Originally published in 2010 by Chris Sasser, Texas Transportation Institute With fond remembrances of the past, the 2010 Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Aviation Conference surged forward to the future with a recurring theme of the importance of aviation education in Texas. This year’s conference, held at The Woodlands, had 464 attendees including airport sponsors,…

Originally published in 2010 TxDOT Aviation Welcomes Two New Employees: For those of you who work with us closely, you are probably aware that we have recently been operating with a smaller staff than normal due primarily to recent retirements. Fortunately, that is about to change. We have just added two new employees, Paul Slusser…

Originally published in 2010 by Chris Sasser, Texas Transportation Institute Whether it be traveling with their family on vacation or watching jet trails carve up the sky, the idea of flight has always fascinated kids. Now, thanks to a recent aviation education initiative by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), communities and schools…

Originally published in 2010 by Jeremy Smith, Texas Transportation Institute If you would have asked people in Jefferson, Texas, about Cypress River Airport a little over 10 years ago you may have gotten a lot of blank stares. Unfortunately, at that time this general aviation airport had essentially been abandoned and was on the verge…

Originally published in 2010 This is one of a continuing series of profiles featuring members of the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee. The six members are appointed by the Texas Transportation Commission for six-year terms and assist the Texas Department of Transportation with its aviation development programs. Committee members also work with the legislature on various…

Originally published in 2010 by Rick Davenport, Texas Transportation Institute Miles from civilization, driving a lonesome and desolate stretch of Interstate 20, you wonder if it’s a mirage up ahead on the Rat and barren West Texas landscape. On either side of the highway there’s a sprawling, museum-like structure – resembling a 1940’s era air…

Originally published in 2010 by Chris Sasser, Texas Transportation Institute “Every project begins with research,” said Roger Freeman, historic aviation expert, collector, restorer and founder of the Pioneer Flight Museum in tiny Kingsbury, Texas, as he produced a binder stuffed with photos and documents. Based on his vast archive of historic aircraft plans and photos,…

Originally published in 2010 Legendary pilot, FBO owner and general aviation promoter, Emma Browning passed on Friday, April 23, 2010, after a short illness. Browning was 99. Emma Carter was born on October 26, 1910. In 1929, she paid $1 for her first airplane ride and had been in love with aviation ever since. She…

Originally published in 2010 The Federal Aviation Administration recently announced its approval for the Air Traffic Control Program at Texas State Technical College (TSTC). Of the 36 schools in the country that offer the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, TSTC is now the only public college in Texas to offer the program. “This is great…

Originally published in 2010 Temple’s Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport celebrated the completion of their 700-foot runway extension to their precision approach Runway 15/33 with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 30, 2010. With the new 7,000-foot runway, the Viper West F-16 Demo Team from Ogden, Utah, was able to land for the first…

Originally published in 2010 Construction on the new terminal at the Arlington Municipal Airport began in April. The city-owned airport broke ground on a two-story, 17,000-square-foot expansion the afternoon of April 1 and is expected to cost about $5.1 million. The terminal was originally estimated to cost $4.5 million. The turning of the dirt ceremony…

Originally published in 2010 Sugar Land Regional Airport’s city-owned and operated FBO once again took the top spot in the Aviation International News FBO survey. The airport and the FBO enjoy some distinct advantages that combine to boost its popularity, including strong support from the city of Sugar Land, a dedicated long-term team running the…

Originally published in 2010 by Jay Carpenter Jason Schappert and Vincent Lambercy recently flew their Cessna – 152 from Daytona Beach, Florida to Catalina Island off the coast of California and back this summer to help raise awareness of general aviation. Along their journey they stopped in Texas including Houston, Sweetwater, El Paso and Georgetown….

Originally published in 2010 by Jay Carpenter On Saturday, July 10, 2010, the Texas Aviation Association hosted a Safety Day at the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU). The venue was at the grand opening of the new Aero Centex Fixed Base of Operations. Over 70 pilots and aviation enthusiasts attended the four-hour seminar which featured experts…