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Boeing Field turns 80!
 Watch
this video clip (Real Media) Length: (6:16)
Watch this video clip (Windows Media) Length:
(6:16)
<<Sounds of airplane>>
Narrator Says:
Without it, it’s safe to say our region would be a much different place,
and Boeing Field has just celebrated a big milestone.
It just turned 80 years old.
At a recent ceremony, King County leaders joined the public in
commemorating the airport’s eight decades of moving people and goods, as
well as celebrate the contributions of 1,000’s of past and present
aviation workers and airport users.
Boeing field’s first dedication ceremony was July 26th, 1928.
That day, more than 50,000 showed up to take part in the opening-day
festivities. One of those people was Bill Boeing, Jr., seen in this
photo at age five-and-a-half. 80 years later, Boeing was once again on
hand to wish the airport happy birthday, and recall that opening day.
Bill Boeing Jr. Says:
I had my first flight in a Boeing-40 shortly after the opening of this
Field. It was 80 years ago and I don't remember much about the flight.
But the only thing I remember there is that that pilot only flew around
our house once. And if you're a small boy 5 1/2, that second trip would
have been better.
Narrator Says:
On the airport’s actual birthday, Saturday, July 26th 2008, many vintage
planes were on display and thousands came out to take part in the
festivities and wish the airport a happy 80th birthday.
<<Montage of happy birthday wishers>>
Narrator Says:
Over the years, Boeing Field developed alongside the aviation industry.
Its proximity to Seattle attracted the U.S. postal service, and in the
1930’s, mail regularly began running from Seattle to LA.
Boeing Field Historian Cory Graff Says:
Early Boeing Field, is involved in a lot of passenger plane activities.
Passenger planes of the day are not exactly what you think of today as
passenger planes. A lot of them the first priority was mail. So they
were a mail plane with a compartment that one or two people could climb
in, and it was really cold and noisy and terrible.
But at the same time, when passengers wanted to fly to Pasco, or
Portland, British Columbia on these airplanes, Boeing started answering
that call, and started making true passenger planes, one of the first
was the ADA, which actually the prototype was on the Field the day the
Field opened.
Narrator Says:
Boeing Field was the only passenger service airport in the area until
SeaTac opened in 1947.
Jim white is a retired pilot, who worked at Boeing Field for more than
40 years.
He learned to fly in 1946 at age 19.
Retired pilot Jim White Says:
The first day I ever came to the airport surely was with dad, in his old
'29 Durant. He loved airplanes too, and he also worked for Boeing
Company. Originally he worked for Snoqualmie Saw Mill. And his mother
Ada White-Boyer was working for Boeing at plant one sewing fabric on the
airplanes they were making at the time. So pretty soon, over the years,
just about everybody in the family worked for Boeing.
Narrator Says:
The Field was very crucial to the production of bombers after the U.S.
entered WWII.
At the height of production, workers were generating 16 bombers per day.
Boeing Field Historian Cory Graff Says:
Boeing Field actually closed to civilian traffic the day before Pearl
Harbor was bombed. So on December 6th, 1941 the United States government
had decided they needed to buy bombers here and civilians were getting
in the way, and so they closed the Field. Now the next day of course,
Pearl Harbor was bombed and it was sort of this all-out rush to make as
many aircraft as they could.
Narrator Says:
During WWII, fearing a possible Japanese bombing, the airport was
disguised to look like houses and city streets from the air.
After the war ended, both the airport and the aviation industry looked
to a future more reliant on civilian aircraft and passenger services.
Today as it turns 80, the airport is not just alive, but alive and
thriving.
King County International Airport Division Director Bob Burke Says:
As you can see we've grown quite a bit. We we've increased our size to
615 acres. And our activity encompasses 150 of every variety: fixed-base
operations, retail sales, airlines, air cargo operators, the general
public.
Narrator Says:
The airport averages around 300,000 take-offs and landings each year,
and houses more than 100 businesses and 500 based aircraft.
It also contributes to the education of many current and future aviation
workers.
King County DOT Director Harold Taniguchi Says:
But the King County International Airport is not just a place to take
off in an airplane; it is also a place to launch your dreams. For 80
years this airport has contributed back to the community. It has helped
1,000's of people explore the world through travel, and piloting their
own plane.
It has supported aviation innovation and witnessed dozens of test
aircraft become the next generation of travel. And it has given wings to
the youth of King County, through many educational programs such as the
Young Eagles Camp, Opportunity Skyway, and Aviation High School.
Narrator Says:
The airport’s economic numbers are also impressive.
Boeing Field, despite drawing no county funds, contributes 1.6 billions
dollars to the regional economy annually and supports about 10,000 jobs.
It’s also a popular stop for celebrities and sports stars, not to
mention that every president since Harry Truman has visited at least
once.
King County Executive Ron Sims Says:
This is not just a celebration of an 80th anniversary of an airport, it
is a celebration of the fact that this place with the vision and
endurance and capacity, and setting aside all doubters, say[ing] we are
going to build planes and they are going to transform how we travel. And
oh has it transformed how we travel.
Bill Boeing Jr. Says:
Thank you very much and i want to wish another good 80 years for this
fine institution.
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