Wingtips Volume 2 - Number 4

Center Municipal Airport has received the largest grant to be awarded from the 1994 Block Grant. Center received a 2.7 mil- lion state and federal grant for the project, which will cover 95 percent of the cost. Congressman Charlie Wilson was instrumental in obtaining federal funding for the project. Private donations from individuals and businesses account for the other five percent. Part of the private money for the project was raised with the help of State Senator Bill Haley.

“The expansion of this airport opens another door for Shelby County,” said Judge Floyd Watson.

Mayor Windham added that, “People don’t realize that Center was the site of the first aircraft factory in Texas,” said Mayor Windham.

The project consists of extending the north end of RW 16 from 4000 to 5500 feet, and associated land acquisition. The TxDOT Lufkin District will relocate a portion of the existing FM 699 to the present location of Cotton Ford Road. The runway’s pavement will also be overlayed to bring the pavement strength up to 30,000 pounds to accommodate business jet aircraft.

The project will include site preparation for the runway extension, installation of erosion and sedimentation controls, and clearing of the RW 16 end runway protection zone. A turnaround at the approach end of RW 16 will be constructed along with reconstruction of the existing apron and hangar access taxiways. The newly paved runway will be freshly striped and marked, new runway lights will be placed along the extended portion, and fencing will be installed at the RW 16 end. The project also will include installation of a new rotating beacon to assist pilots in locating the airport at night.

David Fulton, Director of TxDOT’s Aviation Division, John Dean Windham, Mayor of Center, and Congressman Charlie Wilson (D-Lufkin), the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and other dignitaries participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the expansion of Center Municipal Airport.

The implementation of the Global Positioning Satellite System is progressing rapidly. In addition to the many “overlays” of GPS procedures on existing nonprecision instrument procedures, the FAA published in late July the first three “stand alone” GPS approaches in the nation, one of which is to Runway 35 at the Denton Municipal Airport.

This new Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) allows a nonprecision approach by suitably-equipped aircraft to a runway which has never before been instrument-capable.

Next year will be the fiftieth year that the State of Texas has been involved in aviation promotion and development. In 1945, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Aeronautics Act which established the first Texas agency dedicated to aviation- the Texas Aeronautics Commission. The early days of the Commission were spent in providing assistance to agricultural aviation, helping communities obtain airline service, and conducting safety meetings. The Commission’s first annual report issued December 31, 1946 stated, “Texas is now the leading state in Aviation, having 592 designated airports…and 8750 civilian aircraft.” In 1994, Texas remains a leader in aviation nationally, with over 50,000 pilots and more than 22,000 aircraft based within our state. However, there remains a great deal of work ahead to ensure that an adequate statewide system of aviation facilities is available to support our aviation industry. The celebration of “Fifty Years of Texas Aviation” will take place during the annual Texas Airport Operators Conference which will be held in Austin next April 26-28. Be sure to attend.

Regional Planning Meetings Scheduled

One of the most important responsibilities of the Aviation Division each year is conducting 21 regional planning meetings across the state to discuss individual airport needs. Each meeting involves about five communities, with each airport being visited by Aviation Division staff prior to the meeting. Communities are afforded an opportunity to meet with TxDOT Aviation Division staff to discuss airport needs, funding opportunities, and other matters of interest. The visits to local communities give our staff an opportunity to personally meet and get to know the people who are our partners in air transportation improvement. The next round of meetings will begin in March of next year and end the latter part of September. These meetings offer an excellent opportunity to learn more about what is planned for your individual airport. If you are interested in attending one of these meetings, please contact our office for a schedule.

And Finally: Cuts In Federal Funding For Airports Continue

Federal funding for general aviation airport development in Texas has declined from a high of almost $16 million during FY 92 to a low of $10.4 million for FY 95. The largest decrease was from FY 94 to FY 95 with federal entitlements for general aviation airports in Texas being reduced almost $4 million. Unfortunately, the outlook for FY 96 doesn’t appear to be much brighter. As a result, some airport projects scheduled for this year and next year will have to be postponed.

FAA processing of pilot certificates, which used to take an average of 50 working days, has been cut to 21 working days. The FAA has also pledged to provide the results of pilot exams in 20 days, down from 25 days, and reduce the time it takes to respond to pilot correspondence from seven to three days. Customer service telephone lines at the Airmen Certification Branch are staffed Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. CST. Persons interested in the status of their pilot certification may contact the branch by calling 405/954- 3261, or writing DOT/FAA, Airmen Certification Branch, AVN-460, P. O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73121.

FAA has also released a revised General Aviation Action Plan, a strategic blueprint of their commitment to the general aviation industry.

FAA is converting written exams to computer-based tests. When all the exams are converted, the FAA will no longer publish written test books. They will provide the questions and their associated subject matter reference material through an electronic bulletin board service. Conversion of all tests should be complete by June 15, 1995.

The first 172 and 182 in Cessna’s renewed production of single engine aircraft have been designated for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as future AOPA Membership Sweepstakes aircraft. The aircraft will be awarded in two successive AOPA Membership Sweepstakes once Cessna production begins.

“AOPA members welcome the commitment of Cessna to resume production following liability reform, and now two lucky AOPA members will win the first new Cessna 172 and 182 – a result of our support of that reform,” said AOPA president Phil Boyer.

George Mitchell, Chairman of the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee presented Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of the contribution to aviation made by outgoing members Charles Nash and Bill McKinsey at the Committee’s November meeting in Austin. Mr. McKinsey and Mr. Nash served as charter members on this committee.

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of an airport improvement project at the Real County Airport in Leakey. Due to the excellent work of the contractor, Allen Keller Co., the consulting engineer, Bain, Medina, Bain, and the efforts of Ken Shackelford, County Commissioner, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The project consisted of reconstructed runway surface and apron area, asphalt slurry seal, markings, lighted windcone, and segmented circle.

Thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Shackelford, a significant portion of the sponsor’s share of the project cost (10%) consisted of contributions from individuals and community business leaders.

Congratulations Real County! GREAT JOB!!

Four U.S. lawmakers, Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS), Representative Dan Glickman (D- KS), Representative James V. Hansen (R-VT) and Representative James Inhofe (R-OK), were key to the successful conclusion of the ten year battle for aviation product liability reform. These legislators were honored with AOPA’s top award for public service at AOPA EXPO ’94.

Product liability reform was sponsored in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kassebaum and Congressman Dan Glickman of Kansas in the House of Representatives. Both sponsored the original liability reform legislation of the 1980s and the more recent “statute of repose” bill which succeeded.

We received a letter from Mr. Daniel E. Gudas, Airport Consultant to the City of Hondo. He wanted to let us know about some improvements made to Hondo Municipal Airport that will enhance the facility’s growth and be of economic benefit to the community. We want you to know about them too.

“Recent improvements at the Hondo Municipal Airport include the installation of a flightline security fence, demolition of two wooden barracks buildings, asbestos remediation in Hangar 1 and Hangar 4, installation of a self-service, 24-hour, aircraft fueling facility, and the establishment of an aerobatics box including ground reference markers.

Western Petroleum Company has installed a state-of-the-art, fast pay, 10,000 gallon above ground fueling system at Hondo Municipal Airport. The system allows pilots to refuel from an unattended pump and pay by major credit card.”

Hondo Municipal Airport was recently issued a waiver by the FAA to establish the only on-airport aerobatics box in the country. The box, an imaginary square of airspace measuring 1,000 meters on each side and from the ground to 5,000 feet, will be used by members of the International Aerobatics Club (I.A.C.) and other authorized pilots. Some of the best aerobatics pilots in the Southwest, including members of the U.S. Women’s and Men’s Team, have indicated an interest in coming to Hondo on a regular basis to practice their routines in preparation for the regional, national and international competitions.

We want to hear from you too!

Economic Incentive Program

The Texas Transportation Commission approved Aviation Division staff recommendations to award economic incentive grants totaling $300,000 to three communities-Georgetown, Gainesville, and Gillespie County.

1 800 68-PILOT

In order to provide easy access for our customers and encourage frequent communication, the Aviation Division acquired a toll free telephone number.

General Aviation Video for Texas

We produced our first general aviation video, “Texas General Aviation” to promote general aviation in Texas.

Newsletter

The Aviation Division’s quarterly newsletter, WINGTIPS, has provided an avenue for the exchange of information and has resulted in improved communication with the aviation community and other interested parties.

Airport Action Plans

The Aviation Division initiated a federally funded “Action Plan” program for airports. Unlike the traditional master plans which provide relevant information for long term planning, these Airport Action Plans are a useful tool in providing a practical look at short term management strategies, a review of revenue sources and capabilities, and information on the amount of community support before developing projects to place in the 5-year Capital Improvement Program.

TxDOT and AOPA Contract for Training

The Aviation Division and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety Foundation (AOPA ASF) entered into a unique agreement to conduct Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics (FIRCS) in Texas.

State Block Grant Pilot Program

The FAA recently presented the Aviation Division with a “Certificate of Recognition” for outstanding performance in administering the State Block Grant Program, of which Texas is one of seven participating states nationwide.

Coordination with Districts

An Aviation Task Force has been created to recommend possible new cooperative ventures. Under review are ways to increase airport improvement support within the Districts.