The Wenatchee World Online - Pangborn study shows longer runway warranted

Pangborn study shows longer runway warranted

By Jay Patrick
World staff writer

Posted August 19, 2008

EAST WENATCHEE — Pangborn Airport's long-running and contentious saga over a possible runway extension picks up this week with a public presentation of the latest study results.

STORY TOOLS

The first phase of the so-called Airfield Needs Assessment Study shows "it is apparent we do qualify for lengthening the runway," said Pangborn Airport Manager Pat Moore.

The study started last fall. Results will be presented at an open house at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the airport's baggage claim area. A citizen planning advisory committee will review the study results in a public session at the airport at noon on the same day.

On the Web

For more information about the Airport Needs Assessment Study, see www.meadhunt.com/
pangbornairport

The conclusion that a longer runway is warranted is based on the number of flights that have been restricted in some way — be it limits on fuel or cargo weights — because the current 5,700-foot runway wasn't long enough for fully loaded planes to operate safely. Extreme heat and icy conditions affect how much runway aircraft need to get off the ground and come to a stop when landing.

Port of Chelan County officials and proponents of increased airport operations argue that the runway needs to be longer to make sure the larger Q400 aircraft that Horizon Air is bringing to Pangborn next week are able to operate at maximum efficiency and to accommodate possible future carriers that could bring in even larger aircraft.

"We want to call attention to the fact that the arrival of the Q400 does not take away the need for runway lengthening," said Mark Urdahl, executive director of the Port of Chelan County, which owns the airport in conjunction with the Port of Douglas County. He added that new carriers liking the looks of Wenatchee's market shouldn't have to scratch the city because of lack of facilities.

The airport's long-range plan calls for an approximately 7,000-foot runway.

Some owners of land near the airport have questioned the need for a longer runway and challenged restrictions on development and land use that it would entail.

If the airport gets bigger, future residential and business development on farmland in a prime spot to accommodate East Wenatchee growth could be limited. Not only is potential development adjacent to the airport impacted but also a much wider ring around the facility because of restrictions on building under flight paths.

Jay Patrick: 664-7155

patrick@wenworld.com

COMMENTS

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Then I know something you don't. It's been a topic of discussion between the ports, the airport, and more than one passenger carrier and freight carrier for over 4 years now. If you read the story it even states the potential: "....and to accommodate possible future carriers that could bring in even larger aircraft." And Fancher is not the only final approach route. Plus, if you're noticing the present small turbo-props now paln on it getting a lot noisier in the future.
Martin Reginald | Aug 20, 2008 1:17 am | Request Removal

I live on Fancher and am directly under the final approach to the airport. The planes fly overhead four times a day on their inbound route and are very low. Do I notice them? Yes. Is it a bid deal, no. Personally, the minute or less that they cruise over head is sort of cool. Not a big deal. I have more important things to worry about. In less you know something that I don't, I am not aware of any larger planes than Q400.
T. Jacobsen | Aug 19, 2008 9:47 pm | Request Removal

The small private jets right now produce a pretty loud noise that lasts much longer than 30 seconds. The large commuter jets that have been proposed for the future, and there has even been discussion of jets much bigger than the commuters, are much louder still. Four flights a day? Maybe with Horizon, but commercial jet traffic isn't just about Horizon.
Martin Reginald | Aug 19, 2008 2:50 pm | Request Removal

Martin, are you kidding me? Get a grip, the planes fly over four times a day for all of 30 seconds...how will be stand it?
T. Jacobsen | Aug 19, 2008 1:48 pm | Request Removal

What about the noise from the aircraft (jets) that will be larger than the Q400? Homes and residential areas that were built when Pangborn was a small operation are going to be impacted by these aircraft. Suddenly, there will be a large area of homes in East Wenatchee and Wenatchee living under the flight path of screaming jet engines reverberating against the hills that make up the walls of this valley.
Martin Reginald | Aug 19, 2008 12:43 pm | Request Removal

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