By James Tibbets, Pendletonian Times
Pendleton, Ore. – Eastern Oregon Regional Airport was given the General Aviation Airport of the Year award by the Oregon Airport Management Association on September 30. The award recognizes contributions to aviation, innovation and community engagement.
According to a press release from the City of Pendleton dated October 3, Dan Bandel, Airport Manager for the City of Pendleton, accepted the award on September 30 at the OAMA Fall Conference, which was held in Eugene.
“My team’s primary goal is to ensure the safety and efficiency of our operations” Bandel said. “Every day, we go all-out to provide a seamless travel experience for our passengers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security. This award reflects great credit on each member of our team. Administration, maintenance, engineering, air traffic and range control all played essential roles in making this happen. I am honored to work with such motivated professionals.”
According to the nomination for the award, which was provided to Pendletonian Times by OAMA, “the airport that not long ago was viewed as a financial burden to the City has now become an economic driver in the region again. It’s created dozens of new full time jobs and has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world. Furthermore, the airport has stimulated private investment in the form of six new box hangars in the last five years and it leases out over 300,000 square-feet of ground to UAS companies. It’s been a remarkable resurrection of an airport that was viewed as being near death.”
Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is prominent in the world of UAS research, development, testing and evaluation. Their UAS Range has attracted businesses and researchers from around the world.
According to information published by the Oregon Department of Aviation, Oregon is home to 95 general aviation airports. The Federal Aviation Administration defines a general aviation airport as “a public-use airport that does not have scheduled service or has scheduled service with less than 2,500 passenger boardings each year.”