Mayor Gunter Touts Airport Improvements Including Sewer Project & Flight School

SAN ANGELO, TX - The City of San Angelo is witnessing progress in and around the San Angelo Regional Airport, according to a letter Friday from Mayor Brenda Gunter. 

The developments include improvements to sewage lines, runway expansions, a thriving flight school, and aircraft mechanic classes, all of which are expected to contribute significantly to the local economy.

Lake Nasworthy Sewer Improvement Project:

Economic development has been hindered at San Angelo Regional Airport and around Lake Nasworthy because the current wastewater system is operating at its capacity of around 500,000 gallons per day, according to information from the city.

With the sewer improvement project, the capacity will increase to 2.5 million gallons per day and would be adequate to accommodate any development around Lake Nasworthy and at the airport.

Mathis Field is perfectly positioned for an industrial park that would boast superior access to transportation by air and highway, which would in turn be attractive to prospective tenants and boost job creation.

In November 2019, voters approved the use of monies from the Lake Nasworthy Fund to help partially pay for the project. The amount dedicated to this project from the Lake Nasworthy Fund is $11.5 million.

On March 7, 2023, City Council approved an additional $44 million in bonds for the project.

The pipeline portion of the project is approximately 80% completed. The overall project is on schedule and should be completed by summer 2025.

Airport operations and projects:

The San Angelo Regional Airport has seen a large uptick in takeoffs and landings this year – a 20% increase, in fact.

This is largely due to the rise in military traffic from the partnership between Ranger Aviation and the Canadian Air Force, as well as Angelo State/Skyline’s flight training traffic. This will ultimately help the airport be more competitive while trying to secure FAA discretionary funding for future airport improvements and development.

As far as current airport projects, the Customs and Border Protection hangar is nearly finished with $1.5 million in improvements, which include a new fire suppression system, LED lights, roof repairs and new skylights, new HVAC units and other general items. This was funded by the Airport Fund.

Plans to open access to the south portion of the airport for future development are underway. Within these plans is the addition of a 1,000-foot taxilane that will give the opportunity for new hangars to be built along the taxilane. Construction is set to begin spring 2024.

San Angelo Development Corporation:

The City of San Angelo Development Corporation has identified several infrastructure projects for allocation of half-cent sales tax funds, including the evaluation of existing infrastructure and specific infrastructure improvements. Efforts to date have resulted in millions of dollars going to critical projects that will help the airport thrive economically into the future.

Skyline Aviation:

Skyline Aviation’s construction is underway of the San Angelo Jet Center, a project that will consist of a newly remodeled 24,000-square-foot hangar for private jets, as well as a first-class facility with complete ground handling and line maintenance, aircraft catering, flight planning and weather room, a conference room and business center, luxurious passenger lobby, relaxing pilot lounge with a tranquility room, complimentary crew cars, and full concierge services for our hangar and refueling customers across the country.

The goal is to offer an experience that rivals the best jet centers in the country, while still offering quick turnaround times, lower landing fees and ease of access that larger airports can’t provide. As part of the project, additional rental car parking for the city will be added, and a portion of the airport ramp will be repaired. 

The facility is anticipated to open in August 2024 and is currently taking pre-hangar leasing. 

New jobs and additional revenue to the city through increased fuel flowage will be a result as part of this project.

Angelo State University:

Angelo State University’s commercial aviation program has seen significant growth since the inception of their program in 2021 and will have doubled their five-year projections by the end of this year. 

Students train in a modern fleet of aircraft provided through Skyline Aviation. The fleet currently consists of 16 aircraft with another six on order.

They have nearly 120 students enrolled in the program and have access to 16 aircrafts with another six to be delivered by the end of the year. They have also partnered with Southwest Airlines to provide a direct pipeline for employment following their flight training.

ASU has acquired a 40-year lease on a three-acre parcel directly north of the newly leased Skyline hangar. This parcel will be the new home of the Angelo State University flight training program. The west portion of the lot will host a new approximately 15,000-square-foot building with classrooms, offices, flight simulator rooms and a dispatch center. The east portion of the lot will house a future hangar with direct access to the north ramp.

Howard College:
Howard College and Skyline Aviation are partnering to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Airframe and Powerplant technology (A&P Mechanic). Classes will be taught at the Howard College location and at Skyline Aviation.

Upon completion of the program, students will test for A&P licensure. Students graduating from this program and completing their licensure will meet the high demand for aircraft mechanics. While still in the developmental stages, HCSA aims to start the program in spring 2025 and will start earlier if able.