The Washington State Department of Transportation hosted an informational meeting about airport planning last week at the Winthrop Barn.
Agency launching update of master plan
The public participation element of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division’s updating of the Methow Valley State Airport Master Plan got underway last week at the Winthrop Barn.
The plan will guide development and investment through 2046 at the airport, on Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Road, with particular emphasis on improvements during the next 10 years.
About 35 people attended the Winthrop meeting. Several WSDOT staffers were on hand to help with the presentation, including State Airports Coordinator John Wilson. Also invited were representatives of local organizations and governments that have a role or interest in the airport’s development.
“The updated plan will identify current and future airport needs, help maintain compliance with Federal Aviation Administration standards and reflect regional priorities,” according to WSDOT information released before last week’s meeting.
Elements of the 2010 master plan that were not completed can be carried over to the next plan.
The master plan update will examine several aspects of the airport, including runway, taxiway and apron facilities; airport access, hangar areas and utilities; airport signage, fencing, gates and security; helicopter, glider and seasonal operational needs; compatibility with U.S. Forest Service smokejumper operations; emergency response and wildland firefighting needs; environmental considerations and surrounding land uses; and future projects, costs, funding opportunities and implementation priorities.
After WSDOT staff explained the master plan process and reviewed the plan’s history, participants were invited to offer comments or ask questions.
Some topics included:
• Concerns about runway safety areas beyond the ends of the paved runway, which are designed to reduce aircraft damage during an overrun.
• Questions about the future of Evans Road, part of which is within the airport boundaries. The road accesses residences on the east bank of the Methow River. Wilson said there are no plans to change the road.
• Concerns about whether improvements to the airport might spur additional growth in the valley. Attendees were assured that Methow Valley will never be a commercial airport but instead will be limited to general aviation.
• Questions about adequate fencing around the airport, which is surrounded by undeveloped agricultural land.
There was support for making the airport viable for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which require pilot certification and allow flying in problematic weather conditions. Visual Flight Rules (VSR), the most common certification, require that the pilot be able to visually locate and navigate by features such as horizon, terrain and other aircraft.
IFR flight depends upon flying by reference to instruments in the flight deck, and navigation is accomplished by reference to electronic signals from an airport. Lack of on-the-ground navigational aids makes IFR unavailable at Methow State Airport — a distinct disadvantage in bad weather conditions, or heavy wildfire smoke.
Local pilot Craig Howard said he did not think that adding IFR capability would significantly increase traffic at the airport.
Two more public meetings are anticipated but will be virtual only. The second meeting will focus on potential alternatives for updating airport facilities to meet future demands and needs; the third meeting will present the preferred alternative or most promising solutions and/or upgrades and will also include the Capital Improvement Plan.
