ARLINGTON AIRPORT

KAWO Quarterly Update

July 1, 2024

Message from the Arlington Airport Director

Here comes the summer! Flying operations jump, activity at the airport increases, and the GA community dusts off the cobwebs and ailerons for another KAWO flying season!

As we get into the busiest time of the year for our airport, it is important to remember to keep your head on a swivel, your dog on a leash, and the greasy side down.

Be sure to use all known safety precautions. Radios often go silent when not in use for periods of time, so make sure to check the radio prior to operating. Airport Operations staff monitor during business hours and can help you out with reception quality reports.

We are still awaiting the distribution of FAA funds for some of our upcoming projects. Expect to see some fencing going up later this summer or fall, and remember to get your prox card with the airport staff squared away. Many people have bought them and are already using them!

On July 8, the airport will start a large solar project, which will reduce our electrical costs for years to come. If you drive an electric car, there will be charging stations available to pay.

We are planning to resurface and reconfigure the taxiway Alpha, and we anticipate the release of our FAA funds soon to initiate this project. No matter what, airport staff will keep our tenants and users informed.

Have a wonderful summer flying season!

Marty

Welcome New Airport Intern

Jacob Nguyen

Jacob Nguyen was hired as the Airport Management Intern at KAWO. He is a dedicated professional with a proven track record of enhancing customer experiences and contributing to the growth of aviation facilities.

Jacob currently lives in Seattle. He attended Central Washington University and holds a degree in aviation management. He enjoys weightlifting and any activities that involve the outdoors. In his spare time, he plays the guitar and enjoys spending time with his family.

"I'm looking forward to this incredible opportunity to work with everyone," said Jacob.

Arlington Municipal Airport and Veregy Collaborate on State's Largest General Aviation Solar Array

The Arlington Municipal Airport has recently partnered with Veregy, marking a significant step forward in sustainable energy initiatives. This project, priced roughly at $668,000, will feature a solar array totaling 87.5 kW of DC power, which will be installed through a combination of solar-covered car canopies and rooftop solar arrays on the airport’s terminal building. Starting Monday July 8, 2024, this state-of-the-art solar installation is designed to significantly offset the airport's annual electric consumption, providing savings against rising utility costs by generating nearly 145,000 kWh of renewable energy annually.

“We’re very excited to bring this project to fruition with Veregy,” said Marty Wray, Director of Arlington Municipal Airport. “The savings over time will be extraordinary for the airport, for our tenants, and for users alike, in addition to the city.” This project highlights Arlington’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the airport energy efficiency movement.

The energy savings and third-party funding for the project are expected to generate substantial financial benefits, with Veregy projecting their return on this investment will be realized in just over 11 years. “Veregy is excited to partner with the KAWO Airport to provide the largest solar array for a general aviation airport in the State of Washington," said Corey Harper, Veregy Account Executive. The airport received a WSDOT Aviation grant in the amount of $250,000 and will also receive 30% or more project cost savings from the Federal Government through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy investment tax credits.

New Commissioners

Due to a recent move out of the area, Stephanie Day and Clinton Blankenship stepped down from serving on the Airport Commissioner Board. We thank them for their time and wish them the best for the future.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dary Finck and Kirk LeDoux to the Airport Commission after reviewing over 20 qualified candidates and interviewing the top 7.

Dary is the Executive Director of Mission Aviation Training Academy (MATA) in Arlington and has previously served on the board. Dary says, "I run a missionary flight training school at Arlington Airport. We have loved being at KAWO, and I am excited to once again be considered for helping to manage and plan for the future of the airport."

Kirk is a self-employed real estate agent and KAWO hangar tenant who flies for both Kenmore Air and SkyWest airlines. Kirk says, "I was locally born, and my children attend Arlington schools. We have deep roots in our community, and I look forward to serving our beloved airport."

Arlington Community Airport Day

In conjunction with the SkyFest event, Community Airport Day will be held on Sunday, August 18. There will be a variety of family friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., located on the east side of the airport.

We hope you join us for fun activities for the kids, including free airplane rides for those between the ages of 8 and 17!

In addition, we are currently looking for pilots who would like to have their aircraft on display or become Young Eagle pilots.

For more information on becoming a volunteer pilot, follow this link:

Young Eagles Resources for Chapters and Volunteer Pilots.

Airport Staff Friendly Competition

On occasion, we find time to have a little fun at the airport office. Recently, Airport Operations Coordinator Lorene Robinson and Airport Ops Specialist Taylor Mozingo participated in a pasta eating competition.

Taylor gets bragging rights by winning after eating 3.5 pounds. However, Lorene did a great job of putting away 3.2 pounds! Great job everyone.

KAWO Photo of the Quarter

Pictured above is a 1986 Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk. The helicopter was at KAWO to fight a fire that is currently burning northeast of Darrington, Washington.

At the time this photo was taken, the crew had been weathered out and headed towards Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT) in Wenatchee, WA, on the east side of the Cascade Mountains and state.

Photo credit:

Local Aviation Enthusiast and Photographer Bob Hafford.