By Chris Sasser
Texas Transportation Institute
Situated in the seemingly lonesome outposts of deep West Texas are two airports that support the local agricultural-based economies. And a visitor in the middle of the summer might be surprised to find that instead of dusty plains, lush, green fields produce prolific crops of cotton and peanuts, in addition to oil and gas.
Gaines County Airport
Seminole, besides being the state’s number one producer of cotton, peanuts and oil/ gas, is also the home of the Gaines County Airport (KGNC), located three miles south of town.
Lex Hinds, a second-generation aviator, has been the airport manager since 1981. He is also the owner of Aero Clinic, Inc., the airport fixed-base operator that provides complete aircraft service from painting to avionics. And, like many airport managers throughout the state, he’s passionate about providing the best facility he can with the resources he has available.
“About 10 years ago we received a big grant and rebuilt runway 17 /35, built the ramp around the hangars with improved water drainage and added lights to runway 8/26,” says Hinds. “In the months of March and April we get some pretty strong winds that made for difficult landings at night without runway lights, so that was an important addition.”
Gaines County Airport has two lighted runways: a 5,381-foot east/west and a 5,000-foot north/south. The airport also offers a terminal building with a pilot’s lounge, fuel and hangar and tie-down services. Their annual economic impact to Seminole is $1 . 985 million per year.
“Last summer we met with TxDOT to develop a master plan for the airport,” says Hinds. “I’m excited to move forward with further renovations such as replacing the runway lights on 17 /35, improved navigational aids for our larger aircraft and building a large hangar for corporate aviation. I’ve got growing pains out here and am anxious to keep moving forward.”
Terry County Airport
About 40 miles up Highway 62 is the Terry County Airport (KBFE) located in Brownfield. As was the case for many of the general aviation airports in Texas, the Terry County Airport saw a dip in its daily arrivals due to the recession. But with recent improvements, such as a recently constructed terminal building, the airport is making a comeback.
For 55 years, the airport was managed by Mr. Pete Harris. The recently retired Mr. Harris began his aviation career in 1946 training Gls to Ry, then arrived at the Terry County Airport in 1955. Over that time, he has maintained a flight school and crop dusting/ spraying business.
His successor, Tommy Hogue, assumed the day-to-day operations last fall. ‘When I was nine years old, my father took me to the airport, and Mr. Harris took me for my very first plane ride,” says Hogue.
In the past five years, the airport has undergone several improvements, including the construction of a roomy terminal building with plenty of space for tired aviators to stretch their legs and plan their next flight. The terminal was constructed using matching funds provided by TxDOT Aviation Division’s Routine Airport Maintenance Program.
“TxDOT has been very helpful in our improvement process,” says Mr. Harris. “They have flown in and met with members of our chamber of commerce. Whatever we’ve needed, they’ve been there.”
Other improvements include the installation of a self-service, modern fuel system, resurfaced main runway and a new hangar to replace one that was destroyed during a storm. “Really all we lack is a little maintenance on our ramps and crosswind runway,” notes Hogue.
With the recent improvements and a surging economy bolstered by local clients from Birdsong Peanuts, John Deere, Cooper Natural Resources and Kodak, the Terry County Airport is a busy place, reflected by their annual economic impact to Brownfield of $3.571 million per year.
“I try not to work very much,” Mr. Hogue chuckled. “But it seems like I stay busy every day, especially on the weekends.”
