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I already mentioned that Galveston would be the next logical choice for Houston next airport on the New Airport thread under trasnportaion.

Since there is already an airport - the runway I assume could be lengthend - and a small terminal could be added - then real rapid transit could connect that airport with Houston's CBD, and Galveston could extend its trolley service. Seems very logical indeed that something of this nature be explored rather than construct an airport from ground up - not to mention there is an existing hotel and meeting facility only blocks away.

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From www.faa.gov

Class D Airspace

a. Definition. Generally, that airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designed to contain the procedures.

Class C Airspace

a. Definition. Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and that have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends no lower than 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.

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^^^

Hey,

How many times have you've posted that diagram? I know I've seen it about 4 times.

That second picture reminds me of the airport in Shreveport. When comming in for a landing, you fly just above I-20. The approach lights for the runway stretch across I-20 right of way.

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Galveston, Oh Galveston

47pp.jpg

Tatiana Serafin, 09.13.05, 2:50 PM ET

http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/09/13/...3galveston.html

NEW YORK - New Orleans doesn't have to look to Japan's sea walls, Amsterdam's dikes or Venice's Mose gates project to get ideas on how to defend its territory and start rebuilding. Right down the coast, its U.S. sister port of Galveston, Tex., has proved that a once thriving town, decimated in a catastrophic hurricane in 1900, can make a comeback.

"We have a few things in common," says Jeff Sjostrom, who heads Galveston's Economic Development Partnership. "We know the heartache and the challenges."

Just weeks after the island city was devastated, with 6,000 residents dead, Galveston's civic leadership decided to build a seawall seven miles long and raise the island's elevation.

The harder part was getting the economy going again. With resources focused on building defenses against another storm that were not completed until 1962, Galveston lost its premier port status to Houston, which had begun dredging a ship channel and building a deep-water port to compete with Galveston. Houston's channel officially opened in 1914, creating a link for goods between Houston and inland destinations.

Galveston rode a wild boom-bust cycle for most of the 20th century, according to Sjostrom. Eventually, the town settled on several industry mainstays, including cruise ships (Galveston is the No. 1 cruise port in the Gulf of Mexico) and oil rig services.

These two sectors are now benefiting from New Orleans' incapacity. In the immediate days after Hurricane Katrina, Galveston was used as a passenger drop-off. Carnival (nyse: CCL - news - people ) moved two cruise ships to the city's port. The ships are under Federal Emergency Management Agency's control and may be used to house relief workers (the ships were recently moved back to New Orleans). Carnival also relocated its Conquest permanently to Galveston, which is only 300 miles from New Orleans.

Galveston's Gulf location also means it houses rig owners, including publicly traded Halliburton (nyse: HAL - news - people ) and Martin Midstream Partners (nasdaq: MMLP - news - people ) as well as such privately held groups as Gulf Copper Manufacturing. These companies have been humming with activity as they check out the damaged oil rigs. Helicopter operators PHI and Evergreen have been ferrying surveyors to the scene from a heliport, which remains one of the few untouched by Katrina on the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Copper is in the best position for salvage operations. It leases a shipyard in Galveston, whose port has one of the two largest dry docks west of the Bahamas. Steve Cernak, the port director in Galveston, says there is plenty of space for the repairs and recycling that will be the key activity in the coming months.

Cernak has also had several inquiries about Galveston's cargo capacity. With much Mississippi River traffic blocked and the prime Midwest harvest season just weeks away, Archer Daniels Midland (nyse: ADM - news - people ) already has a large grain elevator in Galveston, and another customer, Fresh Del Monte Produce (nyse: FDP - news - people ), is thinking of building more refrigerated storage.

Meanwhile, Sjostrom estimates that commercial space (both office and warehouse) is only 70% utilized in Galveston, which means the city can accommodate companies that need to temporarily or permanently relocate.

More than $1.7 billion has poured into the island in 2005 alone, driven by the Moody and Fertitta families, who have built conference centers and hotels. Tilman Fertitta is reportedly waiting for the Texas Legislature to allow gambling and aspires to build casinos on his land in competition with hurricane-ravaged Biloxi, Miss., and the Mississippi Gold Coast--yet another opportunity for Galveston to benefit from Katrina.

Edited by J.A.S.O.N.
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Nice pic of the London Eye.

I also think and increase in commercial air traffic to Galveston will be based on airport services. If the Airport doesn't off the conveniences, ticket counters, and services the airline wants, they wont' get the commercial flights.

It's also a matter of volume. If they don't get the volume of traffic required to sustain services to the airport, they won't get the traffic either.

Is Galveston currently served by express services and small carriers? I'm thinking it might with that runway size.

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From www.faa.gov

Class D Airspace

a. Definition. Generally, that airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designed to contain the procedures.

Class C Airspace

a. Definition. Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and that have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends no lower than 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.

All that info flew right over my head!

I just dont get it :blink:

But I will take your word for it.

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It would be interesting to see if any new commercial airports open up (or are converted) due to higher fuel costs and opperating costs. Unless jet fuel goes down Im pretty sure airlines would be hesitant to purchase gates in otherwise non-commercial airports ie Galveston ect....

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City Turns On Charm To Woo Convention Buyers

lobbygulflo3nr.jpg

By Laura Elder

The Daily News

Published September 14, 2005

GALVESTON- A few years ago, Shelley Martinek wouldn't have considered booking conventions in Galveston.

Reno, Las Vegas and New Orleans were more on her radar. The island didn't have enough meeting or exhibit space for the 1,000-member Association of Progressive Rental Organizations. Now, with a new convention center and another made bigger by renovations, Galveston has made her list.

Galveston has been thrown in the mix, said Martinek, education director of the 1,000-member group.

I'm very impressed with the new convention center and the way it overlooks the ocean.

Most convention centers are gray and boring. This is very appealing.

Martinek was one of more than 400 professionals that island officials and hoteliers worked hard to impress in the past four days as members of the Texas Society of Association Executives convened at the Galveston Island Convention Center and the San Luis Resort and Conference Center.

What's so special about this group? Its members are in charge of selecting conventions and meetings sites for various trade and professional groups...

I have a whole new perspective on Galveston, said Sandra Nelson, of the Texas Pharmacy Association, with more than 3,000 members. Galveston is updated with trendy shops and restaurants...

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?...5ab5ab8f0a8309e

Edited by J.A.S.O.N.
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