Week of July 27, 2009 Blues bring big week to Boeing Field
The Blue Angels are a staple of the Seafair air show. | When the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron takes to the air over Lake Washington each summer for the Seafair air show, thousands of spectators marvel at the precision of their airborne maneuvers.But, the split-second timing and attention to detail are not just limited to the skies. Similar logistics are happening on the ground at King County International Airport (KCIA) at Boeing Field, where the Blues are headquartered for their annual Seafair visit. “This is a busy time for us each year,” KCIA Operations Manager Chris Hall. “Just hosting the Blue Angels for their practices and performances adds more than 100 takeoffs and landings in a single week at Boeing Field.” Hall said in addition to the Blue Angels, other performers in the annual air show also increase traffic at Boeing Field during Seafair Week. This year, many civilian aviation performers have opted to participate in a show in Wisconsin, so the Key Bank Air Show at Seafair will feature more military planes – some of which are locally stationed at either McChord Air Force Base or NAS Whidbey.
The Blue Angels soar above Lake Washington during the 2008 show. | During show week, Hall said the staff at Boeing Field work very closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees in the control tower to coordinate all the aircraft coming and going on the runways. At the request of the Navy, KCIA staffers also carry out extra airfield inspections to make sure runways and taxiways are free of foreign object debris before the Blue Angels squad of F/A-18 Hornets take off.Because the military aircraft attract a lot of visitors to the airfield, Hall said there is a bit more work to do to make sure basic safety and security procedures are being correctly followed by both regular KCIA tenants and their guests. “We do precautionary checks to make sure everyone is in the right place doing the right thing,” said Hall. One of the reasons the Blue Angels return to Seafair each year is because Boeing Field provides such a good operational base for the squad. The 10,000-foot long by 200-foot wide runway allows for tightly timed departures of the team's aircraft that are so important to their precision routines. Hall said KCIA staff is proud that Boeing Field has the ability to host the Blue Angels, and the employees look forward to their visit every year. “It’s a bit of extra work, but it’s worth the effort,” he said. “To watch them perform in our own aviation backyard – it doesn’t get better than that!”
Seafair hits a crescendo this weekend with hydroplane races and the Blue Angels on and over Lake Washington. There are a few things to know about traveling in that area this weekend.
Motorists and bus riders should note that the Interstate 90 floating bridge will be closed several times this week for the Seafair Air Show practices and performances during the following times:
• Thursday, July 30 – 9:45 a.m. to noon, and 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 31 – 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 & 2 – 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
The hydro races take place Saturday and Sunday. Seafair is providing its own shuttles to the race course on Lake Washington this year from shuttle stops in Eastgate and Renton. Metro has bus service to both locations for race fans.
The Seattle Mariners have a 1:40 p.m. game on Wednesday, July 29. Traffic through the downtown and Sodo areas could be congested both before and after the game. Bus passengers who are traveling through the downtown area during the Wednesday afternoon commute may experience some reroutes and delays in transit service. If you are going to the game, there is plenty of regular Metro service to and near the stadium; plus Rideshare Online is the quick and easy way to carpool to the home games. Visit Rideshare Online and select "Ridematch to regional events" for all the details.
Ineke DeBoer
| Metro bus driver Ineke DeBoer has won the agency’s top award as 2008 Operator of the Year. The annual award honors operators who demonstrate safe driving skills, exceptional customer service, and an outstanding overall work record. It is a peer award, with the winner selected by other Metro drivers.
DeBoer found out about the honor in a surprise ceremony last Friday at Metro’s North Base. Surrounded by co-workers and family, she was praised for the care and compassion she shows on the job and in the community.
She currently drives the routes 31 and 68, both of which serve the University District by way of Northgate and Magnolia. DeBoer is a resident of the Green Lake neighborhood in Seattle.  Watch the video
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