Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS.
For the full version of the February 6, 2026 edition, click here.

WSDOT GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 6

WSDOT Aviation’s Airport Aid Grant application cycle opens Monday, Feb. 9. Applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6.

Airport sponsors are encouraged to begin preparing project details and supporting documentation early to ensure a complete and timely submittal. Also, please be sure to review the updated 2026 Grant Manual at this link:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/2026-WSDOT-Aviation-airport-grant-procedures-manual.pdf

CARB ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS 

Do you have a capital project needing funding? The Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) is meeting on April 2 to award approximately $2 million in available funds and is accepting applications.

Loan requests can be up to $1,200,000. All loans have an annual 2% fixed interest rate. Applicants can select loan terms up to 20 years including optional repayment deferral periods up to 3 years. Contact the Loan Program Manager to calculate the cost of a loan. Loan recipients must commit to providing public access to the airport for a period of time equivalent to one and one-half times the term of the loan.

The primary purpose of the revolving loan program is to fund revenue-producing capital projects that assist public-use, general aviation airports to become more self-sustainable. Eligible projects can include hangars, fueling facilities, business parks on airport property, paid parking facilities, passenger amenities, green energy enhancements, and other revenue-generating or cost-cutting developments. The initial deadline for applications is Friday, March 13, 2026.

For an application or more information, contact Dave Chenaur, Aviation Loan Program Manager at chenaud@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-628-1767 (cell). The loan application and other loan program information is also posted on WSDOT Aviation’s website, https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/ community-aviation-revitalization-board-carb-loan-program  

NOMINATIONS FOR WAMA AWARDS NOW OPEN

• Significant construction of airport facilities
• Completed real estate acquisition for a defined purpose

• A specific accomplishment or environment that fosters the WAMA mission
• A single individual, with team recognition if appropriate

Please send award nominations to the Human Resources Committee Chairman, Mark Leutwiler at leutwiler.m@portseattle.org by April 17,  2026.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW OPEN

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 WAMA Scholarships & Grants. If you are a professional looking to advance your career, or you know a student or community program interested in aviation, we invite you to explore and share these opportunities:

• For WAMA members: The Professional Development Grant is designed to support our members' career growth. The funding can be applied toward accreditation programs, airport management courses, or other professional development ventures.
•  
• For Students: The Thomas Eller Memorial Scholarship provides financial support for Washington students currently enrolled in aviation management programs. The WAMA Conference Attendance Grant provides financial support to cover registration and travel costs, ensuring students can participate in networking and educational sessions.
•  
• For Communities: The Community Aviation Grant provides funding to support local Washington aviation education programs and initiatives. 

A message from WAMA President Joshua Marcy

Dear WAMA Members,

It is an honor to serve as the President of the Washington Airport Management Association. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to working alongside each of you to continue strengthening WAMA and advancing the interests of airports across our state.

Under my leadership, WAMA will place a strong emphasis on active and engaged membership. Our association is at its best when members are involved, connected, and supported. I am committed to ensuring that every airport—regardless of size, location, or role within the system—has a meaningful voice within WAMA and feels represented in our work and priorities.

Another key focus will be ensuring that WAMA continues to carry real weight in Olympia. Airports are critical infrastructure and economic engines for Washington State, and it is essential that our collective interests are clearly communicated and effectively represented at the state level. We will work to strengthen relationships, advocate for airport needs, and ensure decision-makers understand the value airports bring to their communities and the state as a whole.

We will also prioritize attracting and expanding sponsorship opportunities. By growing partnerships and sponsorship support, we can help keep costs down for our members while continuing to deliver high-quality programs, training, and events that provide real value.

Finally, the WAMA leadership team will be intentional about meeting members where they are. That means getting out of conference rooms and into the field—visiting member airports across the state, on your turf, to better understand your challenges, successes, and needs firsthand. These visits will help ensure that WAMA remains grounded in the realities of airport operations throughout Washington.

I am excited about the year ahead and confident that, together, we can continue to build a strong, engaged, and influential association. Thank you for your commitment to WAMA and to the airports we serve.

Respectfully,

Joshua Marcy, AAE
President
Washington Airport Management Association

HARVEY FIELD WINS 2025 FLY WASHINGTON FOOD DRIVE!

On January 22nd, Tim Mensonides delivered the Food Drive Trophy to the current champion: Harvey Field. The Fly Washington Passport Program will be awarding Harvey Field their 2025 plaque for the trophy at the Northwest Aviation Tradeshow. Congratulations, Team Harvey!

Pictured are Fly Washington President Tim, Airport Staff: Savanna Sinderud, and President/CEO: Kandace Harvey.  Savanna did a wonderful job promoting the food drive at the airport and is one of the main reasons Harvey Field did so well, with a total of 2871 pounds of food.

THE FLOODS OF DECEMBER 2025

Submitted by Keith Love, Airport Manager, Port of Skagit

It was about a week before the flood event that calls came in from a variety of emergency and military services asking what can the airport offer in preparation and assistance. In quick order, we implemented a number of operations to assist the flood efforts at all stages. A couple days ahead of the river’s crest, we parked over 2000 new cars all over the airport from local dealers in imminent danger of losing their vehicle inventory.  Quick math on that effort, we had roughly 800 million dollars in local community business products safely located in and around the airport.

The floods of December 2025 had big impacts on Skagit County and surrounding areas. Skagit Regional Airport and the Port of Skagit were able to rise to the occasion and provide essential support to responding agencies. At an elevation of 144’ MSL, we are sitting high and dry in the region. This fact has played a part in disaster planning for the county for some time, and has earned KBVS the designation of “essential public facility” in Skagit County.

We opened up 20,000 sq ft of hangar space to accommodate the National Guard and housed 300 service people for about a week. The airport supported aircraft from the Air Force, National Guard, DNR, Search and Rescue, and the Coast Guard. Rescue missions were lifting night and day. The Port of Skagit put into action community sheltering options and a livestock/pet food drop.

We all see our airports serve aviation and our communities day in and day out with business and recreation as usual. It is disaster-related events where our airports step up and serve the community in such an incredibly important way that needs to be seen as well. Community resilience through airports and aviation! Thank you to the other airports that reached out to us during the event offering help and support. It was very much appreciated.

NOTAMs:

Seeking WAMA Conference Speakers: Planning has already started for the 2026 Annual WAMA Conference. The conference planning committee is looking for fresh topics and speakers. If you have suggestions for topics which may be new to our members, or if you can recommend a speaker, contact Conference Chairman Samantha Peterson speterson@centurywest.com

Trade Show Booth: Will you be attending the Northwest Aviation and Trade Show February 21 and 22?  WAMA is looking for helpers to spend one or two hours in the WAMA booth. If you can spare a couple of hours, contact Marjy Leggett at Director@wama.us or download this form, indicate the times you are available and email it back to Marjy.  

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

As we kickoff 2026, we look forward to our upcoming conference in the beautiful Wine Country of Walla Walla! Registration is open and we have a limited room block for our guests at the Marcus Whitman. Please check out the WAMA website for conference details including an early snapshot of our agenda, information on sponsorship opportunities, and our planned events.
We have limited bus space for our airport tour and wine tour event, so register early (first come first serve). Please read all special notes through the registration and on our event page, particularly for sponsorships.  

Don't forget to renew your WAMA membership so you may enjoy discounted conference registration rates. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 
http://www.wama.us
For information on the conference, please contact Samantha Peterson at conference@wama.us.   

Thank you to all of our sponsors, JUB, DOWL, Paine Field Snohomish County, CivilAir Engineers PLLC, Precision Approach Engineering, Applied Pavement Technology, Walla Walla Regional Airport, Arlington Municipal Airport and the City of Arlington, Century West Engineering, The Port of Skagit, and Morrison-Maierle for sponsoring the biweekly Waypoints news bulletin. Your support means so much to us.