Originally published in 1997 Dr. John Donald Hull, affectionately known as “Doc”, founder of Hull Airport, now Sugar Land Municipal Airport, passed away on January 11, 1997. His love for aviation began in Nashville, Georgia, where he learned to fly at the age of eleven. At age sixteen he ferried WWII fighter aircraft for the…

Originally published in 1997 Texas-based aviatrix Linda Finch has ended her three-month recreation of Amelia Earhart’s ill-fated 1937 flight around the world via the equator. Finch flew an immaculately restored Lockheed Electra 10E – one of only two remaining in the world. Its restoration is an accurate replica of Earhart’s aircraft. She and copilot Lad…

Originally published in 1997 Kim Reniska, an engineer from Austin, Texas, will be part of a five-member team that will compete in September at the first World Air Games, to be held in Antalya, Turkey! Kim earned her team position by being one of the five highest scoring pilots at the previous year’s U.S. National…

Originally published in 1997 The father of British Aviation was an American. Samuel F. Cody. His real name was Cowdery, and he was born in Texas. Cody devised and built Britain’s first practical aeroplane. On the great Farnborough Airfield near London is a cast reproduction of the gnarled old pine tree where in 1908, he…

Originally published in 1997 Angel Flight of Texas, Inc., is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the free air transportation of medical patients, family members, blood, and organs for those who cannot access such transportation by ordinary commercial means. Their sole purpose is to serve the community by sharing a unique service for which there is…

Originally published in 1997 McGregor Municipal Airport is the first general aviation airport in the nation to be awarded the designation of “Clean Airport” by the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). USDOE’s “Clean Airport” program goal is to encourage aviation use of clean burning alternative fuels such as ethanol to help keep the air we…

Originally published in 1997 The award for Most Improved Airport went to Dimmit County Airport in Carrizo Springs. “This airport’s full-time manager, Ernest Martinez, and the entire community take pride in their airport. Due to tremendous community support, this airport will continue to contribute significantly to the economy by attracting businesses and accommodating the area’s…

Originally published in 1997 Thousands of school children from across the United States submitted artwork for the 1997 International Aviation Art Contest. Children in three age groups, 6-9, 10-13, and 14-17, were invited to submit artwork depicting their own aviation/space-themed postage stamp for the imaginary country, Aeromania. The Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division received…

Originally published in 1997 Temple Municipal’s fixed-based operator (FBO) won a silver award in the Exxon USA’s Tiger Spirit Program, marking the local business as one of the outstanding aviation FBOs in the country. Sharon Rostovich manages the FBO that serves the general aviation community in Temple and the surrounding area. FBOs earn points in…

Originally published in 1997 Many publicly owned airports are eligible for federal funding for improvements under terms of the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Projects such as runway repair or extension, terminal building additions, or navigation aid and lighting upgrades are examples of improvements which may be funded in large part with federal…

Originally published in 1997 Texas Legislative Session Comes To An End As the 75th Texas Legislative Session came to an end on June 2, 1997, there were few legislative issues passed which will have an effect on aviation in Texas. The most Important is the approval of the budget for state funded airport grants for…

Originally published in 1997 Almost 400 people attended the 15th Annual Texas Airport Operators conference, including airport managers, sponsors, consultants, speakers, TxDOT district staff, and Aviation Division staff. This annual conference, sponsored by TxDOT’s Aviation Division and the Texas Association of Airport Executives (T AAE), provides presentations and workshops designed specifically for airport sponsors and…