The FAA on Friday opened a public comment period for its draft Airport Improvement Program Handbook, FAA Order 5100.38E, giving airport sponsors, state aviation offices, consultants and other interested parties until Aug. 17, 2026, to weigh in on the proposed update. The draft handbook outlines how the FAA would determine eligibility, justification and funding treatment for AIP projects, including airport planning, airfield work, lighting, NAVAIDs, noise programs, environmental projects, terminal development and other grant-funded improvements.
Among the practical changes, the draft would fold recent FAA reauthorization guidance into the AIP Handbook, including several items that could affect how airports plan and justify grant requests. The proposed language covers a limited runway-extension pilot for certain general aviation airports that otherwise would not qualify under standard AIP runway-justification rules, a legacy-crosswind runway category for certain previously funded crosswind runways, and airport-owned unleaded-avgas and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. It also reflects newer rules affecting project timing and financing, including Small Airport Letters of Intent, and expands energy guidance to cover supply redundancy, microgrids and current and future electrical demand.
Other draft provisions deal with the less-visible parts of AIP administration, including useful-life determinations, cost allowability, project readiness, environmental prerequisites, grant amendments, payment requests and closeout requirements. Comments should reference docket FAA-2026-4006.
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