Pilots Lament Likely Loss of Beloved Washington Airport

First Air Field will probably make way for a new electrical utility base in a few years.

Monday, September 09, 2024 at 05:01 PM ET

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First Air Field Airport Runway located on flat grasslands near the roadway. [Courtesy: Washington State Department of Transportation]

Key Takeaways:

First Air Field, a private airport south of Seattle, is slated to close and be replaced by a new electrical utility distribution center for Snohomish County.
The Snohomish County Public Utility District asserts the airport's 36-acre site is the ideal location to centralize services and accommodate the region's rapid growth, despite evaluating other options.
Local pilots and the city mayor express deep sadness and concern over the loss of the beloved airport, viewing it as a "public good" and essential community hub, though a utility manager (also a pilot) supports the decision as necessary.

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A much-need electrical utility center may soon replace a beloved private airport south of Seattle, and a local utilities manager, himself a pilot, who helped make the call says there’s just no better option.

Mark Flury, a pilot based at another airport, told the Seattle Times he well understands the turmoil the closure of First Air Field (W16) in Monroe, Washington, will cause, but the 36-acre parcel really is a great spot to centralize the Snohomish County Public Utility District electrical distribution services.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.