DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
A briefing on the operations at Stinson Municipal Airport
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the operations at Stinson Municipal Airport (Stinson) which serves as the general aviation reliever airport for the San Antonio International Airport.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Stinson Municipal Airport plays an important role in San Antonio aviation history. The Stinson family, including aviator Katherine Stinson, leased the land that would become the airport in order to open the Stinson School of Flying pilot school. During World War I, the airfield was given to the city and used by barnstormers and pilots. Before World War II, it served as the commercial airport for the city and the iconic terminal building was built as a Works Progress Administration Process. During World War II, the Air Force took command and it was used as a training base. Following the war and with the development of a commercial airport site on what is now the San Antonio International Airport, Stinson became a general aircraft airport and is the second-oldest continuously operating airport in the United States.
Stinson serves as the general aviation reliever airport for the San Antonio International Airport, and also houses several tenants including aviation schools such as Palo Alto’s Aviation Management Program and tenants that serve the oil and gas industry. Stinson Airport also includes the Texas Air Museum as a tenant to highlight our region’s aviation history, and they host events that exhibit historic aircraft. These events draw community and visitors with an interest in aviation history.
In November of 2012, the Stinson Master Plan was approved by Council that included the development and implementation of several capital improvement projects to promote economic growth of the airport and attract visitors and pilots. Among these projects was the development and relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower which began construction in 2017. The location of the tower removed a line of sight issue that the current tower was anticipated to experience with future growth at Stinson. In addition, the tower was the first city project to include a design competition in partnership with the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The new tower, which becomes operational in January 2019, have attached “wings” that are reminiscent of the aircraft wings that flew in and out of Stinson during in the 20th century.
ISSUE:
This briefing will update the members of the Transportation Council Committee on the status of several key capital projects as well as other programs to raise awareness of Stinson in the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
This presentation is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact association with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
There is no action associated with this briefing.