By Slim Zimmermann, TXAA correspondent

Often we hear of airport closures. Seldom do we hear of a brand new airport in Texas. There is one coming in Goldthwaite, Texas.

TXAA contacted TxDot Aviation project manager, Michelle Hanna and she said the completion of the airport is very close. Hanna explained, “The airport will be daytime, VFR airport to start with.”

“Goldthwaite has been interested in an airport for a very long time. We (at TxDOT) did an initial feasibility study back in 1994. The demand was not strong but the desire was and they kept after the idea until here we are today. We got the Brownwood TxDOT District office to help and partner initially with Mills County, City of Goldthwaite and the Aviation Division,” said Hanna.

On October 20, 2010, I flew with TxDOT Safety Director, Bill Gunn for an aerial view of the progress. As you can see, the runway is paved with striping and heading numbers. The terminal building is near completion. The airport is located on nearby HWY 16 just a few miles SW of the city of Goldthwaite. Note adjacent golf course.

TXAA applauds the efforts of the citizens of Goldthwaite and Mills County for their support of a brand new facility for Central Texas. Airports are a great benefit to the local economy and the state of Texas.

Here is a YouTube video from Slim Zimmermann and Tail Gunner in the Red Rocket. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcXbXEmEcBs 

Jay Carpenter
Chairman
TXAA Management committee