Winter is on its way: Airport prepares for possible colder and wetter conditions this season
As is usual this time of year, the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are trending downward. To prepare for the upcoming winter season, King County International Airport held its annual Snow and Ice Control Plan meeting on October 30. Staff and tenants got an update on what's expected weather-wise over the next couple of months, and how KCIA will respond to severe winter weather conditions.
The National Weather Service is anticipating a La Niña this winter. For the Pacific Northwest, that typically means cooler and wetter conditions, with the possibility of above average snowfall. When winter storms do threaten, Airport Operations will activate the "Snow Desk" to coordinate information gathering and notification. Maintenance crews will be dispatched to clear the airfield of snow and ice, following a tiered approach. The airport has acquired new equipment over the last year which will greatly aid in keeping paved surfaces clear.
For more information about KCIA's winter weather operations plan, visit the Tenant Information page of our website and in the "Inclement Weather Operations" section.
|
Airport Strategic Plan workshop planned for November 7
The Airport Strategic Plan project team will host a workshop with community members and airport tenants on Thursday, November 7 from 5 to 6 p.m. The virtual workshop will focus on project updates and collecting input on Airport Strategic Plan draft goals and objectives. Register here for the Zoom meeting.
This workshop continues the collaborative efforts from earlier workshops and will help the project team move to the next phase of the Airport Strategic Plan. Here, the team will incorporate feedback and share a final draft by late winter 2024.
For more information, please visit the Airport Strategic Plan website or email the project team at KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
|
Comment on Minimum Standards by December 31
King County International Airport is updating Airport Rules and Regulations and Minimum Standards documents to ensure safety in the overall operation, management, and administration of the airport. The public comment period ends on December 31.
Ways to learn more and provide comment:
King County Department of Executive Services – King County International Airport-Boeing Field
Attention: Matthew Sykora
7277 Perimeter Road South, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98108
KCIA began a process in early 2023 to update Airport Rules and Regulations and Airport Minimum Standards documents consistent with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and guidance. The airport held two public meetings (one in-person and one online) about the minimum standards on October 30. This followed several meetings earlier this spring.
|
KCIA to host national AAAE Inclusion in Aviation conference
King County International Airport has been selected to host the American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Inclusion in Aviation conference in Seattle in the fall of 2025.
“This conference is centered on sharing different strategies for sustaining an inclusive environment for the greatest impact in the aviation industry across airports nation-wide,” said Vanessa Chin, Innovation Section Manager. “That’s really exciting.”
Chin is headed to Philadelphia early this month for this year’s Inclusion in Aviation conference, where she will present on “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Lessons Learned” along with a speaker from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“I’m looking forward to sharing our experience at KCIA on the different ways that we celebrate small wins to move equity forward at our airport and what we’ve learned from the challenges we’ve encountered along the way,” Chin said.
Chin will be leading efforts to plan the 2025 conference on behalf of KCIA, supporting the AAAE.
|
NWAAAE elects Decoteau Second Vice-President
David Decoteau, A.A.E., Deputy Director for the King County International Airport - Boeing Field, was recently elected Second Vice-President of the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NWAAAE) for 2024-2025.
Founded in 1971, NWAAAE is an affiliate of AAAE, the world's largest professional organization representing the people who work at commercial and general aviation airports. Other key appointments to the Chapter’s Officers and Board of Directors were also finalized during the 53rd Annual Conference held in Boise, Idaho last month.
|
The future of aviation looks bright thanks to these go-getters
|
The future of aviation was the focus at this year’s airport Town Hall, an annual event for employees hosted by the airport’s Equity and Social Justice Change Team. Featured panelists were a Raisbeck Aviation High School student and three airport interns:
- Melissa Calderon Bracho, Raisbeck Aviation High School
- Cilicia Diaz, Operations Intern (2024-25) (below, left)
- Anders McAllister, Operations Intern (2024) (below, right)
- Ella Wilson, Innovation Intern (2023-2025) (at right)
The panelists shared how they became interested in aviation, how they recommend reaching out to potential future employees, and what their career goals are or how they would change aviation, among other topics. A big focus was how to encourage young people from under-served communities to consider aviation as a career.
|
|
 |
 |
|
“I hated airplanes, I hated flying,” Diaz said. “I was actually interested in becoming an NTSB investigator. Then I decided I’d fly the planes so they never have to crash.”
Diaz is in the Horizon pilot development program and plans to graduate from college just two years after graduating from high school.
She said that growing up, expectations for her were to finish high school. Now, things are different.
“Aviation has kind of set a standard for me in terms of how I live my life,” Diaz said. “How to be a disciplined person and professional in an industry. Aviation is the reason why I feel I have an end purpose here. Aviation has given me and many others a reason to have a life.”
|
Bracho, born and raised in Venezuela, moved to the U.S. in her freshman year of high school. An economic and political crisis there, along with high inflation, country-wide protests and riots forced many Venezuelans to flee the country. Bracho’s parents are still in Venezuela.
“We moved because of (a) conflict situation and other factors,” Bracho said. “Within aviation it made me realize that profound role it plays in shaping people’s lives. Even though I cannot see my parents for now, there is that possibility in the future because there’s this whole industry. (Aviation is) more than just a convenience but more as a lifeline.”
The panelists all shared ways to encourage under-represented youth to learn about the aviation industry.
“I think there is currently a lot that can encourage underserved youth,” Wilson said. “Learning the barriers that they face,” for example.
“A huge thing is just word of mouth, talking about the airport and what goes on here,” McAllister added.
“I want to be the person that that young girl or young kid looks over and they see,” Diaz said. “I want to be an example that no matter what your upbringing you can be a part of this industry.”
|
 Above, airport employees attend a Town Hall featuring a discussion on encouraging under-represented young people to consider aviation as a career, and other related topics.
Airport involvement in industry organizations is first class
Below, left, Dave Decoteau, NWAAAE Officer, Secretary/Treasurer, with Devon Brubaker, AAAE President.
King County International Airport employees are making an impact nationwide by sharing best practices at industry conferences, participating in industry professional organizations and attending conferences.
Several employees participated in the Northwest Chapter American Association of Airport Executives annual conference in Boise, Idaho from October 8 to 10. Many employees serve in leadership capacities in the organization.
Chapter Leadership and Committee Chairs – Board of Director Meetings:
- NWAAAE Officer, Secretary/Treasurer – Dave Decoteau
- NWAAAE Chapter Representative to AAAE Nominating Committee – John Parrott
- Academic Relations Committee – Sean Moran
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee – Vanessa Chin
- Mentorship Committee – Matt Sykora
- Professional Development Committee – Sean Moran, John Parrott
Others served as moderators or panelists at NWAAAE conference sessions:
- Large Project Management: Laying the Groundwork for a Successful Outcome – Dave Decoteau, Eric Miller
- Alternative Fuels: An Update on Progress Towards a Sustainable Future – Matt Sykora
|
New arrivals at the airport
Marsha Kuhl, Business Analyst
Innovation section
Marsha Kuhl joined the airport on October 15. Kuhl supports Innovation section applications and systems; drafts scopes of work for projects; diagrams business processes and workflows; partners with Chase Dolliver on system administration and supports and collaborates with other airport sections.
“I am excited to join the Innovation team and learn more about airport operations,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl grew up in Southern California and moved to Seattle almost 20 years ago. Most of her career has been in finance roles supporting technology projects. She earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Central Washington University and a Master’s in Business Administration MBA from Seattle University.
Kuhl is an animal lover, music lover, and a Pilates enthusiast. She and her husband enjoy easy hikes and beach vacations with family and friends.
|
Rechelle Dunn, Equipment Operator
|
Rechelle Dunn’s first day at the airport was also October 15. Dunn’s duties include operation of heavy equipment, airport maintenance, snow removal and ensuring airport runways remain accessible and clear. She brings experience in driving trucks, operation of heavy equipment including forklifts, cranes, tri-lifter and more, from work for Ness Campbell Crane & Rigging.
“I also spent a good chunk of my previous career working as a volunteer firefighter and career EMT,” said Dunn who has worked for the Enumclaw Fire Department.
When not on the job, Dunn enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time with friends, family and her dog. She also likes attending concerts, cooking, softball (coaching & playing) and scoping out delicious new restaurants.
|
|
 |
Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Study Update
The Vision 2045 Airport Plan and the Part 150 Study project team held a virtual briefing with the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) on October 24. The PAC received an update on project progress and a presentation of the Aviation Activity Forecast. The forecast was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September and will be used for the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Noise Study. The Vision 2045 Airport Plan Facility Requirements are underway, and the Part 150 Study draft Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) will soon be ready for presentation to the PAC. The project team will meet with PAC members in December to gather input on the draft NEMs. Airport tenants and community members will be invited to share input on the draft NEMs at an open house anticipated in early 2025.
Learn more about the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and the Part 150 Study and sign up for email updates at KCIAPlanning.com. If you have questions about these projects, please contact KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
|
