Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS.
For the full version of the August 19, 2024 edition, click here.
SEEKING WAMA BOARD NOMINATIONS
The Nomination Committee is seeking nominations for board officers. If you know of someone who would like to serve or if you would like to serve on the Board, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Mark Leutwiler at Leutwiler.m@portseattle.org by September 20, 2024.
Board terms are for 2-years and begin in January each year. In 2024 we will have a reshuffling of the Executive Board along with openings for Director positions. Please consider this opportunity to become more involved in the leadership of this great organization. If interested, please submit your Statement of Interest letter and a professional resume to Nominating Committee Chair Mark Leutwiler. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Mark.
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS
The Scholarship Committee is happy to announce that the Board of Directors voted to approve an increase in the amount awarded for the Community and Internship grants. The Community Award has gone from $500 to $750. Internships have increased from $1,000 to $2,000. The Tom Eller Scholarship and Professional Development Award remain unchanged.
Sustainable Airport Grants Now Available
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division is now accepting applications for the newly created Sustainable Aviation Grant program for airports.
During its 2023 session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1125, providing funding for Sustainable Aviation Grant projects recommended for funding by WSDOT Aviation during the 2023-2025 biennium. Sustainable aviation projects may include but are not limited to mobile battery charging technology, hydrogen electrolyzers and storage, electric ground equipment, and hangar charging technology.
To apply, airports can fill out the Sustainable Aviation Grant program application and refer to the airport aid application checklist for potential supporting documentation to be submitted with the application. WSDOT also requires applicants to submit airport aid grant assurances with the application package.
Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Friday, August 16. WSDOT will then submit a prioritized list of recommended projects for funding to the Legislature and anticipates awarding grants after July 1, 2025.
WSDOT will evaluate projects based on their ability to advance the state of sustainable aviation technology and lead to future innovation, reduce the harmful effects of aviation-related emissions, reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce environmental health disparities and create environmental benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
Information on how to apply for an Airport Transformation Grant is included in the Sustainable Aviation Grant program application. The Legislature also directed WSDOT to identify and recommend a selection of sustainable aviation projects for funding in the 2025-2027 biennium.
For more information, visit WSDOT Aviation’s Airport Aid Grant Program website.
Our Airports in the News!
In case you missed the links in the July WSDOT newsletter, a number of Washington airports are in the news. Here are the links with a short introduction to their successes.
Snohomish's Harvey Field was the sight of 85-year-old Kim Knor's attempt to break the record by making 1,000 parachute jumps. Her successful jump at Harvey was her 726th jump. (Note: Although the Everett Herald states this was her 730th jump, other sources report it is her 726th jump.) Read more here.
Chehalis-Centralia: Innovate, Integrate, and Replicate. Those are the words Airport Manager Brandon Rakes uses to describe his plan for the future of this airport as a demonstrator airport. Follow this link to read more:
https://www.chronline.com/stories/working-to-make-this-a-demonstrator-airport-chehalis-centralia-airport-director-gives-master,342909
Pangborn East Wenatchee: Pangborn plans to spend $7.7 million to transform a 1960s Quonset Hut hangar into a state-of-the-art General Aviation building and terminal with a pilot lounge and passenger terminal. Read more here: https://kpq.com/transformation-of-pangborn-airport-building-to-start-in-august/
Auburn: Auburn will be receiving $272,268 in AIG and AIP funding which they will use to replace the rotating beacon, install a new weather observing station, and install a new electrical emergency generator. Read the details here: https://auburnexaminer.com/auburn-municipal-airport-to-receive-over-272000-in-federal-funding/
Paine Field: Seattle Paine Field Passenger Terminal took third place in Newsweek's Best Small Airport in the U.S. Readers Choice Awards. In granting the award, Newsweek highlighted the terminal’s “sleek and modern” design and its “customer-centric experience for air passengers with a lounge-like atmosphere.” Seattle DJC.com local business news and data - Architecture & Engineering - Paine Field Passenger Terminal voted one of America's best
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: Congratulations to SEA as they celebrated on July 9, 2024 their 75th anniversary of providing air service. https://vintageaviationnews.com/aviation-museum-news/75-years-of-seattle-tacoma-international-airport-celebrated-during-museum-of-flight-program.html
Walla Walla: Walla Walla has received $1.28 million in AIP and AIG funds to rehabilitate their apron and to purchase snow removal equipment. https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/business/walla-walla-airport-awarded-1-28m-for-equipment-improvements/article_167065be-3b1f-11ef-9f58-9ff9430f1eec.html
Richland: $946,766 in funds from AIP and AIG will be used for crack-sealing areas of the airport that have been showing wear and increasingly growing gaps in the asphalt.
https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/richland-airport-receives-grant-to-upgrade-runway/article_a9b2cdde-40c0-11ef-a223-1f9ffb2e91ea.html
Across Washington, 28 airports have received a total of $47 million in AIP and AIG funds. For a complete list of these airports, the amounts received, and the proposed projects, check out this website: Auburn Municipal Airport to receive over $272,000 in federal funding - Auburn Examiner
COMMERCIAL AVIATION WORK GROUP
Applications are still open and the Governor’s Office is still looking for more people to apply for Governor-appointed seats on the Commercial Aviation Work Group created in HB 1791 (PDF 10KB).
The position requirements can be found on the Board & Commission Profiles | Governor Jay Inslee (wa.gov)” and those interested can apply now.
Application reviews began Oct. 9 and will continue until all seats are filled.
Positions open include:
• Position 5: Rep. from the airline industry or business dependent upon air service
• Position 9: Citizen rep. - Eastern WA - must represent the public interests in the communities that are included in the work group's site research and understand the impacts of a large commercial aviation facility on a community
• Position 14: Citizen rep. - must represent the public interests in the communities that are included in the work group's site research and understand the impacts of a large commercial aviation facility on a community
• Position 15: Rep. from a freight forwarding industry
• Position 16: Rep. from the trucking industry
• Position 17: Rep. from a community organization that understands the impacts of a large commercial aviation facility on a community
• Position 18: Rep. from a statewide environment organization
• Position 19: Rep. from the statewide environment organization
Thank you to all of our sponsors, JUB, DOWL, Paine Field Snohomish County, CivilAir Engineers PLLC, Precision Approach Engineering, Applied Pavement Technology, Walla Walla Regional Airport, Arlington Municipal Airport and the City of Arlington, Century West Engineering, The Port of Skagit, and Morrison-Maierle for sponsoring the biweekly Waypoints news bulletin. Your support means so much to us.
