Originally published in 1996 Collin County’s only public airport now has a control tower. The City of McKinney purchased the control tower from the Federal Aviation Administration for about $75,000 and moved it from Alliance Airport to McKinney last year. While FAA certified controllers are currently operating the tower on advisory status, by March 1,…

Originally published in 1996 Conquest Airlines now provides direct air service from Mathis Field to Austin and Abilene. San Angelo residents have also gained quick connections available to San Antonio, Laredo, Tyler, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Conquest is focusing its business plan on expanding its Austin hub. ”We need an airline that goes to…

Originally published in 1996 Over 400 people recently gathered at the Gainesville Municipal Airport to celebrate the city’s success in completing significant projects at the airport. The highlight of the celebration was the dedication of a new terminal, with Dave Fulton, Director of Aviation for the Texas Department of Transportation, as guest speaker. “I applaud…

Originally published in 1996 The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, (AOPA) has planned a series of twenty-seven “Pilot Town Meetings” to be conducted in sixteen different states this year. Three of these meetings are planned for Texas in early November. At these meetings, Phil Boyer, AOPA President, will provide a multimedia presentation on the latest…

Originally published in 1996 The TxDOT Aviation Division and the Texas Association of Airport Executives (TAAE), will again cohost the Texas Airport Operator’s Conference (TAOC). The conference will be held April 24, 25, and 26, at the Austin Red Lion Inn. The conference will provide presentations and workshops that are designed specifically for airport sponsors…

Originally published in 1996 Technical Assistant Program Because providing federal and state funding for airport development is a major responsibility of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, it is often overlooked that the Aviation Division’s available services extend beyond funding for airport improvements. In our role as agent to some 256 general aviation airport…

Originally published in 1996 Although insufficient funding for airport capital improvement and major maintenance projects is a major obstacle in efforts to build and maintain an adequate general aviation airport system in Texas, lack of proper routine maintenance continues to present a major challenge. As a result, the Aviation Division has seen a significant reduction…