Development
News
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
BY COLBY FARR
Thunderbolt squadron in McKinney debuts new service plane
3 projects underway, recently completed at McKinney National Airport
Key:
2
Project underway Project completed
The Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonpro t corporation that was founded in 1941, according to its website. In 1948, U.S. Con- gress permanently established the corporation as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. There are more than 1,400 volunteer squadrons in the nation. More details The Civil Air Patrol operates a cadet mentorship program for youth between 12 and 17 years old that are o ered orientation ights that gives them hands-on ying experience. The program also includes development of leadership skills through training and community service. Flight O cer Logan Vasquez was part of the McKinney squadron’s cadet program and gained his private pilot’s license with the Civil Air Patrol. Now, he holds his commercial pilot’s license. “That’s our ability to give each cadet ve free orientation ights to see if they love ying or if they just want that experience,” Vasquez said.
Local members of the Civil Air Patrol, a national public service organization, debuted a new service plane at McKinney National Airport on July 23. In a nutshell The plane, a Cessna 182, joins an air eet of more than 500 single-engine planes across the U.S. that are maintained by the Civil Air Patrol. The new plane will be used to provide yover services during state and local emergencies. The McKinney Thunderbolt Composite Squad- ron, which operates as part of the Civil Air Patrol, conducts re watch missions and damage assess- ment missions across Texas and Oklahoma. Check Pilot Kurtis Sampson said they are deployed to take photographs of damage from disasters like tornadoes and ooding. “When we get the call they say pack your bags,” Sampson said. “You may be gone ve days; you may be gone seven days.”
1 Taxiway A realignment and rehabilitation Project: Realignment of the taxiway to widen a portion of Taxilane A, rehabilitation of concrete along the taxiway and creation of new connectors between Taxiways A and B. Update: The rst phase of the project is in the mid eld runway area, and has seen concrete pouring completed. Work on drainage, light and construction of the mid eld wind indicator is underway. The project’s second phase on the south end of the runway area will commence in spring 2026. • Timeline: September 2024-October 2025 (phase one); March 2026-March 2027 (phase two) • Cost: about $18.5 million (all phases) • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation grant funds 2 North runway extension Project: Extension of the airport’s roughly 7,500-foot runway by an additional 500 feet on the north end. Update: Grading and earthwork is underway, including
drains to accelerate soil settlement. Following a 9-month soil settlement period, construction on the extension will begin. • Timeline: Feb. 2025-Oct. 2026 • Cost: $30.45 million • Funding source: Collin County, North Central Texas Council of Governments 3 Two airport west side buildings Project: A new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in the airport’s mid eld portion and a new corporate hangar at the south end of the airport. Update: A certi cate of occupancy has been issued for the custom’s building, and U.S. Customs o cials are nalizing a move-in date. A certi cate of occupancy has also been issued for the hangar, and it is occupied. • Timeline: March 2024-April 2025 • Cost: about $22.99 million (combined single project) • Funding source: city of McKinney certi icate of obligation bond funds
INDUSTRIAL BLVD.
Phase 1
1
The McKinney Thunderbolt Composite Squadron debuted a new service plane, a Cessna 182, that will be used to conduct yover missions for the Civil Air Patrol.
3
SHELBIE HAMILTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
Squadron statistics in 2025
Phase 2
1
145 hours for ight- related missions
90 cadets
43 orientation ights
135 members
3
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCE: THUNDERBOLT SQUADRON COMMUNITY IMPACT
LOWRY 4100 E US 380 (972) 540-2500
ALLEN 1839 N Central Expy (972) 908-3488
MCKINNEY 2900 W University Dr (214) 341-5487
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