Weather Station application for Maverick County International Airport approved, Construction next
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Eagle Med, L.L.C., Director of Operations Andy Faletto of Wichita, Kansas presented a report to Maverick County Commissioners Court that the Weather Station application for the Maverick County Memorial International Airport at the Radar Base had been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Texas Department of Transportation at their Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Faletto advised Commissioners Court that the next step is to identify a local contractor to build the Weather Station at the Maverick County International Airport in the Maverick County Industrial Park, also known as the Radar Base. Eagle Med, L.L.C. is the applicant and license holder. Maverick County Commissioners Court previously had granted Eagle Med, L.L.C. authority to apply for the much needed Weather Station at the Maverick County International Airport.
Faletto also advised Commissioners Court that Eagle Med, L.L.C. has already purchased the equipment necessary to install the Weather Station at the Maverick County International Airport and is currently storing it in a warehouse. Faletto informed Commissioners Court that the cost of the Weather Station equipment is $80,000 and the cost to construct the facility should cost between $15-20,000, totaling a $100,000 cost. Faletto asked Commissioners Court if there were any local or county permits needed to begin construction so that Eagle Med, L.L.C. can apply and get these permits.
Faletto stated that Eagle Med, L.L.C. and its network affiliate company, Air Evac Lifeteam, are in the business of “taking sick and ill people from our community to higher level of care through our airplane transportation.” Accompanying Faletto at the meeting was Rosa De La Garza, local manager of Air Evac Lifeteam, whose Air Evac helicopters are transporting local patients from Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center to San Antonio, Texas medical facilities. Eagle Med, L.L.C. plans to also have airplanes operating out of the Maverick County International Airport. Faletto stated that Eagle Med, L.L.C. pilots require Weather Reports to be able to fly in and out of the Maverick County International Airport, thus the need to obtain and construct a licensed Weather Station.
Faletto also advised Commissioners Court that once the Weather Station is opened and fully operational, any airline wishing to provide service to Eagle Pass and Maverick County would be able to use it as well as other pilots through the Federal Aviation Administration website. “Our goal is to better service the community and be able to take patients to a higher level of care through our airplane service,” said Faletto.
Rosa De La Garza, local manager for Air Evac Lifeteam, stated that “our Air Med helicopters are already transporting patients from our community to San Antonio and the Weather Station will be an important contribution to the air transportation providers and pilots in the community.”
Maverick County Judge David Saucedo thanked Andy Faletto and Eagle Med, L.L.C. for taking the initiative and interest in obtaining the much needed Weather Station at the Maverick County Memorial International Airport. County Judge Saucedo stated the Weather Station will increase air transportation to Maverick County in the future.
