by Chris Sasser,
Texas Transportation Institute
Not long ago, TP McCompbell Airport in Ingleside and Calhoun County Airport in Port Lavaca were little more than weathered air strips located on the outskirts of town. But now, with help from enthusiastic airport managers, community leaders and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) funds, these revitalized airports ore helping to shape the local economies.
Calhoun County Airport
During the course of my visit to the Calhoun County Airport, located three miles northwest of Port Lavaca, the phrase “community involvement” come up repeatedly. And for good reason, because if there is one message that the enthusiastic airport managers and county commissioner want to convey it’s, “This airport is here to serve our community.” Judging by the attendance of their Big Whoop Fly-In, despite the inclement weather, they are doing just that.
“When we took over about a year ago, the first thing we did was roll up our sleeves and clean this place up,” says Ann Brinkman, FBO Manager for Calhoun Air Center. “The first month was spent painting, hauling off trash and modernizing the facilities.”
Their efforts paid off by winning the “Most Improved Airport” award at TxDOT’s aviation conference in 2009.
“For the Calhoun County Airport to receive this honor is overwhelming considering the number of wonderful airports that there are in the state of Texas,” says Dianna Stanger, airport manager. “Our county realized it had a valuable, underutilized airport and it was important to raise it to a level that the residents would be proud of.”
In his award presentation remarks, TxDOT Aviation Director Dave Fulton noted, “Calhoun Air Center has been an active participant in RAMP. When the former FBO did not reliably have fuel or services available, they used the RAMP program to install a self-service fueling system for AvGas and jet fuel to serve the airport. They continued the trend by removing the outdated fuel tank and dispenser and then paved a new fueling apron with their own funds and forces.”
Calhoun County Precinct 2 Commissioner Vern Lyssy is one of the driving forces in the improvements and promotion of their airport, and credits TxDOT for their support. “Simply put, we could not have done this without RAMP funds,” says Lyssy. ‘We’ve worked hard on this. The employees, the FBO, everyone – it’s been a team effort.”
Recent improvements to the airport include: a 24-hour fueling system, a new roof and new siding for the hanger, a new rotating beacon, landscaping in front of the entrance and a remodeled hangar. The airport is currently in a $3 million grant to overlay the runway and the taxiway.
“A few years ago, many people in Port Lavaca were not aware there was an airport just outside of town,” says Lyssy. “Now we have a top-notch facility that will help drive our commerce, such as tourism.”
“It is not just the physical assets that make an airport a valuable partner in the community,” said Fulton. “The airport provides superior service and management of the facilities that range from hangar rentals to flight training.”
The 3rd annual Big Whoop Fly-In will take place on May 15 from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. On hand will be vintage aircraft, various competitions and displays, and a B-25 Doolittle Mitchell Bomber. Rides will be available on several aircraft including the bomber. For more information on Calhoun Air Center or this event, visit http://calhounaircenter.com/.
TP McCampbell Airport
Located two miles north of Ingleside, TP McCampbell (KTFP) is one of the two airports owned by San Patricio County. Because of its prime location nestled between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, it’s easy to see why local Jim Price, the County Commissioner and Airport Manager, is excited about the future of this facility.
“When I took office in January 2003, there was a phone on a post, a portable toilet and a total of 13 airplanes. Today we have over 50 airplanes with plans for many more. We have a great central location,” says Price, “and I feel like our recent improvements make us a very desirable airport for business, tourism and corporate jets.”
The improvements to TP McCampbell were spearheaded by former airport manager George Alvarado, who was awarded TxDOT’s “General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year” award at the 2008 aviation conference. Commissioner Price hired Alvarado in 2004. Together, with the backing of the County Judge and Commissioners Court, Price and Alvarado accomplished a lot in a short period of time. Alvarado retired in 2009.
Among the improvements include:
• a new terminal building with visitor, pilots lounge and restrooms;
• fuel and a fuel truck;
• large community hangar and 26 new t-hangars;
• AWOS (automated weather observing system);
• GPS instrument approach; and
• expanded tarmac for jets and heavier aircraft is currently under construction.
There are also plans to lengthen the runway to 6,000 feet and reinforce it to accommodate larger jets.
The airport also has become the new home of Department of Public Safety Aviation Operations which rents office and hangar space for a helicopter and is staffed 24/7.
“This is a very secure airport with our security gates and DPS nearby,” notes Jeff McIntosh, the new Airport Attendant who works under Price. ‘When you fly in, you can easily pick up a rental car and not worry about your plane while you are fishing or conducting business.”
With the improvements in place and more to come, McIntosh has already noticed an increase in traffic from an average of three planes a week visiting the airport to currently 15-20. And with the upcoming warm weather, he expects that number to increase.
“I want to get the word out that this really is a great airport for folks to fly in and out of,” he says. ”The RAMP funds since Commissioner Price has been in office allowed us to transform from a remote air strip to a premiere general aviation airport.”
For more information on TP McCampbell Airport, please visit http://www.airnav.com/airport/KTFP.
