- Airport managers responding to the Airport Report Express annual survey expressed confidence that their Y2K compliance programs will be adequate – and timely enough-to correct any problems in equipment and systems under the airports’ control. Confidently, Houston Aviation Director Richard Vacar, A.A.E., reported that the city’s airport system is currently 90 percent compliant with systems that were identified as Y2K sensitive and has set deadlines to complete all upgrades.
- In January American Airlines dedicated its new facilities and gates at its third DFW International Airport terminal. Nine new gates and other facilities at Terminal B, reflecting a total investment of $120 million, will complement American and American Eagle’s existing facilities at Terminals A and C when operations began in February.
- Fourth star awarded to former Tuskegee airman: President Clinton promoted Lt. Gen. Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. to the grade of general on the retired list of the United States Air Force. A graduate of West Point, Davis was one of the first members of the all-black 99th Pursuit Squadron, created by the Army Air Corps at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1941. He went on to command the famous all-black 332nd Fighter Group which never lost a bomber to enemy fighters during 200 escort missions in Europe during World War II.
- The FAA has moved into its new and larger Tracon facility at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, closing its operation at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. Most FAA administrative personnel are now located at the new airport site and FAA said it will continue to staff the tower at Mueller until midnight May l, 1999, when all passenger operations transfer to the new airport.
- American West said it will offer new nonstop service from Phoenix to Midland/Odessa, its sixth destination in Texas, effective March 24. The carrier will use 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets on the route.
- Guinness Book Record Pilot still flying the line: 83-yearold John “Ed” Long has amassed more than 64,000 hours in the air, much of it flying over the countryside at 2,000 AGL checking power lines for an Alabama utility.
Flying safely, indeed!
