The Blue Angels may be fast in the air, but they took their time on the ground last week for a presentation to students in King County International Airport’s Opportunity Skyway program. Lt. Commander John Allison, the pilot of Blue Angel number six, and Chief Petty Officer Anthony Shuford, an A & P mechanic, gave an overview of the life of a Blue Angel pilot, their support team, and some tips to students who may want to pursue a career in aviation. Career-oriented Navy and Marine Corps jet pilots with aircraft carrier qualifications and a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours are eligible for positions flying jets number two through seven with the Blue Angels. Officers specializing in maintenance, administration, aviation medicine, public affairs and supply fill support positions. The students peppered the Blue Angels with questions about their careers and proudly showed off some of the aviation knowledge they’ve acquired since joining Opportunity Skyway. Opportunity Skyway works in partnership with local schools and businesses using aviation to involve students in math, science and other flight related projects. |
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The Seattle Seahawks return to action this Saturday at 7 p.m. for some pre-season football against the Dallas Cowboys, and you can depend on Metro Transit to get you to all the home-field action. Once again this year, the Seahawks and Metro are providing non-stop shuttle service for all Seahawks home games from five area park-and-ride lots to Qwest Field. For only $3 each way, eliminate driving and parking hassles. The service will be provided from the following park-and-ride lots: Northgate, South Kirkland, Eastgate, Kent/James Street, and Federal Way/South 320th Street. This Saturday, there will be both pre and post-game service. The shuttles begin leaving the various lots about two hours prior to kickoff, and depart every 20 minutes or when they are full. The last shuttle departs for the game approximately 45-60 minutes before kickoff. Check out all the details on Metro Online. In addition to the special shuttles, all Metro and Sound Transit service – including Sounder commuter rail – that travels into or out of downtown Seattle via First Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South, the SODO Busway, or South Jackson Street, stops within walking distance of Qwest Field.
A On Wednesday, Aug. 9, there are three major events occurring in downtown Seattle at the three sports stadiums – Safeco Field, Qwest Field and Key Arena – that will impact traffic during the afternoon commute. The Mariners have an afternoon baseball game that will probably end during peak commute time between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Then, another wave of sports fans is expected to flood downtown for a professional soccer game at Qwest Field between Real Madrid and D.C. United. That game does not start until 8 p.m., and the soccer fans are being encouraged to wait until after 6 p.m. to travel to the stadium. In the meantime, county music fans will be flocking to Key Arena from all directions for the big Tim McGraw-Faith Hill concert at 7:30 p.m. There is no extra Metro Transit service or special shuttle service for the games or the concert. Traffic in the SODO, Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle areas is expected to be very heavy with possibly significant delays for all vehicles. Sports fans, music lovers, and commuters are encouraged to ride regularly scheduled transit service that day and evening. Your best bet may be to park free at one of the dozens of park-and-ride lots throughout the region and ride a bus into town. Just be sure to check transit schedules to make sure there will be service to that lot after your event is over. |
The main runway was last rehabilitated in 1985. In addition to years of normal wear and tear caused by more than 300,000 flight operations annually, the runway experienced significant damage during the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake. While immediate repairs were made following the quake, liquefaction of the sub-base soils continues to cause cracking, depressions and grade changes. If not addressed, these structural problems are expected to worsen.
During the closures, tenants and other users of the airport’s main runway will rely on other airports in the region. However, Boeing Field’s short runway (R 13L/31R) will remain open to aircraft weighing 60,000 or less.
