By Cheryl Hill-Burrier
Nine-Eleven may have knocked the wind out of the “world” of aviation, but not so in Texas; and not so for Texas aviators. In fact, we’re placing a whole other meaning on the private aviation industry and appropriately so for a state known as the “whole other country.”
Today, smaller airports are expanding and upgrading with assistance from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and city or county funding. Some Texas businessmen and women are beginning to beat the hassles of commercial airlines – boot-kicking the long lines at baggage check-ins, electrical “pat-downs” and delayed flights just because some poor granny whipped out her knitting needles. Locating a smaller general aviation airport is about as easy as finding a bed of fire ants, and the Texans flying in and out of them (in some cases) may even reach their destinations sooner than if they’d flown with the “Big Birds.”
So, how does this affect our economy? Just great! Some may even say this could be the oil boom of aviation for general aviation airports which are either city/county-run or privately-owned. The pendulum is finally swinging back toward the almost extinct private business owner, better known in some circles as the “little man.”
The cities usually receive a percentage of aviation fuel sales as well as lease proceeds on hangars they’ve built. Fixed Base Operators (FBO’s) also receive a percentage of aviation fuel sales for running terminal buildings, renting hangar space, and for selling aircraft and pilot supplies. Consequently, the wealth is spread further through the use of airport courtesy cars, “ground-pounding” pilots using local restaurants, motels, hunting and fishing lodges and visiting tourist attractions.
Flight instructors also remain busy, teaching students in a more relaxed atmosphere without the garbled cautions from air traffic controllers in Class B & C Airspace calling to expedite taxi or hold short for a 747. Laid-off airline pilots are turning now toward instructing and corporate flying, as unemployed aircraft mechanics are finding work once more.
The line-crews usually consist of students hired through their local high schools or colleges, and after a brief course in procedures and safety, they’re ready to assist with the moving and fueling of aircraft.
Best of all, Texans are known for their love to party, and usually this calls for “Fly-Ins!” Whether it’s airport hopping for a hot-dog and some hangar flying (telling tales), or playing tourista at a city sponsored event – it doesn’t take much for our pilots to hit the skies.
And, if that’s not enough to put a shine on your buckle, the state’s FBO’s have taken their Texas pride and unspoken competitiveness a “two-step” further by trying to produce the best Fly-In events, from poker runs to tamale feasts.
Here’s just one for you: on July 20, Lockhart Aero in Lockhart, Texas will host an Aviation Scavenger Hunt. Never heard of one before? Well, there’s never been an event like this before! But, we intend to have a heck of a good time by inviting pilots statewide to “saddle up” their planes and drop in for a good time.
The only thing stopping this state’s general aviation industry from future prosperity and a good time, is the weather and in Texas that only means a short wait for a great change!
