Airport Maintenance Programs

The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) provides a variety of Airport maintenance and maintenance-related services for publicly owned GA Airports in the State. Most of these services are provided by vendors who have Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID / IQ) contracts with SCAC. Prices are based on a bid schedule. Their services were obtained through a public, competitive-bidding process that meets the procurement requirements of the State and most local governments and Airport Sponsors. These services are typically paid for through a cost-share between SCAC (80%) and the GA Airport Sponsor (20%), although services could be provided as part of a grant agreement in certain cases.  Please note this NEW cost share breakdown for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY-25) only. 

Services are requested by the Airport Sponsor from the SCAC Airport Development Staff (not the vendor). The SCAC Project Manager (PM) assigns the requested scope of work to the vendor who will prepare a price quotation. When all stakeholders are in agreement with the written scope of work and associated fee, the SCAC PM will issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to the vendor. The vendor will schedule and coordinate the work with the Airport Sponsor in advance of mobilization. The Airport Sponsor will provide oversight of the vendor and primary quality control (QC).  If there is a need to expand the previously established scope and fee, all stakeholders must authorize this in writing and in advance of the additional work being performed. 

When the work is complete, inspected, and meets the satisfaction of the Airport Sponsor and the SCAC PM, the vendor will send an invoice for 100% of the incurred cost to the SCAC PM. The SCAC Finance Staff will in turn issue an invoice for 20% of the cost to the Airport Sponsor for prompt payment. The Airport Sponsor should have an active Purchase Order (PO) to the SCAC in advance of the NTP being issued. SCAC does not currently accept P-card for payment.

Available maintenance services include: 

Pavement Maintenance Program 

• Pavement rejuvenation
• Emulsified asphalt treatments
• Narrow pavement crack sealing 
• Wide pavement crack sealing 
• Silicone joint sealing (concrete slabs)
• Pavement marking 
• Pavement marking removal 
• Pavement marking cleaning 
• Pavement cleaning 

Note: These services are primarily intended for Airfield pavements (however, landside pavement can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis). 

Vegetation Maintenance Program

• Application of growth retardant 
• Fence line sterilization 
• Pavement crack sterilization 
• Pavement edge sterilization 
• Airfield electrical sterilization and fire ant treatment 
• Steep slope mowing (once per growing season) 
• Airspace tree trimming and removal 
• Land clearing 
• Drainage facility maintenance and repair 
• Pond maintenance 

Note: Performance of recurring airfield mowing is the responsibility of the Airport Sponsor. 

Herbicide & Fire Ant Control

The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) will provide select chemical herbicides and fire ant control for use on publicly owned Airports by Airport Staff who are licensed applicators.  Applicator refresher training is provided as well in order to ensure safe and appropriate storage, handling, and application.  All costs are paid by SCAC.  The Airport Sponsor is responsible for application.  When requesting a price quote, please include the name and applicator's license number of the airport employee who will be applying the chemicals.    

Airfield Electrical Repair 

• Edge lights 
• PAPIs 
• Approach lights 
• Lighted airfield signage 
• Electrical vaults / regulators 
• Rotating beacons and towers 
• Lighted Windcone 

Note: 

1. Repair of damage caused by negligence or otherwise covered by insurance will not be subject to cost sharing. 

2. Basic maintenance and the purchase of associated materials, such as replacement edge light bulbs and globes, are the responsibility of the Airport Sponsor.

Airport Signage 

• “No Trespassing” Signs 
• Gate / Hangar # Signs 
• Custom-worded Signs 

Note: Signs are produced by the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Inmate Labor Staff through an interagency agreement with SCAC. All costs are paid by SCAC for routine sign orders. The Airport Sponsor is responsible for installation.

Windsocks

Replacement windsocks for public use Airports and Hospital Heliports are available in the following sizes:

• Large – 36” X 144”

• Small – 18” X 96”

There is no charge for replacement windsocks.  Windsocks are equipped with weep holes to prevent the accumulation of rainwater.  The Airport Sponsor is responsible for installation (with weep holes at the bottom of the windsock to ensure proper drainage).

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Sweepers

The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) will provide Public Use General Aviation (GA) Airports with a pull-behind FOD Sweeper for the maintenance of airfield pavement.  Sweepers are provided to Airport Sponsors free of charge upon execution of a use agreement.