BRYAN, TX — The City of Bryan's Coulter Airfield has been meeting the needs of pilots for decades. While commercial flights don't takeoff from the airport, it offers other vital services that attract business to the region.
Coulter Airfield was donated by the Coulter family to the City of Bryan in 1938. Since then, it's seen considerable growth.
”We're a general aviation airport. We’ve got about 70 airplanes located here,” said Brandon Reid Coulter, airfield airport manager
The transformation this airport has seen over the years has been extraordinary. Pilot Cole Vancleve has been a witness to most of the changes.
”Oh yes, the airport has grown tremendously. A lot of things have grown, and a lot of things are new,” he said.
Located in the center of the Texas triangle, the airport is a great place for pilots of private planes to stop at during short trips.
"Fly to their locations, do business and come back the same day fortunately with Bryan and its location,” said Darell Harris, owner of maintenance operation at Coulter Airfield.
”Folks are looking to come to the Brazos Valley for a weekend. They can come and park on our tie-down spots for no fee up to three days,” said Reid.
In a study conducted by TxDOT, over 700,000 thousand jobs are offered through general aviation. Now with a nearly $2 million runway rehabilitation expansion project on the horizon, Coulter Airfield can provide a major boost to the local economy
Pilots like Vancleve enjoy the simplicity of taking a small trip. It's all adding money to the city's economy.
”Being here at Coulter Airfield has been a great experience meeting multiple people across the Brazos Valley who, you know, are in all kinds of different business,” said Vancleve.
Whether for business or pleasure, Coulter Airfield is an airport pilots love to use.
”I like the atmosphere. You know, it’s a lot of good people here, just like to come out and enjoy aviation and share their experiences together,” said Vancleve.
But it's also a place that encourages aspiring aviators.
”A lot of people get their wings right here on this runway at Coulter Airfield,” said Vancleve.
From there, the sky's the limit.
Coulter Airfield also serves as the base for the Texas Flying Club and has been the sight of various fundraisers throughout the years.