|
Airport Name |
Grant amount |
Project Description |
|
Fort Worth Meacham International Airport |
$3,180,792 |
Reconstruct apron A east of taxiway E |
|
Reagan County Airport/Big Lake |
$546,800 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 16-34; rehabilitate apron, stub taxiway, Taxiway B; rehabilitate and mark hangar access taxiways; rehabilitate and mark stub taxiway A; mark taxiways; replace/ upgrade lighted windcone and segmented circle; install 20 ft. security gate/controlled access; and install game fencing |
|
Paris Cox Field
|
$1,507,200 |
Crack seal Runway 14-32, taxiways A-1, B, C and apron; overlay and mark parallel taxiway A; and reconstruct headwall and culvert at terminal building |
|
Scholes International Airport/Galveston |
$2,903,900 |
Drainage improvements |
|
Wharton Regional Airport |
$787,300 |
Rehabilitate Runway 14-32, parallel and cross taxiways; rehabilitate apron and hangar access taxiways; construct new south entrance taxiway to terminal apron; widen north entrance taxiway to terminal apron; and upgrade/ replace 9 taxiway culverts |
|
Gillespie County Airport/Fredericksburg |
$1,468,600 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 14-32; rehabilitate north apron, hangar access taxiway, and terminal apron; rehabilitate and repair parallel taxiway and taxiway B, C and D; construct helicopter parking ramp; replace medium intensity runway lights at Runway 14-32; relocate and upgrade AWOS to south end for apron expansion and access road; and install a game proof fence |
|
San Saba County Municipal Airport |
$1,250,000 |
Extend and mark Runway 13-31; rehabilitate Runway 13-31, terminal apron, hangar access taxiways and taxiways; construct turnaround Runway 31 end; construct turnaround Runway 13 end; install precision approach path indicator 2 Runway 13-31; replace existing and extend medium intensity runway lights runway 13-31; replace wind cone rotating beacon and tower and install signage |
|
Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport
|
$424,300 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 17-35; rehabilitate stub taxiway, apron, and turnaround Runway 35; rehabilitate and mark partial parallel taxiway to Runway 17; and remove PSIL and install precision approach path indicator-2 at Runway 17-35 |
|
Avenger Field/Sweetwater |
$999,020 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 17-35 and Runway 4-22; rehabilitate taxiway A, B, C and D; rehabilitate T-hangar access; rehabilitate north public apron and terminal apron; and improve drainage |
|
Stephens County Airport/Breckenridge |
$657,000 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 4-22 and all airfield pavements; construct concrete fueling apron; replace medium intensity runway lights Runway 17-35; replace lighted wind cone and segmented circle; and replace rotating beacon and tower |
|
Floydada Municipal Airport |
$257,700 |
Rehabilitate and mark Runway 17-35, stub taxiway and apron; replace rotating beacon and windsock and rehabilitate; repair segmented circle and rehabilitate fuel containment slab |
|
Georgetown Municipal Airport |
$1,275,270 |
Improve runway safety area and Runway 36 and improve runway safety area southwest side Runway 36; rehabilitate north hangar access area; rehabilitate mid hangar access area; rehabilitate corporate taxiway; and widen taxilane to T-hangars E, F & G and relocate fire hydrant |
|
Arlington Municipal Airport |
$8,249,864 |
widen taxiway; construct 3 connecting taxiways to new west side taxiway; runway shoulder repair; construct west parallel taxiway/ runway; realign south cross taxiway to new west stub taxiway; install runway exit/hold signs; install medium intensity runway lights; install west side electrical vault; install taxiway a guidance signs; relocate ASOS; relocate segmented circle; adjust underground utilities; thermoplastic marking; drainage improvement; and memorandum of agreement for ASOS |
|
Dimmit County Airport/Carrizo Springs |
$334,400 |
Airfield lighting rehabilitate; replace lighted wind cone; install apron safety/ security lighting |
|
Live Oak County Airport/George West |
$151,280 |
Install game proof fencing |
|
Aransas County Airport/Rockport |
$900,000 |
Construct deer/hog resistant fencing with cattle guard |
|
Victoria Regional Airport |
$1,212,200 |
Replace AvGas and Jet A fueling system in south terminal area |
Wingtips
Coulter Field Hosts Educational Air Fair
By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Students learn about water droplet distribution during the Coulter Field air fare.
Nearly 80 fifth graders from Johnson Elementary in Bryan, Texas, participated in a unique, hands-on educational experience at Coulter Field Airport on April 11.
The air fair promotes a practical application of math and science through aircraft- and aviation-related meteorological projects. The Doctor James Noel Foundation sponsored the day’s events along with support from the Bryan school district, Coulter Field, academic departments from Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).
“The goal of the air fair is to not only expose kids to aviation, but to apply STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] concepts in an aviation environment,” says Brian Heckman, vice chairman of the Dr. James Noel Foundation Board of Directors and event organizer. “A few days before the air fair, we visited Johnson Elementary and with the help of Texas A&M students, conducted several teaching exercises to prepare them for their airport visit. We want this to be a meaningful learning experience for them.”
One of the classroom exercises was to construct a Whitewing glider, which the kids took out to Coulter Field to test. Other learning stations at the air fair included a weather balloon launch, cockpit tours of various aircraft including a medical evacuation helicopter and a fly-by and water droplet distribution experiment using the United States Department of Agriculture’s Aerial Application Research Unit’s high technology Air Tractor.
A few days after the air fair, the volunteers returned to Johnson Elementary to analyze the data students collected from the Air Tractor, glider flights, and the weather balloons, answer questions and discuss what they learned.
“This event provides students an opportunity to interact with pilots, engineers and college students outside of the classroom,” says TTI Research Scientist Jeff Borowiec. “It was a great day for aviation education.”
About the Noel Foundation:
Dr. Jim Noel was an educator, teacher and friend to hundreds of students and pilots in Central Texas and around the country. As a professor at Texas A&M University, he influenced the lives of his students not only by his ability to explain subject matter, but by his concern for them as individuals.
He instituted the idea of Air Fairs to introduce young people to that same idea: to release them from the bonds of gravity and help them soar to unimaginable heights of achievement. It was all part of his life’s philosophy: to expand the horizon of his students’ imaginations and inspire them to take themselves further than they thought possible.
“The Noel Foundation believes that enabling students to interact and experience technical concepts in action sparks the fire of imagination and, perhaps, generates interest in future career paths,” says Chairman John Happ. “In our previous programs, teachers have reported extremely positive results that can be related directly from their students experiencing our course.”
South Texas Regional Airport
By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The South Texas Regional Airport terminal building.
I arrived at the South Texas Regional Airport (formerly known as Hondo Municipal) last summer beaten down from a long drive in the epic heat wave with which we Texans had to contend. When I entered the terminal building and glanced around, I became a bit concerned that Tim Fousse may have forgotten our appointment made several weeks prior. No need for concern, though, as I glanced out the front window and saw Fousse’s truck barreling toward the terminal.
And so it goes with Fousse, the enthusiastic, go-getter manager of the Hondo airport who is seldom witnessed sitting still.
“Oh yes, there’s always something going on out here,” said Fousse as we began our tour of the expansive airport which covers 3,600 acres. “We were one of the first airports to install self- and full-service aircraft fueling facilities using the Aviation Division’s fuel farm program.”
Another recent update was the addition of a modern 4,000-square-foot terminal building available to pilots 24 hours a day, with amenities that include:
- visitor’s waiting area,
- complete pilot lounge,
- flight planning area,
- restrooms with showers,
- free WI-FI and
- private conference room.
Situated on the southern edge of the Texas Hill Country, the airport uses its favorable location to attract hunters and other commerce.
The airport also has a flight academy run by U.S. Aviation. The academy graduated its first flight academy class in February, and the second in early April. They have an additional 50 students arriving in May and June of this year.
Supported by certificates of obligation backed by the city’s Type B economic development sales tax, Hondo has leveraged grant funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to enhance airport facilities. The airport is leveraging its land assets to successfully attract economic development to the city, providing jobs and business opportunities.
“The airport construction done at this facility from 2006 to 2009 is a true testament to TxDOT’s ability to provide assistant to an airport sponsor,” said Fousse, who saw his efforts pay off by winning the 2009 TxDOT General Aviation Airport of the Year award. “I always believed this airport was a diamond in the rough, and by granting these funds, we were able to see a transformation at this airport.” A newly renovated runway and taxiways are further projects completed to upgrade this facility.
In fact, capital expenditures for infrastructure and other airport improvements from 2006 to 2010 generated $10.9 million in economic activity that created 120 job-years of employment. (A job-year equals one job lasting one year.)
The city of Hondo and the Hondo Economic Development Corporation also funded the development of the rail intermodal facility, and this infrastructure is attracting tens of millions of dollars in private investment to the region. The rail connection serves as a transfer point for high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners to soft drink bottling plants in San Antonio as well as automotive ethanol trans-loading, fracture sand trans-loading and crude oil collection and shipping. Development of a rail intermodal facility on airport-owned property makes the airport one of only two air-rail intermodal facilities in Texas.
“This is such a unique community,” said Fousse. “We want to provide a good, clean modern environment that our clients can trust and depend on. And judging by favorable comments, I believe we’re hitting our mark.”
For more information on the South Texas Regional Airport, please visit their website at http://www.airnav.com/airport/KHDO or http://www.hondo-tx.org/airport/index.php
Airport Statistics
The South Texas Regional Airport is a former U.S. Army Air Corps base that was deeded to the city of Hondo after World War II. It has four runways and is situated on about 3,600 acres of land.
Runways:
17L/35R – 6,002 ft. x 100 ft.
13/31 – 5,545 ft. x 150 ft.
8/26 – 3,451 ft. x 75 ft.
17R/35L – 3,224 ft. x 140 ft.
FAA Identifier—HDO
Latitude / Longitude
29-21-32.8700N / 099-10-38.9700W
Elevation—930 ft.
Location—2 miles northwest of Hondo, TX. Hondo is located west of San Antonio
Galveston Hosts 30th Annual Texas Aviation Conference
By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
TxDOT Aviation Division Director David Fulton.
It was a milestone gathering of aviation professionals this year as the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Aviation Division hosted its 30th annual conference. This year’s conference was held at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston as the historic seaside city continued its economic and development resurgence, post-Hurricane Ike.
Nearly 500 people attended the conference, including airport sponsors, TxDOT employees, consultants, contractors and exhibitors. The event was co-sponsored by the Texas Airports Council and the Texas Aviation Association.
Aviation Division Director David Fulton began the conference by welcoming the gathered dignitaries in attendance, including members of the Aviation Advisory Committee. He then introduced Teri Bruner, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Southwest Region Administrator, who spoke about the recently passed FAA reauthorization bill.
Fulton then delivered his annual State of the Aviation Division address.
“Despite the continued economic downturn, the aviation division did about $90 million worth of airport work last year,” said Fulton. “It’s exciting to me to see that we still have the opportunity to implement our programs, and continue to make Texas the best airport system in the nation.”
Fulton also announced recent personnel changes—Greg Miller who replaces the recently departed Scott Gallagher as director of planning and programming, and Molly Lamrouex who replaces Josephine Jarrell as environmental coordinator.
Fulton then addressed the recently passed FAA reauthorization bill.
“After 23 continuing resolutions extending FAA legislation from five years ago, we now have a reauthorization bill,” said Fulton. “Overall we came out good. There was a very slight reduction in money in the four-year act that’s authorized for the airport improvement program. There may be partisanship in Congress, but I believe both sides of the aisle believe in the airport improvement program.”
According to Fulton, the two resolved issues causing the delay in the FAA reauthorization bill were:
1) an amendment to the Wright Amendment, which means that there is a certain distance from that airport beyond which flights are not allowed to go and
2) a resolution on union voting procedures.
Finally, Fulton noted that the non-primary entitlement program will continue with the maximum dollar amount of $150,000.
National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) President Henry Ogrodzinski.
After Fulton concluded his remarks, he introduced an old friend of the conference: National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) President Henry Ogrodzinski. Henry O. (as he’s affectionately known) delivered his usual enthusiastic message about the background of NASAO, the FAA reauthorization bill and future challenges faced by general aviation. The challenges Henry O. noted include new user fees and the “Ryan Budget,” which could potentially eliminate nearly 6,000 FAA positions.
After his session, Henry O. was presented with a special Career Contribution to Aviation award by Fulton and conference coordinator Becky Vick.
Rounding out the morning session was a presentation from a PHI official on their operations in the Gulf of Mexico, suggestions from TxDOT employees Ed Mayle and Greg Miller on how airports can improve their terminals and entryways, and a presentation by Dr. Russell DeFusco on airport wildlife management.
After lunch, conference goers were invited to attend breakout sessions covering various hot topics in the general aviation community.
“Every year we work to make sure we are covering topics that are important to the general aviation community in Texas,” said conference program organizer and Texas A&M Transportation Institute Research Scientist Jeff Borowiec. “This year we had an aviation issues roundtable session, which was a result of requests taken from last year’s conference evaluations.”
Other topics included a session on the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), the airport project development process, airport land acquisition and managing airport real estate.
Hud Hopkins, Director at Scholes International Airport in Galveston.
The day concluded with the annual awards banquet. In her remarks, Vick gave special mention to four-time aviation arts contest winner Ismael Roman.
“This was Ismael’s last year of eligibility for the arts contest,” said Vick. “And he told me in an e-mail that this arts contest has inspired him to study aviation and astronomy. It’s great to see the impact this contest has had on our youth.”
The final day of the conference began with a presentation on airport revenue diversion from FAA Manager Mike Nicely, followed by a talk from City of San Antonio Aviation Director Frank Miller on the value of a statewide aviation association.
Borowiec then concluded the conference by introducing a session that focused on aviation education. Easterwood Airport Director John Happ presented on the James Noel Foundation, and Steve Swartz and Dave Byers updated the conference attendees on the status of aviation educational programs.
“This conference has come to feel like a large family reunion,” said Fulton. “Many of the same people come year after year, and they are very loyal. It’s something we always look forward to.”
2012 TxDOT Aviation Awards
General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year Vinicio (Lenny) Llerena from the New Braunfels Municipal Airport and Fulton.
RAMP Coordinator of the Year—Mike Taylor, TxDOT Amarillo District
Reliever Airport Manager of the Year—Joel Jenkinson, Addison Airport
General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year—Vinicio (Lenny) Llerena, New Braunfels Municipal Airport
Most Improved Airport of the Year—Van Zandt County Regional Airport
Airport of the Year—Uvalde Garner Field Municipal Airport
2012 Aviation Art Contest Award Winners
Category 1: Ages 6 to 9 Years
1st place: Alana Lester, San Antonio
2nd place: Madison Applegate, Kingwood
3rd place: Vijeta Revankar, Seabrook
Category 2: Ages 10 to 13 Years
NBAA Regional Representative Steve Hadley and Brianna Salinas from Port Lavaca.
1st place: Victor Trevino, Groves
2nd place: James Robles, El Paso
3rd place: Emily Merlau, Cedar Hill
Category 3: Ages 14 to 17
1st place: Brianna Salinas, Port Lavaca
2nd place: Lacey Worley, Commerce
3rd place: Ismael Roman, Amarillo (also won 2nd place nationally)
Dave’s Hangar/Summer 2012
Finally!!! New Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Program Reauthorization:
After a delay of almost five years, Congress has finally passed a new FAA programs reauthorization. Since September 1, 2007, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been receiving FAA funding piecemeal through a series of continuing resolutions; 27 to be specific. This new four-year legislation will enable the TxDOT Aviation Division to better plan funding allocations for future airport improvement projects.
Highlights of the new legislation include:
(1) Authorizes FAA funding for a period of four years;
(2) Establishes a $ 3.35B level of funding for the Airport Improvement Program for each of the four years. This is a reduction of approximately 4% as compared to previous legislation;
(3) Retains the current tax structure that existed in previous legislation. No new taxed were authorized;
(4) Allows “Thru-The-Fence” access to FAA obligated airports when certain conditions are met;
(5) Permits diversion of revenue from on airport mineral rights to other local governmental needs under certain conditions;
(6) Increases the federal participation for construction of “non-fed” towers from $1.5B to $2.0B;
(7) Allows 16 new non-stop commercial airline flights to Washington Reagan National Airport from points in the western region of the United States.
If you have any questions regarding this new legislation contact the Aviation Division at 1-800-68PILOT.
Welcome To Two New Members of the Aviation Division Staff:
I am pleased to announce the addition of two new individuals to the Aviation Division family: Molly Lamrouex and Barbara Linzey. Molly came to us following several years with the Michigan Aviation Division and will be working in our Planning section primarily handling environmental issues. Barbara came to us from the Motor Vehicle Department and will be working in our Grants Section. We are very pleased to have both of these ladies join our Aviation Team.
Major William F. Long Terminal Opens at Terrell Municipal Airport
City, state and even international dignitaries gathered in Terrell on Friday, September 16, 2011 to mark the opening of the new Major William F. Long Terminal Building at the Terrell Municipal Airport.
TxDOT 1 parked outside the newly opened terminal building at the Terrell Municipal Airport.
Dave’s Hangar
Scott Gallagher Departs the Pattern:
It is with mixed emotions that I announce the departure of my friend and fellow employee, Scott Gallagher. For the past two years, Scott has admirably served as TxDOT Aviation’s Director of Planning and Programming bringing new creative and effective ideas to the way we conduct our business.
Scott came to the Aviation Division upon retirement following a distinguished career with the United States Navy. His final duty assignment was Commanding Officer of an F-18 Hornet Squadron in Lemore California. As a retired Naval Aviator myself, I am pleased for Scott that he has an opportunity to return to the cockpit to support the future training and development of Naval Aviation. In his new position with Tac Air based in Patuxent River Maryland, Scott will be serving as a consultant for the F/A-18 community and a pilot for the air services arm of his new company, Tactical Air Support Inc.
I have no doubt that Scott will make a tremendous contribution to the future of the Navy’s flight programs. We all wish him the best in his new career. (See related story )
Funding For Contract Towers May Be In Peril:
As a result of mandatory budget reductions, Congress has proposed and the White House has agreed to across-the-board cuts in January 2013. The Office of Management and Budget has proposed eliminating operations funding for contract towers that serve airports without scheduled service or fewer than 10,000 military operations per year. That would eliminate funding for all of the 125 general aviation airports with contract towers nationwide. In Texas, that would result in loss of funding for staffing of 15 existing airports as well as jeopardize other towers already planned for construction. The contract tower program in Texas has made a major contribution to aviation safety and the development of Business Aviation in our urban areas. It is certainly hoped that Washington can find other means of budget reduction instead of terminating this critically important program.
Boeing Adds 400 New Aviation Jobs At Port San Antonio:
Recently, it was announced that Boeing would be adding 400 new jobs at its facility in San Antonio. The jobs are a part of a relocation from Wichita to San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Puget Sound. The jobs involve future work on the KC-46 refueling tanker and the nation’s fleet of executive jets, including the President’s airplane, Air Force One, and the jets that transport the Vice President, Cabinent members, and other government officials.
Port San Antonio is home to 80 companies employing 14,000 people including 5000 highly skilled individuals working for 14 aerospace companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Chromalloy, Gore Design Completions and Pratt and Whitney.
Congratulations to the City of San Antonio and Port San Antonio. (See related story )
Pilot Couple Shares Message of Hope, Persistence
by Rick Davenport,
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Scott and Courtney Gallagher with students from LaGrange Middle School.
Both were FA-18 fighter pilots whose careers began with the love of flying, thanks in part to fathers who had military aviation experience. But how Scott and Courtney Gallagher’s dreams became a reality is amazingly different.
Scott and Courtney met and married while naval officers. They are now TxDOT employees after a combined 30 years of military service — including deployments, combat tours and squadron commands — and recently shared that flying experience with a group of Central Texas middle school students. As a result of their assembly presentation for Constitution Day, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Gallaghers think that some of those students may have caught the same bug they did years earlier.
Coincidently, Courtney was the same age as those La Grange 6th and 7th graders when she made a life-changing decision. She decided to be a fighter pilot.
“Everything I did from that point in my life was geared toward that goal,” she said. “I knew I had to make good grades, especially in math. I couldn’t get into trouble. Everything I did was in that pursuit.”
Courtney became her high school valedictorian and went to college on a ROTC scholarship. Her dream was achieved through sheer determination.
Her husband began his career a little differently.
Scott had completed just two years of college when he had to leave school due to finances. He was working odd jobs when he spotted a want-ad for a job that would fit his schedule. Turns out, the person answering the number he dialed was a U.S. Navy recruiter.
“After an in-person visit and taking a preliminary entrance test, I did not think much about it,” he recalls of the fateful 1986 event. “But when he called later to say I scored high enough for the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, my 21-year career began — after I got a lot of hair cut off.”
Whether from a twist of fate or years of resolve, Scott and Courtney found themselves driving to La Grange with the hope of sharing a similar message of achieving dreams: Don’t give up. Try your hardest. You can achieve more than you think you can. And perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“We were not on a Navy recruitment visit,” Scott said of their participation. “We really wanted to share the broader message of ‘living up to your potential.’”
The Gallaghers’ presentation included a video, photographs and some stories, but what seemed to ignite a fire of enthusiasm was the aviator gear — flight suits, harnesses, jackets and helmets. When the pilot couple asked for volunteers to try on the stuff, every hand was raised to the ceiling.
“I think most girls don’t realize what’s available to them,” Courtney said. “They might think being a pilot is a boy’s job. But when they see another girl who has been one, they realize they might be able to become one as well.”
Courtney said she drove away from the school realizing that she made an impact on somebody.
A teacher at the school told the Gallaghers that their presentation was a big hit among the students, especially for a shy girl in the audience. The teacher said she could see the eyes of the young girl light up, especially when they were talking about not being afraid to ask for help.
“Asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak. It means you’re strong,” Courtney said. “Sometimes, achieving your goals requires some guidance.”
As good as the presentation might have been for the kids, Scott and Courtney may have gotten the most out of it.
They drove home thinking “I hope we get to do this again.”
Editor’s Note: Scott Gallagher recently left the Aviation Division to begin a new career with Tac Air based in Patuxent River Maryland. In his new position, Scott will be serving as a consultant for the F/A-18 community and a pilot for the air services arm of his new company, Tactical Air Support Inc. We wish him and his family the best of luck!
Hill Country Flying
Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field Wins 2011 Airport of the Year
Airport director Bruce McKenzie stands beside the historic sign welcoming visitors to Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field
Traveling north on Highway 16 into Kerrville, it’s easy to be mesmerized by one of the most scenic drives in Texas. The steep descents and hairpin turns that wind through the heart of the Hill Country make Kerrville an attractive destination for industries, campers, retirees and recreational aviators.
Nestled on the southeast edge of Kerrville is the recently reconstructed Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field (KERV). Longtime Kerrville resident Bruce McKenzie has served as the airport’s director since 2007 and recognizes the role of general aviation to this popular Texas town.
“This airport is the gateway to our community,” explained McKenzie. “We have tourists, hunters, a 737 that flies in kids for a huge summer camp, as well as other industries that fly-in and use our facility. Our recent improvements give Kerrville the opportunity to flourish.”
The improvements McKenzie noted was an ambitious two-phase drainage/taxiway project completed in 2011. The airport also added a terminal building in 2007which features a Hill Country motif. The 5000-square-foot building has a spacious appeal as well as a pilot flight planning area and pilot lounge. The airport recently installed runway end identifier lights on runway 12/30. The Kerrville Airport is 95 percent complete with updating their Master Plan. Garver USA is the consulting firm performing the update.
“Before the reconstruction, when major rainfall hit the area, we would have drainage issues,” said McKenzie while motioning to the nearby Guadalupe River. “During the project, we moved over 400,000 cubic yards of material—essentially building a mountain on one end of the property. I’m most proud of the fact that despite having one of our two runways closed, we never missed an approach.”
McKenzie credits the TxDOT Aviation Division with their guidance before and during the project. He is also quick to point out that their airport board’s “only agenda is to make this airport the best that it can be for the community.”
Proud airport: the terminal building at Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field.
With this wide-ranging support, the Kerrville Municipal Airport never missed a beat during the project, and McKenzie’s leadership was recognized when the airport won the 2011GeneralAviationAirportof the Year award from TxDOT Aviation.
“I was elated because there are over 290 general aviation airports in Texas,” said McKenzie. “And to be singled out as the best is a tremendous honor. This is the greatest job in Texas right here.”
For more information on Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field, visit their website at http://www.kerrvilleairport.com/index.html.
Airport History
The original airport, which is now occupied by an industrial park, was purchased by Louis A. Schreiner in 1939 and donated to the City of Kerrville. The airport was named “Louis Schreiner Field,” after its donor, and was approximately 111 acres.
In 1942, the original airport property was traded for approximately 145 acres, and the airport was moved to its present site — six miles east of downtown Kerrville on Texas State Highway 27. Louis A. Schreiner, Hal Peterson and Charlie Peterson donated money for improvements to the new airport. Throughout WW II, the airport remained in civilian control but served as a base for military flight training. From 1945 to 1949 the fixed base operator (“FBO”) maintained a Civil Aeronautics Administration-approved flight-training school and provided a full range of services including repair, maintenance and charter flights.
Busy place: parked aircraft sit on the tarmac at Kerrville Municipal Airport.
In 1948, the City of Kerrville acquired a surplus hangar from Laughlin Air Force Base when the base was temporarily closed. In 1953, Mooney Airplane Company moved fromWichita,Kansas to Kerrville into this surplus hangars on Louis Schreiner Field. In 1957, Mooney Airplane Company expanded to include the Kerrville Flying Service tract, and Kerrville Aviation and Dugosh Aircraft Service were established across the field in the current ramp area.
Airport At a Glance
The airport currently has 182 based aircraft and averages 60,000 operations per year. The airport has two runways — Runway 03/21 is 3,600 feet in length and Runway 12/30 is 6,000 feet in length. The airport consists of approximately 528 acres and is surrounded by 6 ½ miles of fence.
The following businesses are currently located at Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field:
- Kerrville Aviation — occupies 5 buildings.
- Dugosh Aircraft Service — occupies 2 buildings.
- Commercial Aviation, Inc. — occupies 1 “private/corporate” hangar.
- Apache Springs Aviation, LLC — occupies 1 “private/corporate” hangar.
- AirEvac EMS, Inc. — occupies 1 building.
Other facilities on airport property include two buildings adjacent to the airport on Airport Loop and a new terminal building that was completed in 2007.
For more information on Kerrville Municipal Airport/Louis Schreiner Field, please visit http://www.kerrvilleairport.com/.
Addison Airport Honored for Construction Safety
by Robert Mark,
CommAvia
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) named Addison Airport the winner of the agency’s Excellence in Construction Safety award for its recent renovation of runway 15/33. The project team was honored at Thursday’s FAA Southwest Regions’ 2011 Fall Conference luncheon for exceeding the agency’s already stringent construction safety standards.
Airport work included upgrading and improving approach and airport lighting, drainage and grading. The efforts translated into 1263 truckloads of asphalt, 181 miles of new paint, 22 miles of electrical cable and enough grass to cover 35 professional football fields. The runway – part of which was reconstructed down to its base – also received a new layer of asphalt.
Unlike some other towns, Addison understands the airport’s value, as well as the day-to-day issues faced at the facility. “Addison is constantly vigilant when it comes to safety—safety for our pilots, for our tenants, and for the general public,” said Mayor Todd Meier. “The Town is committed to investing in the airport for the benefit of our tenants, the traveling public and especially our owners, the citizens of Addison. This award recognizes the hard work of the airport and town staff, as well as the contractors, all of whom went above and beyond to complete this important project safely, on-time and under budget.”
Considering the complexity of the work, the project was completed without a single runway incursion or surface incident. “This work was especially challenging because Addison is one of the region’s busiest general aviation airports,” said Joel Jenkinson, airport director. “We remained operational during most of the construction process, despite the tight schedule and a commitment to interfere with air traffic as little as possible.”
Because safety was the airport’s highest priority Jenkinson explained, “Contractor supervisors had to pass the airport’s Movement Area driver training program and an Airport Access course to make sure they understood how to operate safely in an active aviation environment.”
In addition to members of the Addison Airport staff, representatives of Garver Engineers and EAS Contracting also received the award. The project was 90-percent funded by the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program through a block grant to the TX-DOT Aviation Division. The airport provided 10-percent of the funds to the $11.6 million budget.
About Addison Airport
Addison Airport features an FAA control tower, 24-hour U.S. Customs service, a 7,200-foot runway and some of the nation’s leading 24-hour FBOs. Home to over 700 aircraft ranging from privately-owned Boeing 737’s to Piper Cubs, the airport’s proximity to the Dallas North Tollway provides easy access to business centers throughout North Texas.
To follow events at Addison Airport, subscribe via RSS to the airport blog at www.addisonairport.net or on Twitter @addisonairport.