A Global Perspective on Airport Planning and Design

Expert and thorough planning is the foundation necessary for a successful airport design project. Building on that foundation requires good design documents and careful construction monitoring without costly delays. Timely reimbursement by funding agencies is also important to airport owners.

McFarland-Johnson has been administering successful airport projects for over 50 years, and for many repeat clients through multi-year, open-end contracts—a testimony to our level of service. We represent dozens of airports, including general aviation, air-carrier, military, and dual-use facilities. To receive FAA and state funding, Airport Capital Improvement Plans, pre-applications, applications, DBE plans, and periodic payment requests must be kept current so the project and the sponsor won’t suffer adverse financial impacts.

McFarland-Johnson completes all of the necessary grant application paperwork for you. We employ licensed pilots and in-house aviation consultants experienced in funding and programming for airports. They monitor funding opportunities at the state and federal levels, allowing pre-applications to be submitted at times of highest available funding. They also evaluate the impact of construction activities on airport operations.

Our in-house capabilities for planning, design, construction, and grant administration are divided among the following Departments:

Planning/Environmental

Airport Action Plans
Airport/Heliport Master Plans & Updates
Airport Layout Plans & Updates
Aviation System Plans
Economic Impact Studies
Environmental Assessments/Impact Statements
Five- to Twelve-Year Capital Improvement Plans
Financial Plans & Feasibility Studies
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Grant Administration
Noise Monitoring & Impact Studies
Obstruction Studies
Stormwater Discharge Permits

Airport

Airside Design (Aprons, Heliports, Navaids, Runways, Signage, Taxiways)
Construction Administration
Equipment Specifications
FAA and State Grant Applications/Administration
Geotechnical
Landside Design (Drainage, Grading, Parking Lots, Ramps, Roadways)
Pavement Management Systems
Property Acquisition/Divestment
Survey

Facilities Design

ARFF Buildings
De-icing Facilities
Electrical & Lighting
Energy Audits & Life-Cycle Cost Analyses
Flight Simulator Facilities
Fuel Systems
Hangars
Maintenance & Storage Facilities
Mechanical & HVAC
Security Access Systems & Fencing
Structural
Terminal Buildings

Representative Projects

  • Binghamton Regional Airport, Broome County, Maine, NY
  • Elmira/Corning Regional Airport, Chemung County, Horseheads, NY
  • Manchester Airport, City of Manchester, NH
  • Somerset Airport, Somerset Air Service, Bedminster, NJ
  • Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, NFTA, Buffalo, NY
  • Open-End Airport Services Agreement, VAOT, Statewide, VT
  • Albany International Airport, Albany County, NY
  • Pottstown-Limerick Airport, PECO, Pottstown, PA
  • Millville Municipal Airport, City of Millville, NJ
  • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA
  • Niagara Falls International Airport, NFTA, Niagara Falls, NY
  • Pavement Mgmt. Studies for NYS General Aviation Airports, NYSDOT, Statewide, NY