a result of these airports. GA aviation enables local business to attain more clients to purchase their commodities, fostering the constant flow of money, as well as goods and services which are critical to business success. In addition, local entrepreneurs, as well as big firms can access the required resources and transport their commodities to various clients globally, fostering business expansion. GA is a significant contributor to the state’s economic growth.
References
Georgia Department of Transportation, (2012). Georgia Airport Aid Program: Policies and Standards Guide. Aviation programs. Sixth Edition. Retrieved from: http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/Aviation/Documents/PSGuide.pdf Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, (2013). 2013 Economic Impact Study: Executive Summary. Retrieved from: http://one.atl.com/docs/BusinessInformation/Reports/ATLEISExecSummaryBrochure_Final.pdf Kalinke, L. (2013). Innovations in Sustainable Airport Planning Efforts: A Case Study of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Li, T., & Trani, A. A. (2017). A Least-Square Model to Estimate Historical Percentages of Itinerant General Aviation Operations by Aircraft Types and Flight Rules at an Airport. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2017. Pritchett, A., R., (2017). Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved from: https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport Robertson, A., (2018). Taste of Hartsfield-Jackson Shows Culinary Appeal of World’s Busiest Airport. Hartsfield-Jackson: Atlanta International Airport. Retrieved from: http://www.atl.com/taste-of-hartsfield-jackson-shows-culinary-appeal-of-worlds-busiest-airport/ WilburSmith Associates, (2010). Economic Impact of Cobb County-McCollum Field. Georgia Department of Transportation. Retrieved from: https://cobbcounty.org/images/documents/dot/mccollum/georgia_airports_2011state-eis-cobbcounty-mccollumfield.pdf Yamanouchi, K., (2018). Delta CEO Opposes the Idea of State Takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson. AJC. Retrieved from: https://www.ajc.com/business/delta-ceo-opposes-idea-state-takeover-hartsfield-jackson/gpZF5kXJd8wz4STrgl8GmO/
