- PRESIDENT BUSH’S RANCH – If anyone is thinking about flying over this ranch near Crawford, Texas to check out the new president’s place – think again! The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bus declared it off limits. A Prohibited Area has been established in the airspace above the ranch, extending from the surface to 5,000 feet MSL, within a three-mile radius.
- AWARD WINNING BROCHURE – The Houston Airport System’s Planning, Design and Construction group received the “Special Market Brochure 2000” Award from the Society of Marketing Professionals for a brochure to help customers understand on-going airport ground transportation improvements.
- TEMPLE CENTRAL REGIONAL AIRPORT – In May, the city-run aviation facility was named an award winner in Exxon Mobil’s Tiger Spirit Customer Service Program. As part of a national network of fixed-base operators (FBOs), this airport caters to the needs of both local and cross-country professional pilots who stop at the facility for refueling and other needs.
- WACO REGIONAL AIRPORT – The airport recently added a toll-free hotline 800/FLY WACO (860/359-9226). Callers can ask questions about the status of flights and schedules, hours of operation, luggage, and directions to the airport. Additionally, the airport is offering concierges to assist customers with their luggage.
- FORT WORTH FAA officials recently presented San Angelo Automated Flight Service Station employees the Air Traffic Service Directors Quality Assurance Award. Flight service stations provide weather information. flight plan services and assistance in emergency and rescue operations to civilian and military pilots. The San Angelo facility is responsible for more than 100,000 square miles in south, west and central Texas.
- F-22 RAPTOR – After 10 years of building prototype sections Lockheed Martin began fabricating a “production” fuselage section for the F-22 Raptor in April at an assembly plant in Fort Worth. Another II months will elapse before assembly of the fuselage section is complete and it is delivered to a company plant in Marietta, Georgia, to be joined with other components. The finished aircraft is set for deliver to Tyndall AFB in early 2003 where the Air Force’s 325th Fighter Wing will train future F-22 pilots.
- LEGENDARY KELLEHER GIVES UP SOUTHWEST CONTROLS – Herb Kelleher, co-founder of Southwest Airlines, stepped down in June as president and CEO after 27 years of revolutionizing the air transport industry. Southwest earned $603.1 million last year on operating revenue of $5.65 billion. Its planes flew 70.5 percent full, the highest occupancy figure in its history. The company plans to expand its fleet of 344 planes by about 7 percent this year and add service to two more cities. As the nation’s No. 7 carrier, Southwest has kept costs down by operating only one type of plane, the Boeing 737, and foregoing meals and reserved seating. Kelleher will continue to serve as executive chairman, but will relinquish day-to-day operations to James Barker, current vice president and general counsel, who will assume the CEO and vice chairman positions. Colleen Barrett, current executive vice president, will become president and COO
- FAA AIRCRAFT AND AIRMEN DATA ON INTERNET – Aircraft and Airmen Registration data are now available to the public on FAA’s web site at registry.faa.gov. Beginning April 4, the database can now be used to locate an aircraft by type, serial number or N number. Users can reserve and pay for a special N number, and can print out the forms needed to file documents with the Registry. The site has been in operation for about a year. The site allows users to locate an aircraft by state and county.
- SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CHAIRMAN Herb Kelleher was inducted into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor in June. Kelleher will be joined by two other TxDOT Directors who will be inducted later this year: DeWitt Greer (1940-1961) and Gibb Gilchrist (1924-1937).