MARYLAND AVIATION
COMMISSION

Chair: David L. Winstead, Secretary
of Transportation
(410) 859-7734

Established in 1994, the Maryland Aviation
Commission oversees the Maryland Aviation Ad-
ministration (Chapter 457, Acts of 1994). The
Commission establishes policies for BWI Airport
and approves policies and regulations for the opera-
tion of Martin State Airport and for major capital
projects of the Administration.
Chaired by the Secretary of Transportation, the
Commission includes nine members. Eight are
named to three-year terms by the Governor with
Senate advice and consent. One serves ex officio.

MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Theodore E. Mathison, Executive Director
Nicholas J. Schaus, Deputy Director

P. O. Box 8766
BWI Airport, MD 21240 (410)859-7060

Martin State Airport
P. O.Box 1
701 Wilson Point Road
Baltimore, MD 21220 (410) 682-8800

The Maryland Aviation Administration origi-
nated in 1929 when the State Aviation Commission
was established (Chapter 318, Acts of 1929). The
State Aviation Administration replaced the Com-
mission and became a unit of the Department of
Transportation in 1970 (Chapter 526, Acts of
1970). The Administration was renamed in 1989
as the Maryland Aviation Administration (Chapter
108, Acts of 1990). Under direction of the Mary-
land Aviation Commission since 1994, the Admini-
stration develops and operates airports and fosters
and regulates aeronautical activity within the State.
Baltimore/ Washington International (BWI)
Airport, the State's major air carrier facility, is op-
erated by the Administration. BWI Airport for-
merly was Friendship International Airport, which
began operation in 1950. In 1972, the State was
authorized to purchase Friendship International
Airport from Baltimore City (Chapter 180, Acts of
1972). The Airport was renamed BWI in 1973. The
Administration also supervises the operation of the
Martin State Airport in Baltimore County. Martin
was purchased by the State in 1975.
For safety, the Administration inspects and licenses
commercial airports, air schools, and air school in-
structors. It fosters safety in aviation through educa-
tional seminars for pilots and mechanics and through
its publications, including a combined Maryland air-
ports directory and aeronautical chart.

The Administration provides technical and fi-
nancial assistance to airport sponsors and owners in
the preparation of master plans and in improve-
ments to facilities. Standardized runway markings
are applied and maintained at airports throughout
the State. In cooperation with other agencies, the
Administration has prepared a Maryland Aviation
System Plan (Code Transportation Article, sees.
5-101 through 5-1105).
The Executive Director is appointed by the Secre-
tary of Transportation with the Governor's approval
and Maryland Aviation Commission advice.
Under the Administration are five offices: Air-
port Operations; Business Administration; Market-
ing and Development; Planning and Engineering;
and Regional Aviation Assistance.

BOARD OF AIRPORT ZONING APPEALS

John P. Giere, Chair, 1999
Julianne Stoll, Secretary
(410)865-1124

The Board of Airport Zoning Appeals was
formed in 1968 to help enforce noise zone regula-
tions for Baltimore/ Washington International
(BWI) Airport (Chapter 450, Acts of 1968). These
regulations establish a "noise zone" around BWI
Airport. In this zone, new land development is
prohibited if it is incompatible with airport noise
levels. The Board grants specific variances from
airport zoning regulations in cases of practical dif-
ficulty or unnecessary hardship.
The Board's ten members are appointed to four-
year terms by the Governor with the Secretary of
Transportation's advice and Senate advice and con-
sent. The Governor names the chair (Code Trans-
portation Article, sees. 5-501 through 5-511).

STATE HIGHWff ADMINISTRATION

Parker F. Williams, State Highway Administrator
Elizabeth L. Homer, Deputy Administrator

707 North Calvert St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 333-1111

Created in 1970, the State Highway Admini-
stration constructs and maintains State roads and
bridges (Chapter 526, Acts of 1970; Code Trans-
portation Article, sees. 8-101 through 8-812).
Prior to 1970, State highway programs had been
administered by the State Roads Commission.
The State Highway Administrator is appointed
by the Secretary of Transportation with the Gover-
nor's aproval. The State Highway Administrator is
the Governor's Highway Safety Representative.
Under the State Highway Administration, the State
Highway Safety Program is conducted by the Of-
fice of Traffic and Safety (Code Transportation
Article, sees. 2-401 through 2-409).