Central Southwest Region

Airport Resources

States served:

Nebraska
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Texas
Arkansas
Louisiana

2013 Issues and News

April 2, 2013 — Arkansas legislature creates Aerospace and Aviation Caucus

Members of the Arkansas legislature have founded the Arkansas Aerospace and Aviation Legislative Caucus, created to "promote a business-friendly environment through common-sense legislation that supports the growth of the Arkansas aerospace and aviation industries." — Read More >>

March 26, 2013 — New Mexico TMOA may squeeze IFR routes

AOPA is reminding pilots who fly in New Mexico that a temporary military operations area will be in effect from April 7 to 20 in the southern part of the state, possibly limiting access to several airways during active periods. — Read More >>

March 20, 2013 — NM governor signs aviation funding bill

A bill signed by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez March 15 restores one of six sources of funding for the state’s aviation trust fund. The measure, Senate Bill 2, also now allows the funds to be used beyond just air service development programs. — Read More >>

March 12, 2013 — Dallas airspace redesign a chance to improve GA access

The redesign of Class B airspace at Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, could be an opportunity for the FAA to offer general aviation more options for transiting and navigating the airspace, AOPA said. — Read More >>

February 26, 2013 — NM lawmakers share love for GA on 'Aviation Day'

General aviation felt the love on Valentine's Day from New Mexico lawmakers during Aviation Day at the Capitol. New Mexico House and Senate committees advanced bills Feb. 14 to reinstate funding from the state’s general fund for the aviation trust fund. — Read More >>

February 13, 2013 — Airfield owners win liability protection in Arkansas

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has signed an AOPA-backed bill that could open more than 210 private airfields to general aviation pilots by providing liability protection to property owners for the recreational use of their lands. — Read More >>

January 24, 2013 — Comments needed for Dallas/Fort Worth airspace changes

Although there are few major changes to the proposed design of the Dallas/Fort Worth Class B airspace area, AOPA remains concerned with the proposed lowering of the Class B floor in several areas and the extension to the north and urges pilots to weigh in. — Read More >>

January 17, 2013 — New Mexico hailstorm highlights tax effect

Repairs are still under way after an October hailstorm damaged nearly every aircraft at Los Alamos Airport in New Mexico, where a state tax has driven maintenance facilities and aircraft owners out of state. — Read More >>

January 15, 2013 — Bill would expand recreational access to Oklahoma airfields

Recreational access to privately owned landing sites in Oklahoma could be greatly expanded under new legislation supported by AOPA and other aviation advocates. — Read More >>

January 15, 2013 — Bill would boost airfield access in Arkansas

More than 210 private airfields could become accessible to general aviation pilots in Arkansas if the state joins those that have passed laws providing liability protection to property owners for the recreational use of their lands. — Read More >>

January 3, 2013 — FAA puts city's request to close airport on hold

The FAA has blocked an attempt by a Missouri city to shut down its regional airport, marking a victory in a five-year battle between the city and pilots backed by AOPA. — Read More >>

2012 Issues and News

December 26, 2012 — New Mexico drops proposed seaplane ban in face of opposition

A proposed seaplane ban in New Mexico was tabled after the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department’s State Parks Division received hundreds of comments opposing the measure. — Read More >>

December 6, 2012 — Texas honors general aviation's 'critical' role

If you want to see a wide cross-section of the length, breadth, economic impact, and community support that GA offers, surveying the Lone Star State’s GA activity is a good way to start. — Read More >>

October 24, 2012 — New Mexico TMOA plan crowds out airspace users

An Air Force plan to establish a temporary military operations area in New Mexico would leave multiple sections of several IFR routes unusable while providing general aviation pilots with no way to acquire real-time information on the airspace's activation. — Read More >>

October 22, 2012 — GPS testing set for Oct., Nov. over NM (PDF)

GPS testing set for Oct., Nov. over NM (PDF) — Read More >>

October 18, 2012 — NM seaplane ban opposed

New Mexico officials should work with pilots on mutual goals rather than adopt a state agency's plan to ban seaplanes from public waters, AOPA said in a state regulatory filing. — Read More >>

October 12, 2012 — GPS testing over New Mexico (PDF)

GPS interference testing Oct. 16 - 20 may result in unreliable or unavailable GPS signal. Centered at 333747N/1063400W or the Truth or Consequences, NM VOR (TCS) 060 degree radial at 41NM. — Read More >>

September 12, 2012 — Oklahoma, New Mexico celebrate aviation

Proclamations recognizing the role general aviation plays to support the health, safety, and prosperity of the community at large have been issued by governors in Oklahoma and New Mexico. — Read More >>

August 22, 2012 — Pilots reminded of temporary MOA in Iowa

Pilots who will be flying in western Iowa during the period of Sept. 4 to 21 should be sure to check the status of a temporary military operations area (TMOA) that could affect their flight planning, including the availability of several Victor airways. — Read More >>

August 16, 2012 — General aviation responds to Texas health crisis

When Dallas, Texas, Mayor Mike Rawlings declared a public health emergency to combat a record outbreak of West Nile virus, a general aviation company based in Bridgewater, Va., mobilized to lead the assault on virus-carrying mosquitoes. — Read More >>

August 2, 2012 — Cross-country air race draws 40 aircraft

Weather challenges changed the course but did not dampen enthusiasm as 40 aircraft participated in the 2012 Airventure Cup air race, flown July 22 between Mitchell, S.D., and Waupaca, Wis. — Read More >>

August 1, 2012 — Mayor's airport-closure bid could cost millions

The city of St. Clair, Mo., would face an extended, expensive task if the mayor opts to pursue his four-year campaign to close the regional airport, AOPA told officials at a meeting July 31. — Read More >>

July 25, 2012 — FAA issues final rule modifying Kansas airways

Decommissioning the Johnson County VOR will lead to airway modifications near Olathe, Kan. in September. — Read More >>

July 12, 2012 — Aviation bills signed in Missouri

Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to legislation backed by AOPA that will require anemometer towers more than 50 feet high to be marked for pilot visibility by 2014. — Read More >>

July 9, 2012 — GPS signals may be unreliable over New Mexico

The FAA has issued flight advisories for potentially unreliable GPS signals in areas around Las Cruces, N.M. July 11-13. — Read More >>

July 3, 2012 — Oklahoma moves to drop support for four airports

An Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission proposal to remove four community airports from the state airport system plan would cut off state support for those airports and make them more vulnerable to closure efforts. — Read More >>

June 29, 2012 — Summer barnstorming: Where will AOPA show up next?

Now, more than ever, AOPA is reaching out to members at the state level. With seven regional managers assigned throughout the country, the association is reaching out to members during airshow and fly-in events, and aviation conferences. — Read More >>

June 25, 2012 — Summer in Nebraska means aviation

Aviation events that bring the public out to small airports to learn and enjoy are a hallmark of summer, and Nebraskans have been sharing in the fun. — Read More >>

June 21, 2012 — Southwest route changes take effect July 26

The FAA has published a final rule modifying several airways in the Southwest and establishing RNAV routes (T-routes) in connection with the scheduled fall decommissioning of the Cochise, Ariz., Vortac. — Read More >>

June 21, 2012 — GPS testing over New Mexico until June 23 (PDF)

GPS testing is scheduled as follows and may result in unreliable or unavailable GPS signal. — Read More >>

June 13, 2012 — GPS signals unreliable in June over New Mexico (PDF)

GPS signals unreliable in June over New Mexico (PDF) — Read More >>

June 11, 2012 — Missouri bill requires towers to be marked

A bill that AOPA supported in Missouri will require that anemometer towers more than 50 feet high be marked so that they are visible to pilots. — Read More >>

May 17, 2012 — Changes urged for Iowa military plan

AOPA has asked for several changes to a temporary military operations area that the Air Force proposes to establish in western Iowa this September. — Read More >>

May 17, 2012 — Nebraska recognizes GA value

With a stroke of the governor's pen on May 16, Nebraska joined a growing list of states proclaiming support for - and recognizing the value of - general aviation, including the jobs and other opportunities flying creates. — Read More >>

May 2, 2012 — FAA seeks comments on Iowa military plan

The FAA is asking for public comment on an annual request from the Air Force to establish a temporary military operations area (TMOA) in western Iowa. — Read More >>

April 23, 2012 — Online airspace tool receives engineering award

Software used by Kansas transportation officials to analyze potential hazards to aviation from proposed structures has been recognized with an engineering excellence award. In a news release, the Kansas Department of Transportation noted the participation in the project of AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers and Eudora High School students, who helped beta test the program and suggested modifications. — Read More >>

April 12, 2012 — SpaceX's proposed Texas launch site to be studied

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), a commercial group that develops rockets and spacecraft, is proposing to build vertical launch and control areas in Cameron County, Texas, to conduct up to 12 commercial launches a year. — Read More >>

April 12, 2012 — Congressman sounds off against user fees

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a member of the House General Aviation Caucus gave more than 50 AOPA members in Conroe, Texas, an overview of general aviation issues in Washington, D.C., during a recent town hall meeting that the association helped to organize. — Read More >>

April 2, 2012 — Events mark Missouri's GA month

Missouri honored its aviators in March with a governor's proclamation and an annual state aviation day held at the Capitol in Jefferson City. — Read More >>

March 30, 2012 — GPS interference tests over New Mexico

GPS interference tests over New Mexico — Read More >>

March 28, 2012 — Missouri senators, representative join airport dispute

AOPA members in Missouri are being urged to let their U.S. senators and a House member know that they could harm the local economy and weaken general aviation in the state by helping the city of St. Clair close its federally funded GA airport. — Read More >>

March 22, 2012 — New Mexico airport ready to thrive, city stewardship praised

The city-owned airport in Las Cruces, N.M., has weathered the economic downturn and is poised for resurgence, thanks in large part to municipal leaders with their eye on the future, and the benefits the airport provides to the community. — Read More >>

March 19, 2012 — Kansas airway changes serve GA

As the FAA moves forward with the transition to a satellite-based air traffic system, AOPA supports changes that preserve access and efficiency for general aviation, and encourages users to comment on the impact of individual proposals. — Read More >>

February 28, 2012 — Houston, we have a pilot

Students in the Sterling High School Aviation Sciences Magnet Program--one of very few in the country to offer flight instruction at the high school level--are given a combination of traditional coursework and aviation classes. One student just earned his private pilot certificate, and four more have soloed. — Read More >>

February 23, 2012 — FAA seeks comments on Kansas airway modifications

AOPA is encouraging members to comment by April 6 on the impact of an FAA proposal to adjust the structure of three Victor airways that will be affected by the planned decommissioning of the Johnson County, Kan., VOR-DME. — Read More >>

January 31, 2012 — GPS testing over NM

The FAA has issued a flight advisory for potentially unreliable GPS signals within a 351-nautical-mile radius of Alamogordo, N.M., through Feb. 11 starting in the flight levels and decreasing in radius as altitude decreases. — Read More >>

January 26, 2012 — Nebraska airport zoning measure nears vote

AOPA is urging members of the Nebraska state Senate to back a pending bill that would enhance aviation safety and promote commonsense land development around airports. — Read More >>