Wingtips Volume 1 - Number 2

The women who trained in the only all-woman military flight school during World War II were honored Saturday, May 22, 1993 at Sweetwater, Texas, 50 years after the women made history.

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, Gov. Ann Richards, and a number of other dignitaries praised the 1,830 members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots who trained in Sweetwater, Texas, at Avenger Field in 1943-44. Governor Richards expressed “profound gratitude for the legacy you have given to us and the legacy you pass on to young women who are only children today.”

WASPS bravely and proudly served their country during WW II. Although they were granted civil service status rather than military, they ferried planes, towed targets, flew tracking, smoke laying, searchlight strafing and simulated bombing missions, did radio control, flight tested aircraft, gave instrument instruction, and performed many other duties. Thirty-eight of these women gave their lives serving their country.

At the banquet honoring the WASPS, guest speaker U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno spoke of her WASP aunt “Winnie” (Winifred Wood) and how she grew up hearing stories from her aunt and WASP friends at air shows. She was 7 years old when the WASPS were disbanded, but she still remembers her aunt coming home from the war to Miami in “that blue uniform.” “She was a hero to me,” Reno said. “I made up my mind that if those ladies went out and flew planes, I could do anything I wanted to do.”

WASP Dorothy Swain Lewis, a professional artist, sculpted the bronze statue of the WASP that was unveiled at the ceremony. This statue now stands in a place of honor in the original Wishing Well in Sweetwater, Texas where the WASPS were traditionally thrown into upon graduation. A Walk of Honor listing each of the women who trained at Avenger Field fills two walls on either side of the walk. The names are listed as they were in the class rolls when they entered the WASPs. A Texas Historical Commission plaque stands by the statue.

Of the 25,000 applicants, 1,830 were accepted; 1,074 won wings and flew 60 million miles for the U.S. Army Air Force. The memorial is to preserve and keep alive their spirit, their contribution to their country and their contribution as pioneers for women in aviation.

The cities of Beeville, Commerce and McGregor are the recipients of facility development grants. These are the first grants to be awarded under the new state Block Grant Program.

The previous issue of “WingTips” stated that in order to receive federal or state grants for airport improvement, an airport must be zoned. One of the guidelines under which the Texas Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation operates is the “Aviation Facilities Development Rules.” The purpose of these rules is to set forth in a clear and concise manner the procedures, guidelines and standards utilized to administer the Texas Aviation Facilities Development and Financial Assistance Program.

Rule 65.10(i)(12) states, “A sponsor shall adopt and enforce comprehensive zoning regulations to restrict the use of land, adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of the airport, to activities compatible with normal airport operations. …No sponsor shall be eligible for a subsequent grant or loan under the program unless the sponsor has adopted and has, as called upon to do so, enforced the airport hazard zoning ordinance/order approved by the department…”. These rules were adopted by the Texas Transportation Commission after the merger of the two transportation agencies, highways and aviation, formed the Texas Department of Transportation. Also, the Division of Aviation will not invest the public’s money in any facility where the public investment cannot be protected.

Since neither the Division of Aviation nor the Federal Aviation Administration can protect any airport from the erection of tall structures or the use of land adjacent to the airport that would be dangerous to the users of the airport or persons around the airport, a zoning ordinance is the best way to protect an airport.

The procedure for enacting a zoning ordinance is quite involved and requires the sponsor as well as all other political subdivisions that own land under the zoned areas to participate. The complete zoning procedure requires at least 17 steps for a simple city-county zoning ordinance to be property enacted.

The Division of Aviation assists in the zoning process by preparing the zooming procedural forms and the hazard zoning map and providing assistance to the sponsor during the zoning process. It should be pointed out that airport zoning is a local ordinance authorized by Texas Local Government Code Section 241.001, not a state or federal law. It is the responsibility of the local government to enact, enforce, amend, and issue variances to the zoning ordinance. For more information, please contact the Division of Aviation’s zoning coordinator, Jim Cummins.

As I quickly approach the completion of my first year as Director of Aviation, I am truly excited and optimistic about the future of Texas aviation. I am absolutely convinced that, working together, we can develop the premier aviation system in the nation, something which, I believe, Texas deserves. It certainly won’t be easy, but as I have said on numerous occasions, if it was going to be easy, it wouldn’t be any fun.

But there is a more compelling reason for reaching our goal than to simply be number one.

“The economic future of Texas depends, in large measure, on providing an adequate air transportation system for our citizens, particularly in our rural areas.”

With the possible exception of Alaska, there is no state in the nation that is more dependent than Texas on aviation and air transportation for economic enhancement and industrial development.

It is my belief that the key to our success will be the dialogue we establish as we move forward. I intend to commit whatever time is necessary to ensure that I am as knowledgeable as I can be regarding your thoughts and ideas about aviation in Texas. It is my hope that, over time, I will be able to become personally acquainted with each of you. Until that opportunity arises, call me at 512/476-9262 with any ideas you may have. The Division’s primary mission is to assist and support you in reaching our aviation goals. As time goes by, I will share some of my ideas on how we can succeed. I hope you will do the same. Also, at any time you feel it would be beneficial, I will be happy to come to your community to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.

It’s time for Texas to move to the forefront nationally in aviation and airport system development. We will be number one!

The TxDOT Division of Aviation would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the 1993 Texas Airport Operations Conference an outstanding success.

With nearly 300 in attendance, the conference provided an interesting mix of seminars and concurrent sessions.

Thirty-three aviation firms filled the exhibit area with displays showing the latest in aviation products and services. Many of these firms generously donated door prizes to be given away during the conference.

The following 1993 awards for outstanding achievement were proudly acknowledged:

• Outstanding Airport of the Year: Kerrville-Louis Schreiner Field
• Airport Achievement Award: McGregor Municipal
• Airport Manager of the Year: Gene Johnson, Rockport-Aransas County

The Texas Legislature, in its recent budget session, approved an increase in the State Facility Development Program funding appropriation.  The budget goes from $1.85 million in 1992 and 1993 to $4.25 million for the next biennium.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the selection of Robert V. Woods to the position of Deputy Director of the Division of Aviation. Bob joined our staff on March 1, 1993.

Bob holds a Bachelor’s degree in Military Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts in Urban Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently pursuing a Master of Aeronautical Science with majors in both Operations and Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition, while serving in the Air Force, he completed Air Force Command and Staff School, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the National War College, and the National Defense University’s Institute for Higher Defense Studies Capstone Course.

A retired Air Force Brigadier General, Bib completed a 28-year active duty career as a pilot, mainly in the Military Airlift command. He has been an instructor pilot, a squadron commander and a wing commander. Additionally, Bob served in staff positions at headquarters levels up to and including the Pentagon. He is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours having flown C-141, C-5, C-130E, HC-130H/P, F-111, T-39, C-21, C-20, C-12, C-23. T-41, HH-53, UH-1, T-37 and T-38 aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was awarded the Parachutist Badge in February 1987.

Bob and his wife, Wanda, are currently living in San Antonio but are in the process of building a home in north Austin. They have one son, Steve, who attends the U.S. Air Force Academy.