Becoming a member

MCOA is a non-profit organization made up of member airports and associates dedicated to providing services and operating the state airports in the safest and most efficient way possible.  MCOA is an “assistance and information resource center” providing a forum for the members to insure they have access to and are kept informed on “state of the art” technologies in airport funding, maintenance, and operations.

Benefits of being a member
Your membership in MCOA offers many benefits.

  • MCOA works hand-in-hand with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Aeronautics to identify and resolve potential airport problems.
  • Our MCOA Monthly Update provides you with valuable information about upcoming events and current information on national, regional and local changes in the aviation industry.  You can also advertise to buy or sell used equipment free of charge in the newsletter.
  • MCOA has a library of resources, specifications and information available to you through our Executive Support Services.
  • MCOA provides strong leadership and a voice listened to at the state legislature to insure sufficient airport funding is available.
  • MCOA plans and hosts the annual Airport Symposium providing you with the opportunity to share ideas and concerns with other airports and vendors in a congenial environment.
  • MCOA provides guidance and assistance to the AirTAP Steering Committee for matters concerning program development for the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) AirTAP Fall Forum in concert with the FAA and the MN/DOT Office of Aeronautics.

For our associate members, MCOA provides an opportunity for vendors to advertise their services to over 138 airports at minimal cost.

Types of membership available
There are three types of MCOA memberships available.

  • Airports – All airports in the state are eligible, from sod strips to seaplane bases
  • Associate – All purveyors of services, airport related or not, are eligible
  • Individual – Any individual involved with aviation may join MCOA

Invitation to join
The benefits of being a member of MCOA far outweigh the minimal membership costs.  To join, just contact any MCOA Board member or our Executive Support Services Agency, GenAvCon, at 218/828-5049.  Airport annual membership dues are based on airport size and level of service while associate and individual memberships are generally fixed fees.

2005 Rates

  • Airports, commercial scheduled air carrier served ... $200
  • Airports, all other airports ... $100
  • Associates or individuals ... $100

Did you know?

  • Minnesota has more than 140 public use airports and 15 public use seaplane bases.
  • Minnesota has over 6,000 active, registered aircraft and over 15,000 licensed pilots.
  • Minnesota ranks in the top 19 percent in the nation in the number of aviation education courses at the elementary, high school and college level.

Measuring economic impacts

Airports create economic impacts in a myriad of ways.  They are home to numerous businesses such as airlines, flight schools, restaurants, and aircraft maintenance and manufacturing facilities that directly support thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity.  In addition to direct, on-airport impacts, more than 4.3 million non-resident visitors arrive via schedule commercial flights in Minnesota each year.  Also, general aviation airports support numerous visitors arriving for business and pleasure.  On-airport economic activity and visitor spending creates additional jobs, earnings, and economic activity as spending re-circulates throughout all levels of Minnesota's economy.  This cycle is known as the multiplier effect.  When direct, indirect, and multiplier impacts are summed, the total economic impact is derived.

An economic study was included in the development of the 1999 State Airport System Plan (SASP).  The study surveyed airports ranging from extremely active commercial service facilities to small landing strips.  In addition, economic studies of Minneapolis-St. Paul International and the seven metro-reliever airports were incorporated in the calculation of total impacts.  The study found that aviation contributes approximately $10 billion to the state’s economy.

Economic Impact Calculator

In 2005, the Minnesota Department of Transportation MN/DOT Office of Aeronautics sponsored a research project on the economic impacts of airports.  This project resulted in a web based economic calculator that can be used to identify the economic impact of individual airports.  The calculator can be found on MN/DOT’s web site www.mndot.gov and clicking on the picture of the airplane.  The economic impact calculator can be found under the quick links portion of the Aeronautics web page.  The full research report can be found on MN/DOT’s Research website at http://www.research.dot.state.mn.us/detail.cfm?productID=1980

In addition to this, the Airport Technical Assistance Program (AirTAP) developed Flying High, Showing the Value of Minnesota Airports to Their Communities, a Marketing Toolkit for Minnesota Airports to help airport personnel present information on the benefits of their airports to their communities.  This information can be found on the AirTAP website at http://www.airtap.umn.edu/publications/toolkit/index.html .

The following tables summarizes those research project findings in addition to the finds of a Metropolitan Council survey of seven reliever airports to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and the finds of the Metropolitan Airports Commission economic impact study for the activity at MSP.

Impact source

Economic activity

Earnings

Jobs

Wilbur Smith Assoc.
(20 Greater Minnesota airports)

$298,562,900

$94,997,700

5,280

Met Council
(7 relievers)

$277,084,300

$101,998,300

3,745

MAC (MSP)

$9,489,400,000

$2,781,700,000

99,461

State Aviation System Plan

$307,881,600

$97,502,900

5,289

Total Minnesota

$10,372,928,800

$3,076,198,900

113,775

 

MCOA by-laws