February/March 2007 - Washington Pilots Association

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Airport News ......................... 2-3
Get Involved with WPA ............ 4
Angel Flight Celebrates
10th Anniversary ...................... 5
Toys for Tots ............................. 6
Events Calendar ...................... 7
Control Tower Saves the Day .. 7
Membership Application ......... 8
February - March, 2007
President’s Message
Happy New Year!
Annual Convention to Feature Mike Melvill
New Date…New Location!
(and Snow and Icing Conditions)
Mike Melvill
Put on your calendar May 12th at the Future of
Flight, Paine Field. This year the Board has agreed
to a new date and a new format for our annual
meeting. Although many of the daytime activities
are still being developed, confirmed and imagined,
what we do know is that we will have seminars and
an afternoon annual business meeting followed by
a reception and a presentation by guest speaker
Mike Melvill.
As most of you know Mike is the first civilian
astronaut, flying SpaceShipOne into outer space.
Shortly thereafter SpaceShipOne flew again
winning the X Prize.
Be sure to monitor the WPA Web site
(www.wpaflys.org) for further details as we get
closer to the event.
Bremerton Pilots…Great People…Party Animals
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit #5
Snohomish, WA
“Party Animal” might be a bit excessive of a term, but they certainly know how to throw a
great party, have fun, and raise scholarship money for budding young pilots. Sherry and I were
honored to attend their gala…and left some of our money behind at their auction.
Bigger Is Better…Renew On-Line!
And with the New Year comes your opportunity to renew your membership with
WPA. We are making great headway in representing General Aviation in Washington
State. Remember, the bigger we are, the stronger we are. When you join WPA, you no
longer have only one voice…you have the voice of thousands!
As we move further into the 21st century, WPA is moving forward with a new Webbased integrated database/management system. A special thanks goes to Bill Reith, John
Dobson, Colleen Turner, and the rest of their team for getting the dues billing out by
November 1st.
If you have not yet renewed your WPA dues, please go to www.wpaflys.org and click
on the membership tab. If you are not a member yet, you can choose one of our many
chapters or become a member at large. Remember, WPA represents the General Aviation
community whether you wish to be socially active or not. Again, bigger is better!
2007 Retreat Scheduled for June
Thanks to Past State President Kirk Kleinholz, WPA has had an annual retreat of State
Board members. Everyone who has attended the event has agreed that it has been a very
worthwhile, rewarding experience. This year we will be holding the retreat in Yakima. Not
only does our retreat help develop our leadership team, it helps unite the east and west
side of the WPA state. All local presidents should plan to attend or send a representative
for the weekend. Exact date and details will follow.
Stuart Island and Sad News
For many years WPA has been fortunate to have George Konrad to head up and
coordinate our Stuart Island cabin. George lost his fight with cancer on September 17th and
will be missed by us all. George was a fine example of someone who was dedicated to
aviation and selflessly served WPA.
We’re In the Mountains…And That Requires
Special Mountain Flying Techniques
As we move into winter, we are reminded of the hazards associated with the winter
months. When the air is crisp and the skies are Pacific Northwest blue, there isn’t any
better flying anywhere. But please review cold weather flying procedures and attend one
of the many safety seminars offered.
Washington Pilots Association
PMB 397, 227 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004-9721
Address Service Requested
President’s Message continues on page 7
SpaceShipOne
Visit WPA in Booth #56 at the 2007
Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade
Show in Puyallup on February 24-25.
Page 2 - WPA Wings
February - March 2007
Airport News from Around the State
Bowerman Field at Risk
By Fred Winge, WPA Twin Harbors Chapter President
Airports are one of our nation’s most valuable transportation commodities and yet,
week after week one hears of airports being closed or operations significantly restricted by
politicos bowing to the clamor of a largely non-flying community and/or special interest
groups coveting the land the airport sits on to use for their own purposes. At this time,
Bowerman Field at Hoquiam is one of these endangered facilities.
The Port of Grays Harbor commissioners, whether acting on their own opinion or by
listening to bad advice from the Port staff, had authorized the executive director to petition
the FAA to be “released from federal surplus property disposal restrictions at Bowerman
Field,” in order to explore other opportunities to develop Terminal 3, the former Rayonier
property on Moon Island, and adjacent land, including the airport.
The FAA only needed five days to reach a decision. In a brief but strong denial of the
Port’s Nov. 1 request, the FAA responded in a Nov. 6 letter written by Paul Johnson, civil
engineer and compliance specialist with the Seattle office of the FAA, that the department
rejected the release because: Bowerman Field is a vital and integral part of the Harbor’s
transportation infrastructure, not only for Hoquiam and Aberdeen, but for the entire coast
of Washington; Bowerman is a vital part of the national aviation system of airports; and,
the airport is obligated federally.
Further, the FAA said a new and equally adequate replacement airport would have to
be constructed and operational before release of the present facility would be considered,
and lastly, “Unless the FAA determines closing of an airport to be in the best interest of
aviation, we will take whatever action we deem appropriate to prevent closure of an obligated
airport.”
Does this mean the Port will now abandon closure plans for the airport? I seriously
doubt it. The Port has hired Pacific International Engineering as a consultant and this
company has a pretty good pipeline to Congressman Norm Dicks who is a powerful entity
in the other Washington and the FAA’s decision can be overridden by Congressional
action.
So what can we do? We all need to work together to preserve the airports we have left
and our right to fly and we need to support WPA and AOPA to continue the fight against
these threats on the local, state and national levels.
Columbia River Crossing and Pearson Airfield (VUO)
By John Townsley, WPA Legislative Director
Last September I received an email from Nisha at the Washington Aviation Division
announcing a public meeting in Vancouver. The meeting was part of the scoping process
for replacing the bridge. It seems the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia can no longer handle
existing traffic. Replacement alternatives include provisions for light rail, special bus lanes,
and more capacity for autos. There are basically three options: reconstructing the existing
bridge, building a new structure to the west of the existing bridge or building a new structure
to the east of the current bridge. Navigation interests would like to see a higher bridge, with
a lot more river clearance. Think about that for a moment.
The Columbia River I-5 bridge project started nearly seven years ago. According to
the project timeline several alternatives will be fleshed out in 2007, the preferred alternative
will be selected in 2008, and construction could begin as early as 2009. All alternatives
considered are compared to the existing bridge (the “no action” alternative).
The existing bridge could be improved, from an air safety standpoint. The existing
bridge towers already intrude into the VUO approach. Because of the good work by Sean
Loughran, VUO airport manager, the design team is well aware of aviation safety concerns.
In public meetings Sean has pointed out that “the bridge design, particularly the vertical
elements, is a significant concern in maintaining a safe and viable airport.”
Of course, the height of the bridge is only part of the problem. A brightly lighted bridge
may make it difficult for pilots making night landings. If the structure is built to be ‘bird
friendly’ with lots of inviting perches, that also will create unsafe conditions for aircraft.
Sean needs WPA and concerned pilots to explain why improving river navigation must
not degrade aviation safety. The project continues to ask for public input on alternative
bridge designs. Explain why aviation safety is so important, and why you, personally
would like the new bridge to be aviation friendly.
Visit the project website and give them your input at:
http://
www.columbiarivercrossing.org/contactus.aspx. Or call (503) 256-2726 or Toll Free (866)
396-2726. You can also write to them at: Columbia River Crossing Project, 700 Washington
Street, Suite 300 - Vancouver, WA 98660.
An Airport for a Trail?
By Jim Combs, Chairman, King County International Roundtable
In November 2006, Ron Sims, County Executive for King County, and Mic Dinsmore,
CEO for the Port of Seattle, announced a proposal to enhance recreational opportunities in
King County and to make several improvements to the rail transportation network in the
region. The portion of the proposal that has garnered most of the headlines is the transfer
of King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI) from the County to the Port of
Seattle in return for the Port purchasing a rail corridor east of Lake Washington that Burlington
Northern Santa Fe wants to abandon.
Since the announcement, most of the press has focused on whether trading an airport
for a trail is a good idea. However, from the perspective of pilots and other members of the
aviation community, I think the more appropriate issue to consider is: What entity can best
manage Boeing Field to serve the needs of both the aviation community and the citizens of
King County?
The primary needs of the aviation community with regard to Boeing Field are reasonable
access at prices that will ensure the viability of the businesses located on the airport. As
long as we can fly into and out of Boeing Field without unreasonable delay and at a
reasonable cost, do we as pilots really care who owns and operates the airport?
While Bob Burke, Airport Director, and his staff have done an admirable job of managing
Boeing Field and understand that changes
need to be made if the airport is to remain
viable, it is clear to me that other members of
the County’s Executive branch do not
understand what is required to manage an
WPA Wings
airport yet will not allow those who do the
A Publication of the
freedom to manage it.
Washington Pilots Association
227 Bellevue Way NE, PMB 397
The Port of Seattle, however, has the
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 1-800-972-3597/1-800-WPAFLYS
WPA Wings 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:
WPA Wings, 21308 SE 215th St.,
Maple Valley, WA 98038.
WPA WINGS is the bimonthly newspaper of the Washington Pilots
Association (WPA), which represents the pilots of Washington State.
Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must be signed by the
author and a contact phone number provided.
Send letters to: [email protected], or via postal mail: WPA
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the editor and advertisements, are the opinions of the writers and do
not necessarily reflect those of the WPA.
Information included in this publication is intended for entertainment
and/or educational purposes only. The reader must not rely on the
information contained herein to relieve him/her of the responsibility to
comply with Federal Aviation Regulations and instructions. The reader
is solely responsible for his/her own safety and in no case shall the
publisher, staff, any officer or member of the Washington Pilots Association be held responsible for any use or lack thereof, that readers
may or may not choose to make of the information contained herein.
Be smart, and please fly safely.
expertise and staff (20 times that of Boeing Field) to manage an airport. There are many in
the community who may not like the Port’s policies, but SeaTac operates as smoothly as
any other commercial airport in the country. Most of the community dislike for the Port
regarding SeaTac is in relation to the third runway.
An issue that links Boeing Field and SeaTac is how the airspace in the region will be
managed to assure the smooth flow of planes into and out of all the airports affected by
SeaTac operations. Currently, the approaches to SEA RWY 16L and 16R pass over the
center of Boeing Field. A question I have raised this year and don’t yet have a good answer
to is: Where will the approach for the SEA third runway cross BFI and how will it affect
operations into BFI?
The FAA is initiating a regional airspace study to consider this and other issues. With
the third runway at SEA due to open in 2009, that study will happen quickly. While this
airspace study would have occurred with or without the proposal to transfer ownership of
BFI to the Port, would the transfer be a good thing for BFI in that Port staff may be more
effective in working with the FAA … or would it be a bad thing in that Port staff would
lobby to meet SEA’s needs to the detriment of BFI?
Regardless of the outcome of the BFI ownership issue, WPA members need to stay
tuned into this airspace study and the impact it will have on many airports in the region.
I would like to hear from WPA members about the proposed change in ownership.
Please send comments to [email protected] or bring your questions to my
presentation at the WPA Greater Seattle Chapter meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 7:00pm
at the Boeing Field terminal building in conference room 110.
Jim Combs chairs the King County International Roundtable where he represents pilots
organizations (WPA and AOPA). He is a past WPA State President, past Greater Seattle
Chapter President and a current member of the WPA Greater Seattle Chapter.
More Airport News on page 3
Washington Pilots
Association
Executive Council & Officers
President: Jim Smith 425-774-8497
VP East: Dave Lucke 509-994-0323
VP West: Dale Terwedo 425-418-9622
Secretary: Les Flue 509-952-2376
Treasurer: Bill Reith 425-252-3173
Directors
Airports: Tom Jensen 800-972-3597
At-Large: John Dobson 360-898-2319
Communications: Colleen Turner 425-306-7391
Legislative: John Townsley 509-826-3568
Membership: Rebecca Desmond 360-621-1002
Safety & Education: Jeff Renfrow 509-624-0970
Immediate Past President
Kirk Kleinholz 425-418-9119
WPA Website:
http://www.wpaflys.org
February - March 2007
Airport News
continued from page 2
WSDOT Aviation Awards
$173,900 in Third Round
of Local Airport Aid Grants
ARLINGTON – On January 8, 2007, the Washington State Department of Transportation
(WSDOT) Aviation announced that it will award $173,900 to 14 airports throughout the
state. This represents the third round of Local Airport Aid grants that WSDOT has awarded
during the 2005-2007 biennium. In this latest round, WSDOT awarded grants for 19 projects totaling $394,522. It
used $4,842 in state funds to leverage $183,312 in federal grants. The remaining $37,310
came from local matching funds. Sixty-eight percent of grants will go to smaller airports
that are ineligible to receive federal funding. Projects were awarded in the following areas:
• 7 Pavement Projects - $87,880
• 1 Planning Project - $4,750
• 2 Maintenance and Other Projects - $4,153
• 9 Safety Projects - $118,888
Third Round Grant Project List: • Arlington Municipal - Design Engineering for Taxiway C & D Improvements, Phase
I: $2,495.32
• Auburn Municipal - Airport Safety Signs and Wind Cones: $3,817.00
• Bowers Field - Design Engineering for Taxilane and Apron Rehabilitation/
Reconstruction Phase I: $1,974.00
• Deer Park Municipal - Pavement Crack Sealing: $7,290.00
• Desert Aire - Runway Safety Area Improvements: $26,468.00
• Dorothy Scott International - Rotating Beacon Replacement: $4,735.24
• Ed Carlson/South County - Pavement Marking - Runway and Taxiways: $15,202.50
• Ephrata Municipal - Crack Sealing of Glider Runway Area: $20,000.00
• Goldendale Municipal - Runway Light System Repairs: $16,000.00
• Ilwaco - Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Relocation and New Threshold
Lights: $19,500.00
• Moses Lake Municipal - Pavement Crack Sealing and Rotating Beacon Replacement: $18,460.00
• Odessa Municipal - Weed Control: $1,217.90
• Omak - Pavement Crack Sealing - Taxiway and Ramp, Phase I: $355.00
• Willard Field - Update Airport Layout Plan, Runway Safety Area Improvements,
Displaced Threshold Markings and Obstruction Lighting: $36,385.00
Total Grant Funding $173,899.96
This round of grants was unique in that WSDOT asked all applicants to demonstrate
the ability and commitment to complete proposed projects by June 30, 2007.
In the previous two rounds, WSDOT had given $3.1 million in state funds to 47 airports,
and used approximately $378,000 to leverage more than $14 million in federal grants.
WSDOT will award a next round of grants in July 2007, and anticipates having $1
million in funding for airport projects. We will solicit applications between March and May
2007.
For more information, contact:
Jeff Kvamme
Eric Johnson
Construction Project Manager
Construction Project Manager
WSDOT Aviation
WSDOT Aviation
(360) 651-6304
(360) 651-6303
[email protected]
[email protected]
SUPPORT OUR
ADVERTISERS!
OUR ADVERTISERS HELP
FUND WPA’S EFFORTS ON
BEHALF OF GENERAL AVIATION.
SHOW YOU APPRECIATE
THEIR SUPPORT.
WPA Wings - Page 3
AIRPORTS BEWARE
By Jack Krause, WPA Member at Large and Association of Sanderson Pilots Member
Remember the relief we felt within the aviation community back in 1998 when the State
of Washington passed a law requiring all communities to develop zones to protect airports
from encroachment by incompatible development?
Here is a BIG RED FLAG, folks. You had better check what your local governments
have done, because we found that the City government of Shelton feels they are above the
law and have yet to fulfill this requirement. What is more astounding is even though the
Port of Shelton, which governs the Sanderson Airport, has complied and published a State
approved protective zone, the City recently gave the go ahead for the construction of a
housing development inside the Port’s area. When challenged on their decision, the City
merely said that since the City had no protective zone established, there was no legal basis
on which to deny the construction – even though they have had eight years and considerable
urging by the State to comply with the overlay protective zone law. It causes one to
speculate why it is called a “law.” We ordinary citizens are obligated to abide by the law.
Why not governments?
As a means of appeasement by the City for those who objected, there was a proviso in
the approval for the construction that signs would be posted and sales documents would
include information denoting the area as being in a noise zone. As we lose one airport a
week in this Country to incompatibility, how could any responsible government official be
so naive?
WSDOT Aviation and the Association of Sanderson Pilots (ASP) have formally offered
any and all assistance in developing this required overlay, but the City refuses to comply
saying they will have it done by March, 2007. Of course they also said they would have it
completed by December, 2005. What concerns ASP is there is still nothing in place to deny
any other construction site bid within the airport zone between now and March, 2007.
Most of us have little time to peruse the legal pages to see if we are getting blind-sided
like we just did, but it is a fact of life. This project was “made available to the public” in a
three inch by one column wide article in the weekly Mason County Journal with a fourteen
day public comment period. It was an article mainly of legalese gobbledygook with the title
of, “NOTICE OF MITIGATED DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE SHELTON
SPRINGS SUBDIVISION.” Truly.
Be aware of what we are facing, or you too will end up seeing the precursor of the end
of your airport caused by uninformed government officials who possess very little foresight
and feel they are above the law. You are strongly urged to check with the governing body
of your airport to make sure they have complied. Word has it that only about fifty percent
have complied.
Editor’s Note: In 1996, the Washington State Legislature passed amendments to the
Growth Management Act (GMA) to require local governments to protect public-use
airports. The law requires all towns, cities, and counties to adopt comprehensive plan
policies to implement regulations to discourage incompatible land uses adjacent to
public use airports. The law also directs WSDOT to provide local communities with
assistance to comply with the law. According to WSDOT’s “Measures, Markers and
Mileposts: The Gray Notebook for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2006,” these efforts are
resulting in proactive land use protection programs for 65 of Washington State’s 139
public-use airports. Statewide, 32 towns and cities and 19 counties have adopted, or are
currently working with WSDOT to adopt comprehensive plan policies and development
regulations.
Page 4 - WPA Wings
February - March 2007
WPA Chapters Around the State – Get Involved with WPA
ANACORTES - The Anacortes chapter generally meets on the second Thursday of every third month (February, May,
August and November) at 6:30 pm.
Meetings are held in the Micro Aerodynamics hangar on the airport. Contact
Warren Walz via email at
[email protected]
CLALLAM COUNTY - The Clallam
Couty chapter meets on the third Thursday of the month at Rite Bros (FBO) at
Port Angeles - Firchild International Airport (CLM). Meetings begin at 7:00 pm,
and all are welcome. For more info on
the Clallam Couty chapter, contact
Gene Rimov at (360) 452-2806.
COLVILLE VALLEY - For current
meeting schedules, please contact
Harley Howell, Jr., (509) 684-2105,
email [email protected]
DEER PARK - Deer Park chapter
meetings are usually held on the fourth
Friday of the month at the Deer Park
Administration Building located near the
south end of the airport. Meetings begin
with a potluck dinner at 6:30 pm, with
chapter business at 7:15 pm and a special guest at 8:00 pm. Please contact Bill
Moore at (509) 991-6133 or
[email protected] for additional
information.
GREEN RIVER - The Green River
chapter meets for dinner at 7:00 pm on
the third Friday of each month from September through June at the quonset hut
at 790 Perimeter Road at Renton Airport (that’s the first building north of the
control tower). For more information
on the Green River chapter, email
Daryl Hickman at flyingseattle
@yahoo.com.
HARVEY FIELD/SNOHOMISH The Harvey Field chapter meets on the
second Saturday of the month, April
through October at 9:00 am in Hangar
15 on Harvey Field. November thru
March we meet before the movie at
“Harvey Field Night at the Movies,” with
meetings starting at 5:30 pm, and those
attending encouraged to stay for the
movie. For more information contact
Greg Hunter at (206) 363-7925
NORTH SOUND/BELLINGHAM The North Sound chapter meets every
second Thursday of the month (except
during June, July and August), at 7:00 pm
on the second floor of the old Port of
Bellingham administration building, at
Bellingham International Airport (BLI).
For more info on the North Sound
chapter, contact Wayne Landis at
(360) 647-8206, email landiswg
@comcast.net.
OKANOGAN COUNTY - The
Okanogan County chapter meets on the
third Thursday of the Month alternating
between Okanogan and Tonasket. To
confirm meeting details, contact John
Townsley at (509) 422-6382, email
[email protected].
PAINE FIELD - The Paine Field chapter meets every Saturday morning at
10:00 am for a fly out lunch. Just show
up at the Regal FBO. For more infor-
mation on the Paine Field chapter
activities, visit their website (accessible
from the main WPA website at
www.wpaflys.org), or contact Kevin
Kelly
425-353-7810,
email
[email protected].
GREATER SEATTLE - The Greater
Seattle chapter meets on the third
tuesday of the month, at 7:00 pm in Room
110 of the Boeing Field terminal building,
7277 Perimeter Road. Please visit their
website (accessible from the main WPA
website at www.wpaflys.org), or contact Colleen Turner (425) 306-7391,
email [email protected].
SOUTHWEST/VANCOUVER - The
Southwest/Vancouver chapter generally
meets on the fourth Wednesday of each
month, starting at 7:00 pm, at the Pearson
Air Museum on Pearson Field (VUO),
in Vancouver. For more information on
the Southwest/Vancouver chapter,
please contact Bob Brown at (360)
607-5060.
SPOKANE - Meetings of the Spokane
chapter are usually held on the third
Wednesday of each month over dinner
at Marie Callander’s Restaurant, beginning at 6:00 pm. (Meeting details are subject to change - please call first to check).
The chapter also conducts a monthly flyout on the Saturday morning following
the chapter meeting, weather permitting.
For more information, contact Blake
McKinley at (509) 924-0070, or email
[email protected].
TWIN HARBORS - The Twin Harbors
chapter meets the second Tuesday of the
month at 6:00 pm in Ocean Shores, location TBD. For meeting details and more
info, contact Fred Winge at (360) 2894189, email [email protected].
WENATCHEE - Email Scott
Morrison at pioneerautorepair
@verizon.net for further information.
YAKIMA VALLEY - The Yakima Valley chapter meets for dinner on the last
Friday of the month. For meeting location and other details, contact Ola
Vestad at (509) 965-2681, email
[email protected].
WPA IS GROWING -
NEW OLYMPIA CHAPTER FORMED
A new WPA Chapter is currently being formed in Olympia to
serve pilots in Olympia and the south Puget Sound communities.
Details on meetings are still being determined.
To get involved with the new Olympia Chapter, please
contact State WPA President Jim Smith at [email protected].
WPA Eastside Activities
By Dave Lucke, WPA Eastside VP
Spokane and Deer Park chapters hosted an aviation awareness seminar on Oct 21. There were about 35 pilots in attendance. Jim McDevitt, the US Attorney for eastern
Washington, (and WPA member), gave a presentation on aircraft use for drug trafficking in
eastern Washington. Jim would like to do this presentation for all WPA chapters in eastern
Washington and maybe the west side if there is enough interest. Tom Jensen and Gary
Evans from WASAR did a presentation on current WASAR activities and requirements for
search training. Special thanks to Tom and Gary.
I attended the Yakima chapter meeting on October 27th. The Yakima chapter is very
active and would welcome the WPA board retreat in the spring of 07. Several members of
the Yakima pilot and aircraft owner community are in the process of installing taxi lanes,
infrastructure, and building new hangars on the south side of the Yakima airport property.
Prior to the chapter meeting I visited the McAllister aircraft museum and the Cubcrafters
aircraft manufacturing facility. Cubcrafters has orders for about 70 airplanes and has about
80 full time employees. This is a HUGE asset to Yakima and the State of Washington. You
can visit their website at http://www.cubcrafters.com.
Plans for 2007 include two safety seminars with a special emphasis on mountain flying:
one in Spokane on April 22 and another in Yakima in the fall. I have met with Brent Morrow,
FAA safety guy, who will be working with me on these programs. The Deer Park Airport has a few new hangars available for sale and / or lease. These
new hangars have gas heat, electricity and full restrooms in each hangar. Hangar size
varies. There are also plans to develop several new T type hangars on the airport in the
spring.
With the help of a grant from the FAA, Felts Field has about 17 new hangar lots
available for development. SATA, (Spokane Airports Tenants Association), has been
working with staff at the Spokane Airports to negotiate new lease terms that will attract
long term investment in airport buildings and increased cash flow for the airport.
Spokane International has a new tower under construction. Plans are for the new
tower to be operational by August of 2007. There is some controversial development
planned for the south side of GEG, (the general aviation side). Many general aviation
aircraft owners have received notice that their current rental agreements for hangar and tie
down space will be terminated as of March 1. At this time it is not known if there is
alternative tie down and hangar space being offered to these displaced pilots.
February - March 2007
WPA Wings - Page 5
Angel Flight West’s Washington Wing Celebrates 10-year Anniversary in 2007
By Christian Holtz
The following is part one of a series of Angel Flight articles. WPA has been proud to be
associated with and a supporter of Angel Flight, with many of our members
volunteering to be mission pilots. I would encourage all Washington Pilots to look into
Angel Flight and do what they can to further this important organization.
Jim Smith
State President
Washington Pilots Association
In 1997 twenty individuals got together in a small meeting room off of the café at
Seattle’s Museum of Flight with the idea of bringing the concept of Angel Flight to the
Pacific Northwest. Among this group would be the first Washington pilots to volunteer
their time and flying skills to fulfill in the Northwest Angel Flight’s mission to provide free
air transportation in response to health and human needs.
In many respects this meeting wasn’t so different from another that took place back in
1983 when a dozen pilots got together over coffee at an FBO in Santa Monica, California to
discuss an idea for how they could use their planes to help others. What these pilots
created that day in a hangar belonging to SMO’s Gunnell Aviation was the Los Angeles
chapter of the American Medical Support Flight Team, later to be known as Angel Flight.
In 1984, the chapter’s first full year in existence, they flew a total of 15 missions as they
fought an uphill battle to convince individuals and organizations they could provide free
air transportation to financially-needy patients. Other enthusiastic volunteer pilots soon
came onboard and mission numbers began to grow.
Angel Flight’s yearly mission numbers in California reached 155 in 1989, and by 1994
leapt to 665. The annual mission total remained around 600 for the next few years. Then, in
1996, Angel Flight’s visionary Board of Directors, embarked on an ambitious plan called
Mission 1200… to double annual mission numbers to 1200 by the year 2000. The Board
understood there were vast numbers of people out-of-state who could benefit from Angel
Flight’s unique service and decided to expand the organization beyond California’s borders
to other Western states.
In Washington State, Lorca Fitschen agreed to assume the leadership role. An early
and aggressive effort to reach more pilots and to make Washington hospitals and clinics
aware of Angel Flight were made. That first year in Washington, 1997, they flew 25 missions
while the Western Region of Angel Flight flew a total of 951 missions.
But Angel Flight really took off with husband and wife Stephen and BJ Brandli. “The
first thing we wanted to do was build a community” said BJ Brandli. “That’s why we started
the (Washington Wing) Angel Flight newsletter.” Stephen and BJ would also pack up the
kids in their plane and fly about the state making presentations. “If the weather was bad,
we’d load up the car,” said BJ. “We’d travel to a little hangar somewhere, meet with ten or
twelve pilots, do our talk and collect applications.” The key to attaining credibility with the
health care community was to increase public awareness of Angel Flight’s mission through
the medium of television. “We were able to get news spots done on KIRO, KOMO and
KING television,” said BJ. “And ‘Evening Magazine’ even flew with us on a mission.”
At this point in time, how a mission got assigned went something like this: a requester
called Angel Flight in Santa Monica. If it made sense geographically that Washington
pilots fly the mission, the particulars were faxed to BJ, who then called down her list of
pilots. “Mission coordination was all done by phone and fax” said BJ. Stephen, a software
engineer, figured there had to be a better way of doing things and set about creating
AFIDS, the custom-designed Angel Flight Information Database System he developed to
modernize mission coordination. “Basically, Stephen donated a year of his life to Angel
Flight (creating AFIDS) in order to get his wife back,” remarked BJ with a laugh.
AFIDS is now used by Angel Flight West and three other regional Angel Flight
organizations including Angel Flight Australia, where the Brandli’s traveled to help install
the system. Their work on behalf of Angel Flight garnered the couple an American Red
Cross Hero’s Award.
Continued in the next issue of WPA Wings.
Editor’s note: Christian Holtz is a member of WPA’s Greater Seattle chapter and flies
rented Cessna 150s and a 172 out of Boeing Field. Since joining Angel Flight West in
2000 he has flown 44 missions, all VFR. In 2006 Holtz received a Golden Halo Award
from Angel Flight West for his commitment to the mission of Angel Flight and for his pilot
recruitment efforts for the Washington Wing.
For a complete list of pilot requirements (minimum 250 hours PIC, no instrument
rating required) log onto the Angel Flight West website www.angelflightwest.org
Larry Holtz, WPA Green River Chapter and Christian Holtz, WPA Greater Seattle Chapter
on blood delivery mission.
Dale Terwedo, WPA Westside VP with his Angel Flight co-pilot.
Page 6 - WPA Wings
February - March 2007
Even a Mighty Windstorm Couldn’t Stop the 14
Annual WPA Toys for Tots Campaign and Fly-Out
th
By Colleen Turner, WPA Communications
Director
As the wind howled on the night of
December 14 and I tossed and turned trying
desperately to go to sleep, I couldn’t help
thinking about the 14th annual WPA Toys
for Tots Campaign and Fly-Out that was
planned for Saturday, December 16. Would
Mother Nature cooperate and allow us to
proceed or would she truly become a force
to be reckoned with?
Although the wind had stopped
blowing by Saturday morning and it was a
good VFR day to fly, there were other serious
issues to face. Several WPA members had
volunteered to participate from throughout
Puget Sound and I wondered how many of
them were waking up to a frosty morning in
a cold house without power or heat. Would
they still be able to partake in the fun and
festivities or would they be forced to deal
with grim circumstances at home? Would
the Marines who agreed to fly right-seat with
a WPA pilot to pick up toys at airport
businesses throughout Puget Sound show
up as promised?
As it turned out, I had no reason to fret.
Everybody who had agreed to help came to
the party in spite of the fact that many of
them didn’t have power at home. I was
eternally grateful that power wasn’t a
problem at Galvin Flying Service, Boeing
Field, where we had agreed to congregate at
11:00am. Tom and Nancy Jensen and Al and
Esther Banholzer graciously provided hot
drinks and baked holiday treats to keep the
troops well fueled. Stephanie Allen, Alan
Negrin, Dick Kinnier and Don McNamara
arrived bright and early with the first batch
of toys from airport businesses at Paine
Field.
Tom Jensen called many of the airport
businesses to verify that they had power
and were open; if he didn’t reach anybody
at the business, he called the business
owners at home to arrange for them to open
their doors so that we could pick up the toys.
By 11:30am, the Marines and pilots were
anxious to take off on their missions. The
flying Santas were Sandy Allen, Paine Field;
John Amico, Boeing Field; Drew Anderson,
Auburn Airport; Bob Dempster, Renton
Airport; Larry Holtz, Crest Airpark; Greg
Hunter, Harvey Field; Tom Jensen and Mike
Latta, Evergreen Sky Ranch; Alan Negrin,
Arlington Airport and Dale Terwedo, Paine
Field. Mike Wagner and his son were
standing by in his large black pick up to get
the toys from the following airport
businesses on the east side of Boeing Field:
AeroFlight Executive Services, Aviation
Training Center, Clay Lacy Aviation, Galvin
Flying Service, The Aviator’s Store and
Wings Aloft.
From Boeing Field, the pilots took off in
all directions to pick up toys at the following
locations where Toys for Tots barrels had
been distributed shortly after Thanksgiving:
Auburn Airport: Airport Office and Auburn
Flight Service
Bremerton Airport: Airport Diner
Crest Airpark: Airport Office
Evergreen Sky Ranch: Tom and Nancy
Jensen’s hangar, which was filled with toys
donated at the WPA Green River Chapter’s
Christmas in July celebration and Christmas
party
Harvey Field: Buzz Inn Restaurant and
Bob Dempster, WPA Green River chapter with Marines
A lot of toys for a lot of tots!
Bill Billet, WPA Green River Chapter and Jim Davidson, WPA Paine Field Chapter with
young Marine
Snohomish Flying Service
Paine Field: Airport Office/Everett Jet
Center; Crown Aviation; Everett Community
College; Northway Aviation; Northwest
School of Aviation and Regal Air
Renton Airport: Boeing Employees Flying
Association and Pro Flight
Sanderson Field, Shelton: Olympic Air
Tacoma Narrows Airport: Executive
Terminal, Pavco Flight Center and Narrows
Landing Restaurant
Thun Field, Puyallup: Spencer Aircraft
Bob Dempster taxied over to the
Museum of Flight on the west side of
Boeing Field with his globetrotting, bright
yellow Super Cub decorated with decals
from over 25 countries to collect the toys
from the barrel in the Museum’s gift shop.
A crew from Q13 Fox was awaiting his arrival.
Jim Davidson was outstanding in his
role leading the WPA Paine Field Toys for
Tots team, Jack Krause was instrumental in
getting a Toys for Tots barrel placed at
Olympic Air in Shelton and Marv Olsen
generously delivered barrels to airport
businesses at Bremerton and Tacoma
Narrows.
In addition to the barrels that we placed
at airport businesses, Dale Terwedo brought
many toys that were donated by clients of
his company, Terwedo Financial Services,
and Joe Bryant gathered even more toys
from a barrel that he placed at Chace’s
Pancake Corral, a popular eatery in Bellevue.
Toys were collected at the WPA Paine Field
Christmas party and The Greater Seattle
Chapter of the 99s brought toys collected at
their Christmas party to Auburn Airport.
Al Banholzer and Jim Davidson were
scheduled to fly but didn’t because Al
couldn’t open his hangar door due to lack
of power at Crest Airpark and Jim’s plane
had maintenance issues. However, they
were good sports and did a great job helping
to unload toys from the planes. Assisting
in the unloading effort were Bill Billet, Daryl
Hickman and Christian Holtz.
Randy, a photographer from KING5,
busily recorded us as we loaded the
thousands of toys sitting on the floor of the
Galvin hangar to the Marines van. It was
hard to believe, but the van wasn’t large
enough to accommodate our impressive pile
of toys and had to come back for a second
trip.
What a fantastic day! Mother Nature
and the disaster that she wrought didn’t
prevent us from carrying on and enabling less
fortunate children to celebrate a Merry
Christmas with a new, shiny toy. The Marines
told me that they had a great time flying as
many of the pilots allowed them to fly the
plane and gave them a fabulous aerial tour.
Personally, I can’t think of a better way
to celebrate the Holiday spirit. The
cooperation and camaraderie among the
members of the WPA Greater Seattle, Green
River, Paine Field and Harvey Field chapters
provides a wonderful example of how multichapter events can effectively promote the
benefits of general aviation and the
generosity of GA pilots.
Thanks so much to all who participated!
February - March 2007
WPA Wings - Page 7
Events Calendar
We provide the following list of aviation related events occurring in our area as a service to our members. Not all of these events are sanctioned or promoted by WPA, but
are provided to you as an aid in identifying flying events in which you may want to participate. The events in “bold” are hosted by WPA. We try to make sure the information is
up-to-date and correct. However, things can and do change at the last minute, so before you head out, we strongly recommend that you check with the person listed with each
event to ensure the event is still scheduled. Also, you can go to the Calendar on the WPA Website at www.wpaflys.org/calendar.html and find the most current information.
There are just too many great activities that are held every year that we only hear about after the event. WPA wants to correct this situation by trying to list all of the flying
events within the state or surrounding area. This can only be done with your help, our Chapters, and our other members sending in news of events in your area. Please email all
information concerning events to [email protected] or call or fax the news item to (425) 228-6330. Help us make this calendar in WPA Wings a very useful item - so send in
the events!
FEBRUARY
20
22
23
28
WPA Greater Seattle Chapter
Meeting Topic: Jim Combs on
the Proposed Change of
Ownership of Boeing Field;
Boeing Field Terminal
Building, Conference Room
110, 19:00 Colleen Turner,
425-306-7391
AOPA Air Safety Foundation,
Topic: Say It Right! Radio
Communication in Today’s
Airspace; Museum of Flight,
Seattle, WA, 19:00-21:00
WPA Clallam County Chapter
Safety Breakfast Fairmont
Restaurant, Port Angeles, 07:30
Steve, 360-452-6601
25-25 24th Annual Northwest Aviation
Conference & Trade Show,
Showplex Exhibition Center,
Western Washington Fairgrounds,
Puyallup, WA; Washington
Aviation Association, 360-4275599; Visit WPA in Booth #56.
EAA 430 Chapter Meeting,
Topic: Chad Theismann on County
Airports Proposed Regulations,
Jim Cone’s Hangar/Home, Blue
Ribbon Airstrip, Sequim, WA,
19:00; Gary Johnson, 360-452-2340
15
WPA Okanogan County Chapter
Meeting, Topic: John Shambaugh
of WSDOT on LATS, Whistler’s
Restaurant, Tonasket, 18:30;
John Townsley, 509-422-6382
15
WPA Clallam County Chapter
Meeting, Topic: Video of One-Six
Right, Rite Bros. Aviation, Port
Angeles, 19:00 Gene Rimov,
360-452-2806
MARCH
1-3
8
9
Montana Aviation Conference,
Missoula, MT, 406-444-2506
WPA Paine Field Chapter Meeting,
Topic: Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage
Collection, Sno-Isle Technical
Skills Center, Everett, WA, 18:30;
Kevin Kelly, 425-353-7810
WPA Clallam County Chapter
Safety Breakfast Fairmont
Restaurant, Port Angeles, 07:30
Steve, 360-452-6601
10-11 4th Annual Northwest Aviation
Safety and Education Seminar,
Aurora, OR; 360-771-5691 or
[email protected]
30
WPA Clallam County Chapter
Safety Breakfast Fairmont
Restaurant, Port Angeles,
07:30 Steve, 360-452-6601
APRIL
13
WPA Paine Field Chapter
Meeting, Topic: Flying in Alaska,
Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center,
Everett, WA, 18:30; Kevin Kelly,
425-353-7810
19
WPA Okanogan County Chapter
Meeting, Topic: CFI and students
from Moody Aviation on A&P
and pilot training for mission
aviation. Sun Valley Restaurant,
Okanogan, 18:30; John Townsley,
509-422-6382
28
Skagit Tulip Fly-In and Airshow,
Skagit Regional Airport, 10:0014:00; Port of Skagit County,
360-757-0011
28-29 WINGS Weekend at Paine Field,
Regal Air; Dave Wheeler,
425-252-5414
MAY
12
WPA General Membership
Annual Meeting and Convention
featuring Mike Melvill; Future
of Flight, Paine Field, Jim
Smith, 425-774-8497
Got an aviation event for our calendar? Let everyone know - email [email protected]
Control Tower
Saves the Day!
By Robert Hamilton, WPA Paine Field Chapter Past President We all know what an incredible job our control tower does. The following story
helps highlight it once again: Kirk Kleinholz and I went flying in Kirk’s Maule on Saturday,
December 2nd. It was a beautiful sunny day after three weeks of snow and rain. At about
3:30 in the afternoon we returned to Paine at the same time that (it seems) every other flyer
in the northwest was returning. We called in from Langley, and within 30 seconds there
were three other calls from Langley, one from Bush Point, and two more from Edmonds! Paine Field is often busy on a sunny weekend day, but this crowd definitely had the
tower working full time. And as usual, they kept us all straight and positioned for landing.
With our plane on short final for 34L, there was a Mooney in front of us just over the
runway threshold. In between all instructions zinging back and forth over 132.95, we
suddenly heard the Tower announce “Mooney, check your gear!” With no immediate
response, they quickly followed with “Mooney, go around!” Kirk and I thought we were
about to have front row seats to a very exciting landing. Fortunately the Mooney leveled
out a few feet over the runway and climbed. (I think Kirk yelling into our windshield “pull up, Mooney, pull up!” must have
helped.)Despite how busy the traffic was, which required the total efforts of the tower to
keep all of us accounted for and in the right place, our air traffic professionals still found
time to focus on the undercarriage of an aircraft a few feet above the deck.
Well done Tower! President’s Message continued from page 1
Speaking of Kirk…
He is leaving town…and the Country!
I couldn’t believe it. Just because his wife gets a job with some three letter agency in
Berlin, Kirk decides to pack up and leave this wonderful flying country. Doesn’t he know
they talk funny there?
On a personal note, I am going to miss
Kirk terribly. He is a dedicated leader, a good
friend and an overall quality person. He even
dated my wife while we were all in Long
Beach for AOPA (you will have to ask me
about that one).
Happy New Year to
All of You
Again this year, Sherry and I would like
to wish all of you and your families a Happy
(and safe!) New Year. We count our
blessings and know that all of you are a part
of those blessings.
Jim
Jim Smith
State President
Washington Pilots Association
Kirk and Dolores dancing
Legislative Report
By John Townsley, WPA Legislative Director
The Washington State Legislature officially convened on January 8th, 2007. Visit the
Washington State Legislature homepage at www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/ for information
on the legislative schedule, and to learn about the bills introduced so far this session. If
you plan to attend the Northwest Aviation Conference in Puyallup the last weekend of
February you might consider stopping in at Olympia to meet your Senator or Representative. Every person in the legislature has at least one airport in their district. You can preserve
your access to the airport by telling your legislators why airports are important to you, to
other residents of their district, and to the State. A friend who is not a pilot, and until her
time of need, thought little about airports once told me “airports are invisible and not
important... until I needed one”. Her community airport saved her life and the life of her
child because she needed urgent care available only in a major hospital. Talk with your
legislators. Tell them why airports are important to you!
Page 8 - WPA Wings
February - March 2007
SUPPORT GENERAL AVIATION IN WASHINGTON: JOIN WPA
AOPA, EAA are great groups working nationally. WPA works locally. Join us.
Interested in general aviation in Washington? Then you need
to be part of the Washington Pilots Association.
AOPA and EAA are great organizations working on behalf of general
aviation at the national level. But there’s another organization fighting
for your right to fly, much closer to home: WPA, the Washington Pilots
Asociation.
The Washington Pilots Association (WPA) helps keep the passion
for general aviation alive in Washington State and plays a leading role in
ensuring the facilities and policies are in place to enable this spirit of
adventure to take flight today and in the future.
The WPA is the only non-profit organization of pilots and others
interested in aviation focused on the need of serving pilots and promoting
general aviation specifically in the state of Washington. Here is what
the WPA does for you:
• WPA Works Locally & Statewide to Preserve Your Right to Fly
• WPA is Your Voice at the State and Local Level on Aviation issues
• WPA Provides Airport Advocacy, Maintenance and Protection
• WPA Wings Subscription included
• Local WPA Chapters & Activities
• Training & Educational Programs
• Connect With Other Pilots in Your Area & Across the State
• Free Use of Rustic, Fly-in Cabin in the San Juan islands
• Access to Group Health Credit Union Membership
• Discounts on GA News and Pilot Getaways publications
• And More!
WPA Mission Statement –
To advance the interests of General Aviation in
Washington State through advocacy, outreach,
education, and social activities.
If you’re a pilot in Washington, WPA is your organization. Help
keep the passion for flying alive in the state of Washington, and help us
fight to preserve your right to fly. Join or renew your WPA membership
today (membership application below, or join/renew online at
www.wpaflys.org).
The Washington Pilots Association is not affiliated with the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation
Division, the FAA, or any other government agency. WPA is not the
recipient of any fees collected by these or any other agency. WPA is a
private, non-profit organization, funded by our members – pilots and
others interested in aviation, just like you.
Enjoy the unique camaraderie, fellowship, and friendship with fellow
aviators by participating in WPA chapter meetings and social functions.
Most chapters have monthly meetings, often featuring outstanding guest
speakers to entertain and to educate members.
WPA also sponsors fly-outs, picnics, training, and other activities in
your area to help keep aviation fun. Members can also make use of a
private, fly-in rustic cabin in the San Juan Islands, available to WPA
members only. Plus, the WPA brings aviation close to the general public
through education programs, airport appreciation days, and other public
awareness and advocacy activities.
In today’s challenging regulatory environment, those who care about
general aviation need to work together to preserve our airports and our
rights to fly. WPA is here to promote progress and development of aviation
in Washington, and represents general aviation against threats on the
state and local levels.
Working on behalf of general aviation pilots since 1960, WPA is your
voice when decisions are made that can impact your ability to fly. Please
join us in our efforts.
WPA membership application below and online at http://www.wpaflys.org
SEE PAGE 7 FOR
CALENDAR OF NORTHWEST
AVIATION EVENTS
JOIN WPA
WPA is working on behalf of general
aviation in the state of Washington.
Please Join us.
BENEFITS OF WPA MEMBERSHIP
• WPA WORKS LOCALLY & STATEWIDE TO
PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO FLY
• WPA IS YOUR VOICE WHEN LOBBYING
GOVERNMENT ON STATE AND LOCAL
AVIATION ISSUES
• WPA PROVIDES AIRPORT ADVOCACY,
MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION
• WPA WINGS SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDED
• LOCAL WPA CHAPTERS & ACTIVITIES
• TRAINING & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
• CONNECT WITH OTHER PILOTS IN YOUR
AREA & ACROSS THE STATE
• FREE USE OF RUSTIC, FLY-IN CABIN IN
THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS
• ACCESS TO GROUP HEALTH CREDIT
UNION MEMBERSHIP
• DISCOUNTS ON GA NEWS AND PILOT
GETAWAYS PUBLICATIONS
• AND MORE!
Become a WPA Member or renew your membership today by completing this form,
or via secure online registration at www.wpaflys.org/membership.html
q New Membership
q Renewal
_____________________________________________________________
NAME
_____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS
_____________________________________________________________
CITY
STATE
Serving Washington Pilots Since 1960
ZIP
_____________________________________________________________
HOME PHONE
WORK PHONE
_____________________________________________________________
EMAIL
FAX
Are you currently a pilot? q Yes q No If yes, what ratings do you currently hold?
q Student q Private q Commercial q Instrument q CFI/CFII q ATP
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES
CHECK ONE:
Please select a local WPA chapter to join from the list below, or
you may choose to be a “member-at-large” (not affiliated with a local
chapter). All full memberships include a one-year subscription to
WPA WINGS newsletter and full member benefits.
q North Sound (Bellingham)
q Clallam County
q Colville Valley
q Deer Park
q Green River (Auburn/Renton)
q Member-At-Large
q Okanogan County
q Paine Field (Everett)
q Greater Seattle
q Southwest/Vancouver
q Harvey Field (Snohomish)
q Spokane
q Twin Harbors (Hoquiam)
q Wenatchee
q Yakima Valley
q Anacortes
Please enclose your completed application and mail to the
address below.
Make checks payable to Washington Pilots Association.
If you wish to pay by credit card, go to our secure site
at www.wpaflys.org/membership.html
Annual Dues .......................................... q $31
SUBTOTAL: ______
Washington Pilots Association
Membership Application
Washington Pilots Association
Optional: General Aviation News
Discounted One Year Subscription ...... q $25
TOTAL: ______
Washington Pilots Association
PMB 397, 227 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004-9721