October 21, 2014

Transportation Then & Now: Air Transportation Symposium

Photo by Johnathan Cohen (via Flickr)

AASHTO Quarterly - January 1981

One of the major challenges facing the air mode in transportation for the next few years is the finding of funds either from the federal, state or local level to meet such demands. Also, the challenges facing the air mode have been magnified due to the deregulation of air carriers. These are matters of concern for airport administrators particularly, and state and federal government as it relates to the channeling of appropriated funds.

With this premise in mind, the Division of Aviation, Kansas Department of Transportation, and the Transportation Research Group at the University of Kansas, co-sponsored a one-day symposium which was held on the campus of the University of Kansas on Oct. 10, 1980. The symposium was well received as the result of a "full house" in attendance.

The theme, "Airports of the 80s, Its Changes and Challenges," posed the problem of how the airport would continue to play a major role in the economic growth of communities throughout the country. Airport administrators are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a line of communications as to the availability of airport funds. There's also the question of the effect of airline deregulation on the states and communities involved.

A panel of aviation experts was called upon to try and create a dialogue for answers to some of the questions relative to these matters. Those in attendance were: Dr. Ed Meyen, associate vice chancellor for research, Kansas University; Dr. Joe Lee, director, Kansas Transportation Research Group, Kansas University; Honorable John B. Kemp, secretary of transportation, KDOT; Edward W. Stimpson, president, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Washington, D.C.; James L. Lightse; director, Office of Community and Congressional Relations, Aeronautics Board, Washington, D.C; Gary M. Adamson, president, Air Midwest Inc., Wichita, Ks.; Paul Baker, director, Central Region-Federal Aviation Administration, Kansas City, Mo.; Stephen D. Coffman, airport planner, Coffman Associates, Kansas City, Mo.; and Sam Vasko, director, facilities energy management, Trans World Airlines, Kansas City, Mo.

It was felt at the end of the symposium that positive and affirmati1e dialogue was obtained from those in attendance. The University of Kansas and KDOT plan on a second such symposium some time during 1981.

In assessing the symposium, Ray Arvin, director, Division of Aviation, KDOT, summed it up by saying, "We were extremely pleased with the participation of people from the industry and the diversified attendance. It indicated a real desire and concern to explore the challenges of airports and aviation during this decade.”

Secretary John Kemp was an ardent supporter of the symposium and participated in opening remarks. Secretary Kemp is a dedicated multimodal transportation administrator. His support proved to be very valuable among all of those in attendance.