April 19, 2006 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation
3704 172nd St NE Ste K2 – Arlington, WA 98223

Committee Members Present:
Tim Brooks – Kenmore Air Harbor
Jim Smith – Washington Pilots Association
Rob Putnam – Washington State Community Airport Association
Dale Newell – Civil Air Patrol
Jerry Kilpatrick – Washington Airport Management Association
Russ Keyes – Aviation at Large

Committee Members Not Present:
Dan Burkhart – National Business Aircraft Association
Rich Lienesch – Museum of Flight
Dick Larman – Community, Trade and Economic Development
Peter Anderson – Galvin Flying Service
Carol Key – FAA
J. Scott Plank – Aviation at Large
Barbara Tolbert – Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association
Dave Edler – City of Yakima
Rich Aldredge – Washington Air Search and Rescue
James Morasch – Washington Public Ports Association

WSDOT Members Present:
John Sibold, Director of Aviation
Stan Allison, Manager of Aviation Operations
Eric Johnson, Construction Project Manager
Kerri Woehler, Aviation Planner
Nisha Hanchinamani, Communications

Welcome:
John Sibold welcomed the committee and introduced the meeting agenda, which was as follows:

• Finalize grant assurance recommendations
• Review 2006 Local Airport Aid Grant awards
• Status report on Long-term Air Transportation Study (LATS)

Grant Assurance Recommendations:
Stan Allison updated the committee on the grant assurance revision process. He explained that WSDOT is revising its grant assurances to encourage airports to be proactive about safety and planning issues. In February 2006 WSDOT provided committee members with a comment period to review existing grant assurance and propose additional ones. Allison presented the comments made on the existing grant assurances as follows:

• For property acquisition grants, secure at least two written appraisals by competent, experienced appraisers.
• Comment: Appropriate & Adequate 
• Provide written documentation of local matching funds set aside for the project specified.
• Comment: Appropriate & Adequate
• Keep airport open during useful life of facilities developed under project (return of fund clause).
• Comment: Appropriate, but strengthen to cite specific time period on construction grants and model after FAA’s assurance for land acquisition
• Will not charge the state for limited but reasonable use for search and rescue activities.
• Comment: Appropriate & Adequate

Allison also presented comments on proposed grant assurances:

• Require applicants to have comprehensive plan policies and development regulations in place to protect the airport?
• Comment: Yes. However, we understand it may be challenging for some airports to meet.
• For those airports with “through-the-fence” operations, require a fair and equitable policy be in place for application of user fees?
• Comment: Yes, to include all users of the airport (i.e., non-aviation users).
• Require applicants to have security plans in place prior to issuance of WSDOT grant?
• Comment: Yes – but we need to provide guidance.
• Require applicants to meet minimum safety standards (i.e., Runway Safety Program) prior to issuance of WSDOT grant?
• Comment: Yes - airports must have conducted a Runway Safety Assessment and follow through with recommendations.

Allison explained that WSDOT received comments from two groups: Washington Community Airport Association (CAA) and Washington Airport Management Association (CAA).

2006 Airport Aid Grant Awards:
$13.3 million in state, federal and local funds
39 different airport improvement projects
31 public-use airports to receive grants

Record Breaking Biennium:
2005-2007 – WSDOT’s largest amount of grant awards during a biennium

Funded by:
Legislature’s approval of $1.5 million supplemental budget request
11-cent per gallon fee on aviation fuel
Aircraft registration fees

WSDOT may award a third round of grants in 05-07 if remaining funds exist.

Long-term Air Transportation Study
Phase I – What We Have
WSDOT to complete airport facility, passenger, air cargo and airspace inventory assessment.

Phase II – What We Need
WSDOT to complete an airport demand forecast and market analysis for the next 25 years.

Phase III – How Do We Get There?
Governor-appointed planning council to provide recommendations for future statewide aviation needs.

LATS Update

• Phase I extended to September 30, 2006
• Phase II on schedule for July 1, 2007
• Letter of intent issued by FAA on April 18, 2006 
• Consultant notice to proceed to be issued April 30, 2006
• Technical committee to meet May 2006

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