AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - July 2011 - 4

PRESIDENT’SPOSITION

BY CRAIG FULLER
AOPA PRESIDENT

Don’t mess with Texas

“D

on’t mess with Texas” is more than just a slogan representing the pride and can-do spirit of the state, which almost 31,000 of our

With an extraordinary past

and anticipating an exciting and innovative future, Texas of general aviation.

shows the world the very best

Consider these examples: Texas has 21 public reliever airports and 18 of those have control towers, with the remaining five preparing to add control towers in the near future. • Texas launched a program to build general aviation terminals and has built 42 in the past 17 years. • In need of ramps, Texas launched a ramp program in 1996. Last year, 183 ramp contracts were offered and so far this year, there are another 168. AOPA members call home. Texas is a place where • We know the importance of having access to general aviation is not to be messed with, either— current weather at airports. So does Texas, where AOPA President Craig Fuller because it’s working! 83 AWOS sites have been developed in the past 13 travels the United I’ve visited the state several times recently years, bringing the total number of AWOS sites in States meeting to participate in forums, meetings with elected Texas to more than 157. members and officials, Town Hall gatherings, and an airport • Even in difficult times, Texas has recognized the promoting GA. opening. All these experiences allowed me to importance of funding its airports, investing just better understand the commitment leaders in more than $1 billion in grants in the past 20 years. Texas have made to aviation. Frankly, that commitment is Every time I visit Texas, I also see the commitment to innovation in aviation. I had the chance to conduct a something from which the rest of the nation could learn. Pilot Town Hall meeting at West Houston Airport, which is owned and operated by Woody Lesikar, a great friend of AOPA. On this visit, I met Ron Henriksen who, after successfully developing Houston Executive Airport, decided that Austin needed another reliever airport. He invited me back for the opening of Austin Executive, which occurred just a few weeks ago. This spectacular new facility is clearly open for business. With so many wonderful things happening in Texas aviation, it’s no wonder that a new and exciting approach to flight simulators would blossom here. And that is exactly what is happening at Redbird Flight Simulations in Austin. Look for new and exciting developments from this young company under the seasoned, experienced, and innovative leadership of Jerry Gregoire and his fine team. You’ll also want to keep an eye on what happens at San Marcos MuniciAs always, leadership counts, and David Fulton, director of pal Airport near Austin, where a flight training laboratory is the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, has taking shape soon. These efforts will most certainly help all been pursuing a positive vision during the past two decades. of us chart a more successful course as we work to build the And it doesn’t hurt that the state governor is a pilot. So, too, pilot population. are the lieutenant governor and several key members of the With an extraordinary past and anticipating an exciting legislature. I’ve had a chance to talk about flying with a very and innovative future, Texas shows the world the very best engaged Gov. Rick Perry. Then, durof general aviation. Take time to visit ing our recent meeting, Lt. Gov. David and experience it for yourself. You Dewhurst renewed his AOPA memwill come away with a real feeling of bership! But Texas was committed to optimism which has always been at aviation long before these leaders took AOPA Aviation Summit the heart of what happens in Texas. office. For 20 years, across numerous Join AOPA President Craig Fuller for AOPA And, by the way, the barbeque is not administrations, Fulton has pursued a Aviation Summit, September 22 through bad, either! remarkable effort to benefit all of GA— 24, in Hartford, Connecticut. www.aopa.org/summit indeed, to benefit people throughout Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at the state. craig@aopa.org.

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AOPA PILOT •

4 • JULY 2011

http://www.aopa.org/summit

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - July 2011

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