Pilots and others in aviation are being encouraged to comment on the upcoming Washington Aviation System Plan update. Last updated in 2009, the plan is a statewide strategy to maintain and improve Washington’s air transportation system to meet current and future needs, according to officials.
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division anticipates starting the update this summer. The update will address air transport, general aviation and air cargo, and will include the following components:
Inventory of the state’s 134 airports and their current conditions
Analysis of future airport activity
Airport design standard deficiencies
Aviation system alternatives
20-year priority list for future aviation system development
Updated system plan goals, performance standards and policy recommendations
WSDOT will also examine emerging technologies, such as the FAA’s NextGen initiatives, geographic information systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and the role of remote air traffic control.
WSDOT invites people to:
Provide feedback on the proposed goals of the update
Suggest additional goals
Share experiences and challenges as users of the state’s aviation system
Submit feedback by Feb. 14 to Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation communications, at marveln@wsdot.wa.gov.