This tells why Wayports was started, why it's called Wayports, why it's a valid concept and why I refuse to give up promoting it.  

I was working for the Federal Aviation Administration when the FAA Administrator asked for solutions to delay and congestion problems. They were as bad then as they are today and are the tip of an iceberg surfacing for years. Like the Titanic, the airline industry will collide with financial and operational problems if capacity is not economically and financially provided.                                                                               

I conceived the concept and named it Wayports because a nationwide solution required an identity of its own. The idea is simple. Create a system of new or underutilized existing airports to off-load cargo, USPS and express mail and some of the 60-70% connecting passengers who hate transferring to other flights because of the inconvenience and time involved. They rarely leave the gate area to avoid reentering security checkpoints. Wayports would also provide sophisticated facilities to accommodate future space operations that would get us to other continents in 3 instead of 24 hours.                                                                                                 

I briefed the FAA Administrator in Washington. He liked the idea and authorized me to brief others as an FAA official. He wanted their response. Subsequently I briefed two other FAA Administrators and other FAA staff. They too liked the idea and authorized me to continue briefing others. These were some of the smartest aviation minds in the country at that time convincing me and industry professionals Wayports is a valid concept.                                                                                                                                                 

The idea exploded across the U.S. and the world.

John Chancellor of NBC Nightly News said on his evening program "Wayports was an idea that restored his faith in human ingenuity". Legislation titled "The Wayports Development Act" was introduced in both Houses of the U.S. Congress endorsed by respected Senator's like John McCain who said he supported Wayports. Many states passed Wayports legislation. Developers in the U.S. wanted to build Wayports.

The Russians wanted to build Wayports. Businessmen in Europe wanted to build them in Italy, Ireland and England. Sir Colin Marshall of British Airways said they should be built. McKinley Conway who founded the magazine "Site Selection" was the first to describe Wayports as New Cities which are now being promoted worldwide as Aerotropolis. Articles appeared in the NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, local media outlets and aviation industry publications with invitations to speak to groups and conventions.

It was called the "Interstate Aviation System". 

Senators Frank Lautenberg and Trent Lott said in August 2006 that "we now need the vision that created the Interstate Highway system that will meet our needs in the 21st century". Former Secretary of Transportation Mineta says "the future demands nothing less than the complete transformation of the U.S. air system".                                                                                                               

Wayports created major controversy because of opposition by the establishment and those who felt their interests were threatened. 

They could not understand how a "nobody" could create such worldwide interest and media frenzy. Large airports and large airlines did not like the idea of relieving hub airports by off-loading connecting passengers, cargo and U.S. Mail that connected in hubs. They would not support studies be made recommended by Congress.

These powerful aviation industry and political groups forced FAA to rescind its support of Wayports. FAA refused to let me brief the Russians when they came to America. (A 2010 story said Wayports were created in Siberia and Norway). FAA ordered me to stop promoting Wayports and refer all contacts to Washington. This censorship caused me to resign from a career I truly loved. FAA had to do something because of support especially in Congress, so they tried to change the name and define the concept in a way I stringently opposed. FAA said Wayports were in the middle of nowhere and for the exclusive use of connecting and transferring passengers which was false and I strongly objected.                                                                            

The opposition has not been successful in destroying Wayports evidenced by a major airline airport announcing in 2011 it's a Wayport. Also there was a great article in 2007 in USAToday titled "Wayports Can Save Us From Hellacious Hubs".

The Reason Foundation stated in its October 14, 2011 Airport Policy & Security Newsletter "let me also call your attention to two examples that are making use of the wayport concept today. Darwin and Dubai. The latter is already the world's third-busiest airport, and it's not due to O&D traffic. Situated in a low-population desert kingdom, Dubai International is the principal hub for fast-growing Emirates, which connects long-haul flights from all over the world through this airport. In July the airport announced a $7.8 Billion expansion, and Emirates has 90 Airbus A-380's on order. Dubai International may be a special case, due to it location, but so far it seems to be succeeding as a wayport. Picking up on this model is Australia's Darwin International, on Australia's very lightly populated north coast. Both Quantas and Jetstar have set forth plans to develop it into a long-haul and domestic hub". 

While new airports are being constructed in other continents, only two new large hub airports have been built in the U.S. in the last 60 years at Denver and Dallas-Ft-Worth. Both replaced existing airports. No new or supplemental airports are being proposed. 

New concepts and ideas are needed to prepare plans to accommodate long-term aviation due to globalization, new large aircraft entering the fleet and space travel that will someday get us to other Continents from conventional airports in hours instead of days. 

Congress directed FAA to study Wayports which was never done. Now is the time for FAA to obey Congress and evaluate Wayports that will prove it's a worthy concept. I would like to be part of that evaluation.

I refuse to give up because Wayports is a worthy solution to the lack of nationwide airport system capacity. America cannot continue to depend on broken down half century old airline hubs that cannot be economically and environmentally expanded to meet long-term growth.

Documents and supporting information discussed herein are shown on PAGES on the left. The term Wayports Concept can be researched on the Internet for comments and reviews.

This story was published as a Page on the left on January 1, 2012.

I intend to reveal more details naming events and individuals to complete the Wayports Story in a book I believe will be published.

My name is James Sheppard. I am the facilitator of Wayports. I worked for FAA for 30 years as a field office Manager in planning and developing airports. I also worked for the Orlando International Airport after retiring from FAA and am now an Aviation Consultant. 

Contact me if you would like to discuss Wayports. My address is 5700 Tamarack Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819. E-mail is jsheppard@bellsouth.net