In this edition:
Airside Updates        Administrative Updates 
airside
TRAFFIC OPERATIONS 


February (temporarily) broke our trend of increasing traffic operations thanks mainly to weather. Freezing temperatures and precipitation across central Texas prevented many of our normal operations. As spring approaches, we expect to continue our upward trend of operations counts.  
TAXIWAY DELTA TEMPORARY CLOSURE


The FAA has flagged Taxiway Delta as a "hot spot" due to its location (adjacent to two intersecting runways) and the fact that it does not conform to the current FAA airfield design standards. With the increase in traffic over the past 12 months, we've received several reports of concerns from local pilots.
 
To get an idea of how the closing of Taxiway Delta would impact operations, it will be temporarily taken out of service. We anticipate the temporarily closure at the end of March and will last approximately one month. A special newsletter will be sent out prior to the closure.
Admin
NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER MANAGER 

Billy Whiting replaced former Air Traffic Tower Manager Mike Keyworth upon his retirement in February 2018. 

Billy brings over 25 years of air traffic experience, including 7.5 years as an Air Force controller. In addition to single engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings, he also has a commercial pilot license and has over 1,300 hours of flight time.  Billy earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems, an A.S. in Police Science, and minor in Human Resource Management. 

Please join us in welcoming Billy to KHYI!
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING RECAP

According to the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Aircraft Operations Counts report, San Marcos Regional was the fastest growing general airport in Texas in terms of takeoffs and landings with a 36.2% increase between 2016 and 2017! We're working closely with City staff to manage the continued growth.
 
Highlights of the March Airport Advisory Board meeting include:
 
  • New signage and striping was approved in the City's FY 2018 budget. The project will include new illuminated sign panels for most runways/taxiways and striping lead-in lines onto Runway 13/31 and other movement areas around the airport.
  • The ATCT and airport are updating a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Air Force for practice operations. Operations have already begun and the LOA's purpose is to allow the Air Force to land and refuel. Practice operations include engine "flame out" simulation along with general pattern work. The tower will continue to operate on a "first come, first serve" basis so normal operations should not be effected.
  • The tower has requested funding for an additional controller position to help expedite requests for IFR flight plans and flight following.
  • The City will be putting together engineered plans for repairs/reconstruction of Taxiways Alpha and Charlie utilizing some data previously collected by TxDOT Aviation. The plan is to have a "shovel-ready" project to secure federal funding in the near future.
  • A request for proposals for a new Airport Master Plan will hit the streets in April. The Master Plan looks at long-term airport use, anticipated projects, and funding needs over the next 10 years. It also assists in land planning for future development.
  • The FAA requires airports to update based aircraft counts on a regular basis. The most recent count shows San Marcos is home to over 250 aircraft!
 
Our next AAB meeting will be held Monday, June 11 at 10:00am at the Airport Management offices located at 4400 Highway 21.
 
Anyone interested in the airport is encouraged to attend! Come by to learn more about what's happening at your airport, meet the Board, and enjoy a free cup of coffee and donuts!
 HISTORIC WWII AIRCRAFT MAKES ITS WAY
TO SAN MARCOS

SAN MARCOS, Texas - A historic World War II plane made its way home to San Marcos Tuesday afternoon. The plane led hundreds of aircraft during D-Day.

If you stop by the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing, you'll likely find a few rare WWII planes.

"It's one of only two flying versions of it anymore," said Andy Maag, showing a plane in the CAF hangar at San Marcos Regional Airport.

The CAF dedicates its time to telling history, as well as preserving it through buying and restoring military aircraft to original condition.

"This is mocked up to look exactly like the plane that's coming this way," said Maag.

Four years ago, the CAF found out about a rare WWII plane in Wisconsin that was withering away. The organization bought the plane and began restoring it two years ago.

"We raised an enormous amount of money to restore that plane back to flying condition, so the plane you are going to see flying here today, it's not done," said Maag.

Flying in from Dallas, the C-47 that led more than 800 planes during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day found its new home in San Marcos.

"This plane is not that different from 74 years ago when those young men were jumping out," said Joe Enzminger, who is helping with the restoration process.

Mechanically, it's fully restored, but the outside as well as the inside will be completely re-done--from the the paratrooper seats to the rushed paint job, even the dog that was on the plane on D-Day.

"They took the flack jackets and they piled them up just behind the pilot and the dog sat with them and rode with them, all the way in and all the way back," said Thomas McDermott.

This project has already cost millions of dollars and likely will cost millions more, but the CAF says restoring history is priceless.

You can visit the plane at the CAF Hangar at the San Marcos Airport.

The goal is to have the plane completely restored by next year. It will be flown to Normady, France, for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
FLY THE FORD
 
The Ford Tri-Motor is returning to HYI! Rides will begin Thursday, March 22 through Sunday, March 25.  For more information or to book your tickets visit www.flytheford.org. 
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE CASINO NIGHT
 

Save-the-date for the CAF Annual Casino Night!  The event is being held on  Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 2249 Airport Drive from 6:00PM - 11:00PM.  
   
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their event page
EAA CHAPTER 958 MEETING

Local EAA Chapter 958 meets every 3rd Saturday of the month at 10:00 am, at Redbird Skyport in the conference room.
 
Meetings are preceded by the VMC club at 9:00 am in the conference room.
 
Their next meeting will be April 21.  Click here for their latest newsletter.  

For more information visit their website .
HYI INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CLUB MEETING

The KHYI Instrument Meteorological Club (IMC) typically meets the third Thursday of each month at Redbird Skyport at 6:30 P.M.
 
Their next meeting will be held on April 19. Complimentary pizza and soft drinks will be provided. 
 
To learn more, or be added to the newsletter list, email Gary White.
CIVIL AIR PATROL TEXAS WING 435th 

The Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing 435th meets the every Tuesday at  6:00pm and is open to members of the public who express interest in joining the Civil Air Patrol.

The unit headquarters is a white building with "435" painted on the door, just in front of the old airport control tower.

Address:  1915 Airport Drive,    San Marcos, TX 78666  
Contact Information:  cc@texhillcap.org(512) 710-8435
FREE POLOS

We had a great response from airport users regarding our free San Marcos Airport polos. If you haven't had a chance to pick yours up, don't fret! We recently received a new order so we're stocked up.

Pictured is the men's polo which we have in large, x-large, and xx-large. We also have a women's version in small, medium, large, and x-large.

Swing by 4400 Highway 21 Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm.