By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Picture by Robinson

A fire occurring on Thursday morning, May 29th at the Hangar 6 Air Cafe located at 249 Airport Road next to the Uvalde Flight Center has resulted in the restaurant’s closure. Southwest Texas College Police Chief Jimmy Calliham told the Hesperian the fire is suspected to have started in the kitchen area. He said he was first in the scene and observed smoke.

Skyway Entertainment President Mark Espinoza released a press statement a few hours after the incident.

In the release Espinoza said, ” It is with a heavy heart that we announce a structure fire has occurred at Hangar 6 Air Cafe. This incident has profoundly impacted our SkyWay Entertainment family, and our thoughts are with everyone affected during this difficult time.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department (UVFD), Southwest Texas College Police, and Uvalde Police Department for their swift and courageous response. Their dedication and professionalism were instrumental in managing this emergency and ensuring the safety of our community.

The safety and well-being of our community and team members remain our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, Hangar 6 Air Cafe will be closed indefinitely until further notice as we assess the situation and begin recovery efforts.

While this is a challenging moment for all of us, we want to affirm our unwavering commitment to rebuilding. Hangar 6 Air Cafe will come back stronger and better than ever, and we look forward to welcoming back our valued patrons and community once again. We encourage everyone to continue supporting us by visiting our other brands, including Broadway 830, The Local Fix, and Smoothie King.

We sincerely thank our community for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement during this time. Please stay tuned for further updates as we navigate the path to recovery.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

September 11th, 2024

  After a sometimes tense discussions regarding the decision to renew the lease with Southwest Texas College’s for a city owned hangar located at Garner Field, the Uvalde City Council voted to approve renewing the 10 year contract with Southwest Texas College as long as specific wording in the contract be contingent on the Federal Aviation Administration approves the school’s aviation program as acceptable  per stipulations for the multi-million dollar grant the federal agency provides to the City of Uvalde for Garner Field.

 City Council members and several citizens spoke on the matter as well as SWTC’s President Hector Gonzales before the final vote was cast by the Uvalde City Council.

 The issue: SWTC’s previous 30 year lease with the City for the hangar is set to expire September 30th of this month. In a previous city council meeting on August 13th the Uvalde City Council tabled the decision which was taken up again at the Tuesday, September 10th meeting.  The City of Uvalde just received a 10 million dollar grant from TXDot Aviation to go towards maintaining the City-owned Garner Field Airport. 

  Uvalde City Councilman Ernest “Chip” King claims that in order to remain qualified for the FAA Grant money, all hangars on Garner Field be used exclusively for aviation purposes. SWTC had used the hanger for the college’s Wildlife Education Program prior to the hanger being repurposed for its aviation mechanics program. 

  “I want this program to succeed. It’s very difficult. It’s a very difficult decision we’re having up here. We got TxDot Aviation, we’ve got us over here trying to decide, and regulations and grant opportunities and everything mumble jumbled over here. Do we do the right thing for the students? Do we do the right thing for the City? What is the right thing?” Mayor Pro-tem Everardo “Lalo” Zamora said.

   Councilman Earnest “Chip” King said. “FAA Order 51,90.6B says you have to have an aeronautical use for the hanger. Classrooms is not an…I’m all for the college. We have a list of people that want hanger space at this airport. We have had people build hangers on this airport because there is no hanger space for them. FAA order 5190.6B in the FAA policy states that if you have anybody that wants a hangar and you have a  non-aeronautical use of a hangar or facility on there, you have to move them out and you risk getting the AIP funds. AIP funds come from the federal government.”

   King continued stating the city is getting ready to do a 5.2 million dollar ramp project funded by federal government funds with a 10% match. King went on to suggest the college is to get a waiver from the FAA and then rent from month to month.

   Southwest Texas College President Hector Gonzales said. “I would believe if you look across to the west side of the airstrip and we’re splitting hairs as to what is aeronautical and what is not because there is several repair shops that are somehow  aeronautical because there are several repair shops that are aeronautical but the training for folks that work on those airplanes is not aeronautical. He went on to say other cities in the area have A&P schools and even an airframe school located at their respective airports.” 

   Gonzales continued saying, “Councilman King you just said the City received 5.2 million dollars in TXDot Aviation. Our aviation maintenance program had been there and it did not jeopardize one penny of the 5.2 million dollars that came to the city. You are getting another $100 tonight  that did not jeopardize you are accepting tonight.”

  “The problem here is because we make it a problem.” Gonzales said.

  King responded to say that if someone called and notified the FAA it could jeopardize the 5.2 million dollars the city has already received.

  SWTC Board Member Rojelio Muñoz addressed the council as a former city councilman: “I remember several years back this issue coming up and I suspect that perhaps these concerns have been exaggerated.Because In the several years this was quote, an issue, it hasn’t jeopardize any funding. President Gonzales provided me with a letter sent by the college in February 2022 where they told the college all you need to do is have an FAA approved education program up and running and you’d be good.  That happened. The college complied with that.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

August 20th, 2024

  The gliders stayed out later than in previous days. When they did head in for a landing after 6 PM, they came in thick and fast. 

 Several locals showed up to view the gliders approaching the runway at Garner Field for a landing.  A local person named Mary B. (She requested her first name and last initial be used only) she was thrilled to see the gliders make their landing approaches. She asked if the Hesperian could take a picture of her with a glider in the background. 

While out in the small field across from the runway at the intersection of Ham Lane and Garner Field Road, I met a very knowledgeable man from South Africa who had connections to the Jonker Sailplanes. 

Following the landings, I headed over to the back field where the pilot and their teams were making final e

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian; Pictures by Robinson

  Drive down Garner Field Road near Garner Field from about 10 AM until about 12:30 PM and you’ll likely spot a line of white planes on the runway waiting in line for tow planes to give them a lift in to the wild blue yonder for this week’s  for the 18 Meter Class Nationals and Super Regionals sponsored by the Soaring Society of America,

  This week’s competition started Monday, August 14th  and will continue through Friday, August 25th, 2023. 

   The Uvalde Hesperian stopped by Garner Field,  Monday August 14th just past Noon at the far end of the Garner Field runway near the official tie-down area to take pictures of the gliders as they were taking off.

  While there I met two men; one who traveled from Australia and the other from Finland. They were in the process of getting ready to tow a sailplane with a truck. 

 When asked when the gliders would be coming back for a landing, one said about 5 PM the gliders would start coming back to land at Garner Field. 

 This year’s competition is a prelude for the 38th 2024 FAI World Gliding Championship to be held in Uvalde in August of 2024. 

 The last time Uvalde hosted the World Gliding Championship was in 2012 and before that, in 1991.

Viewing Opportunities

 Unlike other sports, there are limited opportunities and locations for spectators to watch the gliders as they compete. The best times to view the gliders are during take-offs and landings.  After the gliders take off about mid-day, much of the action happens way up in the sky. The gliders typically start returning about 5PM and sometimes they come in low and fast dumping any water onboard to lighten their load prior to touching down as they come in on the north side of the runway. 

The Uvalde Hesperian has requested more information about this week’s event.