The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Aviation Authority) published its Strategic Plan in 2023 to articulate a long-term vision for the organization and the deliberate actions to realize that vision. The Strategic Plan presents a holistic perspective for the Aviation Authority and its priorities whereas the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan Update is a facility-focused study for determining the short, medium, and long-term development plans to meet future aviation demand at the airport.

The airport master plan process is guided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and ultimately results in publication of a master plan report which will include the following:

• Inventory of existing airport conditions

• Aviation activity forecasts

• Demand/capacity analysis and facility requirements

• Alternatives development and evaluation

• Highest and best land use plan

• Environmental overview

• Project implementation plan

• Financial feasibility analysis

• Airport layout plan (ALP) drawing set

The master plan also includes public engagement throughout the process to provide updates on the study’s progress to airport and community stakeholders while allowing an opportunity for input.

An airport master plan process typically takes 30 to 36 months depending on several factors. The Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan Update schedule is dependent on stakeholder involvement, federal and local regulations, and the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of the Aviation Activity Forecast and the Airport Layout Plan (ALP). The ORL Master Plan Update commenced April 2024 and is scheduled for completion in 2026.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews, and ultimately approves, both the aviation activity forecast and the Airport Layout Plan (ALP). In addition, the FAA is actively engaged throughout the master planning process and may provide comments on the master plan’s findings, recommendations and deliverables, and may offer technical assistance and support.

An aviation activity forecast is a projection of future based aircraft and aircraft operations to occur at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviewed and approved the baseline aviation activity forecast scenario associated with the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan Update October 2024.

Aviation activity forecast (sometimes called “demand forecasts”) are based on a review of historical trends, econometric modeling, and professional judgment. Activity forecasts help the Airport Authority provide the right types, sizes, and functionality of facilities to accommodate the anticipated needs of all airport users.

An Airport Layout Plan (ALP) is a scaled, graphical presentation of the existing and future airport facilities, their location on the airport campus, and pertinent clearance and dimensional information. The ALP is an output of a master plan study that contains information used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to program future funding assistance and to monitor the airport’s compliance with design standards and grant assurances. It also allows the FAA to anticipate budgetary and procedural needs, and to protect the airspace required for facility or aircraft approach procedure improvements. Some projects that will be depicted on the ALP will represent development plans of airport lease holders, particularly the fixed-based operators (FBOs).

The projects that will be published in the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan are not guaranteed to be implemented or approved. Environmental reviews in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and financial/capital improvement allocations will be required as each master plan project is advanced for design and construction.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority will determine which projects depicted and described in the master plan are executed according to the needs of the airport and its users. Some of the master planned facilities will be designed, constructed, and operated airport lease holders, particularly the fixed-based operators (FBOs). In accordance with federal laws and regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will review and approve certain airport projects.

The purpose of an airport master plan is to review and plan for facilities that support aviation activity. Holistic considerations will ensure proposed development of the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan is not planned in a vacuum with respect to the surrounding community and land uses. A component of the ORL Master Plan Update will be documenting the highest and best land uses for available parcels, including opportunities for commercial development to support aeronautical and non-aeronautical activities alike.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Aviation Authority) will engage with Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) users, the general aviation community, and public through a series of meetings and surveys. The Aviation Authority will conduct public workshops to present information and solicit comments. Comments may be submitted via comment cards that will be distributed at each workshop. Alternatively, comments may be submitted at any time on the Comments Page which also has an opt-in for notifications about the master plan. An open house event was held on July 29, 2024 to collect input from airport tenants and subtenants about what needs and considerations they would like accounted for in the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) Master Plan Update.