January 28, 2015
Double rainbow viewed from the Air Traffic Control Tower.
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2014 Year in Review
 

For San Marcos Regional, 2014 was a year of intense planning punctuated with exciting events and much needed upgrades.

As your airport management team, Texas Aviation Partners (TAP) is more excited than ever about the possibilities that lie ahead. As users of the airport already know, San Marcos Regional is a valuable asset to the entire Central Texas community. With the support of the City, TAP has the expertise and tools to showcase the airport's unique value and benefits. 

Read on for a brief recap of some things you may have missed this year.  
 

AIRPORT BUSINESS PLAN
Utilizing a TxDOT grant, Texas Aviation Partners (TAP) completed and presented to Council a 3-5 year business plan for the airport. There are three key areas of focus: real estate, finances/business development, and marketing/branding. It is our sincere belief that with the proper community support, the airport has the ability to become the centerpiece of the City. As the only airport in Texas designated as a reliever to two international airports, and as the largest City-owned tract of property available for development, we have a real opportunity to serve a prominent role for both the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) and the community as a whole. To further these goals, a vision statement was established: "San Marcos Regional Airport will be a premier gateway to the Central Texas region acting as a catalyst for jobs, investment, and innovation by leveraging the area's emerging economic strengths." 
 
TOWER RADAR
After several trips to DC along with the help of Congressman Doggett, the Normandy Group, and other elected officials, a Terminal Radar Display went live in the tower in August. The radar uses a real-time feed from the Austin-Bergstrom tower and assists our controllers in safely and efficiently guiding aircraft into the airport.

Congressman Doggett admiring the new radar with air traffic controller, Ed Mears.


UPDATED NAME  
In mid-2012, the FAA conducted a study that re-categorized many airports across the country, including San Marcos. To reflect our new regional status,  the proper paperwork was submitted to the FAA and TxDOT to change our name to San Marcos Regional Airport. We received permission to immediately begin using the new moniker although it may take up to a year for the change to show up in many pilot publications.

NEW LOGO
With the updated name came an official airport logo. The logo was designed to communicate a fresh, innovative brand to help attract new tenants and business to the airfield.  

ENTRANCE & DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE
A new entrance sign, tenant directory, and wayfinding signs were created to assist in navigating the airfield as well as set the standard for future signs at the Airport. Over the next couple of weeks, you'll notice a few more tweaks. The wayfinding sign vinyl is being replaced with larger, easier to read graphics and the entrance sign is being boxed to give it a more polished look.

Tenant directory sign.
One of several wayfinding signs with larger graphics. 

AOPA REGIONAL FLY-IN
San Marcos hosted the first-ever Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) Regional Fly-In on April 26. AOPA estimations put attendance at over 2,700 with people flying and driving from all over Texas and neighboring states. Even with morning instrument flight  conditions, San Marcos was the highest attended fly-in behind AOPA's homecoming event in Maryland! In case you missed it, we put together a short video that includes a time lapse of the event and some pictures.  

Click on the image to see the video on YouTube!
 
GPS APPROACHES
GPS approaches to all six runways were officially published in 2014. These approaches help increase the functionality and overall safety of the airport. 

REMODEL OF AIRPORT MANAGEMENT OFFICES 
The City recently completed the remodel of the airport management offices located at 4400 Airport Highway 21. The building, which was acquired from Texas State University in 2013, was in desperate need of a facelift. In addition to housing airport management, the building is serving as the temporary home of the City's CIP and Engineering departments while their offices are remodeled. In the near future, Airport Commission meetings will be hosted here as a more convenient location for airport business owners and users.

Aviation-themed decor coming soon! 

RUNWAY 13/31 GRANT AWARDED
The reconstruction of runway 13/31 was officially approved by TxDOT in 2014. Construction, scheduled to begin in a few months, will also include an engine run-up area, precision approach path indicators (PAPIs) on runways 13, 31, and 17, and a widened airport entrance.

AIRPORT SECURITY FENCING GRANT AWARDED
TxDOT also approved the design and construction of security fencing and access gates along Airport Drive to limit vehicular access to the Aircraft Operating Area (AOA). Additionally, the City is contributing funds for parking lot construction. The main goal of the fence is to increase safety. Requiring a code to access the AOA prevents accidental incursions and limits the number of vehicles operating among aircraft. Planning sessions with airport businesses and users are coming soon!
FM 110 PLANNING 
TAP has been working closely with the City and engineers to ensure FM 110 provides the maximum benefit to the airport without interference to normal aircraft operations. For those unfamiliar with the project, the new limited access road will traverse the airport to the west. The City is in discussions with our engineers to possibly incorporate a new safer main entrance to the airport as part of this project.


Map of proposed FM 110 in relation to the airport.

BRUSH REMOVAL
In a continued effort to increase overall curb appeal, more tree and brush clearing was done along Highway 21 and the old greenhouse on the former Texas State property was demolished.

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE 
TAP worked diligently with the City to secure funding for some much-needed renovations to the CAF hangar - the only remaining original WWII hangar on the airfield! Stay tuned for a special newsletter about the remodel with before and after pictures.

San Marcos Regional Airport is professionally managed by Texas Aviation Partners. Visit our website for more information or call (512) 216-6042.