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Ocean Shores committee advances AWOS installation, weighs GPS approach for medevac access
Summary
The committee confirmed Century West is on schedule to continue AWOS installation into 2026 and discussed whether GPS approaches (rather than an ILS) could improve medevac helicopter access; members will seek operator minimums and invite FAA and Century West for further guidance.
At a special Sept. 18 meeting, the City of Ocean Shores Municipal Airport Advisory Committee reaffirmed progress on installing an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and discussed instrument‑approach options that could improve medical helicopter access in bad weather.
Scott, the airport liaison, said Century West is managing the AWOS schedule and that predesign tasks are complete. "Century West has got everything on schedule for the continuation of our AWOS installation into 2026," he said. Committee members described the AWOS as a foundational step: "An AWOS is like the first building block of that," the chair said.
Members said the FAA has indicated the airport’s runway width and proximity to Hoquiam make a ground‑based ILS unlikely. The committee therefore focused on GPS approaches and whether they would materially change medevac operators’ ability to land. Ron Devore said he has reached out to chief pilots at major operators and is awaiting replies. "I won't know until I get an answer from their chief pilots," he said.
Committee members emphasized that weather reporting from an AWOS is a prerequisite for instrument approaches. One member summarized the sequence: with weather reporting in place the FAA will discuss an approach; without it, discussion of approaches is premature.
The discussion also included emergency‑use considerations: the chair cited local emergency transport statistics, noting that ambulances average about two out‑of‑town transports per day to Aberdeen, roughly a 40‑minute drive, strengthening the public‑safety case for improving air access.
No final decision was made on pursuing a GPS approach; members agreed to collect operator minimums from medevac providers and invite Century West and an FAA representative to the next meeting to clarify options and grant requirements.
Next steps: Ron Devore to report operator minimums to the committee; Century West and FAA staff to be invited to a future meeting to review AWOS completion and approach feasibility.
