Originally published in 1999 By Ed Mayle Utilizing funds from an FAA Planning Grant, the Aviation Division has recently conducted nighttime airfield lighting inspections at approximately 250 Texas general aviation airports. Beginning in March 1998 and finishing in September 1998, the division’s “Night Flight Crew” – Ed Oshinski, Jim Curl, Greg Miller and Ed Mayle…

Originally published in 1999 Adopt-An-Airport Program Begins As we continue to make a sizable expenditure in time and money to establish a statewide airport system that will provide adequate access to cities and counties throughout Texas, it is vitally important that we ensure that our airports meet the needs of the traveling public. An airport…

Originally published in 1999 AUSTIN – Governor George W. Bush announced on Feb. I, 1999, the appointment of John W. Johnson of Houston to the Texas Transportation Commission for a term ending Feb. 1, 2005. Johnson is chairman and president of Permian Mud Service, Inc. and chairman of its subsidiary, Champion Technologies, Inc. Permian Mud…

Originally published in 1999 By Carla Dedera, Giddings-Lee County Airport Last June, the airport at Giddings received a face lift. The Lee County Economic Development Council (EDC) built a new terminal building and a large hangar. (The yellow trailer filled with wasps is gone forever.) TxDOT is funding a $500,000 capital improvement project scheduled for…

Originally published in 1999 At long last, after two years of construction, the new terminal complex – a $35 million project – at the Midland International Airport is operational. The switch over from the old terminal building to the new one went smoothly, except for some sentimental feelings of leaving “an old friend.” The 155,000-square-foot…

Originally published in 1999 There were 1,151 school children from across Texas who submitted artwork for the 1999 International Aviation Art Contest. Texas participates in the contest through the Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division. The contest offers school children the opportunity for greater interest in aviation through art. The annual contest is an international…

Originally published in 1999 By Bob Woods Effective March 31, 1999, Nona Gold will retire from the Aviation Division with more that 22 years of total state employment. Her retirement letter read in part “It is with both joy and sadness that I submit my intent to retire effective March 31, 1999. There is joy…

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. In this and future issues of Wingtips, we will showcase an employee, so…

Originally published in 1999 Common Misconceptions about Fatigue Eight hours of rest are as beneficial as eight hours of sleep.  I know exactly how tired I am. I have lost sleep before, and I did just fine. I’m motivated enough to just push through it. I am a highly experienced and capable pilot (have the…

Originally published in 1999 By Tammy Stone The Dec. 22, 1998, deadline has come and gone. If you have not done anything to be in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations, you may be in BIG trouble. The Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) can assess you fines or penalties. Or, if you have…

Originally published in 1999 Attendees were held to the edge of their seats recently with acrobatic acts, battle dramatizations, and the thunder of vintage and modern military demonstrations for the 14th consecutive year at “Wings Over Houston,” the official airshow for the City of Houston. According to Bill Roach, chairman of the Wings Over Houston…

Originally published in 1999 While members of the U.S. Senate may have been focused on one important event recently, plenty of other people in Washington have been actively working on issues which could affect airline service for business travelers. Concern has been building up the last two years among businesses, consumer groups, airport officials and…

Originally published in 1999 Airport managers responding to the Airport Report Express annual survey expressed confidence that their Y2K compliance programs will be adequate – and timely enough-to correct any problems in equipment and systems under the airports’ control. Confidently, Houston Aviation Director Richard Vacar, A.A.E., reported that the city’s airport system is currently 90…

Originally published in 1999 A session at the Annual Airport Planning Design and Construction Symposium held in Salt Lake City last year and hosted by the Airport Consultant Council and the American Association of Airport Executives looked at tomorrow’s travelers and offered the following:  Airline travel is about 18 percent of all travel in the…

Originally published in 1999 March 3 -The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics is founded. It later became The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1915. March 10 -The Boeing V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor craft, makes its first flight. It can fly either as a helicopter or an airplane, 1957. March 22 – Tuskegee, AL, the…