This is one of a continuing series of profiles featuring members of the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee. The six members are appointed by the Texas Transportation Commission for six-year terms and assist the Texas Department of Transportation with its aviation development programs. Committee members also work with the legislature on various aviation issues. Members must have at least five years of experience in the field of aviation and a strong interest in supporting Texas’ general aviation program.
In this issue, we profile Committee Member Robert “Bob” Bruce.
When Robert “Bob” Bruce opened a recording studio in San Antonio in the early 1970s, he probably never expected the eventual turn of events that led to him opening, owning and operating an airport in the small town of Boerne.
“We did a lot of advertising production and had the goal of becoming one of the best in the country, competing successfully against Nashville and Dallas studios,” says Bruce. “Then one evening I took a flight over San Antonio with a fellow who was the sound engineer for Rod Stewart. It was an incredibly clear and smooth night, and I was hooked on learning to fly.”
That evening flight and an ensuing sail plane lesson helped launch an ambitious career in aviation. Bruce became a glider instructor, and then added the commercial/instrument airplane rating, single and multi-engine to his certificate. That’s how he met his wife of 29 years, Nancy, who is a captain with Southwest Airlines, at the old Texas Flying Club at KSAT.
“I owned a Piper Aztec for my business, and Nancy furthered her career building lots of multi-engine time instructing others how to Ay twins,” says Bruce. “It was during my Aying that I started learning about airports and becoming interested in the politics of them. The book called Cleared for the Approach really opened my eyes to some of the challenges we face.”
In 1983, Bruce purchased about a hundred acres of land that was previously used for a dairy farm outside of Boerne and opened up Boerne Stage Airfield (5Cl ), which he still operates.
”There were some tough times along the way, especially the economic crisis of the 1980s, when we had to rely on Nancy’s job with Southwest Airlines to get us by,” says Bruce. “Most of what you do in aviation at this level is probably driven first by a passion for it, and then given enough time, you can make it work.”
One thing is for sure, having a lack of passion is one thing Bruce will never be accused of.
Wingtips: How Important is aviation to you?
Bruce: It’s essential that general aviation (GA) thrive and be well cared for by all those who use it or work in it day-to-day. To that extent, it is important to me not just as a livelihood, but as a life mission that never ends. Most of the folks I know involved in GA have the same or a similar notion about our segment of the industry and their role in it. It needs care and nurturing that goes far beyond asphalt maintenance or public restrooms.
Wingtips: What was your motivation In accepting the appointment on the Texas Aviation Advisory Commitee?
Bruce: There were folks I knew who had served in the past, and also in current service, and they are the type of individuals who, as we said in the military, we would gladly follow up any hill. You couldn’t ask for a finer group of dedicated individuals doing a public service than what we have here. My motivation? Probably to just be a part of it and contribute whatever the need might be for TxDOT. It’s important that citizens get in there and carry some water for the staffers and career people doing the hard wqrk. Support is a necessary part of keeping Texas out front and leading the nation.
Wingtips: Was there a memorable experience that you can share that has occurred during your term?
Bruce: Seeing Jim Schwertner move on to the Texas A&M System Board of Regents was a big day for all of us. Meeting the private sector entrepreneur, Ron Henriksen, that’s given us two new GA facilities in Houston (Houston Executive Airport) and now Manor (Austin Executive Airport). It’s hard to find words to describe what a revolutionary event this is for me personally, knowing what it takes to get this done, with no public funds, like we’ve done, but at the level he’s doing it is really something. But you know, even more, seeing Dave and the staff that I’ve known over the phone in the past, and their engineering people have helped me a lot over the last 20 years, and now to have the chance to know more personally would be the top thing. It’s not a memory now, it’s new, but it’s going to be something that’ll be a great thing to remember as the years go by. Texas, TxDOT and this Division of Aviation is something I hope to be able to tell a lot folks about and the job they’re doing.
Wingtips: What are the biggest challenges you see for GA going forward?
Bruce: Texas gets it right. I remember many times making telephone calls and writing letters over the years to members of the Legislature when life was a little more testy for all of us. The oil and real estate bust in the late 80s really tested our mettle as a people. Didn’t see any federal bailouts there, did you? And GA was primed to take
