Orcas Island for lunch (with a stop at Paine Field)
March 11, 2018
Paine Field, Snohomish County Airport, Everett, WA – KPAE
Runway 16R/34L
Dimensions: 9010 x 150 ft. / 2746 x 46 m
Surface: asphalt/concrete/grooved
Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound, WA – KORS
Runway 16/34
Dimensions: 2901 x 60 ft. / 884 x 18 m
Surface: Asphalt/aggregate friction seal coat
Sandy’s first flight in the 1958 Comanche:
I had just returned from a trip to Pheonix with my mother. Of course, I wanted to spend the next day (Sunday) with my husband, whom I hadn’t seen in a week. But Marc’s idea of fun is flying somewhere in his airplane, and fun wasn’t the way I’d describe something that I’d been pretty much avoiding for years. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day, and I’d agreed to go on some flying adventures in the ’58 Piper Comanche that Marc and his friend Kelly had purchased a few months back. It was time for me to get my feet wet. Marc started suggesting lunch destinations, but I interrupted to ask if we could go see our friends in Seattle. We hadn’t seen them in a while and this would be an added bonus to the outing. Marc did some research and decided that Paine Field was closest to their house. He then texted them, asking if they wanted to fly over to Orcas Island for lunch. They were free and thrilled with the idea.
The flight from Hillsboro (Oregon) to Paine Field (just north of Seattle, Washington) took about two hours. The day was gorgeous and the views incredible. Nothing I could complain about. Marc did a good job communicating with the tower at Paine Field. I’d been nervous about this since the airport was new to Marc and fairly large. It might be even more tricky now that passenger service has started with United and Alaska Airlines (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paine_Field).
There’s a lot going on there already: “The Airport is home to the Boeing manufacturing plant for 747, 767, 777, and 787 aircraft and supported the initial flight tests and first deliveries of the new 787 Dreamliners and 747-8 Intercontinental and Freighters. Aviation Technical Services is one of the largest third-party aircraft inspection and repair facility in North America and provides repair and maintenance services for airlines such as Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, UPS and the USAF (www.painefield.com).”
The airport can be a destination by itself as there are several activities to do there. According to www.painefield.com: “Paine Field has become a major tourist destination with the opening of the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum and the Historic Flight Foundation. Other attractions include Legend Flyers-Me-262 Project and the Museum of Flight Restoration Center.” I’d like to go back sometime and do the Boeing Tour.
Our friends were waiting at Regal Air FBO. We chatted for a bit, used the restroom, and climbed into the plane. The flight to Orcas took about 20 minutes or so. How exciting to look down and see the beautiful islands of the Puget Sound on such a beautiful day.
Marc is already a pro at landing at Orcas. He’s flown there many times in his 1959 Piper Pacer tail-wheel, though this was the first time in this plane.
Marc also knew where to find the hidden path that led to the charming village of Eastsound. There were several restaurants to choose from but we picked The White Horse Pub because it overlooked the bay.
Soon it was time to head back. Though Marc often flies at night, I didn’t want to add that stress to my first flight in the Comanche. See ya later Orcas!
