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<strong>Dan</strong> <strong>Hughes</strong> biography-chapter 22_Layout 1 2/16/2016 1:44 PM Page 149<br />
acquired in Colombia and Hupecol begans its 3D seismic surveys<br />
on these permits.<br />
Following this sale, the aircraft position in <strong>Dan</strong> A. <strong>Hughes</strong><br />
Company was upgraded by purchasing a Challenger 300 long-range<br />
airplane. This plane was able to fly non-stop from Beeville to Bogota,<br />
Colombia. Also, it traded in the old King Air and purchased two<br />
newer King Air 200 planes, one of which operated part-time out of<br />
San Antonio. <strong>The</strong>se planes were shared by <strong>Dan</strong>, <strong>Dan</strong> Allen Jr., <strong>Dan</strong>’s<br />
son-in-law Stuart Sasser, and occasional personnel from the office.<br />
With these larger aircraft, a better airport was needed from which<br />
to operate out of Beeville. By negotiating with local officials, a deal<br />
was made with Bee County to open an 8,000-foot runway at the old<br />
Navy Chase Field. <strong>The</strong> runway was resurfaced and runway lights<br />
restored. For this, <strong>Dan</strong> contributed $1.25 million and, in return, was<br />
granted a 10-year tax-free period on the aircraft to help offset this<br />
cost.<br />
A hangar was also constructed that was sufficient to house four<br />
airplanes.<br />
An aerial view of Chase Field after the runway restoration.<br />
149
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