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In the Spotlight
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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.
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Tower Updates
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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.
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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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Donate Today
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Contact Info
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Melissa McCoy
Public Affairs & Communications
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From the
XD's desk:
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
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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
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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
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 SeaPort
Airlines announced the launch of a new mobile website at www.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
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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
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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
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 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
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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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