Next, the FAA should consider making all communities (or state) pay for the equipment maintained at many of these small airports, VASI and PAPI landing lights, Flashers, weather systems, weather cameras, some even have landing navigation systems. Another option is to eliminate the equipment which could reduce the amount of techs needed.

The question then becomes how far do you go? Much of this was built up to make flying safe for the public. The FAA has funded much of this because small communities cannot. What level of safety risk is acceptable? What level of financial responsibility should these communities (or states) that want an airport bear?