February 14th is known around the globe as Valentine’s Day, the annual celebration of love. Around the office, we call it “Deed Day” since it marks the anniversary of the transfer of ownership of the airport to the City of San Marcos from Uncle Sam in 1966 (56 years ago for those who don’t care to do the math).
Over the past 5+ decades, the entire Central Texas region has grown exponentially, and all indications are that it won’t slow down anytime soon. As the Operator of the airport, we must take steps to protect the region’s greatest asset. As such, we have asked for – and Council has approved – the creation of a Zoning Ordinance.
The Ordinance will include two aspects – height restrictions (which are already in place via the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 77 surfaces) and compatible land use. In plain language, homes and airports don’t always work well together and we want to encourage development around the airport that is, well, compatible!
The creation of this Ordinance will not be a quick process and we will want the participation of our customers and neighbors. We encourage anyone who wants to learn more or to provide feedback to continue to monitor these newsletters, attend our Airport Advisory Board (AAB) meetings, and attend any public meetings (which we’ll advertise here in our monthly newsletters and elsewhere).
More information on our next AAB meeting is below but I also wanted to take a quick moment to thank the following Board Members and Stakeholders whose terms end on February 28: Scott Gregson, Travis Ahlhorn, Alexandra Fortier, Russel Ross, and Joe Enzminger.
In March, we’ll introduce our new members and look forward to a great turnout!
Happy Flying,
Cassidy Berenato
Vice President
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MONTHLY TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
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Annual total operations by year:
2017: 66,781
2018: 59,679
2019: 63,955
2020: 78,010
2021: 82,368
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With 2021 being a record year, we're excited to see what 2022 brings. We monitor operations each month to help us secure funding for future airport projects and improvements. The operations (aircraft landings and takeoffs) are counted every day during the Air Traffic Control Tower's hours of 7:00am to 9:00pm. Operations that occur outside of these hours are not tracked.
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AIRPORT ITEM ON UPCOMING COUNCIL AGENDA
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Please note, the airport has an item on the City Council agenda for Tuesday, March 1.
Item 13: "Consider approval of Resolution 2022-52R, expressing support for the taxiway Charlie Reconstruction Project at the San Marcos Regional Airport and authorizing the City's participation in the Project with the Texas Department of Transportation's Aviation Division by contributing ten percent of construction costs in the estimated amount of $526,050.00; authorizing the City Manager or her designee to execute all documents related to the Project; and declaring an effective date."
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Cory Morrow’s, Go Wheels Up! Texas is a high-energy, family-friendly celebration of aviation, music, automobiles, and Texas! The third year of the now annual event will be held Saturday, May 28th at the San Marcos Regional Airport. Created for spectators from all walks of life, this uplifting and memorable weekend features an air show, auto show, concert and food trucks designed to grow the San Marcos Regional Airport into one of central Texas’ premier event destinations.
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AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
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Our next AAB meeting will be held Thursday, March 24 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 meet the Board and learn more about what's happening at your airport.
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It has come to our attention that aircraft have been using the vehicle lane to taxi.
The vehicle lane is not for taxiing aircraft. It is for vehicle traffic only.
By taxiing along the vehicle lane, you run the risk of colliding with vehicles. Additionally, some areas along the vehicle lane contain drainage grates that may cause damage to aircraft.
Please use other parts of the ramp to taxi. We have placed cones in some areas as reminder.
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Please note, in the coming months we will be changing the gate code.
Further information will also be sent out directly to all tenants. If you have any questions, please contact the office at (512) 216-6042.
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The most historically significant aircraft still flying doesn’t live at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, or at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH, but right here in San Marcos, TX.
That’s All, Brother is a C-47 that led 800 others dropping 13,000 troops over Normandy on D-Day - the invasion that marked the beginning of the end of World War II. You can visit That’s All, Brother by visiting the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing at the San Marcos Regional Airport.
The history doesn’t stop there! The Central Texas Wing, in partnership with the City of San Marcos, has restored one of the last remaining wood World War II hangars - a hangar that once housed the Army Air Corps Navigation School and helped train Tuskegee Airmen.
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In addition to That’s All, Brother, visitors will find one of the only three flying P-39 Airacobras, a T-6 Texan “Pilot Maker”, the venerable BT-13 Vultee, a C-45 Expeditor, a U-3 executive transport, and of course, the B-25 Yellow Rose.
The B-25 was made famous by the daring Doolittle Raid Over Tokyo - 80 men flying 16 bombers from the deck of a carrier on a one-way mission to avenge the attack on Pearl Harbor. The mission stunned the Japanese and provided a morale boost to a shocked America. Two Central Texas men - Hank Potter and Richard Cole - flew with Doolittle on that historic raid.
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The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M and admission is free. Visitors can tour the aircraft and the museum and visit our Post Exchange.
Kids can sit in one of our two cockpits. Soon you’ll be able to try your hand flying our That’s All, Brother simulator. If you are feeling adventurous you can even purchase a flight experience in one of our warbirds!
Interested in becoming part of our team? We are an all volunteer organization and are always looking for people with a love of aviation and history to help us make sure the lessons of the Greatest Generation are not lost to history.
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Austin Pets Alive! transport team receives a high volume of requests from rural shelters in the TX area looking for transport from those shelters to Austin and its surrounding areas. They are attempting to put together a list of volunteer pilots who would be willing to assist with these transports on a regular basis.
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NEW AIRPORT SHIRTS ARE HERE!
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After a slight delay, we're happy to report that our newest airport t-shirts are now available!
Feel free to swing by the Airport Management office during the week to grab yours.
Did we mention they're free?!
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Testing is available by appointment only Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. To schedule a test time, please call the office at (512) 216-6042.
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LOCAL AVIATION NON-PROFIT MEETINGS
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KHYI INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CLUB
IMC meetings are held the third Thursday of each month.
Follow their Facebook page for more information or email Gary White to be added to the newsletter.
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EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 958
Meetings are held every third Saturday at 10:30am in the CAF Hangar, Officers Club.
For more information visit their website.
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CIVIL AIR PATROL TEXAS WING 435
Meetings are held every Tuesday.
For more information, visit their website, send an email, or call (512) 710-8435.
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