Pearland Regional Airport Continues its Major Improvements
By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Located approximately seven miles south of Houston’s Hobby Airport, Pearland Regional Airport (KLVJ) is ideally located for its Reliever Airport designation. Soon, the airport will have even better capabilities to serve business aviators seeking alternatives to the busy airspace between Hobby and Ellington Field.
In fall 2013, Texas Aviation Partners (TAP) assumed responsibility for management of the airport, including FBO operations. Within the first year, TAP worked diligently to lead an airport-wide facelift to make Pearland Regional Airport a more attractive alternative for local and transient pilots.
“We were brought on to operate and manage the airport and make it self-sustaining,” said TAP Partner Stephen Alexander. “We’ve done a lot of improvements in the way of making it a safe aeronautical facility. The airport lighting, rotating beacon and perimeter fencing were all in poor shape. We wanted to clean up the entire airport. In order to set the table to make the airport self-sustaining, you have to have a clean kitchen before you can serve a good meal.”
One of the current projects underway at the airport is a feasibility study to determine a better route and new location for an airport entrance. The project also includes funding for upgrades to airport and airfield safety and security. The project was funded by a non-primary entitlement program grant (awarded in 2015) through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division.
According to Alexander, the airport hopes to achieve two things from the feasibility study: 1) parlay the findings and the results of that grant study to identify the best entrance into the airport, and 2) ensure appropriate coordination of airport improvements with government officials and community partners. “Once you get to the airport, it’s easy to get around,” noted Alexander. “But finding us from existing highways is difficult. So we identified it as a big need to have better roadway access.”
The Texas Aviation Partners’ recent accomplishments include:
- Extensive remodel of FBO facility.
- Successfully renegotiated fuel contract to increase airport profitability.
- Secured several much-needed amenities such as full service Jet A fuel and on-site rental cars.
- Performed airport-wide cleanup that included major repairs and improvements.
- Designed airport website to include new logo and branding, as well as monthly newsletters.
- Acquired new Community Hangar.
- Launched Phase I of new hangar development.
Phase I of the hangar development project began in December 2015 and includes 23 T-hangars available for lease.
Airport Operations Manager Adam Arceneaux echoed many of Alexander’s excited sentiments.
“Our goal is have a first class facility,” said Arceneaux. “We want a first time customer to land, be attended to quickly and efficiently, and most importantly feel welcome so that they not only return, but tell their friends about their positive experience.”
Pearland Regional Airport at a Glance
Website: http://www.flypearland.com/
Amenities Offered:
- Courtesy car
- Community Hangar*
- Ramp tie-down parking**
- Fresh baked cookies, bottled water and Starbucks coffee
- Wi-fi
- Weather planning station
- Pilot’s lounge
- Conference room
- Concierge-style customer service
- Quick turn services
*First night free; $25/night
**With fuel purchase; 5 night maximum
Runway 14-32 Information
Dimensions: 4,313’ x 75’
Surface: Concrete, good condition
Runway Edge Lights: Medium Intensity
Elevation: 43.9 ft.
Traffic Pattern: Left
Runway Heading: 142 magnetic, 145 true (for runway 14); 322 magnetic, 325 true (for runway 32)