News
Dear Airport Pilots and Patrons:
Fall is a gorgeous time of year and I hope the season brings many more flying opportunities for each of you before the winter weather arrives. As usual, please check out the updates below to see what is happening around the airport and behind the scenes this year, including a couple of runway closures this fall and next spring/summer.
NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM COMING IN 2026
For those of you that might not have heard, the FAA and WSDOT has approved nearly $6 million in grant funding for a full runway reconstruction and lighting replacement/upgrade. This is a huge win for the life of the airport and we are very grateful to the FAA and WSDOT for these grants. The lighting systems replacement will include LED main runway edge lights (MIRLs), LED runway end lights (REILs), and lighted windsock. This phase will be conducted October – November 2026, and will require runway closures Mon-Fri for approx. 6 weeks. The runway will be open during daylight hours Saturdays and Sundays. A more detailed schedule will be posted when we receive it from the contractor. It was essential the lights get replaced before the winter snow and spring rains. The current system has many failures during the wet season, and Safety of Flight is our top priority.
RUNWAY PAVING COMING IN 2027
Included in the project is the rehabilitation of the runway. We are going to conduct the construction in tow phases to minimize the runway closure time. Starting in May 2027, the runway will close completely for approx 6 weeks, to recondition and pave Runway 12. Upon completion, Runway 12 will re-open to operate as a shortened runway (2800 ft) while the south end (Runway 30) receives the same repairs. Additionally, during this time, both PAPI systems will be replaced with upgraded LED versions. Once all of the paving is complete, the runway will be remarked with new paint and redesignated 13-31 to reflect the MAGVAR change. The entire project is scheduled to complete no later than August 1, 2027.
While this project is severely needed and very exciting, it does come with its challenges. The PNW has a short construction season and this project will result in runway closures during peak flying season, we have done our best to minimize the down time by strategic timing for construction locations, and operating with a shortened runway, instead of closing for the duration of the project. Again, specific closure times will be posted upon receipt of the schedule from the contractor.
FLIGHT ACTIVITY
SIGNING OFF
As always, please don’t hesitate to stop by or give me a call regarding these updates or anything else on your mind. Cheers!
Craig Stommel