Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center to be built at Paine Field
 Executive Dave Somers announced that Snohomish County is establishing a world-leading Research and Development (R&D) Center focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) at Paine Field Airport. The project, which is a partnership with Washington State University (WSU), when combined with other WSU assets in Washington will create the world’s first SAF repository of this type for advancing sustainable aviation fuel technologies and serve the global need for reference samples to support research. The Center will also be the only facility to collect, sample, and distribute SAF at a scale needed for widespread use in the largest aircraft.
“Snohomish County is defined by our beautiful and abundant natural resources – protecting them is central to our way of life. We are also the global heart of cutting-edge commercial aerospace manufacturing, which has been an important economic driver of the county for over 50 years,” said Executive Somers. “With our history and resources, Snohomish County is the ideal place for businesses to invest in trailblazing climate change solutions. This R&D Center for Sustainable Aviation Fuels is a foundational component of our long-term commitment to generate new jobs in environmentally sustainable sectors and help decarbonize aviation.”
With the R&D Center for SAF, the County and its partners are looking to change the industrial landscape by leading the world in the development, distribution, and adoption of new technologies to reduce the economy’s dependence on carbon-based fuels. To achieve that goal, the Center at Paine Field will support the following SAF components:
- Repository: SAF samples will be received, tested at small scales, indexed, distributed around the U.S. and world. This meets an immediate community need as a repository of this type does not currently exist.
- Finishing: SAF samples and production methods could be investigated to reduce costs and the impact on human health and the environment.
- Large-Scale Testing: SAF samples could be tested at large scales (by the thousands of gallons) needed to ensure safety and bring new fuels and products to market.
The County and WSU have identified the SAF repository as the most immediate need and the element of the project that can be implemented quickest. The Center at Paine Field will host a ‘bank’ of SAF samples from commercial and experimental SAF production methods. Paine Field, when combined with other WSU assets, will form the world’s first SAF repository with data management, storage, and distribution. In effect, the repository will do for SAF development what seed banks do for agricultural research.
Paine Field represents the ideal location for the R&D Center for SAF due to its proximity to the production of medium- and long-haul aircraft, defined as planes that seat at least 100 passengers and fly at least 150 minutes. These aircraft make up 73 percent of carbon emissions in aviation.
Anyone interested can find more information on the R&D Center for SAF on this website.
Visualizing data has never been easier with new Geographic Information System
 A map of Paine Field recently prepared utilizing GIS
The Airport’s Engineering and Planning division welcomes the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) at Paine Field. Arora, a consultant, organized all the airport’s spatial data into a GIS database. The type of data that goes into a GIS database is most anything you would see on a map (lease areas, airfield lights, utility lines, gate locations, etc.). All airport divisions have been using maps or spatial data in some form.
Developing a GIS offers a multitude of benefits including better data security, improved data quality control, better organization, configurable web applications, and spatial analysis tools available through GIS software. Arora is developing several web applications to help view GIS data. In October, the airport hired a GIS Analyst Senior, Courtney Strehlow, to manage the new GIS. She is currently working on data quality control to ensure the data is accurate and complete, and securely stored on a server database.
The airport hopes to develop more web applications as well as provide publicly available data in the near future. Staff members throughout the airport have contributed greatly to GIS development and some have already taken advantage of the GIS mapping capabilities - thanks to all who have supported the development of this new system!
If you have any questions or if you need a map, contact Courtney Strehlow, GIS Analyst Senior: Courtney.strehlow@co.snohomish.wa.us
Security corner: Make sure gates fully close on entry or exit
 A Paine Field Operations vehicle operator waits for a gate to close completely before leaving the gate.
The Airport Operations team is reminding everyone of proper airfield access protocols.
- Each vehicle operator is required to ensure that the airport perimeter (security) gate fully closes behind the vehicle prior to leaving the vicinity of the gate.
- Tenants are required to ensure that no unauthorized vehicles or persons gain access to the airside while any gate is open.
- On entry, one car per badge unless the operator is escorting.
- If you are in a line of cars on entry, you must wait for the gate to shut completely after the vehicle in front of you before swiping your credentials to enter the airfield.
- If you are in a line of cars on exit, the last car in line must stop and let the gate close completely before leaving.
- Do not interrupt gate operations to shorten the time necessary for the gate to fully close and the system to reset.
- Report any damage to gates or violations to Airport Operations and provide pertinent information such as vehicle and driver description, license plate number, and direction of travel.
The Operations team thanks everyone for their compliance with these protocols.
Staff updates
Christian Galicia promoted
Christian Galicia was recently selected to fill the Operations Supervisor II position. Christian has been with Paine Field Operations since 2019 as both a Specialist and Supervisor I. Christian brings a wide-ranging list of skills and abilities that make him an excellent fit for this position. Please join us in congratulating Christian!
Welcome Stacey Kim
Please welcome Stacey Kim to the Finance & Business Development Office as our new Accounting Specialist. Stacey brings with her almost nine years of payroll and general accounting experience, plus another 10 years of billing and administrative support positions. Welcome Stacey!
Celebrate Earth Day at Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary, April 21
 Join us for our 2023 Earth Day Celebration at Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary on Friday, April 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
We'll be cleaning trails, sprucing up the amphitheater, and putting debris on unauthorized trails.
Please be prepared for working outdoors and don't forget your work gloves and your favorite gardening tools.
Coffee, water, and snacks will be provided.
Spring hangar cleanup, May 5-15
Paine Field’s Spring hangar cleanup begins May 5 and runs through May 15, 2023.
Dumpsters will be placed on the central, east, and west ramps. Please use the dumpsters for airfield hangar cleaning ONLY.
Paine Field provides this service as a courtesy. Please do not place the event in jeopardy by disposing of prohibited items or items from off airfield. If you are caught disposing of prohibited items or bringing items from off airfield, you will be asked to remove those items from the dumpster.
Please call Airport Operations at 425-388-5125 if you have any questions.
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May 17: Dream Big - Girls in STEM
 Join us for an exciting event on May 17th, where we will be celebrating and empowering girls in STEM! This event is designed to inspire young girls to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing a special guest, an astronaut hopeful who will share her personal journey towards becoming the first human on Mars.
This is a fantastic opportunity for young girls to engage with a woman who is passionate about STEM and can inspire them to reach for the stars. Our guest speaker will share her experiences, provide insight into the world of STEM and space exploration, and offer advice on how to succeed in a STEM career.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Register Today, you won’t want to miss this!
Questions? Contact PNAA at nmalcom@pnaa.net
Join us at the 10th annual PNAA Women in Aerospace conference, May 18
 Mark your calendars and get ready to soar! PNAA is thrilled to announce the much-awaited 10th anniversary of the Women in Aerospace Conference on May 18th at the Edward D Hansen Conference Center at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. This year's theme is nothing short of awe-inspiring - "Power of the Past - Force of the Future."
So, what can you expect at this year's conference? Well, let's just say, it's going to be out of this world! PNAA has gathered an incredible line-up of speakers, experts, and leaders who will share their stories, insights, and vision for the future of aerospace. Paine Field is proud to again sponsor this year's event.
This is your chance to network with some of the most talented, innovative, and accomplished women in the industry. Build new partnerships, exchange ideas, and learn from each other's experiences. And who knows, you may just meet your next mentor, collaborator, or friend.
Click here to register!
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