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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:
Mr. David Barstow

Gary began his aviation career in 1970 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF). After completing basic training, he was assigned to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi for specialized training as an air traffic controller. Upon completion of ATC training, Gary was assigned as a radar approach controller at Travis Air Force Base in northern California. As a result of his exceptional performance in the trenches at Travis, Gary won a slot in the highly competitive USAF “Boot-Strap” Program, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of Arizona. Upon award of his degree, Gary was sent to the USAF Officer Training School (OTS) and upon completion of the OTS curriculum he was awarded a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Newly commissioned Lieutenant Powell arrived at Vance AFB, Oklahoma in January 1976, where he served in a variety of roles, including Chief Controller of the Radar Approach Control. While at Vance, headquarters inspection teams noted his “can do” attitude and superior professional abilities, and the facility he managed was selected as Facility of the Year for the Southern Communications Area. He also played a key role in designing new undergraduate student pilot training flying areas to accommodate larger student classes.
In July 1978, Gary was reassigned to Randolph AFB, Texas as the Chief of Air Traffic Control Operations. He did a superb job managing Randolph’s large ATC operation and was recognized as one of Southern Communications Area’s finest young ATC officers. One of his major accomplishments was publishing the first Randolph AFB regulation on ATC procedures, which consolidated 20 documents into single reference source.
In December 1979, Gary transferred overseas to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany as the Operations Officer for the European Central Altitude Reservation Facility (EUCARF), one of only two military facilities that obtained altitude reservations worldwide for Department of Defense special flying missions. In that position, he worked closely with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the ATC authorities of 22 sovereign nations within the European theater. While at EUCARF, Captain Powell garnered great praise for his work de-conflicting airspace in a variety of European and Mediterranean exercises. He also received special notice from the 21st Air Force Commander for successfully coordinating low-level airdrop approvals and recovery procedures in support of NATO exercises. A general officer wrote of his efforts: “Capt. Powell’s done some superb work coordinating and orchestrating the airspace rights for sensitive U.S. missions in the European theater with high-ranking host-nation ATC authorities. Very astute, very diplomatic, very productive. Great potential.”
Upon his departure from Germany, Gary was competitively selected for in-residence attendance at an aeronautical graduate program. Captain Powell graduated “with distinction” from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in August 1983 and was awarded the Master of Aviation Management degree. Because of his superior academic performance, he was designated a Distinguished Graduate.
Gary’s next assignment was to the Headquarters of the Air Force Communications Command. Initially assigned as Chief of the Advanced Traffic Control and Landing Systems Branch, he managed two of the command’s highest priority next generation technology programs. Because of his exceptional performance in that role, Capt. Powell was hand-picked to be the executive officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Traffic Services.
In 1986, Major Powell was reassigned to Hickam AFB, Hawaii as the Director of Air Traffic Control Inspections for all USAF bases in the Pacific. There, he garnered praise from superiors for his efforts to encourage junior ATC officers to take a more proactive, long range approach to airspace management, and to focus on preventing problems rather than fixing mistakes.
In 1989, Major Powell was selected for the ultimate USAF challenge – command. As the commander of the 1982nd Communications Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Korea, Gary led a squadron of 220 personnel providing direct mission support to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, a front-line, combat-ready F-16 wing. In that position, he was responsible for operation and maintenance of almost $10 million of complex communications -- computer and air traffic control systems.
Returning to the United States in 1990, Major Powell was selected for a sensitive assignment as the Military Representative to the Federal Aviation Administration’s System Engineering Automation Office where he developed the first long-range strategy for automation of the nation’s 435 control towers. He was a driving force in development and reconciliation of operational requirements for future FAA control tower automation systems.
Major Gary Delands Powell retired from the USAF in August 1991, with more than 21 years of service and with a diverse array of Commendation Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, and other awards received for an exemplary career. He spent the next nine years working in a variety of private sector positions, often in support of the FAA, until he once again returned to public service in July 2000.
From January 5, 1998 to July 2, 2000 Gary supported the Air Traffic Area Navigation (RNAV) Implementation Office (ATP-104) as a contract support specialist. On July 2, 2000, Gary joined the FAA as a government employee as a specialist for the Area Navigation Program Office (ATP-500) until his death in November 2004.
Gary helped the FAA establish key satellite oriented navigation practices and procedures to usher in a new form of navigation for a large sector of aviation never before available.
Some of his major accomplishments included:
Formed an Air Traffic Satellite Operational Implementation Team (ATSOIT) to implement FAA air traffic policy and procedures for area navigation. Authored ATSOIT Order. Organized four National ATSOIT Conferences
Led the development and publication of the first charted RNAV routes from central Florida to Puerto Rico. Routes were published in December 1998 called the Atlantic High “T” Routes. Routes provided more direct flights for air carriers and were established to reduce communication, navigation, and radar problems in the Caribbean. American and Delta airlines reported a first year savings of $332k/year.
Revised the Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Order to allow the development of area navigation STARs.
Developed the VFR Waypoint program. Enabled general aviation to establish VFR routes around busy class B terminal areas and along the Gulf and Atlantic coastal areas. Used to develop VFR routes near Denver, CO for the 2000 Olympics.
Developed the Charted Visual Approach procedures. Procedures allowed pilots to identify landmarks when navigating to busy airports. Procedures are used at airports like Regan National, Dallas-Ft Worth, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Co-chaired the Satellite Procedures Implementation Team (SPIT). Developed the process and procedures for publication of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) instrument approaches. Resolved aircraft database issues for procedures using area navigation
Represented Air Traffic at many joint FAA and Industry meetings. Air traffic representative to the General Aviation Work Group. Assists General Aviation in establishing air traffic procedures and navigation routes. Air traffic representative for the Flight Management System (FMS) Task Force. FAA and Industry group to enhance navigation with FMS equipped aircraft. Air traffic representative for the Aeronautical Charting Forum. Develops charting specification for publishing procedures and routes used by the flying community.
Gary Delands Powell’s love and dedication to the field of aviation truly marks him as one of this nation’s Air and Space Leaders.