Wingtips March 1998

Originally published in 1998

An update on several new airport managers in Texas; they operate some of the larger general aviation airports that significantly impact aviation in their areas.

Bill Looke, a retired Air Force Colonel, finally came home to Lake Jackson to become the Brazoria County airport manager in July 1997. Looke wasted no time in implementing some of his ideas concerning the operation of an airport-updating all airport leases and eliminating all hangar-use not related to airport activity; and creating a “paint bay” in the new maintenance hangar to accommodate airport users who need such a service. Always on the lookout for additional services for his airport users, Looke plans in conjunction with the local port, to arrange air freight for perishable goods, and looks forward to marketing the five acres of free trade zone now available at the airport. A recently approved new terminal will greatly improve facilities for local pilots and visitors, additionally it will also enhance his airport’s chances of gaining status as an international airport with customs services available.

Cynthia Godfrey, after 18 years as airport manager at Jackson County Airport in Michigan, came to Mesquite Metro Airport in August 1997. Godfrey was instrumental in initiating projects to refurbish hangar access taxiways at the airport. Through great effort, she secured Mobil Oil’s pipeline surveying, including the domiciling of their five-aircraft fleet at her airport. At every opportunity available, according to civic and aviation groups in the Metroplex, Godfrey speaks about airport issues and the importance of general aviation to communities. Plans are in the works for the creation of an airport master plan for her airport, perhaps a new terminal, and additional hangars to attract corporate traffic to the airport.

David Pearce became airport manager of McKinney Municipal Airport on October l, 1997. After a successful career in the military, 20 years in the Air Force, Pearce is well on his way to achieving the same level of success in airport management. In short time, he has initiated projects for a new terminal and a lighting system which will replace the existing runway lights and install taxiway lights. Other projects include securing a new electrical vault, airport signage, the reconstruction of the FBO apron and the constr.1ction of a new apron. Future plans for the airport include an expansion from a 366-acre to a 1000-acre airport with multiple runways and to attract more corporate and general aviation activity and, perhaps based aircraft.

Gary Hawkins came on board officially at Sugar Land’s Hull Field as the new airport manager on December 16, 1997. Hawkins comes from an insurance business background, service-oriented, and aptly qualified to deal with the public. By using his business expertise, Hawkins has successfully attracted BFI’s Flight Department as a corporate tenant. Additionally, he coordinated the construction of a fuel farm-storage facility on the airport; and was pivotal in the decision to relocate a road, thereby eliminating a serious conflict between aircraft and automobiles. Goals for the future are to purchase more land for airport protection from encroachment (by nearby land development), to fully develop the corporate hangar area, to provide commercial airline service and to be included in the federal control tower program.

We encourage you to visit these airports and their managers; they are just a few of aviation leaders promoting the growth and development of aviation in Texas.

Originally published in 1998

Charles Alfred Murphy, Jr.
Former Director of the Texas Aeronautics Commission

Charles Alfred Murphy, Jr., age 79, of Austin died on Monday, March 23, 1998. Texas has lost a distinguished and well-known friend of the aviation community. He served in the Marine Corps and was a pilot during World War II In Guadalcanal. Many will remember Charles Murphy for his participation in national and statewide aviation organizations throughout his career. An advocate for Texas airports, in particular small airports, he championed their causes in the 1980’s when money was scarce and airports had to be built. TodayTAC is known as the Aviation Division, Texas Department of Transportation and owes much to Texas pioneers In aviation like Charles Murphy.

Originally published in 1998

As many of you know, the TxDOT Aviation Division recently initiated a Terminal Development Program. In order for an airport to be successful, in addition to providing fulltime management and services, such as fuel, it is essential to have public space available for airport patrons. Whether they are corporate executives or student pilots, they should all have access to clean restrooms, a phone, a waiting area, perhaps a pilot’s lounge, or restaurant; all amenities possible to make that flight safe and comfortable. As has been said many times, the airport is the gateway to your community. Therefore, the terminal is the threshold to that gateway and provides visitors a first impression of that community. By all means, it should be a good one.

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved the following airport sponsors to participate in the FY 1998 Terminal Program: Atlanta, Brazoria County, Brownwood, Bryan, Burnet, Giddings, Granbury, Littlefield, McKinney, Montgomery County, Palestine, Slaton, and Terry County. For more information on the Terminal Program, please contact Linda Howard, Director of Planning & Programming at 512/416-4540.

Originally published in 1998

Congress recently gave the FAA authority to establish an Innovative Finance Demonstration Program. The intent of the program is to leverage federal funds for airport development, and reduce time and costs associated with financing infrastructure development.

TxDOT submitted a grant application to the FAA and was selected as a participant on September 15, 1997. The award of $1,023,294 in discretionary funds allows TxDOT to assist airport sponsors in the funding of work items which will impact significantly on airport safety, security and all weather capability systems. The leveraging of these federal grants provides a 75% federal, 25% local match, rather than the standard 90%/10% federal/local match.

The initial projects proposed for this year include the installation of automated weather observing systems (AWOS), visual approach aids for nighttime operations and instrument weather conditions, including safety and security items to reduce the probability of runway incursions.

After soliciting individual grant applications for eligible airport owners, TxDOT received 71 requests for weather systems, visual approach aids and for airport fencing. The Aviation Division recommended a total of 32 projects to the Texas Transportation Commission for approval: 16 AWOS, 11 visual approach aids, and 5 security projects. The projects were approved on February 26, 1998 by the Commission.

An application to the FAA for the next fiscal year’s Innovative Finance Demonstration Program funding has already been submitted. More information will be forthcoming as we receive further FAA notification.

Originally published in 1998

TxDOT Has New Leadership

On January 29, 1998, the Texas Transportation Commission appointed, Charles W. “Wes” Heald, a native of Brownwood, Texas, as the new Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation. Wes, a 37-year department veteran, is a former District Engineer for Fort Worth and Brownwood.

Upon taking office, Wes’ first action was to streamline the agency by eliminating a top level of management, thereby granting substantially more authority and responsibility to the department’s divisions, such as the Aviation Division. Although from a highway background, Wes understands and supports TxDOT’s efforts to improve air transportation in Texas. His leadership will have a positive impact on aviation’s role within TxDOT during the years ahead.

Innovative Finance Grants Issued

On February 26, 1998, the Texas Transportation Commission approved an allocation in excess of $1 million under a new federal program called the “Innovative Finance Demonstration Program.” The money will be used as grants to 32 communities for the installation of Automated Weather Observing Stations, visual approach aids, and fencing for airport safety and security. It is hoped that the FAA will provide additional funding during Fiscal Year 1998 for continuation of the program.

Commission Approves Grants for New Terminal Buildings

During their February meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission also approved $1.1 million in state funds to 13 communities as construct or improve airport terminal buildings. The grants will be issued on a 50% state, 50% local basis. This building program, which is expected to continue in future years, provides for public space, pilot and passenger waiting areas, management spaces, and other facilities necessary for a full-service general aviation airport.

Originally published in 1998

AUSTIN- The 16th Annual Texas Airport Operators Conference will now be known as the Texas Aviation Conference, a major change in perspective to include everyone interested in Texas aviation. Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division and the Texas Association of Airport Executives (TAAE) will continue their long-held association of co-sponsoring the event, which will be held on June 3-5, 1998.

Moreover, by popular demand and because of its central location, the DoubleTree Hotel was again chosen as this year’s conference site. Besides providing an attractive environment and a highly secured area, the hotel is located near well-known restaurants and shopping areas, as well as the University of Texas and State Capitol. Certainly, it will be a marvelous opportunity to see Austin on your free time during the conference. A brief walking tour description of downtown Austin is included in this newsletter.

Conference participants will be pleased with the wide range of topic presentations, workshops, round table discussions and noted guest speakers who will address various concerns or interests of our aviation community. Representatives from the regional airlines serving Texas such as Austin Express, Inc., AMR Eagle, and Continental will discuss what the future could bring to our state. Our new Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Southwest Regional Representative, Jerry Hooper, will speak about the challenges and changes ahead for general aviation.

Additionally, Bob Warner, Executive Vice president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will provide a presentation on the marketing of general aviation, as well as an overview of the Young Eagles Program.

Expectations are that the conference will bring together about 400 participants including airport managers, airport owners, airport board members, consulting engineers, fixed-based operators, and others interested in aviation. A wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and meet new colleagues.

There are over 40 exhibit booths already registered for this conference which will provide the latest information on product innovations that relate to the aviation field. To open the conference, exhibitors will host a “Get Acquainted” reception in the exhibit area on Wednesday, June 3, from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

A social and exciting event will be a Hangar Party scheduled at Georgetown Municipal Airport, Pilots Choice Hangar, on Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided from the hotel to the airport for those interested in attending.

Finally, the moment everyone has been waiting for arrives on Friday, June 5 at the Noon Banquet; the awards for Airport of the year, Airport Manager of the Year, Most Improved Airport of the Year and the Reliever of the Year are presented at this time.

For more information or registration forms, contact Yolanda Alvarez, Conference Coordinator at 1/800/68-PILOT.