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News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date: July 24, 2008
Time does fly!
King County International Airport/Boeing Field celebrates 80th
anniversary this weekend
 Celebrate eight decades of aviation history Saturday, July 26 at the
King County International
Airport’s (KCIA) 80th anniversary at Boeing Field.
“For 80 years, the King County airport has supported some of the
greatest innovations in aviation history, and also served the general
aviation needs for the region,” said
King County Executive Ron Sims.
“Today, the King County International Airport is an aviation facility
unlike any other. Few airports are so close to a major downtown city.
Few airports have such a close relationship to one of the premier
aviation companies in the world, as we do with the Boeing Company. And,
few airports are also home to a nationally recognized museum and
educational facility like the Museum of Flight.”
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
The open house at Boeing Field runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday,
and features a day of fun – including historic aircraft displays, visits
to the Museum of Flight, paid scenic flights, and a team aircraft pull
hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound.
· The public is encouraged to arrive early because door-prize drawings
begin at 11 a.m. The first drawing is for a seat on a scenic Lake Union
flight on Kenmore Air leaving the airport at 11:30 a.m. Other prizes
include: roundtrip airfare to Portland on Seaport Airlines; five
introductory flight lessons with Galvin Flying Services; a one-year
family membership to the Museum
of Flight; $100 gift certificate at The Boeing Store; DVD box sets
from The Aviator’s Store; tickets to the Seafair hydro races; and
tickets for the Future of Flight tour at Boeing.
· At noon,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is hosting a team plane
pull. First, strongman Mark Kirsch will pull a 767 cargo plane across
the tarmac by himself. Then teams of 20 “average” people will attempt to
pull the plane 50 feet. The plane pull is a fundraiser to support
mentorship programs for local children.
· Some of the more notable aircraft on display Saturday outside the
terminal are: 1935 Cabin Waco; 1929 Travelair; 1944 Boeing Stearman; and
vintage T-6 and T-26 planes.
· Several groups will have specialized vehicles and equipment on
display, including: King County Aircraft Rescue and Fire Department;
Boeing Fire Department; King County Sheriff’s Office; and Metro Employee
Historic Vehicle Association.
· There will be informational booths featuring: Aviation High School;
Museum of Flight; Civil Air Patrol; and various airport tenants.
· There will also be activities at the Museum of Flight, located on the
west side of Boeing Field, to commemorate the anniversary. Aircraft from
the International Aerobatic Club will be on display Saturday in the
museum parking lot. There will be a KCIA history presentation suitable
for kids and adults on both days. And, author Cory Graff will autograph
copies of the new book “Boeing Field” on both Saturday at the KCIA open
house and on Sunday following his 2 p.m. lecture at the Museum Of
Flight.
KCIA is located at 7277 Perimeter Rd., Seattle, just off Airport Way.
Easiest access is from Exit 158 on Interstate 5. There are several
places to park along Perimeter Road and at the Museum of Flight, located
at 9404 East Marginal Way South. Look for event parking signage. Shuttle
buses will run between KCIA and the museum throughout Saturday’s event.
For more information about the anniversary events, call (206) 296-7380.
HISTORY
King County’s first airport was dedicated on July 26, 1928, and the
grounds were named Boeing Field in honor of aviation pioneer William E.
Boeing, Sr. who had located his airplane manufacturing facilities on the
banks of the Duwamish River during World War I. A crowd of more than
50,000 gathered 80 years ago for the dedication ceremony.
Over the years, as the aviation industry developed, Boeing Field took on
a new identity. Its proximity to downtown Seattle attracted the U.S.
Postal Service, and soon the No. 8 Air Mail route between Seattle and
Los Angeles was established. In the 1930s, Boeing Field became the only
passenger service airport in the Seattle area. Early destinations
included Portland, San Francisco and even a 28-hour coast-to-coast
flight on United Airlines.
By the time the United States entered World War II, the Boeing Company
employees were working around the clock to produce the B-17 and B-29
bombers. These aircraft were so critical to the war that the entire King
County airport, including the adjacent Boeing factories, was camouflaged
and all civilian aircraft were relocated to the newly opened Seattle
Tacoma International Airport.
When the world shifted to peacetime, the aviation industry looked toward
its future. The development of civilian aircraft and passenger service
became the focus. Aviation and non-aviation businesses moved into Boeing
Field creating endless opportunities.
“Today, KCIA supports more than 300,000 takeoffs and landings each year
and is home to more than 100 businesses with 500 based aircraft,” said
Airport Director Robert Burke. “It provides a site for general aviation,
business and commercial aviation, aircraft production, flight test and
delivery, and also hosts the arrivals of celebrities and world leaders.
Every president since Harry Truman has visited KCIA at least once.”
Since 1928, KCIA has been an economic engine for the Puget Sound area.
The airport contributes more than $1.6 billion annually to the regional
economy and supports more than 10,000 aviation-related jobs within the
community. Boeing Field continues to be self-sustaining, and does not
rely on taxpayer dollars.
“For 80 years, this airport has contributed back to the community,” said
Harold Taniguchi, director of the King County Department of
Transportation. “It has helped thousands of people explore the world. 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.”
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