Text transcript of the video "KCIA '05"

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With some 300-thousand takeoffs and landings every year, King County International Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country. Also known as Boeing Field, it’s located just five miles south of Seattle. The airport is only 17 feet above sea level and stretches across almost 600 acres of real estate in King County, Washington. It’s a United States port of entry for U.S. Customs, Immigration, Public Health and Agriculture.

There are two runways, 13R/31L, which is 10-thousand feet long and 13L/31R, stretching 3,710 feet. The Control tower was completely rebuilt following the Nisqually earthquake in 2001 and now operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week. King County International Airport is home base for more than 150 businesses, including commercial airlines, airfreight companies, aircraft service and repair, flight schools, charter operations and helicopter services. The airport is also home for hundreds of small aircraft owners who rent hanger space and tie downs for recreational and business purposes. King County International Airport is owned and operated by King County, but does not receive any general tax dollars. It’s supported by on site rents and fees and some Federal Aviation Administration resources.

King County International Airport and associated businesses are key players in the economic health of the Northwest. They directly and indirectly employ more than 10-thousand people, and according to a 2003 economic impact study, sales by these businesses generated $1.6 billion for the economy of Puget Sound. These same businesses produced more than half a billion dollars in labor income by employees. And those employees at the airport and surrounding businesses paid $39-million in state and local taxes.

William E. Boeing founded his aircraft company in 1916. His first manufacturing plant was a building known as the red barn. This historic landmark has been restored and is on display at the Museum of Flight. The airport was officially dedicated in 1928 and named Boeing Field, in William Boeings honor. Air passenger and mail service were among the first revenue generating services at Boeing Field. In the early days United Airlines coast to coast service took 28 hours, and those flights featured the airline industry’s first stewardesses. Stewardesses in those days also had to be registered nurses. As world war two approached in 1939, Boeing Field went into 24-hour production. For the first time women joined the lines of wartime production, immortalized by Rosie the riveter. During the war years, Boeing Field was hidden by camouflage netting and props to make it look like a residential area from the air. After the war, the main runway was lengthened to 10-thousand feet to usher in the start of the jet age. Among the revolutionary airplanes to roll off the assembly line was the Boeing 707 Dash 80.The production of larger and heavier aircraft led to more field improvements over the years. Throughout its life the airport has hosted important industry events and milestones, carving a nitch in aviation history and drawing world leaders, flight enthusiasts and celebrities to the runways and airplanes.

Today King County International Airport’s most visible tenant is still the Boeing company. Boeing conducts a variety of activities on and near the Airport grounds. These include all facets of aircraft building, testing and delivery. Another major attraction is the Museum of Flight located on the southwest side of the airport. One of the worlds leading air and space museum’s, it is an independent non-profit organization and features more than 135 historically significant air and spacecraft along with the largest aeronautical library on the West Coast. King County International Airport is home to some of the worlds largest air cargo companies and specialized small package delivery services. Each with multiple takeoffs and landings everyday. Private pilots keep the runways busy, as well as the tie downs and hangers. In fact despite the construction of dozens of new hangers, there is a constant waiting list for hanger space. The airport terminal building, originally built in 1930 and remodeled in 2003 retains its turn of the century charm, but is now a state of the art facility, offering comfort and efficiency to commercial passengers and flights. Airlift Northwest has a helicopter stationed at the airport, providing emergency transport to Harborview Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and other specialty care hospitals in the Northwest. The King County Sheriffs office provides security with a permanent presence on the airport grounds. The Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting team, also known by the acronym ARFF, is a specially cross trained unit that responds to aircraft and fire emergencies, as well as patrols the grounds for the safety of employees and tenants 24/7.

King County International Airport is also a focal point in the aviation teaching community. Opportunity Skyway is a partnership with local schools and business, and uses aviation to teach students about math, science and aviation careers. Opportunity Skyway is a hands on learning experience for students with expert instruction on how to build gliders, kites, hot air balloons, wind tunnels and even full-sized kit aircraft. For older students looking to enter the workforce, King County International airport offers job shadow experiences in aviation businesses as well as transportation and international trade. Airport staff and tenants also work closely with the new Aviation High School, supporting classes with guest speakers, flight demonstrations and hands on projects related to aviation. Approximately 1,000 students take part in King County International Airports educational opportunities every year, and hundreds of volunteers from the community help out.

For more than 75 years, King County International Airport has been a hub for aviation related business, teaching and innovation. The Airport is positioned to grow with the needs of the northwest aviation community. The airport provides the latest in technology, service and safety to private and commercial pilots and is working with commercial businesses to meet their constantly evolving corporate and customer needs. Whatever challenges the aviation community faces in the future, King County International Airport will be a part of the solution.
 

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