Aviation Research

Wingtips Winter 2014

AOPA’s First Regional Fly-in in San Marcos

By: Yasmina Platt
AOPA’s Central Southwest Regional Manager

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) held its very first (of seven) Regional Fly-in in San Marcos on April 26, 2014. The goal of an AOPA Regional Fly-In is to create a positive, grassroots relational experience for our members and the local aviation community, to promote the value of general aviation, and to draw positive attention to the local airport and its value to the community. We want to meet our members in their own backyards and hear firsthand what is on their minds.

A whopping 700 airplanes had RSVPed to attend but IFR conditions the morning of the event kept some aircraft away. Still, over 2,500 pilots and aviation enthusiasts attended and 350 aircraft flew in despite the overcast layer to check out the aircraft displays and exhibitor tent, attend seminars, and enjoy great food and camaraderie.

The event got underway with a traditional fly-in breakfast: yummy pancakes and sausages prepared by AOPA staff members and volunteers. Lunch was also served and free for all AOPA members: brisket, sausage, and several side dishes.

Aircraft ranged from light sport aircraft to biplanes, jet trainers and helicopters. The Experimental Aircraft of America’s (EAA’s) B-17 Aluminum Overcast gave a few rides also. A couple of Bell Boeing V-22 Ospreys entertained the crowd as well with their helicopter and airplane capabilities.

Several seminars were held throughout the event, including topics like owner-performed maintenance, flying with iPads, stick-and-rudder flying, and improving radio communications. The Pilot Town Hall meeting in the afternoon was standing room only where AOPA President Mark Baker and I gave an update on state and federal issues and initiatives as well as answered questions from the audience.  EAA President Jack Pelton also joined Mark Baker on the stage to talk about the partnership between the two organizations.

A large number of the attendees also signed a traveling petition on display in support of the third class medical reform. This was a popular stop for most pilots.

I also cannot forget to mention the Rusty Pilots seminar conducted on Friday night where approximately 90 people received a great ground school in preparation for their FAA flight review after many years (as many as 28 years) of inactiveness.

But, none of this could have happened without the great help of 185 volunteers, who helped set up, parked cars and aircraft, served meals, cleaned, etc.

Thank you to all of you who came, volunteered, and spent a wonderful day with us. The event was widely successful and we look forward to many more. Unfortunately though, we will have to wait until 2015 to have another one in our Central Southwest Region.

You can read more about these and other developments in our region and specifically in Texas by visiting http://www.aopa.org/Advocacy/Airports-and-State-Advocacy.aspx or following me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/AOPACentralSWor @AOPACentralSW).

First AOPA Fly-In to Take Place in San Marcos on April 26

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is bringing its very first Regional Fly-in to the San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI) on April 26, 2014. The fly-in has already received a fantastic response from pilots and members. Reserve your spot today! RSVP at www.aopa.org/fly-in, where you can also learn more about the scheduled activities, volunteer opportunities, things to do and see in the area if you want to make it a weekend trip, etc. The pancake breakfast will be complimentary for AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteers attending the event. Let us know you will be there by emailing [email protected].

AOPA’s Report More Regional and Grassroots Interaction in 2014

By Yasmina Platt
AOPA’s Central Southwest Regional Manager

It was great seeing some of you at the AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth in early October. Thank you for making it a great event! While it is our last AOPA Summit — for now, at least — I am excited that AOPA is going to hold six “Regional Fly-ins” around the U.S. in 2014 in addition to interacting more at other grassroots events. It means I will get to see more of you, more often.

The goal of an AOPA Regional Fly-In is to create a positive, grassroots relational experience for our members and the local aviation community, to promote the value of general aviation and to draw positive attention to the local airport and its value to the local community. The events will be free to all attendees and the public. They will be held on Saturdays and we hope most of you will fly in and bring friends and family along. Exact locations and dates are expected to be announced in January. Watch for our announcement in January, which will also appear in your February issue of AOPA Pilot Magazine to learn the details of the regional events.

While all seven of us Regional Managers have been very involved since the program started in 2012, this new direction is going to give us an even better opportunity to help fulfill President Baker’s vision. To learn more about the Regional Manager program, read Southern Regional Manager Bob Minter’s blog here: blog.aopa.org/advocacy/meet-the-aopa-regional-managers/.

While meeting our members is one of our key objectives, advocacy is still at the heart of what AOPA does. Therefore, in late October, AOPA voiced its opposition to a City of Galveston proposal to hold a Grand-Prix-style race on part of Scholes International Airport. The race could compromise flight safety and it would not be a good or proper use of airport facilities because it would negatively affect normal general aviation operations for several weeks prior to the race and about a week after the event. Initial race plans included closing Runway 18/36, a large portion of the ramp and parallel taxiway, as well as using an old runway/taxiway on the north end of the airport as part of the course. Grandstands, visitor areas, and racecar staging areas would be located in front of the hangar area and the Lone Star Flight Museum, which would restrict access to those areas of the airport.

Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot that will have significant implications for aviation manufacturers, repair stations and other businesses that maintain an aircraft parts or equipment inventory. After getting approval from the Texas Legislature and Governor Perry, Proposition 3 required voter approval to take effect. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, this amendment will extend the length of time aircraft parts and machinery can be stored in Texas from 175 days to two years without being subjected to an ad valorem (according to value) tax.

You can read more about these and other developments in our region and specifically in Texas by visiting www.aopa.org/Advocacy/Airports-and-State-Advocacy.aspx or following me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/AOPACentralSW or @AOPACentralSW).

Grants Received (Winter 2014)

Airport Name

Grant amount

Project Description

Perryton-Ochiltree County Airport

$7,580,490

 Relocate, reconstruct and mark taxiway A; rehabilitate and mark taxiway B, C, and D; reconstruct north apron and portions of existing apron; rehabilitate south apron and hangar access taxiways; construct hangar access taxiway and relocate fuel farm

Harrison County Airport

$839,986

 Design and construct 10 unit T-hangar and hangar access taxiway

Midland Airpark

$1,951,100

 Rehabilitate and mark Runway 7-25 and 16-34; rehabilitate and mark taxiways A,B,C,D and E; rehabilitate asphalt apron; rehabilitate hangar access taxiway hangar pavement; construct run-up area taxiway A,B,D and E; remove trench concrete and repair pavement; replace medium intensity runway lights Runway 7-25 and Runway 16-34; install obstruction lights Runway 34 and Runway 35; install new electrical vault; replace wind cones; install guidance signs; and improve drainage along Runway 7-25

New Braunfels Municipal Airport

$6,896,910

 Extend and mark Runway 13-31; extend and realign parallel taxiway to Runway 13-31; construct holding apron Runway 13; widen taxiway F to hangar access; extend parallel taxiway A and medium intensity taxiway lights; extend medium intensity runway lights Runway 13 and relocate threshold Runway 31; relocate precision approach path indicators Runway 13; install medium intensity approach lighting system Runway 13; relocate utilities for Runway extension; install signage Runway 13-31; drainage study for terminal southeast development area; install fencing; terminate road with signs and barricades; reroute ditches along road; and abandon Westmeyer Road easement

Upton County Airport

$2,700,000

 Overlay, mark and stripe Runway 10-28; reconstruct cross taxiways; replace low intensity lights with medium intensity lights at Runway 10-28; install precision approach path indicators-2’s Runway 28 and Runway 10; and upgrade rotating beacon electrical system

Coleman Municipal Airport

$953,165

 Reconstruct north taxiway to Runway 15; replace medium intensity runway lights; install precision approach path indicator-2 Runway 15-33; install runway hold and exit signs; install segmented circle; install lighted wind indicator; replace rotating beacon and tower;

Castroville Municipal Airport

$616,666

 Design and construct 8 unit box hangars and access pavement for box hangars

Cameron Airpark

$873,130

 Design and construct 8 unit T-hangar and hangar access taxiway

Bowie Municipal Airport

$1,336,800

 Reconstruct north parallel and cross taxiways; widen taxiway A, North infield grading and underdrain system

Terrell Municipal Airport

$1,155,000

 Design and construct T-Hangar and hangar access taxiway

Terry County Airport

$820,000

 Design and construct nine unit box hangar and hangar access pavement

Houston Southwest Airport

$1,277,778

 Acquire property for OFA and south parallel taxiway: construct south side corporate apron, East and West access road off FM 521, south side perimeter access road, and south parallel taxiway; and drainage improvements

Cotulla-La Salle County Airport

$7,914,000

 Extend and mark Runway 13-31; rehabilitate Runway 13-31and taxiway; expand and rehabilitate apron; construct parallel taxiway to Runway 13 and taxiway F; relocate precision approach path indicators-2; extend medium intensity runway lights; relocate ASOS; modify distance to go signs; partial hangar acquisition, demolition and replace and replacement and install deer-proof fence and design services for taxiway A

Mustang Beach Airport/Port Aransas

$720,600

 Rehabilitate and mark Runway 12-30; rehabilitate terminal apron; rehab and mark partial parallel taxiway stubs; replace medium intensity runway lights Runway 12-30; replace precision approach path indicator; install fencing, lighting and video surveillance.

Oil Fields and Air Fields

Aerial view of Cotulla-LaSalle County Airport.

Aerial view of Cotulla-LaSalle County Airport.

By David Dennis
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

By now, almost everyone has heard about the detrimental effects of truck traffic in South Texas due to oil exploration and drilling. But have there been some positive effects on local communities too? The answer is yes.

Two small regional airports that allow pilots to reach the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale play are Cotulla-LaSalle County Airport (KCOT) and Pleasanton Municipal Airport (KPEZ). Both airports are expanding their facilities and services to meet the increasing amount of business and personal traffic the oil play is generating.

The Cotulla-LaSalle County Airport dates back to the late 1940s, when it was known as the Cotulla Municipal Airport. The field originally had two crossing dirt strips and an FAA Flight Service Station on the airport supplying weather information for planes traveling between Laredo and San Antonio. Today, it’s a different story.

Airport Manager E.T. Page is proud of the airport’s progress over the past 25 years as it grew from a single 3,200’ x 50’ dilapidated runway with no services to its current 5,005’ x 75’ all-weather runway, with a professional staff of seven tending to the needs of guests flying into Cotulla. He is also quick to explain that work is already in progress on an airport capital improvement project that will result in the only 6,000-foot runway between San Antonio and Laredo, ideally located right off of Interstate 35. The project includes a 1,000-foot runway extension, a parallel taxiway and double the aircraft parking area. The airport’s instrument approach will be upgraded to an LPV approach after construction is completed. LPV stands for “localizer performance with vertical guidance,” which is the GPS equivalent of an ILS approach.

A $7 million-plus TxDOT grant is helping fund the expansion. The airport qualified and was awarded this project about four years ago, before the oil boom even started. Actual construction should begin in November 2013 and be completed by May 2014. Page noted, “Our existing traffic already exceeds what we’re supposed to show two years after the project is done.”

Pleasanton Municipal Airport is also experiencing an increase in traffic resulting from the Eagle Ford Shale play. Bruce Pearson, Pleasanton city manager, has noticed the change. “The traffic at our airport has increased exponentially and continues to increase,” he said. “We think the airport is a driving force to our sustainability in the Eagle Ford Shale.”

The terminal building and tarmac at Pleasanton Municipal Airport.

The terminal building and tarmac at Pleasanton Municipal Airport.

Scheduled improvements include the addition of a Wi-Fi-equipped pilot’s lounge with satellite TV. Renovation and expansion of the current terminal are also in the planning stage. Pearson said that a lack of hangar space is one of their biggest challenges. “Our mayor’s airplane is currently tethered to the tarmac because there is no more hangar space. We know that there are local businessmen who have airplanes at other airports for this reason. The city council has as an objective to provide more hangar space in the near future,” Pearson said.

Lack of hangar space is also an issue for E.T. Page in Cotulla. A privately-funded 150-foot-by-150-foot hangar with 30-foot doors is to be constructed simultaneously with the airport project. “I see a lot of decision makers arriving here, and not just small planes with one or two executives. We’re seeing multiple commuter-size aircraft with 50 or 60 oilfield executives coming here to check operations. We’ve accommodated eleven jets on the ramp at the same time.” Page said.

Rental cars are part of the service mix in Cotulla, too. “We started with two rental cars. Because of the oil boom, we now have ten. Sometimes they are all gone. We don’t make a lot of money on rentals but because we offer the service, the planes come here,” Page said. “We are striving to make Cotulla the best entry portal in the area and our efforts are being rewarded.”

Similarly, City Manager Pearson note that Pleasanton intends to expand services as well. “We see the airport as a diamond that our city council intends to put a real shine on. We’re working with a developer that wants to build some small offices with private hangar space to accommodate corporate jets. We feel that the improvements we are planning for our airport will enhance the economic impact on our city.”

For more information on the Cotulla-LaSalle County Airport, visit their website at www.cotullaairport.com. Additional information on Pleasanton Municipal Airport is available at http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPEZ.

North Texas Regional Airport Hosts the World Aerobatics Championships

Aerobatic airplane performing an aerial manuever.

A plane performs an aerial maneuver during the World Aerobatics Championship held at North Texas Regional Airport.

By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

The skies over north-central Texas were buzzing with activity recently as the World Aerobatics Championships were held at North Texas Regional Airport October 9-20. This was the first time in the event’s 27-year history that it had been held in Texas
and only the third time in the United States.

The event, sponsored by the Commission Internationale de Voltige Aérienne (CIVA), included more than 60 pilots from 17 different countries who competed in flight agility routines over ten days.

The event began with an opening ceremony attended by several hundred people. CIVA President L.G. Arvidsson, a Swede who during the ceremony announced the official start of competition, said the organization was impressed with the location.

“It’s a fantastic facility, with a big airfield,” Arvidsson said. “This time of the year, the weather is perfect.”

Bill Retz, marketing director for the North Texas Regional Airport, commented on how the airport came to host the championship and what the impact means to the local economy.

“We competed for them against other airports throughout the United States and the world,” explained Retz. “We’re delighted that they decided this was the place to be. An event like this brings a lot of people into the area, including an international crowd that we would normally not get. And we’re also expecting people from the Metroplex to drive up and watch the event.”

The overall winner was Francois Le Vot, from France, with a nearly 78-percent score.

Two other French pilots, Olivier Masurel and Francois Rallet, also placed in the top ten, to give the French the team win. The top woman in the competition was Aude Lemordant, also from France. The American team finished second, followed by Russia.

Robert Holland from the United States won the four minute freestyle final.

The contest takes place every two years and the next time will be in Slovakia.

“While NTRA has hosted the Lone Star and the U.S. National Aerobatics Championships for many years, this was a great opportunity for us,” said NTRA Director Mike Shahan. “The entire TEXOMA community came together to ensure this event was done in a professional and fun manner. It not only included the world’s best flying, but social and tourist events every day and evening for all our visitors. The comments we have received from national and international attendees and participants have all been very positive. We are proud to have represented the area, Texas and the United States in such a professional and positive way.”

AOPA Aviation Summit Showcases the New President

Airplanes on a tarmac.

Fort Worth Meacham International Airport hosted 100s of planes at the AOPA Aviation Summit Airportfest.

They came to Texas to meet the new guy—AOPA’s 2013 Aviation Summit was held for the first time in the center of the country, but the draw wasn’t longhorns and beefsteak. It was Mark Baker. To a packed standing-room-only audience, AOPA members met their new president at the opening session Thursday morning.

Although a small percentage of AOPA’s vast membership attends the annual Summit, interest in the association’s new leader reverberated. Introduced by AOPA Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Trimble, Baker told the assembled attendees that he is “very lucky to be the new president of AOPA.” A self-professed “airport kid,” Baker’s theme throughout Summit was clear: “Our goal and vision is the same as it was 75 years ago—we won’t let general aviation disappear.”

The 2013 Summit marked the last of this style assembly and Baker introduced his vision of his presidency, one that will be marked by “lots of opportunities to talk.” Regional fly-ins will be held throughout the country and Baker—who loves to fly “anything and everything”—plans to spend his weekends at the places he loves most: airports. “I pinch myself realizing I’ve got the world’s best job,” Baker said.

Airport access is a top priority for Baker and he thanked AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers for their work as the Association’s first line of defense. He acknowledged that many of them work regularly with AOPA to promote, protect and preserve their airports, and said, “But guess what, I want more!”

Baker and members of his leadership team took to the stage at Airportfest at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport to answer questions at a pancake breakfast. The questions from the audience covered issues including the new focus on regional events, Customs and Border Protection’s scrutiny of general aviation aircraft, the status of user fees, efforts to save GA airports, and how sequestration and the government shutdown are affecting GA.

From doctors to baseball players to animated airplanes, the Friday morning general session featured all types of aviation enthusiasts, including baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., a GA pilot who flies a Cirrus SR22. AOPA’s AV8RS program hosted a day of aviation for local schoolchildren at Meacham Airport. More than 100 kids experienced aviation—and several Boy Scouts earned their aviation merit badges. OK, so maybe some members came just to see the longhorns.

This article is provided courtesy of AOPA.

Heritage, Progress Noted at Hearne Airport Celebrations

Crowd gathered at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Officials and dignitaries cut the ribbon at Hearne Municipal Airport’s rededication ceremony.

By Rick Davenport
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

After a decade of improvements at the Hearne Municipal Airport, the public celebrated the area’s rich heritage as part of the facility’s rededication ceremony Oct. 19.

In conjunction with the airport celebration (dubbed Wild Blue Yonder after the opening lyrics to the U.S. Air Force song), the adjoining Hearne World War II prisoner of war camp held its annual living history event. Vintage aircraft flew into Hearne, and skydivers jumped from the Bluebonnet Belle, a DC-3 Skytrain Transport.

“It’s fitting that we combined these two events,” said Kent Brunette, director of the Hearne Economic Development Corporation. “The airport has undergone an extensive, 10-year improvement process, including a repaving and restriping of the runway and taxiways, refurbishing the pilot lounge, an automated weather observing system and installation of a fuel farm. We wanted the public and area pilots to see what the new facility has to offer and to remind everyone of the history of the Hearne Airport.”

Hearne Air Field was constructed in 1954 as an auxiliary landing field for the Bryan Air Force Base. It was used to train jet fighter pilots during the heyday of the Cold War. In 1961, the field was deeded to the City of Hearne.

The city contracted with the Texas Engineering Extension Service, which offered numerous improvement recommendations. Brunette says one of the final recommendations, a perimeter fence, is planned for the facility in the coming months. Also, ten new hangars could be constructed in the near future.

The improvements were made possible with a combination of state, federal and local funding, including grants from the TxDOT’s Routine Airport Maintenance Program.

“TxDOT Aviation is delighted to partner with Hearne as it steadfastly works to improve its airport,” Dave Fulton, director of TxDOT’s Aviation Division, said in a news release announcing the airport celebration. “I commend Hearne for its understanding and appreciation of the value of its airport and the city’s commitment to supporting its growth and development. Improved airports provide economic benefits to local communities and local areas.”

Collin County Regional Airport Renamed McKinney National Airport

The McKinney City Council has approved changing the name of Collin County Regional Airport to McKinney National Airport. The decision follows the city’s purchase of airport assets and the start of city operations as the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO), McKinney Air Center.

“The new name reflects the status of McKinney National Airport as one of the premier general aviation airports in the country,” said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. “Fewer than three percent of the nation’s 2,953 general aviation airports are considered national airports under criteria established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”

According to the FAA categorization program, a national airport includes very high levels of activity with many jets and multi-engine prop planes using the airport and approximately 200 totally based aircraft including 30 jets.

“This is a designation the airport has already earned,” said City Manager Jason Gray. “Our ultimate goal is to create one of the finest airports in the country that will be a favored destination for aircraft coming to North Texas and for companies and individuals looking to base aircraft in the region.”

The airport FBO, McKinney Air Center, offers a wide variety of services including 24-hour fuel and ramp services, catering, courtesy and crew cars, flight planning and weather facilities, on-site auto rental, private crew lounge, sleep room and showers, and U.S. Customs on-site. A contract FAA control tower and a fire station equipped with specialized crash rescue equipment and specially trained aircraft fire and rescue firefighters provide additional safety for airport users.

“Fuel sales are a major revenue source at the airport,” said Ken Wiegand, McKinney National Airport Director. “By providing that and ancillary services, the city will generate revenue to fund improvements to the airport to lure additional corporate aircraft and business to our city.”

New Terminal Building at Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport Officially Opens

Terminal building at Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport

The new terminal building at Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport.

By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

The Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport in Lake Jackson, Texas, hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 1, to mark the opening of the airport’s 11,000-square-foot terminal office building. The event was attended by a number of local government officials, representatives from TxDOT, the general public and country music superstar Aaron Tippen, who is a big advocate for general aviation as well as an instrument-rated commercial pilot with single-and multi-engine ratings.

The $2.7 million facility includes administrative offices, fixed-based operator services, aviation and car rental/lease space, utility closets, as well as the general public terminal/lobby and pilots lounge. The terminal building also features a large conference room than can hold up to 75 people. The one-story building has an exterior of brick, natural stone and exposed metal.

In his opening remarks Precinct 4 Brazoria County Commissioner Larry Stanley underscored the importance of the new terminal building to the area’s economic growth. “We are very proud of this terminal building,” Stanley said. “It is a true asset and serves as a great front door to Brazoria County.”

The completion of the terminal building is part of the airport’s 20-year master plan with a number of improvements completed since 2008. The runway has been extended to 7,000 feet, enough to accommodate small- to medium-sized airliners. Future improvements include more public and private hangars and an air traffic control tower.

“It’s amazing how far this airport has come in a few years,” said TxDOT Aviation Director David Fulton. “The representatives from this community understand and appreciate the value this airport brings to the area.”

The terminal replaced three portable buildings at the airport and is expected to help facilitate growth. Situated adjacent to the Crosswind Café, the airport is fast becoming a popular destination airport for pilots. The airport saw almost 78,000 take-offs and landings in 2008, and Airport Director Jeff Bilyeu expects that number will swell to 84,500 by 2014 and 95,600 by 2019.

“We didn’t have a true terminal building when I began to work here a few years ago,” Bilyeu said. “This project was made possible because of the support of community leaders and the wonderful relationship we have with TxDOT staff.” For more information about Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, visit their website at http://www.flylbx.org/.