At our last Airport Advisory Board meeting we discussed the need to re-stripe several key areas on the airfield. In order to expedite the process and increase safety, we are working directly with TxDOT Aviation and our local TxDOT Highways office to get these areas painted as quickly as possible. In the coming weeks, we plan to tackle the following: all hold-short lines, all lead-in lines, Runway 8/26, and Runway 17/35. Be on the lookout for newsletters and NOTAMs as some areas will need to be closed while the work is being performed. 

Also on the topic of safety, our takeoffs and landings are holding steady at close to 400 per day. As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we’re working directly with the Air Traffic Control Tower manager to submit all the required paperwork for extended tower operating hours. One major requirement is showing proof of after-hour traffic counts. If you need us after 7:00pm, we’ll be listening to LiveATC feverishly making tally marks. It’s tedious but necessary.

And finally, we have an update on the Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (RAILs) located at the approach of Runway 13. As many of our airport users already know, the RAILs (which were installed in the 1970s) have been out of service for some time.

These lights are located in a flood plain and the system was damaged by flood waters. After multiple repairs, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – which owns and maintains the entire system – halted further repairs until a decision could be made as to whether or not the RAILs should be decommissioned.

Despite our numerous attempts to convince them otherwise, they opted to stop maintenance and officially decommission them. In the end, this means the minimums to Runway 13 will increase. We are currently waiting to hear back from the FAA regarding what the new minimums will be and exactly what equipment will be removed and when. We will update you as we receive more information.

Updates to the charts/publications are currently scheduled for August 2021.  

As always, give us a call if you have any questions and we hope you and your families have a fun and safe Halloween!

Happy Flying,
Stacey Batch
Director of Operations and Administration