Originally published in 1999 AUSTIN-With clockwork precision, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport began to serve the needs of Central Texas on Sunday, May 23, 1999, at 6:00 a.m., after a planning and construction process lasting over a decade. The first commercial passenger flight from the $690 million airport was by American Airlines on its way to Dallas/Fort…

Originally published in 1999 Federal Funding Program for Airport Grants Still Pending Although Congress has focused considerable attention on FAA programs the past few months, no definitive action has yet been taken to reauthorize the FAA Airport Improvement Program, which will expire Sept. 30, 1999. This program is of utmost importance as it provides the…

Originally published in 1999 The Texas Public Relations Association (TPRA) presented the Silver Spur/Best of Texas Award to Bernard Stafford, TxDOT Travel and the Aviation Division at the 1999 Awards Banquet held in Houston on March 6, 1999. Stafford, produced the aviation video entitled, “Destination Texas”. The 20-minute video tape defines what general aviation means…

Originally published in 1999 By Marie C. Peinado AUSTIN-“Deja vu? … Deja vu?” … was our conference an illusion of a previous experience or a new one? Semantics aside, our Texas Aviation Conference was no illusion, but a wonderful gathering of friends and professionals sharing aviation knowledge with each other. TAC was held this year…

Originally published in 1999 Congratulations to the winners who participated in the Aviation Marketing Contest! Certificates were presented to the winners at the 1999 Texas Aviation Conference on April 7-9, 1999 in Austin, Texas. Our thanks go to all contest entrants for their efforts; to contest judges for their assistance, as well as to our…

Originally published in 1999 Name recognition plays an important role in identifying function, parameters and audience, as well as perception, in any established product or entity. These concerns led Airport Manager Byron Broussard to encourage county officials to change Jefferson County Airport to Southeast Texas Regional Airport. He said, “the name change will reflect the…

Originally published in 1999 After a three-year effort, Brady city officials and military personnel reached an agreement to allow the military to use Curtis Field as the area for training exercises. At a “Meet the Brass” barbecue held recently at Curtis Field, city officials welcomed the 21st Aviation Brigade from Fort Hood. Training missions began…

Originally published in 1999 Outstanding Reliever Airport of the Year was awarded to McKinney Municipal Airport, McKinney, Texas. Plaque was received by David Pierce, Airport Manager. 1999 Career Contribution to Aviation was awarded to Norman Scroggins, Bedford, Texas. 1999 General Aviation Airport of the Year was awarded to Fayette Regional Air Center. David Fulton, TxDOT…

Originally published in 1999 By Yolanda Alvarez In response to the 1999 International Aviation Art Contest call for children’s artwork, the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division received 1,500 entries from students throughout Texas. The theme of the contest was “Flying is Fun.” Entries were judged in one of three age groups: Category I, ages…

Originally published in 1999 We believe that our employees are the most important resource that we have available to support us daily in the fulfillment of the “aviation” mission for the State of Texas. They are, as team members, our winning hand. We will continue to showcase employees in Wingtips, so that you can get…

Originally published in 1999 Lydia Faye Scarborough Former Acting Director of the Aviation Division, Texas Department of Transportation Lydia Faye Scarborough, age 61, of Austin, died on Tuesday, April 20, 1999. “Cotton”, as she was known by close friends, was fiercely independent from an early age; and grew up in Harper, a typical small Texas…

Originally published in 1999 Last year in late December, a family of pilots, mechanics, and relatives came together for that last goodbye to a special place – Andrau Airpark. Many traveled from hundreds of miles away to make this pilgrimage and to reminisce about its past, early friendships and impact on their lives. Once this…

Originally published in 1999 By Carla Dedera, Airport Manager On May I, the Giddings-Lee County Airport frequency changed to 123.05. As an official UNICOM station now designated, we can give you airport advisories, if you request them. An outside speaker has been installed so that we can hear you, when we are outside fueling an…

Originally published in 1999 By Ed Oshinski The results of the 1998 Lighting Inspection Study are in! Thirty-three airports received one hundred points, the highest possible score. These airports include: Andrews County, Bryan Coulter Field, Panola County, Castroville, Houston County, Edinburg, Ennis, Pecos County, Fort Worth Meacham, Gillespie County, Gatesville, Gonzales, Houston-Clover Field, Houston-Hooks Memorial,…

Originally published in 1999 By Leo Murphee Jr.  President, ECS Did you see that strange contraption running up and down the taxiway and tarmac at our “50’s Hangar Party” held at the Texas Aviation Conference on April 8 in Austin? Is it a boat? Is it a plane? It is a combination of both. A…

Originally published in 1999 By Charlotte Bergfeld As reported in previous editions of Wingtips, a joint effort involving 25 Texas and 5 New Mexico communities and the TxDOT Aviation Division is under way to investigate opportunities for improvement in scheduled air service for small and medium communities. Wilbur Smith Associates has been selected to conduct…