Thomas Tupling hopes to prevent the closure of Mansfield Airport (8W3) in north central Washington state, despite its average of 10 operations a month.
A look down the 2,575-foot-long runway at Mansfield Airport (8W3) in 2006. [Courtesy: WSDOT Aviation]
Key Takeaways:
Mansfield Airport (8W3) in north central Washington state faces potential closure due to consistently low aircraft operations (averaging fewer than 10 per month) and the need for costly capital improvements, such as runway repaving.
Local resident Thomas Tupling is actively campaigning to prevent the closure, emphasizing the airport's historical significance to the community, its potential for recreational tourism, and the belief that improved facilities could increase usage.
The airport's owner and operator, the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority (CDRPA), is weighing the financial burden of subsidizing a little-used airport against community sentiment, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.
One of the most jarring headlines in aviation is, “Airport Closed.” Each year, dozens of airports cease to exist—irrespective of the support from passionate community members.
Thomas Tupling hopes to prevent the closure of Mansfield Airport (8W3) in north central Washington state by rallying the support of others.
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Grant Boyd is a private pilot with eight years of experience in aviation business, including marketing, writing, customer service, and sales. Boyd holds a Bachelor's and a Master's of Business Administration degree, both from Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University. He was chosen as a NBAA Business Aviation ""Top 40 Under 40"" award recipient in 2020.
