Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 2

43 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 YAK IMA A I R TERMINAL -MCALL I STER F I ELD service by Alaska Airlines operated by Horizon to Seattle. Throughout the 20th century, agriculture was at the center of commerce, with Yakima producing stone, fruit, melons, peppers, corn, beans, and of course hops. In some ways, the city exists to support the agricultural economy – also a volatile and changing landscape. Perhaps it is this history of change and ups and downs that have created resilience in the people of Yakima, so that no matter what happens, they can adapt and move on. The Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field is also constantly adapting to meet the needs of changing demographics, while overcoming obstacles gracefully. The recent departure of their Airport Director left a void, and in the meantime, Airport Operations Manager, Jaime Vera, stepped in as Interim Director – ensuring airport operations and upcoming Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) stayed on schedule. “Our Airport Master Plan has certain projects identified and we have been working away at them while at the same time engaging in a search for a new Director,” explains Vera. “The first project that we are scheduled to complete, for example, is a complete redesign and re- engineering of our East General Aviation apron. It is going to consist of 30,000 square yards of asphalt. We’re doing the mill and overlay, and this project is also going to include drainage improvements, lighting improvements that meet new aviation safety standards, as well as new tie-down markings. It is a project that is projected to cost $2.2 million when it is completed and will be paid through a federal grant.” The project is set to begin near the end of April and is expected to last two and a half months. Vera says there could be some interruption in traffic to aircraft operations, but it is being minimized as best as possible through a four- phase construction plan which will allow the current tenants to continue to operate. “We are hoping to get back up to three flights by the summer of 2022.” Vera reports. “COVID shut down our two charter flight services and cut into commercial travel, but at the same time, we have seen an increase in general aviation traffic and a lot of support from that community for the airport. We have one FBO – McCormick Air Center – which has been here for a long time and contributes in so many ways. They have great amenities such as fuel, maintenance, and even a flight school. We also have a self-service fueling station that is managed by McAllister’s museum that makes it easy for transient pilots to self-fuel.” The airport works in partnership with Central Washington University, which is 40 miles North of Yakima, and has an Aviation Management and a Professional Pilot Program. According to Vera, “We are always promoting aviation in general, as