42nd Texas Aviation Conference
Access conference programs and presentation materials for the 42nd Texas Aviation Conference.
Conference Program and Presentations
The 42nd Annual Texas Aviation Conference took place from April 24-26, 2024, at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston, Texas.
| Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Texas Airports Council Annual Golf Tournament |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | TxDOT RAMP Coordinators Site Visit |
| 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Setup (Expo C) |
| 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Registration/Check-In |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Regionalization and Meet Your Team (Floral A) |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | New Participant Orientation (Floral A) Facilitator: Becky Vick, TxDOT Aviation If you are attending for the first time, traveling solo, or want the chance to meet other attendees before the Get Acquainted Reception begins, we urge you to attend the New Participant Orientation. Attending a conference for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. This orientation will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet friendly faces before the conference begins. This is an informal event on Wednesday evening, before the opening reception in the exhibit hall. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Exhibits Open (Expo C) |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Get Acquainted Reception – Exhibit Hall (Expo C) |
| 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Dinner and Networking (on your own) |
| Thursday, April 25, 2024 | |
| 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Desk Open |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet in Exhibit Hall (Expo C) |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Opening Session (Expo B) Presentation of Colors Galveston Fire Department National Anthem Amy Larison Welcoming Comments Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division Mike Shahan, Scholes International Airport Introduction of Aviation Advisory Committee State of the Aviation Division Address Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | State Legislative Update Moderator: Trent Thomas, Director, TxDOT, Government Affairs Division State Representative Ernest Bailes, House District 18 State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez, House District 39 |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Break (Exhibit Hall) |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Fireside Chat with Congressman Weber (Expo B) Moderator: Shelly Lesikar deZevallos Congressman Randy Weber, TX-14, Member of House Energy and Commerce Committee; House Science, Space, and Technology Committee |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Regionalization and Agency Update (Expo B) Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division (Harmon (1)presentation slides, 2.2MB) |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Luncheon: Tex-Mex Buffet (Expo B) Art Contest Award Winners |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Airport Compliance (Expo B) Gary J. Loftus, A.A.E. Lead Airports Compliance Program Manager Airport Certification Safety Inspector, FAA Southwest Region Michael E. Van Vliet, Planner, Texas Airports District Office (TXADO), FAA Southwest Region |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Break (Exhibit Hall) |
| 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Breakout Session II: Aviation Education (Expo A1) Preparing the workforce of tomorrow is critical to the continued success of the aviation industry. Our panel of experts will share insights on various aviation educational and outreach programs as well as initiatives designed to cultivate interest and talent in aviation and aerospace. This session will highlight efforts for K-12 students to encourage interest in STEM and aviation. Moderator: Shelly Lesikar deZevallos Pat Brown, AOPA Austin Campbell, STEM Flights (Campbellvideo) Claire Meschkat, Vivify STEM (Meschkatvideo) II: Airport Construction from a Contractor’s Perspective (Expo A2) This session will examine the construction project process from the perspective of the contractor. This panel discussion will cover a broad range of topics that will surely be of interest to both airport consultants and airport sponsors. Understanding various projects from different perspectives enables the stakeholders to better understand them, minimize delays and other issues, and ultimately results in a better finished project. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and participate in this session that brings together contractors, consultants, and airport sponsors. Moderator: Ed Mayle, Project Manager, TxDOT, Aviation Division AGC Panel III: Airport 101 A – Funding (Expo B) New airport manager or just need a refresher? This session is for you! Come and learn about funding options for your airport, including the different state grant programs and their requirements. Don’t forget to bring any questions you have for TxDOT on funding for your airport. Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division (Harmon (2)presentation slides, 1.5MB) IV: HUB/DBE Session (Expo A3) Review of DBE and HUB programs and compliance throughout the life of the project with emphasis on eGrants interaction and documentation. Eli Lopez, DBE/HUB Specialist, TxDOT, Aviation Division (Lopezpresentation slides, 426KB) |
| 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Break (Exhibit Hall) |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Breakout Session III: Advancing/Emerging Technologies (Expo A1) From drone delivery to electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), technological development is advancing the aviation industry and airports of all sizes should be prepared for the changes these advancements will bring. This session will explore eVTOL and charging infrastructure developments in Texas as well as provide an update on Texas’ Advanced Air Mobility Advisory Committee. Moderator: Emily Lambert, Business Ops Project Manager, TxDOT, Aviation Division Dan Dalton, Wisk Aero (Daltonpresentation slides, 4.0MB) Sam Hobbs, BETA (Daltonpresentation slides, 2.0MB) II: Airport Consultant Session – TxDOT Aviation Engineering Project Management Staff (Expo A2) This session will provide an opportunity for the consultant community to hear updates from the Engineering Project Management team. Eusebio “Chevy” Torres, the Engineering Project Management section director, along with his team of project managers, will also be available to answer questions. Moderator: Eusebio Torres, Director of Engineering, TxDOT, Aviation Division TxDOT Engineering Section (TxDOT Engineering Sectionpresentation slides, 725KB) III: Airport 101 B – Zoning and Minimum Standards (Expo B) New airport manager or just need a refresher? This session is for you! Learn about regulations that govern airport layout: zoning & minimum standards for runways, taxiways, and land use. Bring any questions on zoning, minimum standards, and how they impact your airport. David Kirkpatrick, Business Ops Project Manager, TxDOT, Aviation Division (Kirkpatrickpresentation slides, 7.9MB) IV: Airport Pavement Tool Update (Expo A3) This session will present and demonstrate a new tool developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute researchers to visualize pavement condition data as well as provide access to maintenance and rehabilitation plans and historic data. Airport sponsors will learn what data and information is included, how to access it, and tips for interacting with the tool. Moderator: Luis Camargo, Business Ops Project Manager, TxDOT, Aviation Division Clayton Treybig, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (Treybigpresentation slides, 9.8MB) |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Texas Airports Council Meeting (Expo B) Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting Election of 2024-2025 Officers TAC Goals for 2024-2025 General Discussion |
| 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open (Exhibit Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Annual Banquet (Moody Ballroom) TxDOT Aviation Awards Program National/Regional Airport of the Year Local/Basic/Unclassified Airport of the Year State Airport of the Year Airport Professional of the Year Airport Project of the Year Aviation Educator of the Year (K-12) RAMP Coordinator of the Year |
| 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Evening Social (Moody Foyer) |
| Friday, April 26, 2024 | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet (Exhibit Hall) |
| 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Exhibits and Registration Desk Open (Exhibit Hall) |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | FAA Update (Expo B) Ignacio Flores, Director, FAA Southwest Region |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | RAMP Session (Routine Airport Maintenance Program) (Expo B) TxDOT’s Aviation Division administers the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), which matches local government expenditures up to $100,000 for eligible maintenance at publicly owned general aviation airports in 2024. This session will provide more information on RAMP grants, including funding and eligibility requirements. Fernando Hernandez, Business Services Coordinator, TxDOT, Aviation Division David Kirkpatrick, Business Ops Project Manager, TxDOT, Aviation Division |