An analysis of the methods used to calculate customer operations at non-towered airports and of the associated managerial uses of operations information

The methods of counting and estimating customer aircraft operations at non-towered airports differ from state to state. These methods vary in accuracy, efficiency, and cost effectiveness, and the results are not comparable among airports across the nation. If inaccurate information is fed into managerial decisions, the result is poor planning, faulty forecasting, erroneous economic evaluations, flawed environmental documentation, inadequate safety considerations, and inefficient capital funding.;This research identifies and evaluates the different methods of counting and estimating aircraft operations at non-towered airports being used by the states of the United States for accuracy, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.;Results from the present study show that of the current methods being used to count and estimate customer aircraft operations at non-towered airports, statistical sampling is the most accurate. There is some question as to the accuracy level achieved by sampling with the acoustical counting equipment currently in use by the states. Further study is recommended on use of the acoustical equipment. It was determined, however, that pneumatic counters can be highly inaccurate depending on the airport layout.;It was also determined that simply asking the airport-related personnel what the airport's operations are is not a recommended method to determine an airport's annual operations, yet this is the most common method being used by the states. Although it is the least expensive method, it is very inaccurate. Additionally, the use of towered airports as a basis to determine operations at non-towered airports is not recommended as the literature reviewed indicates there is not enough correlation between the two to provide accurate results.;The FAA and the states should only use operational data obtained from actual statistical sampling as justification for funding for capital improvement projects.