Sound Skies Newsletter, November 2016 Gate hours update In September, the Pierce County Council extended the gate hours at Thun Field and Tacoma Narrows Airport. The North and South gates at Thun Field are now open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 1-Sept. 30. They are open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1-April 30. The South gate at Tacoma Narrows Airport are now open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Development underway at Tacoma Narrows Aviation Outside of these times, users will need an access code or card to pass through the Exciting development is underway at and a 7,000-square-foot office building. gates. Tacoma Narrows Aviation. (See the rendering provided by Tacoma Narrows Aviation above). The fixed-base operator (FBO), which is located at Tacoma Narrows Airport, Customers will be able to tailor their recently completed a remodel of the space in the office building to meet their 14,000-square-foot hanger located in requirements. This work is expected to Commission meeting* the back of the old Executive Terminal be complete next summer. Thun Field Advisory Building. “I am excited to get the new buildings Commission The hangar, which was built in the finished,” said George Swift, owner 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Thun Field Airport Office in the Civil Air Patrol 1960s, now has new exterior and interior of Tacoma Narrows Aviation. “The Building, 16915 103rd Ave. E in Puyallup siding, lighting and windows, a new fire new facility is about creating a nice suppression system, and new electrical atmosphere for our coworkers and *Meeting information is subject to change. and insulation. Space is available for customers.” Visit piercecountywa.org/airports for the long-term and short-term rental. latest information. Swift has been involved with aviation for This fall, the company began tearing many years as an aircraft owner. down that building’s front office, and will build a new 6,000-square-foot hangar Continued on Page 2 About Sound Skies SpanaFlight seeks to promote general aviation Sound Skies is produced by the Pierce County Public Works Airport and Ferry Division. It features information about Doug Miller planned to fly commercial Pierce County Airport-Thun Field (PLU) in jets when he returned to the United Puyallup and Tacoma Narrows Airport States after working for a large (TIW) in Gig Harbor. Email manufacturing company in Taiwan. [email protected] to receive Sound Skies via email. He had always had an interest in aviation, with his first practical experience coming from his time as a U.S. Army helicopter crew chief. Contact Us Then the owner of SpanaFlight Lauren Behm—Assistant Airport & Ferry approached him about purchasing the Administrator Thun Field business. (253) 798-2421 [email protected] “I wasn’t intending to be a business owner,” he said. “He saw something I didn’t see as far as a more rewarding path to general aviation and aviation as a whole. And it PLU: (253) 841-3779 has been.” TIW: (253) 853-5844 Continued on Page 3 Wiring work at Thun Field complete Thun Field now has new wiring, runway edge light lamps and associated light transformers, following a project completed in September. Crews installed new runway end identifier lights (REIL) on Runway 17 and 35, refurbished the lighting on the existing wind tee, and replaced the constant current regulator for the airfield lighting system. The previous airfield lighting system wiring was old and the insulation was failing. One side of the existing Runway 35 REIL system did not operate and Runway 17 did not have REIL. New energy efficient LED REIL on Runway 17 and 35 will allow pilots to identify the end of the runway during night time operations and other limited visibility conditions. TIW hosts Fly In Drive In Movie Night The Friends of Tacoma Narrows Airport (FoTNA) and the The previous wind tee wiring insulation was degrading Gig Harbor Film Festival hosted the first Fly In Drive In and lights on the wind tee were not operational. The wind Movie Night at Tacoma Narrows Airport in August. tee, which is a supplement to the lighted wind cone, was refurbished with energy efficient LED lights to enhance Movie buffs enjoyed “Disney’s Planes” while surrounded pilot ability to determine wind direction during night time by the Juranich Family’s collection of restored vintage operations and other limited visibility conditions. aircraft and automobiles from the LeMay Family Collection Foundation. The previous constant current regulator was old and beyond it’s expected operational life. The new larger constant Fundraiser proceeds benefitted FoTNA and the festival. current regulator meets the airfield lighting capacity requirements for the runway lights, including the added new LED REIL on Runway 17 and 35. Tacoma Narrows Aviation, continued The contractor for the project was Colvico. The project cost He has based aircraft at Tacoma Narrows Airport for several $237,000, and was funded with grants from the FAA and the years, but his involvement reached a new level when he Washington State Department of Transportation, as well as completed construction of a 13,000-square-foot private real estate excise taxes. hangar in February 2014 and bought the FBO. The business continues to look for ways to support Tacoma New assistant administrator onboard Narrows Airport. It donated the fence around the Rotary Aviation Zone, and supports events such as Gig Harbor Wings Lauren Behm was selected as the new and Wheels and the recent visit by the Commemorative Air Assistant Airport and Ferry Force Airbase Arizona’s B-25. Administrator this summer. “We want to be good corporate citizens,” Swift said. “We look Lauren will manage the day-to-day for opportunities to help with airport exposure.” operations of the Pierce County Ferry and will serve as the primary Pierce Swift is pleased to see an increase in traffic the past few County contact for the system. years, and hopes his new facility will increase traffic even more. She will perform a wide variety of managerial, budget, analytical and “I have a passion for aviation,” he said. “It is an important coordination duties. She will also assist with the asset to the economy and country in terms of transportation management of Thun Field and Tacoma Narrows Airport. and creating jobs.” Lauren most recently was a Management Analyst for the Tacoma Narrows Aviation offers fuel, rental cars, U.S. Public Works Airport and Ferry Division. She previously Customs clearance, catering, hotel discounts, and more. held communication and marketing positions with Public Works and several engineering firms. Thun Field master plan update The scope for the Thun Field master plan update is currently B-25 visits Tacoma Narrows Airport under final review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Consultant work will likely begin in early 2017. The Master Plan Advisory Committee (MPAC), made up of representatives from the aviation community, businesses, local and state government and more, will also be formed early in the year. The first MPAC and public meetings for the update will be held in late spring. During the master plan update, the county and stakeholders will evaluate potential alternatives and determine how best to meet the community’s long-term development needs so that future airport improvements are eligible for federal funding. The 20-year improvement plan will provide guidelines for future airport development that will satisfy aviation demand, be financially feasible and operationally effective, and address safety, environmental, and community issues. Mead and Hunt has been selected to lead the update on Pierce County’s behalf. SpanaFlight, continued The B-25J Mitchell ‘Maid in the Shade’ touched down at Tacoma Narrows Airport in August as part of the Miller officially became the owner of SpanaFlight on Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona’s “Flying Jan. 1, 2016, with the company offering flight training and Legends of Victory” tour. Visitors were able to take instruction, aircraft rentals, introductory and scenic flights, ground tours and rides in the aircraft, which was made pilot supplies and chart sales, and aircraft sales. famous in the 1942 Doolittle Raid during World War II. The business offers aircraft parts for all makes and models and includes a full-service maintenance facility. The company recently opened a flight school at the Auburn Airport as well. SpanaFlight is looking for ways to draw the surrounding community to the airport so people of all ages can experience general aviation. They offer tours to day care groups, community events such as movie nights, and training for local fire departments. The company also sponsors local sports teams. Miller is also interested in working with high school students interested in aviation, and plans to offer a scholarship in the future. “With the demand for pilots increasing, we need to reach out,” he said. “We love people to come by, whether they are Marathon kicks off at TIW interested in aviation or not. We want to tell you about who Tacoma Narrows Airport served as the starting point for we are and what we do.” the Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon in August. Sound Skies Newsletter, November 2016 Farewell to Deb Wallace Deb Wallace has decided to leave Pierce County after five years as the Airport and Ferry Administrator. Deb focused on building relationships with the aviation community and the neighborhoods surrounding Thun Field and Tacoma Narrows Airport. She also worked to improve the economic vitality of both airports, and position them as valued members of the Gig Harbor and South Hill communities. During her time with Pierce County Public Works, her team completed an update of the TIW Master Plan, oversaw a major renovation of TIW’s runway, supported the creation of the Rotary Aviation Zone at TIW, and The Public Works Department thanks Deb for her welcomed golfers and fans during the U.S.