State Aviation Journal 2016 NASAO Special Edition
NASAO Recognizes South Carolina for Innovative UAS Program
Changing of the Guard Louisiana’s Brad Brandt NASAO’s New Chair
San Antonio Hosts 85th NASAO Convention and Trade Show 2016 NASAO Special Edition
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL
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Contents From the Publisher
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Checking Out Historic Stinson Airport
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Committees and Pre-Conference Seminars are Focus of Weekend
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Opening reception with Exhibitors
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Politics Served Up for Lunch
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NASAO Presents Great Line-up of Session Speakers
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NASAO Roundtable has New Look and Feel
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Reception and Annual Awards Dinner Page 30 South Carolina Takes Innovative Program Award
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Twilight at the Tower
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2016 NASAO Class Photo
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From the Publisher
Coming Full Circle Traveling to San Antonio for the 85th Annual NASAO Convention and Trade
Show had special meaning for me. My very first convention of the Association of State Aviation Officials took place in San Antonio in 1992 – 24 years ago. That’s a little hard for me to wrap my brain around sometimes. I was still wet behind the ears, having only been in the director’s position of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics a short while. The whole world of state aviation had just barely begun to open up to me. Helping to expose me to this new world was Diane Hofer, Nebraska’s State Airport Engineer at the time, who accompanied me to San Antonio that year and introduced me to a couple of state aviation directors whom I have come to consider very good friends; Gary Adams and Dick Spaeth, Arizona and Wyoming respectively at the time. Both, in their own unique way, had a large impact on my life and my career as a state aviation official. With the knowledge that we were heading back to San Antonio, I invited and was pleased to hear, that Diane, Gary and Dick would also plan on being there. It was great to be able to see and spend a little time with them and reminisce about that first meeting so many years ago. Aviation can be a small world, and for those involved in state aviation, even smaller. Diane, Gary and Dick have gone on to lead very interesting and successful lives and I feel privileged that our paths have intersected so many times and in different ways. But that’s how it is, and has been, with so many amazing people. Each time our lives converge there is the opportunity to build on, and find value in, that experience. We are enriched by the many relationships we cultivate over our lifetime. We all have San Antonios in our life - those moments in time when we seem to have come full circle. My first reaction was to look at it as closure; the book is finished - time to put it on the shelf. But I soon realized that this was just another chapter, another trip around the sun. I’m not sure how many journeys are left, and whose life will intersect mine next; but the book’s not finished. One thing I do know, however, is that based on the amazing world we live in, the author will have some interesting choices.
From left are Gary Adams, Stevens, Nel Stubbs, Dick Spaeth and Diane Hofer.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
San Antonio River Walk
Photos by Kim Stevens
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Enjoying the Stinson Airport tour are from left Mike Klein, Greg Principato and Gary Cathey.
NASAO Attendees Tour Historic Stinson Airport On Sunday, conference attendees boarded buses for a luncheon and tour of historic Stinson Municipal Airport which lies six miles south of San Antonio. Stinson is the second oldest general aviation airport in continuous operation in the United States and is the primary reliever for general aviation traffic in San Antonio. It all goes back to the year 1915, when three siblings and two passions all came together to create the Stinson School of Flying. The people were Marjorie, Katherine and Eddie Stinson. With a plan in place, Katherine got to work in starting the school. Eddie Stinson, her brother, selected a plot of land south of town just west of the San Antonio River. Her sister, Marjorie, went to City Council to petition them to open up the school. City Council rented her 500 acres for $5 per year. During World War I and afterwards, the airfield was run by the City of San Antonio. According to O’Krongley, the airport was used primarily by barnstormers and experimental pilots until the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. For a few years, Stinson served as a commercial airport with airline service from American, Braniff and Eastern Airlines. In 1935/1936, a new terminal building was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. Stinson continues to grow. In 2008, a major capital project to expand the terminal continued on next page Page 6
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
Charlene and James Stephens.
Stinson Airport tower.
Morris Martin
Summer Marr, left and Sarah Arnold.
Dave Fulton
Dr. John Eagerton, left and Ronnie Mitchell.
continued from previous page
Dale and Ann Williams.
was completed. The expansion added two wings and more than 24,000 square feet of additional space for administrative, concession, corporate Fixed-Based Operators, education and commercial uses. Importantly, the expansion left the original terminal virtually untouched. Behind all the growth and change at the airport is the spirit of the Stinson family, three people who had a love of flying so strong it continues to tower over San Antonio even today.
From left are Kyle Wanner, Ashish Solanki and Mark Kimberling.
From left are Nel Stubbs, Paul Meyers and Debbie Alke.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Marcus Stevens
Alex Lynch takes footage of the Stinson tower.
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Committees and Pre-Conference Seminars Focus of Weekend Typically for NASAO, the weekend prior to the main event begins with committee meetings. That was true for the 85th Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio as well. What was not typical, was the renaming of some of the committee meetings to “pre-conference” seminars. According to NASAO staff, this was done to open the meetings up to all attendees and help drive attendance. “We typically have great information being shared in these meetings by topnotch presenters,” said Kim Stevens, continued on next page
Bruce DeCleene
The NASAO Board met on Saturday afternoon. From left are Mark Kimberling, Greg Principato, Gary Cathey and Brad Brandt.
Mike O’Donnell
Kevin Groeneweg
The NASAO Board of Directors meet Saturday afternoon in San Antonio.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
Brooke Chapman
Bill Orellana (Tennessee) and Carol Comer (Georgia).
continued from previous page NASAO Director of Communications. “It just made sense to open the meetings up to everyone.” The committee meetings that became pre-conference seminars on Sunday included UAS, NextGen, Air Service, Wildlife and Security. Speakers included Bill Crozier, FAA UAS Office (UAS session), Bruce DeCleene Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, FAA (NextGen session), Michael O’Donnell, FAA, Mike Begier, USDA (Wildlife session), Kevin Groeneweg, CEO of IWAPI and Michael Martin and Brooke Chapman, Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program, both with the Office of continued on next page
Elliott Black addresses the NASAO State Block Grant Committee.
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Committees continued from previous page Aviation Analysis, U.S. Department of Transportation (Air Service session). Also on Sunday was a meeting of the State Block Grant Committee. FAA’s Elliott Black, Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming addressed the group. On Saturday, a lunch was provided for members prior to a line-up which included the NASAO Finance, Legislative, Center and NASAO Board of Directors meetings. After the meetings, the NASAO Board of Directors held a reception from 5 to 6p.m. at the Ruth Chris located in the conference hotel. Mark Kimberling, NASAO (standing), talks with James Stephens and Amy Ludwig.
Marcy Meyer (Nebraska) looks over NextGen information.
Bobby Walston (North Carolina) looks over board information.
FAA’s Bill Crozier discusses UAS in a NASAO pre-conference seminar.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
What’s Around the Bend for 2017? Find out in the State Aviation Journal
2016 NASAO Special Edition
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Prior to the ribbon cutting, attendees are welcomed to San Antonio. From left are Gary Cathey, Dave Fulton and Greg Principato.
Opening Reception with Exhibitors Sets Stage for Great Convention This year’s lineup of aviation companies, associations and others, displaying their products and services in San Antonio for the 85th NASAO Annual Convention and Tradeshow saw an increase from the previous year. The number of exhibitors which included some newcomers to the NASAO Convention was thirty four. According to NASAO, the increase was a combination of location and hard work, especially from NASAO meeting planner, Tracy MacDonald. A ribbon cutting and reception with the exhibitors took place Sunday evening. Dave Fulton, Texas Kari Campbell and Greg Miller. Aviation Division Director, with the assistance of Gary Cathey, NASAO Chairman and Greg Principato, President and CEO of NASAO, Page 12
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cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the event. The Kimley-Horn team, a longtime exhibitor, said they enjoyed exhibiting at NASAO in San Antonio. “From continued on next page
Dr. John Eagerton (Alabama), left and Travis Vallin (Jviation).
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Attendees wait for the ribbon cutting officially kicking-off the 85th Annual NASAO Convention and Trade Show. Thirty four exhibitors and three hundred fifty attendees registered for this year’s event.
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From left are T.K. Gwin, Tim Winkelman and Mike Maynard. Tennessee’s Lyle Monroe, left and Bill Orellano.
Exhibitors continued from previous page the number of attendees to the great location, the conference afforded us an opportunity to continue growing our relationships with NASAO colleagues and friends and learn about upcoming projects,” said Pam Keidel-Adams, Regional Vice President. Wayne Seiler and Sabrina Wagahoff with All About Pavements, Inc. agree. “Based on the excellent turnout at the conference, Sabrina and I both feel that the NASAO conference is always worth exhibiting year after year,”
From left are NBAA’s Alex Gertsen, Stacy Howard and Bob Quinn.
continued on page 17
Representing the FAA are from left, Jill Olson, Lauren Priem, Terry Rhea, Guy Copeland and Scott Jerden.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
Greg and Judi Chenoweth. From left are Bobby Walston, Mike Burrows and Brad Brandt.
From left are Randy and Linda Burdette and Mike O’Donnell.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Grayson Ardies with Melissa Kaplan, left and Tammy Schoen on the right.
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL Page 15
Erlinda Ibe and Kurt Haukohl, left talk with Adair Norman and Brian Aho of ARA.
Kyle Bading, Stay-Tuff.
Dean Saucier (NBAA), left and Chris Willenborg, Airport Solutions Group.
From left are Mike Pape, Stephanie Ward, Regan Schnug and Pat Morley.
From left are Jessica Mackaro, Marketing Specialist at Vaisala, Burt Murillo, Southwest Sales Manager at Vaisala and Candace Spillers-Wood, Sales Man- From left are, Merril Atwater, Kansas, Mark Williams, Garver ager for DBT Transportation Services. and James Stephens, South Carolina.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
Monday Sessions
Exhibitors
David Smith, South Carolina and Ben Carter, Data Wing.
continued from page 14 said Seiler. “It is a great way to meet potential clients and sustain relationships with current clients face to face. We just enjoy ourselves at NASAO every year.” Location can make a difference. Kyle Potvin, a senior engineer with Applied Pavement Technology said one of the things that makes NASAO’s annual conference special is its change in venue each year. “This is exciting
From left are Tony McCloskey, Dave Ulane and Guy Rouelle.
continued on next page
Chase Stockon, Panther International speaks with Idaho’s Melissa Kaplan and Tammy Schoen.
Charlie Riordan, AAP, Inc., left and Steve Brian, Georgia.
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Exhibitors
Applied Pavement Technology’s Maggie Covalt and Kyle Potvin.
continued from previous page for all attendees, including the exhibitors, and makes for a unique opportunity to see new things and share in that experience with everyone,” said Potvin. “This year’s location was a great one and produced more fond memories with our NASAO friends!” Of course, it always helps to come away with the prospect of earning new business. Barbara Baca, Sales Manager for All Weather, Inc. (AWI) said they will deliver several solutions during 2017 as a direct result of their attendance. “As usual the NASAO convention provided All Weather, Inc. (AWI) with a great forum to meet new customers as well as reacquaint with old friends. NASAO is one of the few events all year providing the opportunity to see so many customers from around the country in a single location.”
Brian Aho with Applied Research Associates.
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Pam Keidel-Adams, Kimley-Horn, talks with Tristan Atkins, center, and Robert Hodgeman from Washington State.
From left with Robinson Aviation are, Mike Feely, Marcus Stevens, and Charlie Taylor.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Monday lunch featured speaker David White.
Political Humor Served Up for Monday Lunch Serving up a bit of political humor during the traditional Monday lunch was David White, the founding partner & Chief Executive Officer of Public Blueprint. Engagement in politics and policy is nothing new for White, who was politically active during his college years and served as Governor Rick Perry’s political director in his re-election battle with a heavily-favored U.S. Senator and popular Houston mayor. In his roll at Public Blueprint, White serves as chief strategist and is known for his ability to see the big picture. White exhibited that talent for seeing things from a different angle and offering outside-the-box approaches as he described the presidential campaigns of both Hilary Greg Principato introduces Clinton and Donald Trump, offering commentary that was both humorous and thought proWhite. voking at times. White, a native of Whitewright, Texas has made his way to the top of state politics with a combination of street smarts, relationship skills and an unmatched work ethic, which earned him a series of prominent positions in state government.
David White provided his thoughts on the presidential race between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump.
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Bill Hutto, Airport Director, Auburn University, speakes with an attendee. Clockwise are Marcy Meyer, Manager, Nebraska NavAids Division, and Jeff Campbell, Managing Partner of Vertical Aspect.
General Session Lineup Packs Powerfu
Drawing on a great lineup of speakers representing the host state of Tex and informative men and women from around the country, the general se on Monday and Tuesday drew large numbers from the aviation industry. Aviation Director for the San Antonio Airport System welcomed attendee morning followed by Dr. David Ellis, a Senior Research Scientist and Pro Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Ellis used his research on transportation supply, demand and finance, tr modeling and forecasting fuel tax and other transportation revenue source economy and forecast for the health and well-being of our country includ on aviation. Later on Monday, panel discussions included the topics of w NextGen. Speakers on the workforce development topic included Dr. William Hu the Auburn University Regional Airport, Brittney Miculka, Director of Im Gary Cathey, California, recognized Carol Comer, Georgia for her service to NASAO.
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2016 NASAO Special Edition
ul Punch
xas to a cadre of interesting essions which took place Tim O’Krongley, Deputy es to San Antonio Monday ogram Manager for the
ransportation tax policy, es to talk about the current ding the status and impact workforce development and
utto, Airport Director for magineFlight for Redbird continued on next page
Greg Pricipato talks with Brittney Miculka after her presentation on workforce development. At the top of the page, Bill Orellana moderates a panel discussion on attracting and retaining a great aviation workforce.
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Mike Pape (Idaho), left and Kyle Wanner (North Dakota).
Mike Klein (Arizona) and Cassandra Isackson (Minnesota).
General Sessions continued from previous page Flight Simulations, and Dr. Seth Young, Director of the Center for Aviation Studies at The Ohio State University. Panel moderator for the group, which discussed how to attract and retain a great aviation workforce, was Bill Orellana, Director of the Tennessee Aeronautics Division. The NextGen panel included Don Walker, Surveillance Team Lead, Systems and Equipment Standards, FAA, Matt Massiano, Director Business Development, Saab-Sensis and Marcy Meyer, Manager of the Navigational Aids Division for the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. Panel moderator was Pam Keidel-Adams, Regional Vice President and Aviation Planning Lender for Kimley-Horn. continued on page 24
Pam Keidel-Adams
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Seth Young, Ohio State University.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
William Goodwin
Don Walker, FAA.
Dr. David Ellis
Matt Massiano, Saab-Sensis
Headwinds or tailwinds. Dr. David Ellis talks about the economy.
Scott Miller, Valero Energy Corportation addressed how aviation is navigating changing times.
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Barry Cooper, FAA.
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL Page 23
Reggie Govan, left, addresses UAS from the FAA’s perspective. Dr. John Eagerton moderated the UAS panel.
General Sessions continued from page 22 Tuesday’s lineup included UAS emerging technologies and utilizations and legal issues. Speakers of the popular and relevant topic included Jeffrey Campbell, Managing Partner with Vertical Aspect, Landon Phillips, Vice President of Operations for Data Wing, Daniel Mendez, Airworthiness and Standardization Engineer with Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation, William Goodwin, General Counsel with AirMap, Ben Husch, Senior Committee Director for the National Conference of State Legislatures, Reggie Govan, Chief Counsel, FAA and Peter Kirsch, Partner with Kaplan Kirsch and Rockwell. Moderating the UAS panels were Dr. John Eagerton, Bureau Chief of the Alabama Bureau of Aviation and James Stephens, Executive Director of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. Both Stephens and Eagerton play a large part in the development of the UAS Page 24
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industry in their state. Dave Fulton, Texas Aviation Division Director, introduced Scott Miller, Senior Manager Aviation Safety and Travel Services for Valero Energy Corporation, who addressed how aviation is navigating changing times.
Peter Kirsch speaks to the legal issues of UAS.
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Meyers, standing, facilitated the two hour session with state aviation directors.
NASAO Roundtable Has New Look and Feel Vic Bird
While referred to in the conference agenda as the “NASAO Members Roundtable,” it was really a “NASAO Members Leadership and Management Workshop. David Benner, a consultant with Aviation Management Consulting Group (AMCG) and Paul Meyers, Principal and CEO of AMCG facilitated the two hour session
Tuesday afternoon. “We wanted to do something different this year with the NASAO Members Roundtable session. We wanted to mix it up, get people moving, have some fun, and provide opportunities for dialogue and interaction. The theme of the workshop was “knowledge is nothing - without application and action”. Meyers said that he and Benner worked with directors to help them figure out the best way to take knowledge (gained from the conference) and apply it back home. “We had an ice breaker to get things started, we discussed the workshop theme, identified key areas for discussion, had small group breakouts, and reported back (on “best practices” approaches for applying knowledge) to the entire group. We concluded the session with directors writing a letter to themselves about the specific action Marty Blake, Indiana, reports out key items from their discussion.
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continued on next page
State aviation directors participate in one of serveral breakout sessions.
Roundtable continued from previous page
Ashish Solanki
Bobby Walston
they want to take when they get back home. We’re going to mail the letter to them in a couple of months - so, they can see how they’re doing.” “At the end of the day, we received positive feedback from a number of directors who participated in the session,” said Benner. “So, overall, we thought it went very well.”
Cassandra Isackson
Good discussion takes place in one of the breakout sessions.
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Above - Jonathan Moody provided the entertainment. At right, Mike Pape poses with Tammy Schoen, left and Melissa Kaplan.
Reception and Annual Awards Dinner Tops Off Eventful Week The Tuesday night festivities capped off a terrific week
in San Antonio for the attendees of the 85th Annual NASAO Convention and Trade Show. A closing reception celebrating Alabama the site of next year’s convention was sponsored by Garver and preceded the annual awards dinner. Jviation sponsored the dinner, which was followed by the presentation of awards which included; the State continued on next page
Dr. John Eagerton, left and Todd Bloch.
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Greg and Ann Principato, left, with Merrill Atwater.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Barb Fritsch and Mike Maynard with Jviation. From left are BriAnna Wanner, Frank Farmer and Kyle Wanner.
continued from previous page Aviation Newsletter Award; National Journalism Award; Most Innovative State Program Award; the Aviation Education Award; the State Aviation Distinguished Service Award and the Kenneth Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award. NASAO President Greg Principato and Chairman Gary Cathey (California) also CONGRATULATIONS presented their awards.
Award Photos Begin On Page 30
NASAO 2016 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Congratulations to our friends and colleagues for another great annual conference. And congratulations to our own Maggie Covalt, winner of the 2016 NASAO President’s Award!
Ann Williams
Providing engineering solutions to improve pavement performance
appliedpavement.com
Steve Summers, left and Mike Covalt.
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Eagerton Named Ambassador of Aviation
Covalt Receives President’s Award Dr. John Eagerton, Chief of the Alabama Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau, was honored with the Kenneth A. Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award. Eagerton said he was deeply humbled and honored to be the 2016 recipient. “I’d especially like to thank Victor Bird and Greg Principato for their kind remarks at our closing dinner and to thank all the others who participated in my nomination,” said Eagerton. “The members of NASAO, past and present, are among the finest aviation advocates in the country and it is my privilege to be one of their colleagues.”
The President’s award was presented to Maggie Covalt, Applied Pavement Technology, by NASAO President Greg Principato. “I am so honored to receive the 2016 President’s award from NASAO,” said Covalt, who became involved with NASAO in 1986. “After just a few days of exposure to the organization I knew state aviation officials and those that support them are a very special group.” So special that Covalt purposefully structured a career path that would enable her to stay closely connected with the NASAO family. “Thank you to the many members over the decades that have mentored, encouraged, and shared their knowledge and perspective with me.”
Idaho Presented with AvEd Award Gary Cathey, NASAO Chiar, presented the NASAO Center Aviation Education Award to the State of Idaho for their ACE Academy. Shown at right with Cathey, (center) are Tammy Schoen and Mike Pape. “Our goal is to capture the attention of our youth and inspire them into action,” said Pape. “For the students, it’s a chance to learn about the exciting careers that await them – whether it’s flying a commercial airplane, operating an airport or just exploring. “Every year, the ACE Academy strives to give Idaho students the opportunity to experience aviation from ‘behind the scenes,’” he explained. “It is important to figure out the ‘hook,’ and most of the time, technology is it. We encourage our youth to pursue Page 30
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aviation careers on all levels,” said ACE Academy Coordinator Tammy Schoen. “Our goals are simple,” Schoen said. “We want to share aviation with as many students as we can and encourage them to pursue aviation as a lifelong career.”
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Alaska’s Maggard Receives NASAO Distinguished Service Award Roger Maggard, Statewide Airport Development Manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Statewide Aviation Office, was presented the 2016 NASAO Distinguished Service Award. Maggard develops and maintains the Airport Improvement Program spending plan, and maintains the scoring system for ranking capital projects. John Binder, Deputy Commissioner said it was an honor for the Alaska Department of Transportation to have Roger recognized for the 2016 award. “Roger has served the State of Alaska for over 39 years with most of that time dedicated to managing the largest Airport Improvement Program in the country,” said Binder. “He is a pillar of our Statewide Aviation team and excels in his service to the Alaska Aviation System.”
Maggard, left and John Binder.
NASAO established the State Aviation Distinguished Service Award to honor State Aviation personnel who have excelled in their service and dedication to aviation progress and development in their state. “We sincerely appreciate NASAO recognizing significant achievements in the aviation community and honoring state aviation personnel for their contributions,” said Binder.
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Airport Improvement Magazine Most Innovative Program Goes to South Carolina Receives National Journalism Award NASAO presented its National Journalism Award to Paul Bowers, Publisher of Airport Improvement Magazine during the 85th Annual NASAO Convention and Tradeshow. “Thank you NASAO for the National Journalism Award,” said Bowers. “We’re humbled and honored that the association recognizes our efforts to cover this great industry.” The National Journalism Award is designed to recognize superior Paul Bowers news coverage of aviation issues by both the mass media and the aviation trade press. “That’s exactly what you have with Airport Improvement Magazine,” said Kim Stevens, NASAO Director of Communications. “Paul and his team have been providing a topnotch product for many years.” Airport Improvement Magazine provides targeted information about airport infrastructure projects to the professionals who make them happen and is the only brand focused exclusively on airport construction.
South Carolina Aeronatics Commission staff accept the NASAO Most Innovative State Program Award for their Unmanned Aircraft Systems For Obstacle Evaluation & Aerial Imagery program. From left are Paul Werts, David Smith, Matt Baker and James Stephens.
See article on page 34.
Annual Newsletter Award Goes to Nebraska
Gary Cathey, left, outgoing NASAO Chairman, is congratulated for his year of service by Brad Brandt, NASAO’s newly elected Chairman for 2016/2017. Page 32
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The Nebraska Department of Aeronautics (NDA) was the recipient of the 5th Annual State Aviation Journal Newsletter Award presented for their publication of Pireps. Journal publisher, Kim Stevens presented the award to NDA director Ronnie Mitchell. Judging is done by an independent panel of media experts. “Pireps has always been an informative and well produced publication,” said Stevens. “It was nice to see them get recognized for their hard work.”
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Drone Mapping
An airport inspection training class watches a demonstrati
South Carolina Aeronautics Commission Rec Over the years the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) has executed aerial photography by either flying its state aircraft or contracting with an aerial photogrammetry and mapping firm for the purpose of topography mapping and obstruction evaluations. Contracting with an aerial mapping company continues today
in support of FAA and SCAC grant oversight and compliance, however advancements in technology platforms have now led to new aviation technological systems call Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and the SCAC has taken advantage by successfully developing and implementing a UAS in support of Obstruction Evaluation (OE) to more effectively manage potential airspace and land use issues in the vicinity of South Carolina’s public use airports. In recognition of this program NASAO selected the SCAC to receive the 2016 Most Innovative State Program Award. Gary Cathey, NASAO Chairman presented the award to James Stephens, Executive Director. (Insert quote) Efforts to implement the program were driven by the increasing need for more accurate and precise data for evaluating aeronautical obstacles such as trees, construction of man-made objects, and terrain. To deter the threat to flight safety and to South Carolina Aeronautics Commission Drone Team. From left are James Stephens, Matt Baker, Paul Werts and David Smith.
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ion of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission’s drone.
cognized with Most Innovative State Award protect the public investment of the state’s airports, SCAC determined that by using a UAS in an airport environment, they would be able to provide essential obstacle evaluation solutions.
The solution developed for this new program included a review of Federal and State regulations, and making a determination about which FAA authorization would best continued on next page
Matt Baker explains the operational characteristics of the drone and the software program.
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Most Innovative State continued from previous page serve the needs of the State. In order to begin the process, SCAC had to create an FAA application to initiate a Certificate of Authorization. By creating a Flight Operations Manual, SCAC provided a resource to the FAA that would meet defined goals. The three most important parts of the state’s UAS program are: 1. More accurate and timely verification and identification of obstacles in the airport environment,
Pictured above and below: David Smith prepares and launches their drone during a demonstration this summer.
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including 5010 reporting. 2. Cost and time savings. 3. Better visual representation of the obstacles impacting the airspace, and their respective locations in relationship to the airport runway. In 2013, SCAC began exploring the use of UAS to enhance the services offered, as well as providing more accurate information that could be displayed in a format that was easy to understand and easy to communicate. After making a determination that UAS operations would assist with programs offered by SCAC, the staff recognized that many regulations would be encountered and must be overcome before it could legally operate in an airport environment. To begin the process SCAC created a UAS Operations Manual which identified and included the following items: Airworthiness Statement, Flight Operations Manual, Pilot Operations Manual, a Training Manual, Pilot Qualifications and Records, Visual Observer Qualifications and Records, Maintenance Procedures, Maintenance Records, and support Appendices. As an agency that operates conventional aircraft, and with the limited FAA guidance on establishing flight operations in the airport vicinity, the SCAC felt that creating a UAS manual would assist with the creation of new
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continued on next page
David Smith shares details on the drone with an airport inspection training class.
Most Innovative State continued from previous page
air-to-ground procedures using remote piloted aircraft not normally authorized by FAA in airport airspace. Also, the SCAC felt that this program and manual would demonstrate that a UAS could, in fact, operate in an airport environment. SCAC submitted the COA in July 2015, and later made a visit to the FAA Southern Region to meet with the Southern Region Director, the Deputy Regional Manager, the Division Manager, the Deputy Division Manager, the Airports District Office Manager, NextGen Branch Manager, and the UAS Program Manager. During the meeting, SCAC presented the case that UAS operations can operate compatibly in the airport environment while facilitating the provision of more accurate data to airport personnel, local government, and neighboring landowners. After much discussion and many questions, those in attendance stated that the COA shouldn’t be a problem and that the FAA was very interested in receiving the quality data provided by use of the selected UAS platform.
Once the SCAC had authorization from the FAA to begin the process of data collection and analysis, SCAC evaluated the type of software to support the mission of the UAS. After an extensive review of the software applications, eMotion 2 Flight software, using Pix 4D and ESRI ArcMap with 3D analyst was chosen. Stephens said he feels very fortunate that they have such an excellent team in place to be able to plan and execute their UAS program. “We are fortunate to have the right balance of those that fully understand federal regulations, while working toward bettering the services that we offer our customers,” said Stephens. “With UAS, our primary goal is to deliver quality information that facilitates better communications between airport sponsors, those they answer to, the consulting firms that support the airport growth, and airport neighbors.” Stephens says he also wants to be able to streamline the time spent by SCAC staff to support airport projects. “This streamlining should ultimately result in cost and time savings.”
Matt Baker retrieves the drone after its flight.
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Twilight at the Tower Held Monday Evening The Tower of the Americas was the destination for NASAO attendees Monday evening. A short walk from the conference hotel, the 750-foot-tall Tower provided guests the most spectacular view of the Alamo City while enjoying dinner. The NASAO family was able to enjoy the gorgeous panorama from the observation deck and experience the thrilling 4D Theater Ride. The tower was designed by San Antonio architect O’Neil Ford and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World’s Fair, Kari Campbell HemisFair ‘68. It was the tallest observation tower in the United States from 1968 until 1996, when the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower was completed. It is the tallest building in San Antonio, and the 27th tallest building in Texas.
Travis Vallin, left and Randy Burdette.
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T.K. Gwin, left and Pat Morley.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Enjoying dinner from left are, Nel Stubbs, Chase Stockon, Becky Mainardi and Lee Lewis.
Stephanie Sudano
Bruce Wardle
Lynne and Steve Haws.
Marty Blake and Karon Wiedemann.
Tracy MacDonald, left and Pam Keidel-Adams.
2016 NASAO Special Edition
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL Page 39
NASAO Class of 2016 in San Antonio - C
Page 40
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL
2016 NASAO Special Edition
Congratulations on a great Convention!
2016 NASAO Special Edition
STATE AVIATION JOURNAL Page 41