Wingtips Spring 2010

Originally published in 2010
by Chris Sasser,
Texas Transportation Institute

Not long ago, TP McCompbell Airport in Ingleside and Calhoun County Airport in Port Lavaca were little more than weathered air strips located on the outskirts of town. But now, with help from enthusiastic airport managers, community leaders and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) funds, these revitalized airports ore helping to shape the local economies.

Calhoun County Airport
During the course of my visit to the Calhoun County Airport, located three miles northwest of Port Lavaca, the phrase “community involvement” come up repeatedly. And for good reason, because if there is one message that the enthusiastic airport managers and county commissioner want to convey it’s, “This airport is here to serve our community.” Judging by the attendance of their Big Whoop Fly-In, despite the inclement weather, they are doing just that.

“When we took over about a year ago, the first thing we did was roll up our sleeves and clean this place up,” says Ann Brinkman, FBO Manager for Calhoun Air Center. “The first month was spent painting, hauling off trash and modernizing the facilities.”

Their efforts paid off by winning the “Most Improved Airport” award at TxDOT’s aviation conference in 2009.

“For the Calhoun County Airport to receive this honor is overwhelming considering the number of wonderful airports that there are in the state of Texas,” says Dianna Stanger, airport manager. “Our county realized it had a valuable, underutilized airport and it was important to raise it to a level that the residents would be proud of.”

In his award presentation remarks, TxDOT Aviation Director Dave Fulton noted, “Calhoun Air Center has been an active participant in RAMP. When the former FBO did not reliably have fuel or services available, they used the RAMP program to install a self-service fueling system for AvGas and jet fuel to serve the airport. They continued the trend by removing the outdated fuel tank and dispenser and then paved a new fueling apron with their own funds and forces.”

Calhoun County Precinct 2 Commissioner Vern Lyssy is one of the driving forces in the improvements and promotion of their airport, and credits TxDOT for their support. “Simply put, we could not have done this without RAMP funds,” says Lyssy. ‘We’ve worked hard on this. The employees, the FBO, everyone – it’s been a team effort.”

Recent improvements to the airport include: a 24-hour fueling system, a new roof and new siding for the hanger, a new rotating beacon, landscaping in front of the entrance and a remodeled hangar. The airport is currently in a $3 million grant to overlay the runway and the taxiway.

“A few years ago, many people in Port Lavaca were not aware there was an airport just outside of town,” says Lyssy. “Now we have a top-notch facility that will help drive our commerce, such as tourism.”

“It is not just the physical assets that make an airport a valuable partner in the community,” said Fulton. “The airport provides superior service and management of the facilities that range from hangar rentals to flight training.”

The 3rd annual Big Whoop Fly-In will take place on May 15 from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. On hand will be vintage aircraft, various competitions and displays, and a B-25 Doolittle Mitchell Bomber. Rides will be available on several aircraft including the bomber. For more information on Calhoun Air Center or this event, visit http://calhounaircenter.com/.

TP McCampbell Airport
Located two miles north of Ingleside, TP McCampbell (KTFP) is one of the two airports owned by San Patricio County. Because of its prime location nestled between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, it’s easy to see why local Jim Price, the County Commissioner and Airport Manager, is excited about the future of this facility.

“When I took office in January 2003, there was a phone on a post, a portable toilet and a total of 13 airplanes. Today we have over 50 airplanes with plans for many more. We have a great central location,” says Price, “and I feel like our recent improvements make us a very desirable airport for business, tourism and corporate jets.”

The improvements to TP McCampbell were spearheaded by former airport manager George Alvarado, who was awarded TxDOT’s “General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year” award at the 2008 aviation conference. Commissioner Price hired Alvarado in 2004. Together, with the backing of the County Judge and Commissioners Court, Price and Alvarado accomplished a lot in a short period of time. Alvarado retired in 2009.

Among the improvements include:

• a new terminal building with visitor, pilots lounge and restrooms;
• fuel and a fuel truck;
• large community hangar and 26 new t-hangars;
• AWOS (automated weather observing system);
• GPS instrument approach; and
• expanded tarmac for jets and heavier aircraft is currently under construction.

There are also plans to lengthen the runway to 6,000 feet and reinforce it to accommodate larger jets.

The airport also has become the new home of Department of Public Safety Aviation Operations which rents office and hangar space for a helicopter and is staffed 24/7.

“This is a very secure airport with our security gates and DPS nearby,” notes Jeff McIntosh, the new Airport Attendant who works under Price. ‘When you fly in, you can easily pick up a rental car and not worry about your plane while you are fishing or conducting business.”

With the improvements in place and more to come, McIntosh has already noticed an increase in traffic from an average of three planes a week visiting the airport to currently 15-20. And with the upcoming warm weather, he expects that number to increase.

“I want to get the word out that this really is a great airport for folks to fly in and out of,” he says. ”The RAMP funds since Commissioner Price has been in office allowed us to transform from a remote air strip to a premiere general aviation airport.”

For more information on TP McCampbell Airport, please visit http://www.airnav.com/airport/KTFP.

Originally published in 2010

TXDOT AVIATION NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM IN PLACE:
In the July issue of Wingtips, I mentioned that Bill Fuller, our Director of Engineering, and Linda Howard, our Director of Planning, have retired. Their replacements are now in place.

Bijan Jamalabad is our new Director of Engineering and Scott Gallagher is our new Director of Planning. Bijan Jamalabad is well known by most of you. Bijan has been an engineering project manager in our office for the past 20 years. He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a licensed professional engineer. Bijan has strong leadership skills and understands, as well as any one I know, how to best maximize our financial investment in Texas airports. He is well known and highly respected by the civil engineering and contracting community, as well as the airport sponsors he has worked with in the past. Bijan lives with his wife Rosimeiry and daughters Lela and Hanna and son Reza in Austin.

Although Scott Gallagher is new to the Aviation Division, he is not new to aviation. Scott began his aviation career in the military as a Naval Aviator, flying over 3,300 hours in F/ A-18 Hornets. He served as Commanding Officer of an F / A-18 squadron and flew numerous combat missions in Iraq. Scott is a graduate of the Navy’s Top Gun School and was named the Navy’s Carrier Aviator of the Year in 2000. Scott, his wife Courtney and four sons make their home in Wimberley. I am very excited about the leadership and experience that Scott brings to the Aviation Division. Be sure and meet Scott during our 2010 Texas Aviation Conference in April at the Woodlands.

We are extremely fortunate to have Bijan and Scott joining Karon Wiedemann, Jay Joseph and myself as part of our management team working to continue to improve Texas Aviation.

It is with a great deal of sadness that I end my column by informing you of the passing of a co-worker and friend, Alton Young. Alton was well known by many of you from his work in the field and visiting with you at our annual aviation conference. Every year, we have all enjoyed his beautiful rendition of the national anthem.

Alton Young was a respected and loved member of our T xDOT Aviation Division family. Texas aviation is better for his efforts and contributions over the past 10 years. Alton will be sorely missed by all of us.

Originally published in 2010

The Aviation Division announced several personnel moves over the last month.

Scott Gallagher is the new Director of Planning and Programming. Scott replaces Linda Howard, who retired last year. Scott previously served as the San Marcos Airport Manager and served in the Navy as an F-18 pilot and was a graduate of the Top Gun Academy. He completed his career as Commanding Officer of VFA-94.

Bijan Jamalabad was promoted to Director of Engineering and Construction, replacing the retired Bill Fuller. Bijan is a graduate of the University of Texas and previously worked as project manager with the Aviation Division for 20 years.

“Scott and Bijan bring outstanding leadership skills that will help us make an outstanding organization even better,” said TxDOT Aviation Director David Fulton. ”They are excellent choices to lead their programs in airport development in Texas.

Kelle Geter was promoted to Grant Manager and will work under Director Karon Wiedemann. Kelle began her career at AYN as a temp, and worked her way up through the ranks. Karon noted her promotion by saying, “Kelle is a hard worker and a pleasure to hove around the office.”

Congratulations to these employees!

Originally published in 2010

Alton Young passed away on January 31 after lengthy battle with esophageal cancer. Alton worked in law enforcement, construction and most recently for the TxDOT Aviation Division for 10 plus years. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed his annual trips to Terlingua with the guys. He was a proud member of the Central Texas Patriot Guard Riders and the Austin Area Patriot Guard Riders. He was known in the Patriot Guard by his nickname “Grizzlebear” because they knew he was mentally and physically as strong as a grizzly bear yet with a heart as kind and caring as a teddy bear. Alton shared his musical ability and love for gospel music by singing with The Hillsiders quartet.

In the following two pages, his colleagues share their thoughts on Alton and his legacy. Alton NEVER called me by my first name – always “Gunn.” I took this as a sincere term of endearment. Bill Gunn
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My memory of Alton is he was always looking for quality work and good BBQ! Harry Lorton
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Alton was very thoughtful. When he was on the road and even at home battling his own sickness, he would always find time to call me and wish me the best or offer kind words when I needed them recently. Although the day has come that he would no longer wait for the elevator, waving good-bye for the day with his 44 oz. cup in one hand and his brown leather bag in the other, I have the fondest of memories of Alton. Kelle Geter
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He was a humble guy that truly appreciated all the love showered on him during his fight with cancer by so many people that knew him. My phone has been ringing off the hook all day with people calling to offer their condolences. Obviously, he touched a lot of people and they all said what a nice guy he was. We knew that all along and we were lucky to be his friend. Russell Deason
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Alton always found time to help others. On one such occasion not too long ago Alton was telling me how he was going to help a Boy Scout that was working on a civic project at a local airport towards an “Eagle” rating. He explained how the Scout planned to install an auxiliary wind sock and that he (Alton) was just going to provide some guidance and installation advice. Well, as things progressed Alton became more and more involved and before you knew it he was helping with the actual installation from site preparation to pouring the concrete base. He wouldn’t have had it any other way. I saw that same scenario take place over and over throughout my friendship of 25 plus years with Alton. He always made time to do whatever was asked of him and many times what wasn’t. He was a true friend that will be missed by all that knew him. Ed Mayle
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He would come and visit me in my office every day when he was here. I would hear his whistle and knew he was coming. We would discuss anything from deer hunting, Emma (his granddaughter} and his grandsons, my children, the past, the present, the future and baking good cookies. He talked about how his wife Vicki would make him the best cookies, cake, whatever and he would be the stirrer. I miss my friend and co-worker. We love you, Alton! Becky Vick
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I have many good memories of Alton, from being shot with rubber bands and dodging the wadded up candy wrappers he’d throw at me, to listening to him in the neighboring cubical trash talking to me very loudly – in his playful manner, of course! Alton knew his business and was quite impressive to observe while on a job site. He was quick to share his knowledge, which provided a great learning experience.

My most treasured memory will be watching him perform with the Hillsiders Quartet. You could actually witness his pleasure while he sang the beautiful gospel songs. The evening had me smiling during the entire performance, even when the beauty of the lyrics and music brought tears to my eyes. Kari Campbell
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Alton was so proud of his talent of singing. He enrolled at Austin Community College to take a class in music. He had the honor of getting the part of lead singer in a production. He had gone to several practices and the professor was so proud Alton was joining the production. Alton was humbled that a professor would ask him to participate in such a production. Unfortunately, his illness would not let him complete his passion to play the part. He was like a little kid starting first grade again. Maybe he can be lead singer at the gates of heaven. Sheri Quinlan
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Alton was a wonderful man, and I truly feel honored to have crossed his path. I know his passing has left a large hole in the TxDOT Aviation Division family. To use a paving phrase, you might be able to bridge the hole, but you’ll never be able to fill it. All my prayers to his family. Larry Valdez, Parkhill, Smith & Cooper Inc.