By Jay Carpenter
Texas Aviation Association
MOUNT PLEASANT (Nov. 2005)-Paul Henderson has been the Mount Pleasant Regional Airport manager since 2002, and a close associate, Randy Presley, has been chairman of the airport advisory board since 1959. This state-of-the-ort facility was named Airport of the Year at the Texas Aviation Conference in the spring of 2005.
The first airport for public use in Mount Pleasant was built in 1945 by E.P. Hendricks. Then in 1947, Gus Hoffman built another airport that aver time became known as the “old airport.” Hoffman sold the airport in 1953 ta the City of Mount Pleasant.
The first Texas Walmart store was established in Mount Pleasant in 1975 and according to the Dallas Morning News, Som Walton, Walmart owner, chose this city as its premiere Texas store because Mount Pleasant had “a better than overage airstrip.” Walton was often quoted saying that he would not build a store in any community that did not have a good airport. Consequently, he refused to drive to any location in his territory, instead he flew his business aircraft.
The city owned the old airport until August 2002 when the new Mount Pleasant Regional Airport was completed by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for approximately $10 million. Construction for this new facility began in 2000. Presently, there are 51 airplanes based at the airport and 20 percent ore corporate aircraft. “To be honest, there were some of us who were skeptical,” explains Henderson. “We were settled in at the old airport. We hod hangars that were modest, but functional. We would have been satisfied to see the runway lengthened there, however, city officials hod more vision than ourselves and they wanted a new facility.”
Henderson, Presley and the airport advisory board interviewed three engineering firms for the design of the new airport. “I gave [them] my ideas about the layout,” said Presley. “I suggested placing the T-hangars on one side, the terminal building in the middle and the corporate hangars on the other side. All areas would be connected with streets for easy access. I was surprised when they accepted my ideas.”
Currently, there is a vestibule located near the front door of the terminal building containing a restroom, telephone, water fountain, and a place to sit down. If someone arrives when the terminal is closed, they can use these facilities. “The first thing passengers want to do after landing is to use the restroom,” said Presley. “So many airports do not provide this simple necessity once the terminal is closed.” Inside are the general use lounges, pilot’s lounge, flight planning room, conference rooms, rest rooms and the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) area. There are two courtesy cars available for transient traffic.
Henderson explained that the local city government is very supportive of the airport. Presley and the entire airport board attend every city council meeting whether there is an airport agenda item or not. The mayor and the city council see this large contingency of aviation support every time they meet and reciprocate with favorable legislation. Moreover, the airport board is there to educate the public about the economic benefits of general aviation and the airports that they use.
“One thing that keeps city officials on our side is that the airport is ‘in the black’,” said Henderson. The airport makes money for the City of Mount Pleasant. Therefore, if any new project comes along, the city council usually votes favorably toward airport improvements such as the addition of new T-Hangars or the lengthening of the existing runway. The city plans ahead. There are facilities available for aircraft mechanics and avionics shops to locate should such new businesses come along.
“The local economy is doing well,” said Henderson. There is a Pilgrim’s Pride Deli Meats facility located in Mount Pleasant along with one of the largest mobile home manufacturers in the world. He continues, “In this day and time, if someone wants to locate a new business or industry in our area they are going to fly here as opposed to driving or riding the bus. Not many want to drive from the Dallas/Fort Worth area all the way to our community when they can simply fly here in corporate aircraft. For industries, this airport provides the perfect port of access to our town.”
“Since 9 / 11, corporate executives today are not interested in going through the security mess associated with the hub airlines. As we all know, to fly commercial airlines, one must arrive two hours early, use remote and expensive parking, plus go through long lines for security checks,” said Henderson. However, he continues, “Corporate jets are able to land here with minimum security checks and free parking right at our doorstep. Presently, there is no Port 135 charter services operating here, but it will probably come soon.”
In the year 2000, the airport sold 26,000 gallons of Avgas and 63,000 gallons of Jet A fuel. Henderson explained that when Pilgrim’s Pride bought their first turboprop, they flew it enough times that they paid for the airport’s new fuel truck and storage tank in two years. The company now stores two Hawker BOOXP jets and a King Air 300 turboprop in their own hangars. These aircraft fly several times a day. “Pilgrim is our best customer,” adds Henderson.
For fiscal year of 2005, ending last September, the airport sold 43,482 gallons of 100LL Avgas and 215, 136 gallons of Jet A fuel, a 340 percent increase in five years.
The corporate hangars are built and owned by the companies using them, although corporations lease the land from the city. Henderson explained that these hangars are presently full, but that there is more land available for future expansion. The T-Hangars are owned by the city and rented to the local aircraft owners. Presently, a local lawyer is debating on purchasing a new Gulfstream IV or V jet. And this aircraft will need a new storage hangar, and the city is prepared to meet that need.
“Our present runway length is 5,000 feet,” said Henderson. “A CIP (Capital Improvement Program) program is doing test drilling now to determine, if the runway can be extended to 6,000 feet. This will allow each flight to toke on full fuel for takeoff which translates lo more money for the city airport.”
The City of Mount Pleasant funded a study done by KSA Engineering to determine what it would cost to lengthen the runway. The ultimate goal of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was to add 500 feet to the existing 5,000-foot runway. Then, a city council meeting was scheduled to determine if the cost was justified. Henderson and other aviation advocates got busy. “We called everybody, organized and got everyone ‘who’s who’ in the county lo attend that meeting,” said Henderson.
At the meeting, KSA Engineering stated that it would cost $2.3 million to odd 500 feet to the runway length. Mitch Fortner, KSA Vice President, gave a presentation complete with photographs and graphics to justify this expenditure. Henderson said, “When it came time for the mayor to speak, the mayor said, ‘Well, $2.3 million is entirely too much money to spend for 500 feet of runway.’ There was a collective moon in the council chambers. But, the mayor continued, ‘I think we ought to do 1,000 feet.”‘
Additionally, Henderson and his associates convinced executives al Pilgrim’s Pride to write a letter of recommendation for the expansion. He also enlisted every business person with jets and aircraft that could use that extra length of runway to write letters. He took those testimonials along with performance figures, plus daily operation figures and submitted the proposal for the extra 1,000-foot runway extension to TxDOT.
A month later David Fulton, TxDOT Aviation Director, wrote saying that the runway extension project was “justified.” “Funding would have to be worked out,” said Henderson, “but that the city is behind the project and doing their part.” Henderson explained that their persistent campaigning is paying off little by little.
Presley concluded that the most important thing an aviation community can do is to get a person-a champion-elected to the city council who is pro-airport. “This city went for years when no one cared about the airport,” said Presley. The airport board and aviation enthusiasts’ involvement changed that situation.
Henderson was asked about the trend of restrictive minimum standards that some airports are imposing against the operation of smaller piston aircraft and flying clubs. “There are no plans to restrict the housing or operation of any general aviation aircraft at the airport. There are no landing fees. There is a tie down fee, but we don’t charge i for just a night or two stay,” said Henderson.
“We’ve stayed with a city employee running the show as opposed to on FBO,” explains Presley. “It means better service for the customer if a city employee is servicing their needs. An FBO sometimes finds it hard to slop what they are doing to pump eight gallons of gas to a Piper Cub, whereas a city employee is working by the hour and will deliver good service no matter what needs to be done. We like it that way,” he odds.
Henderson elaborates that they have developed many repeat customers from other cities that stop off at Mount Pleasant on cross-country flights because of the great service they provide. The courtesy car is always available. If the car is not there, Henderson will find other transportation to use. Pilots will find a clean restroom, soft drinks and a candy machine fully stocked, plus a telephone to call friends and business associates. These repeat customers tell others, and the ‘word of mouth’ referrals add up over time to a significant amount of revenue for the airport and the city.
Mount Pleasant Regional Airport represents what can go right when people cooperate in working toward a common gool. Local aviation advocates have created a jewel in the crown of general aviation in Texas by working together with local government agencies. The next time you find yourself in Northeast Texas, stop by Mount Pleasant and have a cup of coffee with Paul, Randy and the staff of the Mount Pleasant Regional Airport. You’ll be back!
