Washington Airport Management Association 

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Letter from the President

Dear colleagues,

I want to begin by thanking you all for allowing me to represent the Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA) in 2023 as President. It is a great honor and privilege to represent the fine group of professionals that are stewards of Washington State Airports.

WAMA has been instrumental in my career and management of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport. To be able to repay this by taking on this responsibility is incredible. I know if you are not yet a member and are considering joining, you will not regret it. If you are an existing member who has assisted or encouraged me in the past, I am indebted.

Since the early days of aviation, Washington State has been home to an innovative hub for aviation. I believe we have the opportunity and responsibility to help keep it that way. The WAMA Mission Statement says, “Our mission is to strengthen airports and airport management in Washington State by fostering professionalism among airport operators.” I can say without a doubt this group effectively does that every day. We do this as individuals and collectively.

With that being said, we have some challenges as stewards of airports coming up. We have rising costs, labor shortages, and increased legislation that can all negatively impact our airports. This is where WAMA can excel. We can provide tools and support to our colleagues and help Washington airports thrive in the next chapter of aviation we are writing today.

Thank you all again for this honor, and let’s work together to make the Washington Airport Management Association an example for other states to follow. If you are not already a member, please join us. Receive the benefits of the knowledge and experience of your peers, but also become a resource for others to learn from. I look forward to seeing you all in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Brandon Rakes
Airport Director, Chehalis-Centralia Airport
WAMA Board President

Scholarships!

It's scholarship application season. 
Click below to download WAMA's 2023 aviation-related scholarship information.

WAMA WAYPOINTS

Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS. For the full version of the latest edition, click here.


LEGISLATIVE ACTION
The Legislative Committee is monitoring several bills, particularly HB1554 dealing with lead in fuel and Ecology oversight and HB 1395 concerning the distribution of aircraft tax revenue. Please stay attuned and be ready to voice your opinions when needed. 


AVIATION CAUCUS MARCH 23
The Aviation Caucus meetings with Representative Tom Dent have started up again. The meetings are available both in person and online at 7:00 -8:00 a.m. every fourth Thursday of the month, including March 23 and April 25.  Mark your calendars.  Here is the Teams link:
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 240 591 434 442
Passcode: j6X9gU
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 360-786-6100,,218068691#   United States, Olympia
Phone Conference ID: 218 068 691#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
 

SEEKING A HIGH WING AIRPLANE
Keith Love of Skagit Regional Airport is working with Kate Simmonds from the local children’s museum to provide an aviation exhibit. The ultimate goal is to source an old high wing aircraft to set up as a display in the museum. They have a big rig diesel truck, a real- life boat, a mini crane, and a number of other things that inspire kids by allowing them access to climb in and out and experience up close, but they don’t have an airplane, and that’s what they need help with. Keith has a few old airplanes around KBVS that won't ever fly again, but not a high wing. A lot of airports have a boneyard so to speak, and maybe an old high wing that could live a second life to inspire kids to seek out aviation.

If you are aware of such an aircraft that could be converted into a museum exhibit, allowing children and adults to climb in, move the controls, and be set up with a simulator, please contact Keith Love. 

Click here to see more details of the planned museum exhibit.
 

AWARD NOMINATIONS
 With the WAMA Annual Conference just two months away, it's not too early to begin thinking of award nominations.  The categories are:  

Washington State Project of the Year
Airport Manager of the Year

Send your nominations to the Human Resources chairman, Adam Phelps at board2@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.

Sponsors

Upcoming Events

May 08, 2023 • Davenport Grand Hotel, Spokane, WA

News & Activities

Airport Management Q&A (click here)

Washington State Aviation Alliance (WSAA): Visit their website at http://www.wsaa.aero
WAMA Member Airports - Click to Enlarge

Washington State Airport Restaurants

(click here to download)

Warren Hendrickson has compiled an informal list of Washington State/PNW Airport Restaurant List (updated spring 2023) which includes additional pages for nearby Oregon (both east and west of the Cascades) and Idaho airports. This list is not complete and we ask that if you have suggestions or recommendations for restaurants at or serving your airport, please feel free to send your suggestions or recommendations to Warren Hendrickson, at: wbhendrickson@comcast.net.  He will continue to update the list as time allows. The list is primarily intended for use by pilots as they fly around the area. Perhaps providing everyone with an additional reason to visit your airport!

© 2001 - 2022, Washington Airport Management Association | P.O. Box 5755 | Pasco, WA 99302 |
Washington Airport Management Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization.
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