Arlington Airport E-Newsletter

ARLINGTON AIRPORT

KAWO Quarterly Update

June 1, 2022

Message from the Arlington Airport Director

Hello again fellow pilots and airport users. Although it’s hard to tell right now, spring is upon us and we hope to have some good flying weather soon. It’s time to knock the rust off those wings, review regulations and fly safely. There will be many activities at the airport this summer, so it’s a good time to get informed.

How do we inform our wonderful tenants? We regularly send out email blasts, post on FATPNW and the City’s website and hold quarterly user group meetings. That’s the focus of my article today.

As you know, rumors can circulate around an airport at the speed of sound. The User Group is the best way to address issues, concerns, questions and yes, rumors. In past meetings we’ve discussed Class E Airspace, glider operations, ultra-light operations and many other topics, including gate code changes. The User Group is also a great way to meet your neighbors who may have the same questions or concerns that you do. A new feature we would like to add is having guest speakers. Let us know if you have an interesting topic you would like to present.

The goal in starting the User Group several years ago was to have a voice for all airport users. We invite pilots of all sorts of flying machines, business owners, service providers and any interested airport user. Our next quarterly meeting is June 14^th at 3:30. These meetings typically run for about an hour. Refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there.

Blue Skies,

Dave Ryan

If you have items for this newsletter, please send an email to LeAlyce Miller at lmiller@arlingtonwa.gov.

The Arlington Municipal Airport and SKYFEST come together for a weekend of excitement and fun August 19 - 21!

On the west side of the Airport,

The campgrounds open Friday, August 19th.

The airshow, SkyFest 2022 is Saturday, August 20th.

Sunday, August 21st is Community Fun Day

on the east side of the Airport.

Calling all Volunteers!

If you are interested in aviation, helping the local community, and making new friends, look no further than volunteering for Arlington Skyfest and Community Airport Day.

Skyfest needs volunteers to help with staging areas, painting lines, and other tasks. SkyFest Volunteer Registration. For more information email the Arlington Fly-In or call 360-435-5857.

Community Airport Day: we need pilots to partner with the EAA Young Eagles Program to fly kids ages 8-17, to get them interested in aviation. We also need volunteers to help with set-up and tear-down. If you would like to have a booth that provides an interesting activity for families with children, we'd love to have you at our event! Fill out the Booth Registration Form or contact us at the airport office.

Presentation at KAWO

Non-Towered Airport Operations

Saturday June 11 at 10:00 am

Airport Office - Putnam Hall

While this seems like basic information we all learned in our PPL course, you may not be aware that much has changed in 2017. Tom Rogers will give a presentation that covers the current regulations and best practices published by the FAA. The presentation will discuss the non-tower pattern, entries, exits, right of way, and wrap it up with his master CFI suggestions for keeping safe in the busy summer pattern.

Tom has been flying for almost 50 years, is a retired Lt Colonel and F15 fighter pilot from the USAF, retired captain for Alaska Airlines, and a National Association of Flight Instructors Master CFI. He also holds CFII, MEI, has thousands of hours of instruction, and over 24,000 hours of flight time in hundreds of different aircraft. Currently he teaches tailwheel ops, Spin training, and UPR training and is a FAA Safety Team rep at the Bremerton airport.

Presentation is sponsored by The Arlington Airport and FAAST. Wings credit will be available for the attendees. Pre-register at FAASAFETY.GOV or just sign in at the presentation. Your email will be needed to give you credit for Wings.

Welcome New Airport Commissioners

Clinton Blankenship and Stephanie Day have joined the Airport Commission Board. Clinton is in his 24th year of serving as an Active Duty Naval Officer and Stephanie has been a flight attendant for Horizon Air for 24 years. They both have a love for aviation and for the Arlington Community and are looking forward to being a part of the Airport Commission.

Glider Ramp and Operational Area

Recently the Airport completed additional parking north of Ellie’s on Alpha taxiway. The Evergreen Soaring Group has decided to rent the entire area and move a substantial amount of their operations there.

The move increases the transient ramp parking area and helps to consolidate the glider community presence on the airfield. The access to the glider areas on the grass of 16/34 was pivotal to the operation and this accomplishes that.

This new location allows for assembly, staging and safe operational gathering of club members. Stay tuned for additional glider operations updates...!

G.I.F.T. Girls In Flight Training

I hope that you will join us in welcoming the newest group to land at KAWO. G.I.F.T. or Girls In Flight Training is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and girls experience the world of

flight and work towards getting their licenses and ratings.

GIFT began in Vernon, Texas and now has chapters in several states. The Arlington GIFT chapter is headed by Stephanie Day, who also happens to be our newest Airport Commissioner. Stephanie’s career as a flight attendant for Horizon Air spans 24 years. After attending the event in Texas, she decided to create the first chapter on the West Coast right here in Arlington.

GIFT is for girls 16 years old and up to attend ground school and flight training at reduced rates. There is a $300 registration fee that covers ground school. The cost for flight training with an instructor is $125 per hour. GIFT depends on volunteers like you to supply aircraft and instruction for the program. The program in June is full for participants but they are still looking for a few more volunteers. They welcome you to stop by any time during the week and check it out.

Arlington Flight Services is hosting the sessions and ground school. If you are interested in being part of this fantastic program, please contact Stephanie Day or visit their website at Girls in Flight Training