
Aviation Planning
As a firm, KSA’s primary work portfolio includes non-hub commercial service and general airports in the Southwest Region. Our planning group has provided services for airports such as Corpus Christi International, McAllen International, Tyler Pounds Regional, Victoria Regional, Clovis Municipal, Chennault International, Austin Bergstrom International, Del Rio International, Jack Brooks Regional, and Santa Fe Municipal Airports. All of these airports are Part 139 Commercial Service airports requiring a level of service that is attentive, demanding, and critical to keeping flying passengers safe. We understand both commercial and corporate airports have users that require high-quality products and services that go beyond traditional airport infrastructure.
Planning projects require close coordination with the client, FAA, local stakeholders, and the flying public. Specifically, we have completed the following:
- Airport Master Planning and Airport Layout Plans
- Capital Improvement Program (CIP) development
- Taxiway redesign and conversion projects
- Terminal development plan – baggage handling and auto accessibility
- Air cargo apron redesign for UPS Air Cargo serving Boeing 767/757 aircraft
- Environmental Assessments and Categorical Exclusions (CATEX)
- Runway feasibility and wind analysis
- Rental car return design
- Hangar and fuel farm site development
- ILS relocation studies
- Runway closures and taxiway conversions (end-around and decoupling)
- Land Release and Non-Aeronautical Development Concepts
- Land Use Compatibility Planning
KSA planners are experienced airport professionals. But more than that, we are pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and we love what we do.
KSA Experience in the FAA Southwest Region
We have completed numerous projects in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. We have existing relationships with FAA staff that assist project justification and environmental documentation required for implementation. Our McKinney, Texas office is in close proximity to the FAA Region Headquarters and our planners and project team members routinely visit FAA Southwest Headquarters to support our client’s needs and facilitate project funding, grant and airport compliance, and CIP development.
The AIP Handbook outlines the requirements for grant eligible projects and KSA understands the process by which projects compete for FAA discretionary funds. KSA works with our clients to justify projects so that they will compete for FAA discretionary funding. The FAA starts at the runway centerline and works out to evaluate projects for funding.
Master Plans and Other Airport Planning Projects
KSA has over four decades of experience as a regional leader in airport facilities design, construction inspection, architecture, planning and environmental programs.

KSA is active in a number of national and regional aviation organizations. Involvement in organizations such as the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Council International (ACI), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) directly benefit our clients.
At quarterly or annual meetings and conferences, we are exposed to trends in the industry, upcoming regulatory or policy changes and unique approaches to airport development and growth.
Relationships within the aviation community are a key component to a successful airport operation. Your relationship with funding agencies, including the FAA, allow you to successfully compete for grant monies beyond entitlement dollars. KSA will support you by utilizing our experience and solid relationships from our numerous projects with the FAA Southwest Region Airports Development Office (ADO).
Runway Construction/Rehabilitation: 64 | Visual Aides/Navigational Aides: 41 | Facilities Design/Renovation Rehabilitation: 6 | |
---|---|---|---|
Taxiway Construction/Rehabilitation: 68 | Access Road/Landside Improvements: 36 | Airport Planning: 52 | |
Apron Construction/Rehabilitation: 65 | Fencing/Security: 35 | Fuel Farms: 6 | |
Airfield Lighting/Signage: 55 | Hangars: 20 | SPCC/SWPPP: 19 | |
Drainage/Stormwater: 58 |
Commercial Service Airports: 23 | |
---|---|
General Aviation Airports: 105 | |
Reliever Airports: 24 |
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
At KSA, providing our clients with innovative, cutting edge services is a top priority. Employing the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) allows our team to provide services to our clients that might otherwise be uneconomical or ineffective. These services, in coordination with our planning, environmental, and engineering efforts include:
- Master Plan Inventory Analysis
- Aerial Mapping of Project Sites
- 3D Rendering and Analysis
- Pavement Inspection
- Runway Maintenance Inspection
- Aerial Construction and Project Updates
- Abbreviated Site Visits and Airport Impacts/Closures
- Environmental Survey and Imaging

We have completed over a thousand projects at hundreds of aviation facilities including Commercial Service, Reliever, and General Aviation airports. This experience forged our team into subject matter experts with a tradition of excellent customer service and long lasting relationships. To view representative work, visit our Aviation Planning Experience page.