Sean Parker gives his remarks at the podium during the National/Regional Airport of the Year award ceremony.
From its humble beginnings as an army airfield in the 1940s, Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport has evolved into a modern, award-winning aviation facility operated by the City of Temple.
Spanning across 922 acres and standing at an elevation of 682 feet above sea level, this airport features two asphalt paved runways, with one stretching 7,000 by 150 feet and the other measuring 4,740 by 100 feet.
Over the years, this airport has undergone a series of transformative projects, each aimed at enhancing safety, efficiency and user experience. These initiatives include:
- A taxiway refurbishment with a compass rose placement;
- Refurbishment of the original beacon tower; and
- Recently purchasing a 2023 Oshkosh Striker 1500 ARFF truck.
Thanks to strategic funding partnerships with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Capital Improvement Program and Routine Airport Maintenance Program, Draughon-Miller Airport has also:
- Modernized airfield lighting from incandescent to LED;
- Cleared over 17 acres of trees and vegetation in the approach of Runway 03 to clear obstacles;
- Mitigated wildlife hazards in the same area; and
- Constructed eight shovel-ready plots for future corporate hangars and an access road.
Dan Harmon presents the National/Regional Airport of the Year award to Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport and its Director Sean Parker.
Recently, the airport fully funded a $7.4 million construction of a brand-new 6,800-square-foot Fixed-Base Operator and Airport Administration Terminal. A recent visitor stated, “It’s a beautiful new terminal building with a huge, covered awning that can accommodate large corporate aircraft.”
Looking ahead, Draughon-Miller Airport is committed to further enhancements, including:
- The statewide “India” project to crack seal, sealcoat, paint and repaint Runway 16-34;
- Realigning Taxiway D around the approach end of Runway 03 to remove non-standard runway crossing and improve safety for the flying public; and
- Replacing the current Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) with a new AWOS III system.
With a 35 percent increase in operations and fuel sales over the past five years, Draughon-Miller Airport continues to elevate its existing infrastructure and services, ensuring safety and convenience for all travelers.