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| Washington State Aviation Website Profiles Airfields | May '08 |
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| By Terry Stephens |
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The most comprehensive survey ever compiled of Washington's civilian aviation facilities is now online for the first time, said John Sibold, the state's director of aviation. The data also includes profiles of 138 public use airports.
Statewide, the Washington State Department of Transportation lists 19 regional airfields, 39 remote or recreational, 33 local, 23 community, 16 commercial and eight for seaplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration's categories divide the same list into 66 classifications, including 14 for primary and secondary commercial service airports, 47 general aviation and five reliever airports.
With the new online reporting tools, airport managers can update statistics or details about their airports. Sibold believes those updates will keep the statewide Aviation Information System database current.
The site also has a variety of aviation documents and links to other aviation information sites. Users may search information by county or region and can view a statewide summary report. Visitors to the updated site are even encouraged to submit questions or report problems.
The initial material came from statewide information collected during the first two phases of the Long-Term Air Transportation Study in 2006 and 2007. In 2005, Gov. Christine Gregoire asked for a study of the state's general aviation and commercial airports. The LATS report surveyed each airfield in 2006, and then evaluated the aviation network to determine what changes or additions were needed to meet future air transportation demands.
Accessibility to the LATS information is even more important now, because the study will have major impacts on the state's aviation system. This year, a newly formed 10-member Aviation Planning Council, appointed by the governor, is reviewing the LATS information and holding public hearings on the study. Among other points, the council is discussing which airports may need to be developed as relief points for Seattle-Tacoma International.
SeaTac, the state's largest public airport, is the nation's 18th busiest. Handling more than 31 million passengers in 2007, SeaTac is expected to be at full capacity by 2030. Paine Field, only 30 air miles to the north, is the largest nearby airfield capable of being developed to handle commercial flights, in order to reduce pressure on Sea-Tic's maxed-out operations.
Once the council's conclusions are determined, its report and recommendations will be sent to the governor, WSDOT and the state legislature in July 2009 for study and action.
For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/lats.
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