May 13, 2004
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Aviation
3704 172nd St NE Ste K2 – Arlington WA 98223
Aviation Advisory Committee members in attendance:
Kirk Kleinholz – Washington Pilots Association
Dick Larman – Community Trade and Economic Development
Carol Key – Federal Aviation Administration
Doug Maples – City of Yakima
Dale Newell – Civil Air Patrol
Tim Brooks – Kenmore Air Harbor
Peter Anderson – Galvin Flying Service
J. Scott Plank – Aviation At Large
Barbara Tolbert – Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association
Dan Burkhart – National Business Aircraft Association
Jamelle Garcia – Washington Aviation Association
John Sibold – WSDOT Aviation
Stan Allison – WSDOT Aviation
Nisha Hanchinamani – WSDOT Aviation
Aviation Advisory Committee members not in attendance:
Jeffery Robb – Washington Airport Management Association
James Morasch – Washington Public Ports Association
Bonnie Hilory – Museum of Flight
Jerry Richardson – Community Airport Association
Russ Keyes – Aviation At Large
Mary Place – City of Yakima
Welcome
John Sibold, WSDOT Director of Aviation, welcomed committee members and outlined the meeting agenda, which included:
- Update – 2004 State Airport Grants
- Update – Washington Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation Planning
- Future of Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show – Jamelle Garcia, guest speaker
Update – 2004 Airport Aid Grant Awards
In 2004, WSDOT Aviation awarded 27 airports with $1.035 in Airport Aid Grants, representing 41 projects. WSDOT Aviation now requires airports to use federal money when available to them in order to better assist airports that are not eligible for federal grants. Using this philosophy, WSDOT Aviation was also able to leverage $4 million in federal funds and direct most of its grant money towards airports that do not receive federal funding.
WSDOT Aviation will also use $2.1 million in FAA grants, and $120,400 in state dollars to:
- Update Pavement Condition Index (PCI) reports for over 90 airports
- Update 16 airport layout plans
- Overly Electric City’s runway taxiway and ramp
- Overlay Brewster’s runway, taxiway and ramp
- Overlay Shelton’s ramp
Due to a $7 increase in registration fees, as well as a 3-cent increase on aviation fuel, the Airport Aid Grant Program has enough revenue to justify a third round of grant awards this biennium. The third round will occur in spring 2005.
Questions and Comments:
Q: Would WSDOT Aviation add information to its web site showing how much federal money goes to each airport in the state?
A: WSDOT Aviation will add the information showing federal money allocated to Washington airports on its website.
Q: Why do some airports choose not to accept federal money?
A: Historically, WSDOT has discouraged airports from pursuing federal grants because grant assurances were too onerous. Additionally, some airports did not meet FAA standards. Stan Allison, WSDOT Manager of Aviation Operations, and Carol Key, FAA, have met with non-obligated airports to convince them to use federal money when possible.
Q: How do we address airports that can’t afford local match?
A: Stan Allison said that the primary focus is to get federal dollars flowing – then discuss issues surrounding safety and which airports are most significant to the system.
Update – Washington Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation Planning
Director Sibold asked the question: Why is it important to define airports of statewide significance? He explained that it is in the federal, state and local interest to develop a classification system for airports, similar to the highways. The Secretary of Transportation wants all modes of transportation to be included in the Washington Transportation Plan (WTP). The WTP directs where regions should invest in their transportation needs. This integration with other transportation modes will:
- Safeguard airports for future generations
- Integrate aviation with the state’s transportation plan
- Encourage opportunities for economic development
- Improve the road access links between airports and communities
- Improve multi-modal connections
- Raise awareness of airport needs
Two working groups will meet this summer to define the criteria for classifying airports of statewide significance. Director Sibold asked the committee to select two of its members to participate at working group meetings. Barbara Tolbert, NWEAA, and Doug Maples, City of Yakima, were selected as Aviation Advisory Committee representatives.
Next steps include an online survey, identifying a work group, developing evaluation criteria to identify airports of statewide significance, and developing a functional classification system for Washington airports.
Comments
- Add Washington Association of Cities and Washington Association of Counties to working group list of representatives.
- Add Planning Association of Washington to working group list of representatives.
- FAA could be involved as support.
- Working groups might be too large to accomplish much.
- Representatives will develop criteria based on their own interest.
It was decided that WSDOT Aviation should approach the working group meetings with the issues framed based on state aviation policy.
Future of the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show
Jamelle Garcia, Washington Aviation Association (WAA) Director, spoke about WAA’s mission to create and maintain a favorable business climate for aviation in the region, state, and country. Each year, WAA sponsors the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show, as well as the Anti Drug and Alcohol Consortium. The Board of Director’s are soliciting for additional board members at WAA’s next annual meeting. Garcia invited committee members to participate in the process to:
- Preserve the competitive free enterprise of aviation business
- Promote aviation business growth and development
- Promote effective relationship with government at all levels
- Creatively serve the needs of membership
- Contribute significantly to the understanding of aviation
- Maintain the stature and image of an organization that achieves results
Garcia asked committee members to consider becoming candidates for the election to the Board of Directors. Garcia also asked for guidance and feedback on the draft organizational chart. If the board decision is not passed, Garcia will recommend that the WAA dissolve.
Suggestions
- Modifications to the org chart
- Need for redefinition of the Trade Show
- Representative from Advisory Committee to serve on the WAA board
Committee members agreed to review the packet of information distributed by Garcia, and forward questions and comments to him by electronic mail.
Other
Dan Burkhart announced that NBAA will co-host a regional event with Galvin Flying Service on August 26, which will include:
- 25-30 static displays
- 50 exhibitors
- Professional forums on business issues focused primarily towards operators
- Community leaders
- Elected officials
- Advocacy groups
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