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Dave Fulton

It’s Been a Heck of a Lot of Fun! (David Fulton Retirement)

September 25, 2019

David Fulton

David Fulton at the 2019 Texas Aviation Conference.

When David Fulton joined TxDOT in June of 1993, after a 16-year career with the Tennessee Office of Aeronautics— ten of those years as agency director—it was at a time when general aviation (GA) in Texas was supported by a small but dedicated staff at the Texas Aeronautics Commission (TAC). With quiet enthusiasm and strong leadership, Dave began the arduous task to transform the Texas public GA airport system into the best in the country.

For over 11 years, Dave was a naval officer with pilot designation; he was captain of a 17-person crew in the military version of the Lockheed Electra and was assigned a variety of duties, including administrative officer, personnel officer and operations officer for a 360-member squadron. He was also a naval flight instructor and a squadron standardization officer.

While serving as Aviation Director in Tennessee, Dave was well versed in state and federal legislative processes, having testified frequently before state and congressional committees on aviation issues. He is also past president (1986) of the National Association of State Aviation Officials.

Dave graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1958 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. He earned an MBA from the University of Tennessee in 1979 and holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Nashville School of Law. Upon receiving his J.D., he was licensed to practice law in Tennessee.

When Dave moved to Texas, after a short time the TAC was absorbed into TxDOT. A commission of only 30 plus personnel being folded into an organization of thousands with offices all over the state had its risks, but also offered the opportunity to begin rebuilding and improving GA in Texas.

David Fulton in his office.

Dave Fulton in his 150 Riverside office in 1996.

Dave navigated this transition with a simple up-front policy. Show the TxDOT leaders the value of GA to Texas firsthand. Flying senior staff around the state to meet with county judges, commissioners, mayors and airport managers, Dave helped all parties appreciate the value of aviation in this large state as well as what resources are necessary to make the airport system work for Texans – time, talent and money.

Now the TxDOT Aviation Division (AVN) is well placed in the TxDOT hierarchy. TxDOT grant money is allocated for airport improvements along with the federal airport fund grant money. Most Texas publicly owned airports qualify for up to a 90% funding grant for improvements. Those few airports in the state that do not qualify for federal funds are eligible state grant funds.

Dave and the AVN staff worked hard to make the funding system flexible to individual airport needs. RAMP – Routine Airport Maintenance Program – money is a state grant to public airports created by AVN to let local airport managers spend up to $50,000 a year on whatever is needed to improve the appearance, service, or just maintain the basic infrastructure – fences, gates, mowers, small storage structures, etc.

Dave also began a program to build, improve or replace terminal buildings.

“An airport without a decent terminal has no point of focus for airport operations,” Fulton often said. Creative, locally-designed structures reflecting the unique nature of the community has produced beautiful, and functional, terminal buildings.

Dave strongly supported state system economic impact studies for all publicly funded Texas airports, the most recent one conducted by CDM Smith, KSA Engineers, and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. From the 2018 survey, the economic impact of GA for Texas is $94 billion and nearly 779,000 jobs. “If aviation supports Texas, then Texas has to support aviation,” was another of Fulton’s sayings.

TxDOT Aviation Division group photo from 1993.

In 2017, he received the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots, The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Fulton was presented the award by Randy Loveless from FAA’s San Antonio Flight Standards District Office during the 2017 Texas Aviation Conference. The award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first U.S. pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots.”

On June 27, colleagues, friends and family gathered at Fiesta Gardens in Austin to celebrate the legacy of Dave Fulton. Aviation Advisory Chairman Jim Schwertner was the master of ceremonies.

“Dave, it’s been a real pleasure working with you,” said Schwertner. “There are a lot of people in this room who appreciate you, and I hope you stick around and help with the Advisory Committee because we need your guidance, leadership and friendship.”

Ken Koock with the Texas Aviation Association spoke next about Dave’s legacy.

“Thank you so very much, Dave Fulton,” said Koock. “For over 27 years, Dave has provided exemplary aviation leadership for the state of Texas. It was a monumental task that he took on when he began his career, and he was the right person for the job.”

Sharlette Wright, Texas Airports Council President, thanked Fulton for his unwavering support and leadership for general aviation advocacy throughout the state.

NBAA Director of Regional Programs Steven Hadley also spoke and presented Dave with their Silk Scarf Award.

AVN Section Directors then took turns reading a plaque from the entire staff of AVN.

“Whose influence, as an encourager and mentor to his team and to aviation leaders across America is immeasurable,” said Kari Campbell, Director, Grant Management and Administration, of Fulton’s leadership. “Whose unshakeable voice of reason in any storm and unparalleled ability to accomplish any task have all been keys to our success.”

“People always ask me why I’ve stuck around so long, and the answer is simple. It’s been a heck of a lot of fun,” said Fulton. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful, dedicated colleagues who I owe so much to, and also my wife Charlotte who has always supported me.”

Filed Under: Wingtips Summer 2019 Tagged With: Dave Fulton

Civic Leader, Mineola Icon Wayne Collins Dead at 94

June 3, 2019

By Hank Murphy
[email protected]

Wayne Collins and Dave Fulton

Wayne Collins and TxDOT Aviation Division Director Dave Fulton at the Wood County Airport Collins Field ceremony in 2017.

Wayne Collins, a longtime Mineola businessman, civic leader, Rotarian and pilot who made countless contributions to Mineola and Wood County during his long and productive life, died Sunday at his home in Mineola. He was 94.

The lifelong Mineolan, who most recently served as grand marshal during December’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade, was known for spearheading numerous civic initiatives, as well his love for flying, scouting and Rotary.

“Always in his heart, it was what was best for the city of Mineola. He will be sorely missed, he really will,” said Mercy Rushing, Mineola’s city manager.

Greg Hollen, president of the local Rotary Club, said “He was extraordinary, he was selfless, he was inspiring.”

Collins grew up in an entrepreneurial family. The Collins family began owning businesses in Mineola in 1922 and later opened the city’s first dry cleaning business. In 1930, the Collins family began selling men’s clothing. After serving in World War II, Wayne joined the business full-time in 1948. They would eventually expand into women’s fashions, and throughout the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and the first part of the 90s, Collins had a retail presence in Mineola. He also had stores in Athens and Tyler.

After retiring from the retail business, Collins turned his attention to the Wood County Airport Board, which he helped found. His position at the airport fit nicely with one of passions in life – flying airplanes. Like he did so often through his life, he parlayed his infatuation with flight into serving others. He participated in Angel Flights, providing transportation to families in need of medical treatment. He introduced young people to flying through the Young Eagle program, and Collins delivered two single-engine planes to medical missionaries in Africa for Wings of Hope. Into his 90s, Collins continued to fly airplanes. In 2017,his contributions to Wood County Airport were recognized as it was renamed Wood County Airport Collins Field.

He worked tirelessly to improve the airport, said Rushing. “When no one else was there, he was there,” she said.

Collins was the first recipient of the Texas Aviator of the Year Award, which is a special award presented by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division (AVN) at their annual conference.

“He also began an effort many years ago to build an airport in Wood County,” said AVN Director David Fulton. “It is a fine airport and would not be there today had it not been for Wayne Collins. He also was a great supporter of TxDOT Aviation. He was a great guy who had a long, productive life.”

Collins did two stints as president of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and was a fixture on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Through his position with the chamber, he was catalyst in reviving downtown Mineola through his work in making Mineola a Texas Main Street City, according to Rushing.

She described him as smart and “a wealth of information” who never bragged about himself and always acted in the best interests of Mineola. He was a solutions-oriented man and served as a mentor to her, said Rushing.

Collins also enjoyed a lifelong association with the Boy Scouts.

“There are two things you learn early in scouting. It’s all about teamwork and somebody’s got your back. You also learn leadership and those things stay with you the rest of your life,” Collins said in January of last year after being honored for his lifelong commitment to scouting.

He also was committed to the Mineola Rotary Club, for which he served for more than 70 years. His father was an original founder, said current Rotary President Greg Hollen.
“He was the rarest of civic volunteers,” said Hollen, “He was here every week and attended every event.”

Collins even stood in the cold ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, Hollen recalled.

“People like me came to Rotary because of Wayne,” he said.

“One of the measures of Wayne is that he really never took credit” for his accomplishments. “He was selfless that way. He was just such and inspiring guy.”

Collins was preceded in death by his wife, Frances. He is survived by his children, Craig, Corey, Cristle, and Clay; 10 grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

This article reprinted with permission from The Wood County News

Filed Under: Wingtips Spring 2019 Tagged With: Dave Fulton, Wayne Collins, Wood County Airport Collins Field

Dave’s Hangar

June 3, 2019

We Say Goodbye To Wayne Collins!!

Sadly, on January 27, 2019, we had to say so long to one of our best General Aviation supporters and friend, Wayne Collins. Wayne was born in Mineola Texas, graduating from high school in 1941. His college training at Rice University was interrupted by World War II, serving as an officer and member of the “Greatest Generation” aboard a U.S. Navy ship in the Pacific theater. Following the war, he returned to Rice University to complete his education, graduating in 1948. He continued his military career in the Naval Reserve, retiring at the rank of Captain U. S. Navy.

After his family, flying was the love and constant of Wayne’s life. He flew his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza around the world twice, in 1986 and again in 1990. Wayne was the founding organizer for formation flights to the annual fly-ins to Oshkosh, earning an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. He provided help to families needing medical transportation through Angel Flights, introduced numerous young people to flying though the Young Eagles program, and delivered two single-engine planes to medical missionaries in Africa for Wings of Hope.

Wayne was the initiator and driving force behind the Wood County Airport from its creation until the day he died. For his lifetime contributions to aviation, Wayne was an easy choice as the first recipient of the Texas Aviator of the Year Award.

God Bless You Wayne. Thanks for all you did for Texas Aviation.

Welcome Aboard To Our New TxDOT Aviation Employees!!

Since last year’s Texas Aviation Conference, we have added five employees to our airport
improvement staff.

The new employees are:

  • Mike Van Vliet, Airport Planner
  • Harry Sutherland, Airport Inspector
  • Anna Ramirez, Grants Manager

We’re also pleased to have back with us three excellent former employees:

  • Megan McLellan, Airport Planner
  • Sheri Quinlan, Grants Manager
  • Robert Johnson, P.E. Project Manager

Filed Under: Wingtips Spring 2019 Tagged With: Dave Fulton, dave's hangar, Wayne Collins

Dave’s Hangar

January 18, 2018

New FAA medical certification program off to a great start!

Basic Med, a new path for meeting the medical requirement for most private pilots, is off to a flying start. The new program, which began on May 1, 2017, permits the vast majority of general aviation pilots who have held a valid medical certificate any time ten years prior to the date of the act, July 15, 2016, to never again have to take a FAA approved medical examination. During the first 100 days of the program, more than 15,000 pilots have qualified to fly under Basic Med.

Before flying under Basic Med, pilots must get a physical exam by a state-licensed physician, have the associated checklist completed by the physician, and complete the online aeromedical course-in that order. A pilot meeting these requirements will be permitted to fly non-commercial VFR or IFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6000 pounds, having no more than six seats, no higher than 18,000 feet, at a maximum airspeed of 250 knots.

There are four steps in qualifying for Basic Med certification.

  • Step one is to download the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist and fill out the “individual information” section.
  • Step two is to take the checklist to any state-licensed physician who will complete the physical examination following the checklist and then sign it.
  • Step three is to complete the medical self-assessment course and pass the quiz. After taking the quiz, you complete a form
    to be transferred to the FAA containing the physician’s identifying information.
  • Step four is to print the course completion certificate and keep it with your logbook or store it electronically.

I would highly recommend contacting AOPA’s Pilot Information Center staff at 1-800-872-2672 if you have any questions. Speaking from personal experience, they were great in helping me through
the process.

Basic Med is the single most important thing to happen for the General Aviation Industry in a long time. More people will be learning to fly, buying airplanes, and flying longer than ever before. AOPA member and Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, deserves a great deal of credit for leading the Basic Med effort to a successful conclusion.

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Filed Under: Wingtips Fall 2017 Tagged With: Dave Fulton, dave's hangar

Aviation Division Director Dave Fulton Receives the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

July 26, 2017

TxDOT Aviation Director Dave Fulton receiving an award.

TxDOT Aviation Division Director Dave Fulton (center) is presented the The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from Randy Loveless from the FAA’s San Antonio Flight Standards District Office during this year’s Texas Aviation Conference. Dave was joined by his wife Charlotte.

By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

TxDOT Aviation Division Director Dave Fulton recently received the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots, The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Fulton was presented the award by Randy Loveless from FAA’s San Antonio Flight Standards District Office during this year’s Texas Aviation Conference.

The award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first US pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots.”
To be eligible for the Wright Brothers MPA, nominees must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or FAA pilot certificate.
  • Have 50 or more years of civil and military flying experience.
    • Up to 20 years of the required 50 years may be U.S. military experience.
    • The effective start date for the 50 years is the date of the nominee’s first solo flight or military equivalent.
    • The 50 years may be computed consecutively or non-consecutively.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.

Asked by Loveless to describe his first flight, Fulton recounted the following.

“I’d never been in a small airplane before. I went down to Pensacola and got through ground school. And then went up in a plane with the instructor. After a while he took his hands off the controls and said ‘ok, you’ve got it,’ and I replied that I didn’t know what to do. He then hollered ‘dangit do something quick or else we’re both going to die!’”

Filed Under: Wingtips Spring 2017 Tagged With: 2017 TAC, Dave Fulton, Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

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