Wingtips June - July 2001

Some of the major “firsts” in aviation and space history:

1903 – 1st successful Airplane (Wright 1903 Flyer)
1926 – 1st successful Liquid-Propellant Rocket (Goddard Rockets)
1927- 1st solo transatlantic flight (Ryan NYP “Spirit of St. Louis”)
1942 – 1st American Turbojet (Bell XP-59A Airacomet)
1947 – 1st aircraft to travel the speed of sound (Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis”)
1957 –1st artificial satellite (Sputnik 1)
1958 – 1st successful United States satellite (Explorer 1)
1962 – 1st interplanetary probe (Mariner 2)
1962 – 1st American in Earth orbit (Mercury “Friendship 7”)
1965 – 1st American spacewalk (Gemini IV)
1967- 1st hypersonic, high altitude aircraft (North American X-15)
1969 – 1st manned Lunar landing (Apollo 11 Command Module “Columbia”) 
1976 – 1st spacecraft to operate on Mars (Viking Lander)
1976 – 1st spacecraft to leave our Solar System (Pioneer 10)
1987 – 1st Intl effort to control nuclear arms (Pershing-II & SS-20 Missiles)
1999 – 1st Nonstop Flight Around the World by Balloon (Breitling Orbiter 3 Gondola)

SOURCE: National Air and Space Museum

By Fred Johnson
Texas Aerospace Commission

William “Bill” Looke, the new Executive Director for Texas Aerospace Commission, has successfully presented the case for increased TAC funding during the current legislative session. The Conference Committee on Appropriations voted unanimously to increase the Commission’s funding to $2 million for the biennium-an increase of about 500 percent from the last fiscal year.

Looke has fully re-energized the Commission and its focus of the number one priority: retention and full funding of the NASA Johnson Space Center, human space flight, and International Space Center Operations. While the industry surrounding the Johnson Space Center is key to Texas remaining as a leader in the space industry, Looke has also placed greater emphasis on aviation and economic development.

The Texas Aerospace Commission will continue to develop long-term strategic plans to assess and make recommendations for both space and aviation. Staff includes Fred Johnson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Administration, and John Paddenbury, Director of Economic Development.

Several pending projects throughout the state include:

• Explorer aircraft (Jasper)
• General Aviation manufacturer (Lockhart)
• Bell Textron V-22 Osprey retention (Hurst and Amarillo)
• Aviation & Space educational programs (Elementary-University Level)

A big winner for TAC was Governor Rick Perry signing into law on May 15, 2001 the Spaceport Trust Fund (SB813/HB 1964) which provides a conduit for the development of commercial spaceports in Texas.

Looke came to the Texas Aerospace Commission from Brazoria County Airport where he served as airport manager from 1997 to 2000. A retired Air Force Colonel, Looke brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in defense and defense affairs to TAC. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Northern Arizona University.

• Brazoria County Airport – Airport Manager: Louie Jones, Route 1, Box 5, Angelton, TX 77515, 979/849-5755.
• Bridgeport Municipal Airport New airport manager: Bob Barham, 812 Halsell Street, Bridgeport, TX 76428, 940/683-3996.
• Capella Air Ranch, near Coupland the airport is being constructed on a 103-acre tract of land in this Central Texas community, including an aircraft hangar facility and residential airport subdivision for private construction of “Hangar Homes.” For more information check: www.capellaairrach.com.
• Castroville Municipal Airport-Acting Airport Manager: Timothy Fousse, 830/931-3224.
• Fox Stephens Field/Gilmer Municipal Airport – correct name of the airport; mailing address: Box 760, Gilmer, TX 75644.
• Lancaster Municipal Airport – New Airport Managers: Clinton T. Pye and Tom Pye, P.O. Box 551, Lancaster, TX 75146, 972/227-5721.

By the time you receive this newsletter, the 77th session of the Texas Legislature will be history. Several aviation issues were addressed during the session including:

(1) Development of a State Airport in Central Texas: The Texas Department of Transportation was directed to establish and maintain an airport open to the public in Central Texas. Funding for the airport is limited to federal matching funds, federal grants, in kind contributions, private sector funds, non- profit grants and local government funds. The act specifically prohibits the consideration of the former Robert Mueller Airport as a location for the new airport. Also, any site to be considered must have the approval of the local governing body. This act was passed in an attempt to address the aircraft dislocation problem that occurred some two years ago with the closure of Robert Mueller and Austin Executive Airports.

(2) Notice and Requirements for Certain Antenna Structures: This bill provided for notice and marking requirements for antenna structures at a height of more than 100 feet and less than 200 feet above the surface that are planned for erection in cultivated fields by commercial wireless telecommunications companies. Towers in excess of 200 feet are currently governed by federal requirements. The intent of this bill was to increase the visibility and awareness of these structures for pilots who operate at very low altitudes.

(3) Airport Loan Program: A rider was attached to TxDOT’s budget to provide $5M in general revenue funds for each year of the biennium to be used for loans to communities for airport development needs. The funds were slated to be used for projects that are not eligible for state and federal funds, such as hangars and fuel farms, as well as for the local match for state and federal grants. The rider survived all the way through the process until the final step, approval by the Appropriations Conference Committee, at which point it died. Hopefully, this effort will resurface during the next session of the legislature as this program could prove extremely beneficial to communities in the development of their airports.

(4) Aviation Education: A new aviation education program was approved under which TxDOT will conduct a study leading to the development of a four year degree program in the field of aviation for women and minorities. The program will also develop a K-12 aviation indoctrination program for students.

(5) Lien on aircraft: Legislation was passed which places a lien on aircraft for failure to pay fuel bills. This provision added to existing law which provides for placing a lien on aircraft for failure to pay for storage, repair, or maintenance.

The interest in aviation was significantly greater this session than any in recent history which speaks well for the heightened awareness within the Texas Legislature of the importance of air transportation.

By Marie C. Peinado
Aviation Division

AUSTIN– The 19th Annual Texas Aviation Conference, co- sponsored by Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division and the Texas Airport Management Association, was held again at Austin’s DoubleTree Hotel North from Wednesday, April 4 through Friday, April 6, 2001.

There were 450 conference participants at TAC this year, the largest gathering in our history so far. Among those attending were 52 aviation exhibitors and 49 golfers participating in the 2nd Golf Tournament. A record crowd, indeed!

There are several reasons for our success. “The Texas Aviation Conference has been extremely successful in bringing together the aviation community; in giving everyone the opportunity to network, share, and obtain current information affecting aviation in Texas,” according to Yolanda Alvarez, TAC coordinator.

We must be doing something right then! Right? TAC just keeps growing and growing. We are extremely pleased that we continue to attract such a crowd of aviation enthusiasts eager to learn about current issues and to contribute to the on-going aviation dialogue. Our workshops and topic panels certainly helped address many of our community’s needs and reinforced our support for their airports. Moreover, we enjoyed seeing many old friends and meeting new acquaintances; the camaraderie was a great motivator!

The 2nd Annual Golf Tournament was held on Wednesday and continues to be a popular part of our activities. The “Get Acquainted Reception” sponsored by the exhibitors also attracted a large crowd fascinated by all the new aviation innovations at each booth. Thursday’s Evening Social was a lively and fun-packed event with music (DJ), dancing, and prizes donated by exhibitors, and other sponsors.

The Awards Banquet was held on Thursday and the following Aviation Awards for the Year 2001 were presented:

General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year: Joe Mosier, Curtis Field, Brady, Texas
Most Improved Airport: Fabens Airport, Fabens, Texas
Airport of the Year: Winston Field, Snyder, Texas
Reliever Airport Manager of the Year: Phillip Savko, Sugar Land Municipal Airport, Sugar Land, Texas

The 2001 International Aviation Art Contest’s theme was “My Dream to Fly” and the winners were:

Category I (Ages 6-9) Benjamin White, 8 years old, Princeton Elementary, Princeton, Texas
Category II (Ages 10-13) Tyler Griffin, 13 years old, Henderson Middle School, China, Texas
Category III (Ages 14-17) Libby Hatla, 17 years old, Sanford-Fritch High School, Fritch, Texas,

In addition to receiving their award certificates, each art winner received a $100 Savings Bond from TAMA. The artwork can be viewed in color at our website: www.dot.state.tx.us.

“Without a doubt, this was our best conference yet; we were delighted to have TxDOT Executive Director Wes Heald and members of the Texas Legislature present,” said David Fulton, TxDOT Aviation Director.

“Special thanks goes to our sponsors for their generous contributions to Texas Aviation Conference; without their support, the conference could not be held”, said Yolanda Alvarez, Texas Aviation Conference Coordinator.

AUSTIN–In March 2001, Richard F. (“Ric”) Williamson became Governor Rick Perry’s first appointee to the Texas Transportation Commission. Williamson joins John W. Johnson of Houston and Robert Nichols of Jacksonville on the three-member commission overseeing statewide transportation programs of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Williamson, a resident of Weatherford and a former state legislator, brings a new perspective to the Commission as it struggles to meet the transportation needs of the people of Texas. He plans to develop closer relations between TxDOT and members of the legislature to arrive at innovative ways to deal with transportation problems. “Working together to provide the best possible transportation system for all Texans and seeking important solutions to traffic congestion, aging rural highways, safety and air quality problems is a transportation challenge we have to face,” he said. Economic development, specifically along the Texas-Mexico border is also of primary importance.

Born in Abilene, Williamson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974. He then went on to build his natural gas production company and served from 1985-1998 in the Texas Legislature.

Williamson and his wife, Mary Ann, are parents to three daughters, Melissa, Katherine, and Sara. Personal interests for Williamson include hunting and fishing and supporting women’s fastpitch softball.