Aviation Research

David Fulton

Dave’s Hangar

FAA Funding

Due to a lack of FAA discretionary funding over the past four years, many of you are experiencing delays in funding for your airport improvement projects. We are well aware of your concerns and ask for your patience as we attempt to fix this problem. This reduction in funding arose as a result of FAA’s Non-Primary Entitlement Program (NPE). The NPE program has had significant benefits in allowing us to fund many needed hangars, fuel systems and other revenue producing projects that our airports badly needed. These projects will help our airports work toward becoming financially self-sustaining, something we all want.

There is also a downside to the NPE Program. The banking of entitlement funds, which is authorized by law, resulted in TxDOT Aviation having a large bank balance of FAA funding. Due to our large bank balance, FAA placed a “moratorium” on discretionary funding, beginning in FY 2013 up to the present. As a result, we have experienced a loss of $35M, so far, in anticipated grant funding which has had a substantial impact on our ability to fund your projects. We are working with the FAA Southwest Region and our Congressional delegation to find a solution to the funding problem. We appreciate your patience as we work through this.

FAA Reauthorization

Congress continues to work on reauthorization of FAA programs which expired September 30, 2015. As of the date of this column, near term FAA reauthorization does not look promising, due to several controversial issues. If that does prove to be the case, FAA programs will likely continue by means of a program extension, resulting in FAA grant funding being delayed, then issued to TxDOT Aviation in a piecemeal fashion. Hopefully, after the presidential election and the new Congress is seated next year, FAA reauthorization will move forward rapidly.

The 34th Annual Texas Aviation Conference

Thanks to our host, Montgomery County, and all of you who participated, the recent conference was a big success. In spite of the “Monsoon” that was taking place as we traveled to Conroe, we still had great attendance with over 500 people registered. Thanks to all of you who attended. We will see you next year in San Marcos.

Astronaut Gene Cernan Highlights 2016 Texas Aviation Conference

By Chris Sasser
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

View Award Winners or Photo Gallery

The rainy weather did little to dampen the spirits of the 532 attendees of the 2016 Texas Aviation Conference, held March 9-11 at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa in Montgomery. The conference is sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Aviation Division and participants included airport sponsors, aviation professionals, governmental and economic development officials, enthusiasts and exhibitors.

The last man on the moon, Captain Gene Cernan, retired U.S. Naval aviator and retired NASA Astronaut (Gemini 9, Apollo 10 and Apollo 17), delivered the keynote address to a captivated audience. The session was moderated by TxDOT Aviation Advisory Committee Chairman Jim Schwertner, and featured stories of how Cernan fulfilled his dream to become a Naval Aviator, how he joined NASA, his role as an advisor in the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, and going to space three times as Pilot of Gemini 9A in June 1966, as Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 10 in May 1969, and as Commander of Apollo 17 in December 1972, the final Apollo lunar landing.

During his remarks, Cernan said that his story was one of “any kid with a dream from any town U.S.A.” When asked by Schwertner about his role in Apollo 13, Cernan explained, “if we had lost that flight, we would not have continued the Apollo program. But at the end of the day, we all came home alive. It was a complete team effort; everyone took personal responsibility. They gave us the best machine in the world to fly, and for that, we can all be very proud.”

Cernan was recently featured in the documentary, “The Last Man on the Moon.” When asked about the Apollo 17 mission, Cernan said “when you’re on the moon and you look back at the earth, it’s like being on God’s front porch. That’s what it’s like being on the moon.”

TxDOT Aviation Division Director David Fulton began the conference with an introduction of the Aviation Advisory Committee members, and then delivered his state of the Aviation Division Address.

“This is my 25th conference to attend,” said Fulton. “And at times I’m asked ‘why do you keep doing this’ and the answer is that it’s just so much fun getting to see and work with everyone year after year. We’ve all worked hard to make the Texas aviation system the best in the nation and I truly believe it is. Everyone has done a lot for the airport system, but there’s plenty more we can do.”

In his remarks, Fulton noted that the key to the future was to make the airports as attractive as possible to travelers, notably business aviation.

“If we support business aviation, everyone in general aviation benefits,” said Fulton.

In addition to presenting a conference overview, Fulton provided updates about the non-primary entitlement funding, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill and 3rd class medical, the FAA’s new registration rules for unmanned aircraft systems, MET (meteorological) towers and the last Texas Legislature session.

Fulton also explained the division’s new eGrants software and introduced new staff members and said goodbye to Becky Vick, who among many other roles served as the conference coordinator for the last decade.

Following Fulton’s morning address was Jerry Hendrix, Executive Director of the Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation located in Corpus Christi. Hendrix explained the mission of the center, the projects the center was actively engaged in and the future of UAS.

TxDOT Aviation Education and Information Program Coordinator Bill Gunn concluded the morning session with his always-popular presentation on airport compliance issues.

After lunch, conference goers had the choice of attending breakout sessions throughout the afternoon. Breakout sessions topics included:

  • TxDOT Aviation Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Management Program
  • an introduction to eGrants
  • airport manager’s roundtable
  • pavement maintenance guidelines
  • developing effective stakeholder relationships
  • increasing activity on your airport, and
  • RAMP and airport consultant sessions.

The day concluded with the Awards Banquet. A complete list of award winners is available at the end of this story.

The final morning began with a presentation from President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials, Greg Principato, who provided an update from Washington.

The conference concluded with comments on the TxDOT/FAA AIP Program and a listening session.

“Texas is a huge state, and many of our attendees travel a good distance to attend this conference,” said Texas A&M Transportation Institute Research Scientist and co-conference organizer Jeff Borowiec. “We want to make sure we give them the most bang for their buck with a wide range of relevant topics presented from experts from around the state and country.”

The conference presentations are available at http://ttigroups.wpengine.com/conferences/tac16/program.php. Next year’s conference will be held April 19-21, 2017, at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos, Texas.

2016 Award Winners

Aviation Art Contest Winners:

Category I (Ages 6–9)

1st Place: Adam Roth, White Rock Montessori, Dallas, TX
2nd Place: Corbin Gray, HJM Elementary, Port Lavaca, TX
3rd Place: Ava Smith, Garden Ridge Elementary, New Braunfels, TX
Honorable Mention: Doreen Luo, HJM Elementary, Port Lavaca, TX

Category II (Ages 10–13)

1st Place: Anika Busra, Kingwood Middle School, Kingwood, TX
2nd Place: Sreeniketan Sai Senapathi, Katy, TX
3rd Place: Alexis Puryear, Wheeler Elementary, Wheeler, TX
Honorable Mention: Avery Pulley, Burnett Junior High, Wylie,TX
Honorable Mention: Emily Eckert, Burnett Junior High, Wylie, TX

Category III (Ages 14–17)

1st Place: Gaby Arambula, JB Alexander HS, Laredo, TX
2nd Place: Mariana Garcia, Veterans Memorial HS, Brownsville, TX
3rd Place: Jason Chu, Burnett Junior High, Wylie, TX
Honorable Mention: Annie Kingston, Burnett Junior High, Wylie, TX
Honorable Mention: Rebecca Gonzalez, JB Alexander HS, Laredo, TX

Airport Awards:

General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year: Bruce McKenzie, Kerrville Municipal/Louis Schreiner Field
Most Improved Airport of the Year: Mid Valley Airport, Weslaco
General Aviation Airport of the Year: Cotulla-La Salle County Airport, Cotulla
Reliever Airport of the Year: Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Conroe
RAMP Coordinator of the Year: Tony Loya, El Paso District
Award for 20 Years of Continuous Participation in the Routine Airport Maintenance Program: Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport, Big Spring

Dave’s Hangar

FAA 3rd Class Medical Reform Appears Poised to Move Forward

Congressional support for the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 continues to grow. As of Dec. 10, 2015, 69 senators and 151 members of the House of Representatives and 40 percent of the entire congress had signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. On December 9, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved S. 571, better known as the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, bringing significant third-class medical reform one big step closer to reality.

In order to secure approval in the Senate, a few changes in the bill were necessary. New pilots would be required to obtain FAA medical certification one time in order to establish a benchmark for their health. For private pilots who have a valid medical certificate, either regular or special issuance, within 10 years from the date when the bill is signed into law, no further FAA medical will be required. The only ongoing requirements will be to take a no cost online medical education course every two years and visit your personal physician once every four years, noting the visit in your logbook. No requirement will exist to report the outcome of this visit to the FAA.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association fully support the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, including these recent modifications, as do I. FAA 3rd class medical reform has never looked more promising. If the bill does become law, it will have a major positive impact on the general aviation industry.

Plan Now to Attend the 2016 Texas Aviation Conference

Registration is now underway for the 2016 Texas Aviation Conference. This year’s conference will be held March 9-11, at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa in Montgomery, Texas. I’m proud to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is Retired U.S. Navy and NASA Astronaut (Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 17) Captain Gene Cernan.

More information, including the tentative agenda, is available in pages 7-10 of this issue. You may register online at http://ttigroups.wpengine.com/conferences/ tac16/. Hope to see you there!

Dave’s Hangar

Momentum Continues to Grow For 3rd Class Medical Reform

Ten years ago, the federal aviation administration began a new program to permit pilots to fly light sport aircraft under certain conditions without an FAA medical, if they possessed a valid state driver’s license. Since the program began, it has been utilized safely and effectively by thousands of pilots flying tens of thousands of hours.

For some time there has been a broad-based effort to expand this approval to a much greater group of private pilots. The intent of this effort is to enact legislation allowing pilots to use the sport pilot standard of medical certification for non-commercial flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with no more than six seats.

This change would include virtually all single engine airplanes with six or fewer seats, including Beechcraft Bonanzas, as well as many light twins like the Piper Aztec, Beechcraft Baron 55 and 58, and Cessna 310. Pilots would be able to carry up to five passengers, flying at altitudes below 18,000 feet msl, in either VFR or IFR conditions, no faster than 250 knots.

All pilots would still be required to undergo a flight review, conducted by a certificated flight instructor at least every two years in order to act as pilot in command. During these flight reviews, instructors will continue to evaluate knowledge, skills and risk management to safely operate an aircraft.

The aircraft owners and pilots association (AOPA) took the lead on this effort with most of the other general aviation groups lending their support. The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 supports this change and has been filed in the United States House and Senate. As of this writing, the Senate Bill (S. 571) has 57 co-sponsors while the House Bill (H.R. 1062) has 122 co-sponsors.

Pilots who support third class medical reform should contact their senators and representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the pilot’s bill of rights 2. This is a change whose time has come. If this change does occur, it will be a huge stimulus for the general aviation industry.

Finally, I would like to announce the retirement of Director of Engineering Bijan Jamalabad. Harry Lorton will serve as the interim director.

Eastland Municipal Airport Breaks Ground on New Terminal Building

TxDOT Aviation Division Director David Fulton at the terminal building groundbreaking ceremony at Eastland Municipal Airport.

TxDOT Aviation Division Director David Fulton at the terminal building groundbreaking ceremony at Eastland Municipal Airport.

It was perfect Texas fall weather for the City of Eastland Municipal Airport Troy Taylor Terminal building groundbreaking on October 30.

Eastland’s Mayor Larry Vernon welcomed the large crowd who came out to celebrate the beginning of construction on the project that has taken two plus years of planning between the City of Eastland, Eastland Economic Development Inc, Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd Engineering, Schrickel Rollins and Associates and many more. Vernon introduced all of the key players for the project, some who spoke at the event, including State Representative Jim Keffer, E. T. Bradley, Dave Fulton, of TxDOT Aviation, Eastland Airport Manager Bode Zietz, Mark Brohard of Shrickel Rollins & Associates, Weldon Scrivner of Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd and Mike Perry of the Eastland Industrial Foundation.

Dave Fulton of TxDOT Aviation commented he has been doing these groundbreaking ceremonies for many years and he reported today’s was by far the largest in attendance.

Construction should begin on Monday and is expected to last some three to four months depending on the weather. Once completed, the 4,200 plus square foot terminal building will include a main floor public waiting area with a massive storefront window system, as well as an executive conference room that can accommodate corporate events. The building’s upper level mezzanine will be approximately 1,000 square feet with storefront windows and includes an outdoor seating area overlooking the airport.

Dave’s Hangar

Federal Administration Funding Approved for FY 2015

Congress has approved, and the President has signed, a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill to provide funding for most federal agencies, including the FAA, through September 30, 2015. The legislation provides $3.35 billion in funding for the Airport Improvement Program, the same level of funding allocated for FY 2014. It also includes $1.445 million for the Contract Tower Program, an increase of $4.5 million from last year’s funding level. The funding is sufficient to keep all existing contract towers operating, with the possibility of adding a few new towers to the program.

NASAO Selects News President

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has appointed Greg Principato as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Greg most recently served as head of the Airport Council International. He also served as a Trade and Transportation Specialist at Hunton & Williams from 1991-2005 and as Executive Director of the National Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry in 1993.

“I am excited to be joining the NASAO team as its President and CEO,” said Principato. “I have become convinced that the states are ‘where it’s at” when promoting aviation as a force for building modern communities to the national and global economy.”

I fully expect Greg to provide the leadership necessary to continue the outstanding work that Henry O. and others have provided us in the past. You will have an opportunity to meet Greg at the Texas Aviation Conference in April. This year’s conference will be at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos on April 15-17. I am proud to announce that our Keynote Address speaker this year is Captain Gene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the moon. You may find more information, including registration, at the conference website at http://ttigroups.wpengine.com/conferences/tac15/. See you at the conference!

Wingtips Takes Award for Top Newsletter

David Fulton accepting award from Kim Stevens

David Fulton (left) accepts the State Newsletter Award from NASAO Director of Public Relations and Communications Kim Stevens. (Photo courtesy of NASAO)

For the second year running, the State Aviation Journal, in cooperation with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), presented the State Aviation Newsletter Award during the Association’s award banquet at their annual convention. This year’s award went to TxDOT’s Aviation Division for their Wingtips newsletter.

The award is given to recognize the work that goes into creating and distributing newsletters that promote aviation in the states and the men and women that represent state aviation. The award is independently judged by a panel of experienced public relations and industry professionals.

Dave’s Hangar (Winter 2014)

Congress Passes Federal Budget

Recently, Congress passed a budget to provide funding for all federal programs through the end of FY 2015. That’s great news for FAA programs, as we anticipate being able to begin issuing FY 2014 federal grants soon, continuing through the end of September 2015. It should also provide needed funding to continue operation of our contract towers for the same period of time. There is still the issue of the federal debt ceiling that must be dealt with in February 2014. However, this new budget is a huge step forward in the continued improvement and development of the Texas Airport System.

General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013

A new bill has been introduced in Congress, H.R. 3708, named the “General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013.” This act would allow pilots to use the driver’s license medical standard for non-commercial VFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with no more than six seats. That includes virtually all single-engine airplanes with six or fewer seats, including Beech Bonanzas, as well as many light twins like the Piper Aztec, Beech Baron 55 and 58, and Cessna 310. Pilots would be able to carry up to five passengers, flying at altitudes below 14,000 feet msl, no faster than 250 knots. The act would also require the FAA to report on the safety consequences of the new rule after five years.

FAA currently permits “Light Sport Pilots” to pilot specific small aircraft under certain conditions without an FAA medical if they possess a valid state driver’s license. This bill simply increases the number of pilots/aircraft that would come under this exemption. If this bill becomes law, it is likely that it will result in a significant increase in the number of active pilots as well as an increase in the number of aircraft purchased each year.

Dave’s Hangar

Fiscal Cliff Disaster Averted

In the February 2013 edition of Wingtips I expressed my concern regarding the potential impacts of Sequestration. Sure enough, the March 1st deadline arrives and FAA is required to make budget cuts. FAA’s plan to meet the cuts was to furlough most of their employees for one to two days a month and close 149 of the 251 Contract Towers throughout the country. The Contract Towers closings were to begin on April 7, 2013. As Contract Towers provide 30 percent of the air traffic control services at towered airports throughout the nation, there was widespread concern as to the effect that FAA’s plan would have on aviation safety and the economic impact on the airports and communities that these towers served. In Texas, 14 airports stood to lose their tower operations.

On March 27, 2013, Governor Rick Perry sent the following letter to the Texas Transportation Commission:

Mr. Ted Houghton
Chairman
Texas Transportation Commission


 

Dear Chairman Houghton:


As you are aware, on March 2, federal spending cuts under the Budget Control Act went into effect. Due to the federal government’s failure to implement thoughtful and efficient spending cuts, and instead cut critical safety services, starting in early April, federal funding for more than a dozen air traffic control towers across Texas will be eliminated. This action far surpasses the grandstanding Americans have come to associate with sequestration talks by potentially jeopardizing the safety of Texas emergency personnel, citizens and visitors. For the protection of Texans everywhere and to minimize any disruption of commerce caused by this action, I ask the Texas Transportation Commission to consider options to provide emergency, temporary assistance for this vital safety network as determined appropriate by the commission. After no more than 90 days, I ask the commission to reevaluate this emergency, temporary funding. While President Obama has chosen to make sequestration as painful as possible, I cannot with good conscience allow him to put his political agenda ahead of public safety.


Sincerely,


Rick Perry
Governor

Upon receipt of Governor Perry’s letter, the Texas Transportation Commission scheduled a special meeting for April 4, 2013, to consider approval of the funding requested. Fortunately, the funding approved by the Commission became unnecessary. Soon thereafter, Congress, realizing the gravity of the situation, passed legislation enabling FAA to cancel the employee furloughs and the closure of the Contract Towers.

We appreciate the support shown by Governor Perry, the Texas Transportation Commission, and TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson to keep our towers operating. However, the effort to ensure continued operation of our Contract Towers is not over. Congress will soon take up the FY 2014 appropriation bill to fund FAA’s program. It is imperative that the bill include the funding necessary for this vital air traffic service.

Air transportation in the United States is not limited by geographical boundaries. It is a national system. The safe and efficient movement of aircraft within this system has always been and should remain a federal responsibility. Contract Towers provide an important and necessary role in the national air transportation system. These towers should continue to be supported by the federal government.

Dave’s Hangar

Fiscal Cliff Looms Large

For those of you who follow the activities of Congress, you know that we temporarily avoided falling off the fiscal cliff on December 31, 2012. The Budget Control Act of 2011, “sequestration,” will affect virtually every federal agency, requiring dramatic cuts in federal spending. Congress, unable to reach a consensus on ways to avoid the fiscal cliff by the end of last year, passed new legislation to postpone the cuts until March 1, 2013. Since Congress did not reach a consensus by the March target date, the FAA—its programs and personnel—will be seriously affected. Fortunately, programs and projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program are exempt from sequestration and will continue at current funding levels.

But this does not mean that TxDOT Aviation and our programs will necessarily escape unharmed. TxDOT Aviation has spent millions of dollars to construct new “non-federal” air traffic control towers at many of our reliever airports. Historically, the FAA has provided funding for private sector companies to man these towers, markedly improving safety of operation. Since sequestration is taking place, the FAA may find it necessary to cancel future operational funding for many or all of these towers. If this occurs, the operational funding would be the responsibility of the airport owners, placing a major financial burden on them. Some communities might be unable to meet this financial obligation, requiring the towers to close.