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ML Port mulls arrestor system at airport

by CHARLES H. FEATHERSTONE
Staff Writer | February 10, 2020 10:48 PM

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake may have to install an arrestor system if it wants to host Air Force or Navy demonstration teams at future air shows.

According to Moses Lake Air Show organizer Terry Quick, the Air Force requires that any aircraft with tailhooks be able to land at an airfield with an arrestor system within “80 nautical miles” (92 miles) and that the nearest airfield with an arrestor system is around “120 nautical miles” (138 miles) away.

While tailhooks are commonly used on Navy and Marine Corps fighter jets to make carrier landing possible, most Air Force fighter jets have tailhooks as well in the event of an emergency. The tailhook is dropped to grab hold of a long steel cable stretched across a runway and anchored to either side (typically in concrete), which keeps the jet from moving forward.

This combination of cable and anchors is the arrestor system.

Even a fighter jet can “roll a long, long way” if its brakes fail, said Grant County International Airport Director Rich Mueller.

Quick, speaking at a regular meeting of the Port of Moses Lake Commission on Monday morning, told commissioners the port could install a temporary arrestor system for the air show for $50,000. However, he noted the system would prevent anyone else from using that runway.

“Once across, they have to shut that runway,” Quick said.

Quick said the issue needs to be considered soon because a performance team from Hill Air Force Base “may be available” for this year’s air show.

There are also permanent systems, which would allow GCIA to become one of those “nearest airfields” and possibly allow the Navy and Marine Corps to expand their operations in Moses Lake.

“The Navy may be able to pay for it,” Quick said. “That could be a source of income in the future.”

Airport Director Rich Mueller said the military has, in the past, installed temporary arrestor systems at the Grant County International Airport.

“They paid us to put it in,” he said.

Mueller said that French aerospace firm Safran makes a permanent arrestor system for airport runways, which can be raised or lowered as needed, for around $425,000. Safran bought Zodiac Aerospace, which owns Greenpoint Technology, which creates high-end custom interiors for 777 and 787 jetliners at its facility at the Port of Moses Lake.

“That would help for air shows,” Mueller said. “We would need to get reimbursement from the Air Force and/or the Navy.”

“I’m not worried about mitigating it, I’m worried about paying for it,” said Commissioner David “Kent” Jones.

While the Navy uses Grant County International Airport for training missions, mainly for the aging P-3 Orion patrol plane, testing its new P-8 Poseidon patrol plane, and occasional EA-18G Growler visits, Mueller said the Navy doesn’t currently pay for its use of the airport.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.

photo

Charles H. Featherstone/Columbia Basin Herald Two U.S. Navy Reserve pilots climb into their EA-18G Growler airplane at the Grant County International Airport Monday afternoon after taking a break in-between training flights.