Wingtips October 2001

Originally published in 2001
By Marie C. Peinado
Aviation Division

While the shutdown had been inching slowly forward, it finally arrived on July 13, 2001! The base’s flags were lowered for the last time during a sober and emotional ceremony. An Air Force C-5 cargo jet, one of the types of military aircraft serviced at Kelly Air Force Base, flew over the closing ceremony to signal its closure and to honor almost 85 years of faithful service to the nation.

Kelly Air Force Base Historical Highlights:

• With World War I raging in Europe, the Aviation Section of the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps was ordered to find a suitable location for a training facility. In November 1916, approval came for a new facility in San Antonio. It would later be named for 2nd Lt. George E. M. Kelly, the first U.S. military pilot killed in a crash of a military aircraft.
• During World War I, Kelly Field was the largest aviation training, classification and reception center in the United States. About 250,000 men passed through its halls-pilots, mechanics and other support personnel to be formed into aero squadrons.
• For most of the 1920s, all flight training was conducted at nearby Brooks Field and Kelly, which served as the Air Corps Advanced Flying School from 1922 to 1941. Almost every Army aviator who earned his wings during this time finished his pilot training at Kelly. These included Charles Lindbergh, Ira Eaker, Hoyt Vanderberg, Pete Quesada, and Curtis LeMay.
• In 1925, Duncan field, which conducted maintenance and supply, was spun off from Kelly, which continued the flight training mission.
• Duncan and Kelly Fields were reunited under the name Kelly Field in 1943, continuing service as a supply and maintenance depot, but the flight training operations were moved to other bases.
• Re-designed Kelly Air Force Base in 1947 provided maintenance and management for the Air Force’s various bombers, fighters, transports, trainers, and other support aircraft until 1998. Base personnel were responsible for management and repair of more than half of the Air Force engine inventory. They also managed aerospace fuels, nuclear weapons and related items and more than 185,000 items ranging from gas turbine engines to automatic test equipment.
• In 1995, the Defense Base Close and Realignment Commission ordered the closure of Kelly.
• Final shutdown of Kelly was completed July 13, 2001.

(Source: The Associated Press)

The Greater Kelly Development Authority, formed by the San Antonio City Council, deserves our congratulations for their successful efforts to lure private-sector work to the base property center in such a short time span. Thirty-seven well-known business companies and nearly 5,000 jobs now occupy the center. The sign in front of the base reads KellyUSA, the name of the new aviation and industrial park on the grounds. Good Luck KellyUSA!

Originally published in 2001

The Gulf Coast General Aviation Expo is expected to develop as the “Texas’ Oshkosh” or approach the scope of “Sun-N-Fun” annual nationwide fly-in events. This aviation event is coming to the Galveston’s Moody Convention Center, conveniently adjacent to Galveston’s historical Scholes Field, the Texas Air Museum and Moody Gardens.

Scholes Field is believed to be one of the first sites for general aviation activity in Texas, with the airport having extensive available space for aircraft parking and “static displays”, within easy walking distance of the convention center.

Representatives from prominent aerospace and aviation industries, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be present. Each group from throughout Texas and Louisiana will provide information about their responsibilities and provide the “answers” for the questions the public have always wanted to ask. Also expected to participate are recruiters from various airlines, air taxi, offshore, helicopter and military interests, along with flight training organizations. Vendors are urged to make the earliest possible inquiry and commitment for this event.

The Expo is designed around the idea of providing a learning environment with emphasis on a quality aviation experience. It is a non-profit operation, with close cooperation from the FAA. Pilot and general public access to the Expo will be totally without charge.

For further information, contact: Bob Webster (FAA/Houston ARTC) 281/230-5520 or [email protected]; Paul Downs (FAA/Houston/FSDO) 281/212-9717 or [email protected].

Originally published in 2001

We believe that our employees are the most important resource that we have available to support us daily in the fulfillment of the “aviation” mission for the State of Texas. They are, as team members, our winning hand. We will continue to showcase employees in WINGTIPS, so that you can get to know them, their responsibilities and their interests.

By John Greer
Aviation Division

The Project Management Section welcomes two new employees to its ranks. Clayton Bridwell and Charles Graham joined our team on May 1 as Design Project Managers in administering the design and construction of airport improvement projects.

Clayton Birdwell

Clayton was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Washington D.C. Before coming to the Aviation Division, Clayton worked for the TxDOT Austin District since 1986 as an illumination design specialist and District Traffic Signal Coordinator. Clayton has also attended the Texas Tech School of Engineering and worked in the private sector for HDR. Clayton and his wife Sandy live in Round Rock. For recreation Clayton enjoys reading and League and Tournament Bowling.

Charles Graham

Charles is originally from Wichita Falls and worked in the TxDOT Wichita Falls Residency for three years before joining the U.S. Army where he served as a helicopter pilot for ten years. After leaving active duty he worked in the TxDOT Kerrville District Office and the Dallas District Maintenance Section prior to coming to the Aviation Division. Charles has a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University, a commercial rotary wing pilot’s license, and continues to fly helicopters in the Army Reserve.

Originally published in 2001

More than 400 people with personal ties to Perrin Air Force Base and friends, including supporters of the former Air Defense Command units stationed here, crowded the Silver Wings Building at Grayson County Airport in July for the Ninth Perrin Field Reunion in Denison, Texas.

State politicians and guest speakers along with others who figured in the history of the base joined in reminiscing what they did at this base during their stay here. No doubt, Perrin AFB holds a significant spot in military aviation history, and to many who were assigned to the base-certainly, a focal point for them.

Perrin Field saw the transition from an Army Air Corps base to a U.S. Air Force base in 1947, when the Air Force became a separate branch of the service, a move that military people hardly noticed, since the camaraderie between services continued to flourish. In retrospect, the most astonishing reflection made by many is how much change has occurred in the aviation industry in such a short span of time – commencing from the Wright Brothers, and the first aircraft flying 130 miles an hour to 31 years later flying at excess of Mach 2, around 1,400 miles per hour, and, the recognition that the people who tended, maintained and flew such aircraft, were most likely trained at places like Perrin Air Field.

Nationwide generations mingle at such reunions every year, and they pass on the traditions to another generation; a reliving of a time past and achievements made with pride for a cause.

Originally published in 2001

TOM LANDRY – Famous Dallas Cowboys coach, Tom Landry served as a B-17 pilot for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew 30 missions with the Eighth Air Force in Europe. In 1944, the 20-year-old first lieutenant was forced to land his bomber in Belgium after running out of fuel on a bombing run over Germany. Landry and his crew escaped without injury. After moving to Dallas in 1957, he re-qualified as a private pilot. In 1995, a mechanical problem in his single-engine Cessna forced him to make an emergency landing on a road near a suburban Dallas high school. There were no injuries or damage to the plane. Landry was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and served on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Board of Visitors for several years. Tom Landry died on February 12, 2000, after a nine-month battle with Leukemia. He was 75.

DR. PATRICIA HILLIARD ROBERTSON, a crew-support astronaut for the International Space Station, died on May 24, 2001, two days after suffering second-and third degree burns in a plane crash. Robertson, 38, was flying as a passenger in an experimental Wittman Tailwind aircraft, owned and piloted by Roy Mack Adams, 46. The preliminary accident report says that the two were performing touch-and-go’s at Wolfe Air Park in Manvel, Texas when “the aircraft pitched to the right” and “the left wing struck the runway.” The aircraft cartwheeled into trees and caught fire.

FLOYD H. “SLATS” RODGERS – The flying career of flamboyant pilot Floyd H. “Slats” Rodgers will be memorialized this autumn with a marker from the Texas Historical Commission. The bootlegger, smuggler, cropduster and stunt pilot is being recognized for his exploits and the innovative contributions he made to the fledgling aviation industry. According to legend, Rodgers built one of the first airplanes in Texas, nine years after the Wright brothers’ historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903. He was also known for running contraband machine guns across the border and returning to Texas with a load of liquor. Afraid of carrying ammunition in case he crashed, Rodgers built a trap door in his plane and dumped the ammunition while in slow flight, then landed to collect his pay. He made a living barnstorming until its popularity died out. He modified his plane and became a crop-duster and promoted infrequent charter flights, giving passengers a thrill with unexpected maneuvers. The marker scheduled for dedication on October 5, at 10 a.m., will be displayed inside the McAllen Airport at the entrance to Slats Landing Cantina, the airport bar named for Rodgers. Rodgers was born on March 7, 1889 and died on July 5, 1956.

Originally published in 2001

Airport Name	Grant Awarded	Grant Amount	Project Description
Rooke Field Airport	06-18-01	$423,294	In general, the work at Rooke Field Airport consists of: runway, taxiway and apron overlay, and runway electrical improvements.
Spearman Municipal Airport	06-29-01	$706,474	In general, the work at the Spearman Municipal Airport consists of: rehabilitating RW 2-20, striping and marking RW 2-20; rehabilitating and marking parallel taxiway to RW 2-20; rehabilitating hangar access taxiways; rehabilitating apron; installing PAPI-2’s on RW 2-20; installing and relocating guidance signs.
Panhandle-Carson Co. Airport	06-29-01	$702,911	In general, the work at the Panhandle-Carson Co. Airport consists of: rehabilitating RW 17-35, striping and marking RW 17-35; rehabilitating and marking stub taxiway; rehabilitating and repairing public apron; updating runway lighting and signage.
Perryton-Ochiltree Co. Airport	06-29-01	$1,526,433	In general, the work at the Perryton-Ochiltree County Airport consists of: extending RW and taxiway 17 end; rehabilitating RW and taxiway 17-35; providing signs and markings for RW and Taxiway; reconstructing hangar access taxiways; rehabilitating North and South public apron; correcting drainage, installing erosion/sedimentation controls; installing PAPI-4; installing a segmented circle; and replacing rotating beacon.
C. David Campbell Airport	06-29-01	$915,531	In general the work at C. David Campbell Airport consists of: overlaying, striping and marking RW 14-32; rehabilitating parallel taxiway; reconstructing hangar access taxiways; rehabilitating and marking hangar access taxiways; overlaying and marking terminal apron; installing tie-downs; constructing drainage improvements; rehabilitating and reconstructing hangar access taxiways; upgrading runway signage and lighting; installing PAPI on RW 32 and installing REIL on RW 14-32.

Originally published in 2001
By Yolanda Alvarez, Aviation Division

The 2002 International Aviation Art Contest is now underway. School age children from all over the world will compete in this annual event that is open to children ages six through seventeen. Contest theme is “Silent Flight. For more information about this worthwhile opportunity to become involved in the exciting world of aviation, download the brochure from our website at www.dot.state.tx.us or call our office at 1/800/68-PILOT. Contest deadline is January 7, 2002.

Originally published in 2001

Michael Behrens, an assistant executive director of Texas Department of Transportation was named executive director on August 16, 2001 by the Texas Transportation Commission. Behrens succeeds Wes Heald, who retired on August 31.

Behrens, 53, began his career with TxDOT in 1971 as an engineering assistant in the department’s Yoakum District and has served in numerous engineering positions at TxDOT.

Presently, Behrens has announced no specific changes in mind for TxDOT, but noted important issues such as safety, mobility and preserving the transportation system in Texas as priorities.

TxDOT has 14,500 employees and is responsible for the 79,000- mile state highway system, including public transportation, aviation, motor vehicle registration, special truck permits, regulation of motor vehicle dealers, water transportation, rail, tourism and pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety.

Originally published in 2001
By Yolanda Alvarez
Aviation Division

Please mark your calendar for our 20th Annual Texas Aviation Conference scheduled for March 20-22, 2002 at the DoubleTree Hotel, Austin, Texas. More information, as it becomes available, will be posted on our website www.dot.state.tx.us, or noted on our December-January 2002 WINGTIPS. The conference program will include a variety of sessions and workshops on current aviation issues, including guest speakers with related expertise. For further information about the conference or exhibit space availability, contact the Aviation Division at 1/800/68-PILOT.

Originally published in 2001

Archer City Municipal Airport

• Airport New Name: Rolling Green Hills, privately-owned and open to the public.
• New Owner: Valter Dellanebbia, P.O. Box 734, Archer City, TX 76351, or 410 E. Chestnut, Suite 100, Archer City, TX 76351, Telephone, 940/574-4900.

Benger Air Park, Friona, Texas

• New Airport Manager: Rick Jennings will take over his father’s duties. E. T. Jennings, owner and manager of the airpark, died recently.

Bridgeport Municipal Airport

• Interim Airport Manager: Joe Jackson, city administrator. Bob Barham is no longer airport manager, but is involved in development surrounding the airport.

Gainesville Municipal Airport

• New Airport Address: 2300 Airport Drive, Gainesville, Texas 76240

Gregg County Airport

• Airport Manager Bucky Walters retired on August 30, 2001.

McKinney Municipal Airport

• New Airport Manager: Richard Nasipak, effective August 1.

Stephenville Municipal Airport

• New Airport Manager: Bill Smith, P.O. Box 1552, Stephenville TX 76401, Telephone: 254/965-2795, E-mail: [email protected].