Jay Carpenter
President
Texas Aviation Association
SULPHUR SPRINGS – Recently, I visited Sulphur Springs, Texas, located northeast of the Dallas metropolis. This charming community, population 14,000, is nestled in the Piney Woods along Interstate 30.
Before my trip, I contacted the airport director, Joey Boker. He gave me driving directions to the airport otter my plans to fly up there were cancelled due to volatile thunderstorms. The Sulphur Springs airport was awarded “Airport of the Year” in 2004 by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Aviation Division. When I arrived, I found out why.
First, the airport has made vast improvements over the last five years. A new 5,000-foot runway and taxiways were created along with a well-kept 3,400- foot parallel gross strip. Several new hangars are complete and more are under construction. In addition, there is a beautiful 1,200-acre like adjacent to the north end of the airport. The aerial view of the airport is spectacular. Second, the people are great. I met several of the local supporters and city representatives. These folks exemplify friendly southern hospitality. As airport director Baker says, “We’re Plane Friendly.” We visited in the conference room of the terminal building where I learned the history and future plans for the airport and city.
The crown jewel is the new terminal building. There, one will find the usual features like a FBO office, pilot briefing room, pilot’s lounge, restrooms and conference room. All are very clean and well-maintained. There is a roomy comfortable lounge area complete with a fireplace. Also, there are large windows that allow views of aircraft taking off and landing. Furthermore, there is an outdoor patio area with picnic tables. The building took two years to construct.
Danny Evans, who flies for America West, explained that promoters received over $50,000 dollars of donations from local businesses to purchase the furniture and equipment inside the building. “That demonstrates the type of backing we had from the people in the city. Former Airport Advisor Roger Eliott, was a major force is promoting the entire project,” said Evans.
Dick Caldwell is one of the original caretakers of the airport. He came onboard and managed the facility in 1972. Dick said that the airport was created back in World War II as on auxiliary airport to the major airport in Greenville. It originally had three grass strips. In the 60’s, the North South runway was paved; it measured 75 feet wide and 3,900 feet long. In 1974, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Texas Aeronautics Commission approved funding to build a more permanent runway aligned slightly different from the decoying original. The City of Sulphur Springs funded another 1,100-feet bringing the total length to 5,000 feet.
In the late 1990’s, airport promoters approached the Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce and the city council for major improvements. The wish list included runway resurfacing, paved taxiways, on Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights, a new terminal building and a maintenance program. With the promise of economic development, the airport promoters flew city council members to other area airports like Greenville where improvements to that airport facilitated commercial growth in the city. The Chamber of Commerce and the city council were receptive to the development of the airport from the very beginning and supported a master plan. Then, in 1998, the city council suggested that an airport advisory board be created. Sulphur Springs boasted to have one of the best airports in the state; TxDOT agreed and named it Airport of the Year in 2004.
As I reviewed the walls in the conference room, I saw 25 aerial photos of commercial buildings located in and around the airport. The corporations that own these buildings decided to locate in Sulphur Springs, in part, because of the modern airport. Most of these businesses fly corporate jets into and out of the city. Representatives from one company, Owens Country Sausage, flew in one day looking for a distribution center; and the executives were immediately impressed by the airport and friendly, business-minded people. They located at a nearby 56,000-square-foot building and the rest is history. It is a familiar story. This airport has become a gateway to the community for dozens of corporations that bring economic development and jobs to the city.
Another business that located on the airport is American Legend Aircraft. Created in August 2004, American Legend is reintroducing the Cub, on aircraft which first made its debut in the 1930’s. American Legend General Manager Kurt Sehnert explained that the Sulphur Springs Airport was an ideal location to base their factory. Not only does it provide a modern paved runway, it also has an adjacent grass strip and lake. Since the Cub can be fitted with off-runway tires or floats, the airport is ideally suited for gross strip or water landings.
American Legend’s first certified aircraft come online in July 2005. Since then, they have built 24 aircraft. All are already sold. “We are building one a week now and will soon build 1.25 a week,” says Sehnert. “There is a waiting list for the finished product. We are sold out through the end of October.” American Legend has 38 full-time employees and several volunteers. Currently, they are completing an expansion facility on the airport that will allow further efficiency in production. Factory tours are available but call-in advance to reserve a time.
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell explained, “This airport enjoys broad community support. You don’t hear a lot of griping, but instead comments like, ‘What can we do to help?’ We attribute that to the education of the non-flying public, support from the local radio and newspaper, and coordination efforts from TxDOT.”
The Civil Air Patrol led by Robert Stidham and the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) play a large role in promoting the airport. Each spring and fall, free airplane rides are offered to the public. This has become a popular tradition and helps to bond the non-flying public to the airport.
The next airport project involves an overlay and the lengthening of the runway. Airport supporters hope to eventually have 6,000 feet of runway. This will facilitate all business aircraft to be able to take off with full fuel. These fuel sales will be a big boost to the local economy. Moreover, the airport is aggressive in purchasing land; about 60 acres have been purchased to facilitate the expansion of hangars and business buildings. The city council favorably approves such expansion.
Each Saturday there is an informal fly-in or tradition called the “Red Born Run.” Pilots flock to the airport early in the morning and take the short walk across the highway to the Red Born Cafe. There, they find great breakfast tacos, hamburgers and chicken fried steaks. Prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is friendly with a mixture of pilots, local formers and other colorful characters.
The City of Sulphur Springs and its airport exemplify how good cooperation between government and business can create economic development. The airport is a valuable tool for attracting businesses to their expending city. Take time to drop by and visit the great folks in Sulphur Springs. You ‘II feel right at home!
