 | In the Spotlight |  |
|  A Salina native, Andy Harper has served as a member of the airport's ARFF team four years next month. Harper graduated from Central High and went on to Hutchinson Community College where he studied in the Fire Science Program. He then received his EMT certification through K-State Salina at Abilene Memorial Hospital. Soon after, Harper saw that Salina Airport had an opening in the ARFF division and upon applying, received the offer to join the team. Harper may spend his days protecting those who fly into Salina Airport, but in his free time, he enjoys being a family man. Along for this journey to the Salina ARFF team, is Harper's five year old son Payton. The apple of his father's eye, Payton hangs out with his dad any chance he gets like the best friends they really are. "Payton and I are always outside in my free time finding activities to do together," said Harper when asked about life outside the firestation. "He tells me that he wants to be a fireman when he grows up too...well, that and Batman." Harper also enjoys woodworking and is currently working on a project for the new ARFF station to be built this year. The 4-foot by 4-foot Maltese Cross made from solid oak will grace the new station with a personal touch from one of its firefighters. |
| Tower Updates |  | As a member of the Federal Aviation Administration's Contract Tower Program, the Salina Air Traffic Control Tower handles more than 80,000 operations each year, including more than 7,000 business jets that stop for refueling. The Salina Airport Industrial Center is one of the nation's most successful airport industrial parks with more than 70 businesses and organizations. |
On the Flightline |
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A Burt Rutan-designed aircraft that spent 15 years hanging upside down in Mojave, Calif., is spending some time in Salina. The one-of-a-kind Model 81, also known as the Rutan Catbird, landed in Salina on Friday afternoon, piloted by former Salinan Jim Reed, who went to work at Scaled Composites after being part of the GlobalFlyer mission as a student at Kansas State University at Salina. Read more in the Salina Journal! |
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| Contact Info |  | | Melissa McCoy Public Affairs & Communications |
| From the XD's desk: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year | 
On behalf of the Airport Authority's board of directors and staff, we wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Each holiday season brings the prospect of better times to come and I expect that locally we will see a prosperous new year. During 2012, the Salina Airport will support significant aviation civilian and military events. The K-State Salina UAS Program Office will continue to make advances in unmanned aircraft operations and training. Several Salina Airport Industrial Center companies are expected to grow and add jobs. These events and others will boost the local economy during 2012. Members of the Kansas National Guard from Salina and Saline County will begin, end and continue their overseas assignments next year. We ask that you keep the members of our nation's armed forces and their families in your prayers during the holiday season. It is their commitment to serve our nation that defends us from our country's enemies. During the holidays take time to thank a member of the U.S. military for their service to our country. You will honor both the serviceman or woman and yourself. Best wishes for joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Tim Rogers, A.A.E. Executive Director |
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 | Santa bases out of SLN for Naughty, Nice recon mission | More than 400 people were in attendance Saturday at Salina Airport's Hangar 600 to welcome Santa Claus at Candy Canes and Airplanes. Also in attendance was Mrs. Claus to help Santa hear all the local children's Christmas wishes and find out who was naughty or nice this year. "Never in my days have I had such a warm welcome like I did in Salina," said Santa regarding his arrival that day. "The children of Salina hold a very special place in my heart and those in attendance definitely made the 'nice list' this year!" There were nearly a dozen aircraft displayed at Candy Canes and Airplanes including a Pilatus, Husky, Luscombe and Skyhawk but the prized gem was the vintage 1942 Stearman Santa used as his sleigh this year so the reindeer were well rested for Christmas Eve. Santa's sleigh was piloted by Capt. Elvin T. Elf, one of his top helpers at the North Pole. As Santa and Elvin arrived, the children lined the hangar welcoming Santa, renewing the sense of Christmas spirit in the Salina community all over again. "We have a lot of new ideas for what toys to make for the children of Salina now," says Capt. Elvin T. Elf. "The other elves and I will be busy in the coming weeks before Christmas for sure!" Children enjoyed free cocoa and cookies throughout the day as well as other activities Santa's helpers from K-State Salina provided; such as ornament decorating and candy airplane creations. Santa's K-State helpers also took pictures of the children with Ole' Saint Nick in front of a K-State Skyhawk so they could forever remember the day they met Santa. Being so pleased with how many children came to see him, Santa has marked his calendar December 1st of next year to come back and visit so be sure and mark yours as well! |
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SeaPort announces release of mobile website | 
SeaPort Airlines announced the launch of a new mobile website atwww.seaportmobile.com. The site is compatible with Android, iPhone, iPad and Blackberry mobile devices. SeaPortMobile.com offers travel and contact information, direct links to social media, special offers and access to flight schedules, all at the touch of a finger. The addition of booking capabilities directly from the website is planned for later 2012. The site can only be accessed via phone, and will offer special deals and contests throughout the year. "The new mobile site is one of numerous enhancements we have planned for 2012," said Rob McKinney, SeaPort Airlines president. "We're looking forward to giving our passengers additional tools in the coming year that give them timely information and more choices to customize their travel experience." SeaPort will run a contest for all visitors that view the new site on their phones through January 15, 2012. Any individual can participate by visiting www.seaportmobile.comand following the instructions under the Contests tab. |
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| Wildcat Corner: Partnership with Universal Helicopters enhances flight training at K-State Salina |  Helicopter flight training at Kansas State University is getting a boost through a partnership with Universal Helicopters. "The partnership initially will bring in three helicopters and four full-time flight instructors, which allows us to better meet the flight training demands of our students," said Kurt Barnhart, head of K-State's aviation department. The incoming fleet consists of two Robinson R22 Beta IIs and one Robinson R44 Raven II. K-State students will start flying in the aircraft when the spring 2012 semester begins in January, and will be able to earn all of their ratings and certifications in a helicopter, if they so choose. Read on>>> |
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| Wildcat Corner: K-State Salina graduates more than 50 students | Kansas State University Salina conferred diplomas on more than 50 students on Friday, Dec. 9, during commencement ceremonies held in the Student Life Center. Jennifer Johnson, executive vice president of Sunflower Bank, gave the keynote address. Read on>>> |
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SeaPort reports growth in Salina |  SeaPort Airlines today announced record passenger traffic in Salina, Kansas with traffic during November 2011 increasing 42% in comparison to November 2010.
"Passenger traffic is trending in the right direction in Salina, and we've been very thankful for the support we've received from the community," said Rob McKinney, SeaPort Airlines president. "The Food 4 Flight canned food drive was a success, and we couldn't have done it without the help of our local business partners and those who made donations." SeaPort sponsored a canned food drive with the Salina Chamber and community partners during November 2011. Participating businesses included the Salina Journal, Kansas Wesleyan University, Brown Mackie College, Kansas National Guard, Slaina Public Library, the New Zoo 92.7 FM, Eagle Media Center, Sign House, Chiropractic Wellness Center, Salina Media Group, and others. Donations went to the Salina Emergency Aid & Food Bank. |
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| New council members appointed to MAC |  A new Chairman, Vice Chairman and several new council members will serve on the 2012 Military Affairs Council. Established in 2009, the twenty member Military Affairs Council provides community wide coordination between several military organizations in Salina and Ft. Riley and the Chamber of Commerce. The organizations work together to increase the military's impact on the Salina economy and strengthen the relationships with the soldiers working, training and living in our community. The Chair, James (Jim) Maes, replaces 2011 Chairman Tom Dill. Jim is a 40 year resident of Salina and holds a master's degree in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University. Previously he was the Vice President of Development and Real Estate for Blue Beacon International where he worked for 20 years before retiring. Currently he co-owns and operates ComPro Realty with his son Jeff Maes. They specialize in development and commercial real estate. Jim's civic involvement includes service on numerous advisory boards and counsels for the City of Salina, Salina Airport Authority, Stiefel Theater, Salina Chamber of Commerce, and Saline Regional Health Center. Jim also served four years in the Army Security Agency and is a Vietnam veteran. Vern Hopkins, Vice President of APAC Kansas Inc. and Branch Manager APAC Kansas Shears Division will serve as the council's Vice Chair. Vern replaces 2011 Vice Chairman Kirby Sullivan. He has been a part of the Military Affairs Council since its inception and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Contractors Association and Kansas State University's Salina Civil Engineering Advisory Committee. He has been a Salina resident for the past 17 years. Vern served in the United States Navy Seabees and is a Vietnam veteran. Members include; Tim Graham, Natasha Gawith, Kelley Bieberle, Debra Swearingen, Kim Coad, Natalie Blair, Neil Jednoralski, Charles Dodge, Jeff Chapman, William Vineyard, Michael Brungardt, Nathan McClanahan, Vernon Osborne, Anthony Troiano, Lisa Houltberg, Laura Robertson, Mary Walker, Becky Small, Janie Verhoeff and Glenda Newell. Open for public participation are four subcommittees; Family Support and Resources (Chair: Lisa Houltberg), Public Relations and Social Media (Chair: Melissa McCoy), Commanders Club (Chair: Jim Maes) and Events (Chair: Becky Small.) For further information about the council or volunteer opportunities please contact Rachel Hinde at the Chamber, 785-827-9301 . |
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