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Washington P ilots Association
PMB 397, 227 Bellevue Way NEBellevue, WA 98004-9721
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit #5
Snohomish, WA
April-May 2013
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Renton Municipal Airport...................2
Letter to Secretary Peterson ................ 2
Director Report .................................... 3
FAA Mandates Inspections ................. 3
Sense and Avoid ................................... 4
Pearson Air Museum ..........................5
Does the FAA Truly Care? ..................6
The Appeal of Vintage LSAs ............... 7
Fuller to Step Down ............................8
Calendar of Events .............................. 8
Presidents MessageFolks, I hope
you had a chanceto attend theNorthwest AviationConference and
Trade Show inPuyallup. It was,once again, agreat event demonstrati ngthe breadth andstrength of GA in
the Northwest. Thanks to the members whohelped in stafng the WPA booth. Over thecourse of the show, we saw a number of newmemberships and renewals signed up.
D u r i n g t h ePuyallup event, theWashington PilotsA ssociation heldour A nnual GeneralMeeting. We recognizedthe s igni f icantcontributions of somekey individuals for theirefforts this year withour Annual Awards.
Harold Wilson Award- Carter Timmermanof WSDOT Aviation
(for his outstandingefforts supporting uswith Land Use issues)
Dick Corey Award -Tom J ensen (for hismany accomplishmentsover the years withWPA, including hiscontributions in thefounding of WASAR)
Bernie Lyman Award- Charles Hower (forhis work in buildingand supporting HarveyChapter)
Pi lot of the Year - Paul Speer (for his effortsthis year on behalf of Pearson Field)
Thank you and Well done, to each of
you!Elections were also held and the
following ofcers were instated, including:
West Side Vice President-Steve Waterman
Legislative Director - Mr. Blake McKinley
Communications/WI NGS - Mrs. MarianHeale
Director at Large- Mr. JimPosner
and asPresident - yours truly, Les Smith.
The Board members work for and with youtoward the goals of the WPA. We want towork with you to advance the interests ofGeneral Aviation in the state of Washington.We are all best served when we work togethertowards that goal.
Over the weekend of March 15-17, yourWPA State Board, along with representatives
from 11 of our 19 chapters, met in Chelanat Campbells Resort. These folks tooktime for their own busy schedules to spenda weekend reviewing the accomplishmentsas well as planning for goals at both theChapter and the State level. Our guests
Carter Timmerman
TomJ ensen
Charles Hower
included Tristan Atkins, Director of theAviation Division, WSDOT, along with amember of his staff, Senior Planner RobHodgman. Also joining us was Bob Kay,from the Recreational Aviation Foundation(RAF) and Patrick Dunn, who works insupport of a number of aviation and otherinterests in Olympia. I wont try to replacethe to-be-published minutes, but here are afew highlights.
Tristan and Rob shared how funding is
accomplished for the Aviation Division, aswell as information on Grant Assurances,Airport Investments, and the AviationEconomic Impact Study. In addition,sharing the weekend with Aviation Divisionleadership offered an extraordinaryopportunity to hear and speak to ourmultiple perspectives.
A report from Jim Posner, who hasbeen quite busy as our newest Director inperforming yeomans work in establishing anew 501(c)(3) entity, the Washington PilotsAssociation Youth Aviation ScholarshipFoundation. Thats a mouthful, but at leastyou know what its about just from itsname. Any chapter in the state is welcometo participate with their current scholarshipprogram, but with 501(c)(3) status, donorshave the opportunity for their contributions
to be tax deductible. We think this canprovide a turbo boost to our scholarshipprograms. Jims been doing an outstanding
job communicating progress. Ask yourchapter president for an update from theletters J im and the committee have beensending.
We discussed the formation of aBackcountry Committee. While we may notbe blessed with the same kind or number ofbackcountry strips here in Washington as insome of our neighboring states, we have anumber of members who nevertheless ndtheir way to ours and others backcountryair elds. The committee does not replacethe fine work the RAF does. Rather, asBob Kay suggested, the committee offers aWashington focal point that will interfacewith the RAF as they continue their national
focus. If you have a backcountry or publicuse recreational bent to your ying interests,and would like to join the committee, pleasesend an email to yours truly.
One of the big takeaways from theChelan gatheri ng was the way manyof the Chapter Presidents or attendingrepresentatives spoke upon hearing aboutdifferent chapters facing similar challengesand the sharing of ideas on how to moveforward. There was a high collaborativespirit among chapters and the hope is for thatcollaboration to continue and strengthen.
Tower ClosuresIt is deplorable that politics has brought
us to the situation we nd ourselves, withthe recent announcement of closures forboth contract and FAA towers, both hereand across the country. Controllers and
towers are an essential part of the safetyweb that makes the US air system the safestin the world. Thank you, if you respondedto the email s sent via the WPA Mailerasking for your letters, emails and phone
To Be or Not To Be
That Is The Question!Felts F ield Airport Tower Renton Airport Tower
By TomJ ensen, Airports Director.By the time you read this, Olympia, Renton, Felts, Yakima, and Tacoma Narrows Towers
will be closed due to Sequestration and the controllers will be looking for work.Congress will be back from their two-week vacation by April 8. They left town without
getting to vote on Senator Morans amendment which would directed the FAA to use unobligatedfunds to keep the towers open.
The FAA responds to Congress so this was a missed opportunity to correct somethingStupid (another name for Sequestration. ) There were 13Ds and 14Rs supporting thisamendment; in spite of your calls, neither of our senators included themselves as supporters.Wonder why?
In February, I learned that the GA caucus must be re-joined with each new congress. Soplease take a moment to call our Senators and your individual representatives and urge themto join. Their joining just amounts to a promise to listen to GA causes so, its low risk forthem, but an important start for us.
Sequestration went down on March 1, with the FAA releasing a letter to the above towers(plus Walla Walla) on March 5, with a March 13 due date for any appeal letter. Belatedly onMarch 8, the denitions for National Interests (needed for the appeal letter) was released.
The decision was made on March 18 (Walla Walla exempted because Congress had previouslydedicated funds to their tower ops.) and towers wil l be closed by April 17.
Harrison Ford (the DeHavilland pilot who happens to be an actor) noted Its about safetyand jobs when he briefed the House GA caucus March 19. Im glad hes on our side.
After visiting the Renton tower last month I couldnt agree more. (There were moreBoeing ground ops than GA ights during my visit.) I see the potential for Boeings productionsupply chain to be adversely impacted. Boeing will soon be pushing 42 737s out the doorevery month, with more to follow. These planes are on a tight schedule, so a delay in a taxitest (say, because the 737 has to wait for landing GA trafc..) could delay departure on oneday and a scheduled painting at Boeing (there are 6 hangars used to paint 737s between RNTand BFI .) Few things cause more excitement around Boeing than a delayed delivery.
Some will argue that we get along without towers (e.g. Walla Walla is pretty quiet), butas pilots we need to be smart and vigilant. At Renton, listen for that King Air who might be
coming out of the haze when youre doing T&Gs and remember that YOU are hard to spotbecause of the relative speed difference. Offer to extend your downwind for the big guy toland as a friendly, safety-enhancing gesture. Ditto if you hear Boeing ground trafc.
The FAA Safety Team will be publishing a bulletin to address the lack of tower ops sokeep an eye out for that and keep a current copy of the A/FD (Airport/Facility Directory) withyou when you go travelling.
S Happens
As WINGS was going to press the followingschedule of tower closures was announced:
Ap ri l 7, 2013Tacoma Narrows Tower, Gig Harbo r
Ap ri l 21, 2013Olympi a TowerRenton Tower
May 5, 2013Yakim a Tower
Felts Field Tower, Spokane
(Continued on page 2)
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Page 2 - WPA Wings
WPA WingsAPublication of the Washington Pilots Association
227 Bellevue Way NE, PMB 397Bellevue, WA98004
WPAWings is published bi-monthly, (February, April,June, August, October and December).
Submissions are welcomed!
Please send articles via email to: [email protected]
Send typewritten or handwritten articles to:PMB 397, 227 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA98004-9721
WPA WINGS is the bimonthly newspaper of the Washington PilotsAssociation (WPA), which represents the pilots of WashingtonState. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must be signedby the author and a contact phone number provided.
The WPAreserves the right to edit all letters and to refuse inappro-priate advertising. Opinions expressed in WPA Wings, includingthose in letters to the editor and advertisements, are the opinionsof the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the WPA.
Information included in this publication is intended for entertain-ment and/or educational purposes only. The reader must notrely on the information contained herein to relieve him/her of theresponsibili ty to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations andinstructions. The reader is solely responsible for his/her own safetyand in no case shall the publisher, staff, any officer or memberof the Washington Pilots Association be held responsible for anyuse or lack thereof, that readers may or may not choose to makeof the information contained herein.
Be smart, and please fly safely.
Washington Pilots Association
ADVERTISE IN WPA WINGS!Ad rates & info at http://www.wpaflys.org/wings.html
April-May 2013
Washington Pilots A ssociationServing Washington Pilots Since 1960
JOIN WPA
www.wpaflys.orgPlease Join or renew today!
Executive Committee & Officers
President: Les Smith 425 493 0451Past President: Dave Lucke 509 326 2599VP West: Steve Waterman 425 478 4292VP East: Tom Morris 509 924 5544Treasurer: Jim Swartwood 360 377 8570Secretary: Marjy Leggett 509 547 4347
Directors:
Airports: Tom Jensen 360 825 6777Membership: OPENSafety & Education: OPENLegislative: Blake McKinley 509 924-0070Dir at Large: Jim Posner 360 626 4421Communications: Marian Heale 509 624 1092
WPA Website:http://www.wpaflys.org
As you may know, Lynn Peterson has been appointed the new WashingtonState Secretary of Transportation. As Secretary Peterson assumes her new position, wethought it would be beneficial to introduce ourselves and simultaneously offer support
for the work of the Aviation Department and Director Tris Atkins. We also felt it wouldbe particularly compelling to do so collectively, hence WPA joined as signatory on thefollowing letter.
l l
Lynn Ann A. Peterson, Secretary
Washington State Department of Transportation
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
P.O. Box 47300
Olympia, WA 98504-7300
Dear Secretary Peterson:
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Pacific
Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA), the Washington Pilots Association (WPA), the
Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA) , the Washington State Community Airports
Association (WSCAA), the Washington Aviation Association (WAA) and the Washington Seaplane Pilots
Association (WSPA) collectively represent the general aviation (GA) interests of over 20,000 aviators, 136
public use airports and 260 businesses using GA in Washington State. For many years, our associations
have worked individually and together to ensure the safety, future viability and development of generalaviation airports and their facilities as a part of our national transportation system. On behalf of our
members, we congratulate you on your appointment as Washington States Secretary of Transportation.
As you know, general aviation is a critically important part of the states transportation infrastructure and
economy. Washington States 136 public use airports connect people and businesses to the region and
the world, generating $3.2 billion of the total $51 billion economic impact of aviation. Aviation activity
supports over 7,600 jobs, and the state is home to 59 charter flight companies, 116 repair stations, 64
fixed-based operators and 24 flight schools. Washington States outstanding system of airports support
a variety of important aviation activities, including business and personal transportation, tourism, medical
evacuation, wildfire suppression, flight training and aerial application.
Our organizations look forward to working with you and your staff to ensure that Washington States
aviation system is adequately funded, safe and efficient so that the economic benefits created by the
system continue to grow and accrue to all of the states residents. In doing so, we also look forward to
continuing our work with Tristan Atkins as the Department of Transportations Director of Aviation.Tristan has proven to be an engaged, collaborative and effective leader, with both strategic vision and a
true passion for aviation. Under Tristans leadership, several key aviation initiatives have been
undertaken. These include an update of the states Aviation Economic Impact Study, deployment of an
interactive online Aviation Economic Impact Calculator, and development of an innovative online airport
mapping tool to improve airport land use compatibility decision-making. Additionally, we have been
impressed with his outreach to all segments of the states aviation community, and appreciate the
partnerships he is building. We are enthusiastic about further innovation and continued proactive efforts
to improve the states aviation system under Tristans direction.
Again, congratulations on your appointment. We look forward to working with you and Tristan to ensure
general aviation and the states airports continue to play a key role in Washington States transportation
system.
David Ulane Kristi Ivey
Northwest Mountain Regional Manager Northwest Regional Representative
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association National Business Aviation Association
Alan Burnett Les Smith
Director, Legislative Affairs President
Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association Washington Pilots Association
Stephen Ratzlaff David Ketchum
President Chairman
Washington Seaplane Pilots Association Washington State Community Airports
Association
Kandace Harvey, President Jamelle Garcia, President
Washington Airport Management Association Washington Aviation Association
Washington Seaplane Pilots
Association
March 21, 2013
Presidents Message(Continued frompage 1)
calls in support of Congressional action.We will remain vigilant for what might nextemerge as best steps in support of keepingthese towers open. While doing so, weurge the proactive step of reviewing non-towered airport operations, and testing yourknowledge of same. Look for the links on thehome page of the WPA state web site. As anorganization we are working toward a goalof providing multiple regional pilot briengsto ensure the General Aviation community
understands this change in the tower controlenvironment and is current with non-toweredight and radio procedures, as well as how touse the NOTAM system to brief on any newlydeveloped procedures that might be the resultof these changes.
And nallyEncouraging signs of spring are around
us. Having set our clocks ahead, daylightis creeping later into the evening. Takeadvantage of all this and go fly! Theresnothing like getting above it all!
Renton Municipal616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A Renton, WA 98057
NOTE: Data on this page comes from the WA Airport Information System Database (AIS).
AIRPORT CHARACTERISTICS
Location Approach
Legislative Dist: 37 Federal: Airport Elevation: 32
Assoc iated Ci ty: Renton Appro ach Categ ory:
County: King State:
Organizational Structure Type of Airport
Ownership Type: City Govt. Number: 1 FAA: IIB
Owner: City of Renton Type(s): Description:
AIRPORT ACTIVITYActi vit ies Based Air craf t Cargo
Based Transient AIS Last Updated: 12/7/2011
Agricultural Spraying J et 2 Number of Cargo Carriers -
Air Ambulance Multi-Engine 12 Total Cargo Volume (Tons) -
Medical Transport Single-Engine 257
Airpl ane Parts Manu factu ring Y Rotor Based 4 Ground TransportationAerial Surveying Glider 0 AIS Last Updated: 12/21/2010
Wildland Firefighting Military 0 Bus S erviceSkydiving/Parachute Drops Ultralight 0 Taxi Service
Aerial Tours Seaplane 25 Marine Service
Civil Air Patrol Total 300 Rail S erviceCargo Activity Fixed Based Operators Shuttle ServiceFlight Training AIS Last Updated: 12/21/2010 Limo Town CarCommercial Carrier Activity No. of FBOs 2 Other Ground Transportation
Comparison by State Classif ication Take Offs and Landings (Operations)Airport
Low High
Based Aircraft 300 5 658
Operations 78,222 4,254 142,000
Commercial Enplanements*
2010
2009
2008
Fuel Service
80 LL
100 LLMoGas
Jet AHelicopter Fuel
*Enplanements are passengers boarding a commercial aircraft. Does not
include disembarking passengers.
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-
-
King Air 350
Classification
Service Classification
Runway(s)
B: 91 to
