In 1903, the first manned flight lasted 12 seconds and went for 120 feet. Today, typical consumer unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly known as drones, can stay airborne for up to 30 minutes and have a maximum transmission range of nearly miles. As Hoyle Tanner celebrates our 50th anniversary, we reflect on the tremendous technological advances in the aviation industry since that first flight in 1903 and how our company has adapted over the past five decades to meet each.
OPENING THE DOORS to the SKYWAYS
Fifty years ago in 1973, Doug Hoyle and John Tanner formed Hoyle Tanner. They began their firm providing only aviation and environmental engineering services. Today, Hoyle Tanner has expanded into multiple engineering disciplines with over 100 employees. One of our firm’s early major milestones in our aviation engineering service capabilities occurred in 1986 when Hoyle Tanner was selected to prepare the Master Plan for Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Ellington Field needed to maintain its role as a base for military and NASA operations, but at the same time become an airport for the public. Careful planning and diligent efforts were made to consider the concerns and priorities of all stakeholders impacted. In the end, we completed the Master Plan on schedule, and it was rolled out to the public in 1987; the City had a new airport. Commercial, corporate, military and private interests were better served, and there was an expectation for an up-tick in regional economic activity. Hoyle Tanner’s Airport Master Plan for this airport was ultimately used as a guide to implement a comprehensive program to plan and upgrade the former military base to meet its new civilian status.
CHANGING WITH TECH
Historically, aeronautics has evolved alongside technology. For approximately the first 20 years of the company’s history, our aviation design engineers and draftsman worked together to illustrate airfield improvement project designs on polyester drafting film known as Mylar. This was a labor-intensive process that could be compounded when considering alternative design scenarios. In the early 1990s, Hoyle Tanner began using engineering design and drafting software. The incorporation of Autodesk Land Desktop allowed for increased accuracy, a more efficient design process, and the development of a product that can be more easily used to engage the public.
IMPACT OF GLOBAL EVENTS
A major shift in the aviation industry occurred following the 2001 terror attacks. Prior to the attacks, you could follow your loved ones to the gate to see them off on their journey. Today all those good-byes happen before security check points. Two months after the attacks, on November 19th, Congress federalized airport security by passing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. This security measure and others, such as body scans and shoe removal, were an effort to protect the safety of the traveling public. On a more practical note, cell phone and laptop charging stations have become the norm in every terminal to accommodate the lengthy wait time before and between flights.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in fall 2019 and its rapid global transmission marked another significant impact to the aviation industry. Beyond the tremendous personal toll, the arrival of the pandemic brought commercial aviation to a near standstill. Now nearly three years later with the development of vaccines and effective treatments, the aviation industry is working hard to meet the public’s tremendous demand for air travel.
A NEW GENERATION OF EXPLORERS
With the significant decline in pilots and the FAA expansion of regulations, the industry is seeing a drop in commercial airline pilots. A recent study by Boeing projects the need for 790,000 new aviation pilots for the next 20 years. This equals to roughly 108 new pilots every day for the next 20 years. The career drop is not exclusive to pilots. Other high demand careers include: engineering and mechanics, airport operations, and aircraft manufacturing. With several hundred thousand pilots and mechanics retiring over the next decade, the need for the new enthusiasts grows. Hoyle Tanner has supported industry outreach by partnering with Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camps to expose the next generation of aviation enthusiasts to the aviation field.
THANKFUL
In the 50 years that Hoyle Tanner has successfully navigated the civil engineering world, we are able to reflect on our roots in appreciation. So much of our success has stemmed from those early days mapping the skyways, and we owe much of our aeronautical achievements to that one milestone: The Master Plan for Ellington Field in Houston.
*It’s Hoyle Tanner’s 50th anniversary this year! Keep an eye on our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter feeds for articles and anniversary news!
