Archive for the ‘Maintenance’ Category
Texas DOT Names Addison 2012 Reliever Airport Manager of the Year
The Texas Department of Transportation named Addison Airport Director Joel Jenkinson the 2012 Reliever Airport Manager of the Year at the 30th annual Texas Aviation Conference in Galveston, March 28-30. Honored to be recognized, Jenkinson said the award “really recognizes the entire airport team, its tenants and users, and the community that supports and sustains it.”
Only 21 airports and their managers are eligible for the award or its twin, the Reliever Airport of the Year, and DOT selects the either/or winner from annual nominations. Airports must demonstrate their contributions to the system with at least five areas where it meets or surpasses the needs of its users. Managers must demonstrate complete and substantial operational knowledge as they strive to to improve, sustain, and develop the airport, demonstrating extraordinary care and concern for its users.
Home to more than 700 aircraft, including more than 250 jets and turboprops, Addison’s single runway accommodates more aircraft on instrument flight plans than any other general aviation airport in the state. Of the 30,000 aircraft that visit Addison each year, roughly a third spend the night, contributing to the airport’s $600+ million economic impact. More than 1,400 people work at airport businesses, and airport-driven employment accounts for more than 3,000 jobs, all but a few in the private sector.
Community support is essential to the prosperity of any airport, said Jenkinson. More than self-sustaining, the airport contributes more than $1 million a year in property taxes to the town’s general fund. The mayor, city council, and Town of Addison senior staff work closely with the airport to develop and refine its strategic vision, charting its course for the next 10-20 years that will sustain and increase the airport’s value to the community and its users.
FAA’s Pat on the Back
FAA named Addison Airport the winner of the agency’s Excellence in Construction Safety award for its recent renovation of runway 15/33. The project team was honored at last Thursday’s FAA Southwest Regions’ 2011 Fall Conference luncheon for exceeding the agency’s already stringent construction safety standards. Work included upgrading and improving approach and airport lighting, drainage and grading.
It’s always nice to know though, that unlike some other towns, Addison’s leaders understand the airport’s value, as well as the day-to-day issues faced at the facility.
Mayor Todd Meier said, “Addison is constantly vigilant when it comes to safety—safety for our pilots, for our tenants, and for the general public. The Town is committed to investing in the airport for the benefit of our tenants, the traveling public and especially our owners, the citizens of Addison. This award recognizes the hard work of the airport and town staff, as well as the contractors, all of whom went above and beyond to complete this important project safely, on-time and under budget.” (more…)