Governance (VMC 10.05.010)
In order to provide for the safety of tenants, users and the general public, efficient use of Pearson Field Airport facilities, and the continued stewardship of the historic, economic, public safety, educational, and cultural value of Pearson Field Airport this chapter shall apply to the governance of Pearson Field Airport and to all public and private use thereof.
Historical
Pearson Field in Vancouver, Washington, holds significant historical value as one of the oldest continuously operating airfields in the U.S., pivotal in early Pacific Northwest aviation, military training (World War I spruce mill, Army Air Service), and hosting major events like the 1924 Douglas World Cruiser landing and the 1937 Soviet transpolar flight, making it a living link to aviation's pioneering era and national heritage, located within the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Jack Murdock Aviation Center
ONE OF THE OLDEST operating airfields in the United States, Pearson Field is notable as the site of several historic aviation firsts, including the June 1937 landing of the world's first nonstop transpolar flight. A monument to the flight's Russian crew stands outside the Jack Murdock Aviation Center, the first such tribute to Soviet achievement in the U.S.
Named for local philanthropist and Tektronix founder Jack Murdock, the 23,500-square-foot aviation center at Pearson Field includes a museum, education center, and restoration workshop. The center's black-and-yellow checkerboard roof is reminiscent of those common at army airfields during the 1920s–1930s, when pilots often needed visual guides to help them find the airfield in bad weather. Today, the City of Vancouver operates a general aviation airport at Pearson.
The Jack Murdock Aviation Center explores Pearson Field's colorful past, as well as the science of flight and aviation history in general. Visitors enjoy attractions including vintage aircraft, interpretive displays, hands-on demonstrations, and theater presentations. In addition, Pearson hosts a number of events, including historical reenactments, concerts, dances, and a biplane fly-in. Admission.
Vancouver National Historic Reserve Act of 1996
The Vancouver National Historic Reserve Act of 1996, part of the larger Omnibus Parks Act (Public Law 104-333), established the 366-acre Vancouver National Historic Reserve in Washington to protect significant historical, cultural, and natural resources, including Fort Vancouver NHS, Officers' Row, Vancouver Barracks, and Pearson Field, creating a unique cooperative management structure involving the National Park Service, U.S. Army, State of Washington, and City of Vancouver to preserve this pivotal Pacific Northwest site.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural
Pearson Field's cultural value lies in its pivotal role as a historic aviation hub, preserving the pioneering spirit of flight in the Pacific Northwest, hosting significant aviation milestones like the first regional plane flight and Soviet transpolar landing, and serving as a living museum within Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, connecting generations to military history, early aviation, and community identity.
Sources & Further Reading
Economic
Vancouver's Pearson Field (VUO) generates significant regional economic benefits, supporting around 290 jobs and generating roughly $39.9 million in annual business revenue, encompassing on-airport activity, visitor spending, and supplier sales, with about 70% of its traffic being business-related through its flight school and services like avionics repair—making it a vital hub for local commerce, flight training, and general aviation in the Pacific Northwest.
Sources & Further Reading
Public Safety
Pearson Field's public safety value lies in its critical role in regional aviation safety, managed through FAA‑mandated Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRA) to prevent conflicts with Portland International Airport (PDX) traffic, plus its function as a base for local emergency response (fire, medical) and training. The airport mitigates risks from converging air traffic and supports vital community functions, demonstrating both operational safety and community benefit.
Key Public Safety Aspects
- Airspace Management (SFRA): SFRA procedures manage traffic with PDX, including specific patterns and weather checks to minimize collision and wake turbulence risk.
- Emergency Response & Training: Supports medical/fire operations and ongoing aviation safety training.
- Historical Preservation: Preserving aviation heritage supports civic identity and education.
- Economic Stability: Airport activity supports jobs and businesses, enhancing community resilience.
- Community Oversight: AAC ensures alignment with safety, economic, and historical values as outlined in VMC 10.05.
Educational
Pearson Airfield’s educational value lies in its rich aviation history and the hands‑on STEM learning offered by the Pearson Field Education Center (PFEC), including K–12 programs, flight simulators, historic aircraft, summer camps (model rocketry, RC planes), and outreach that inspire future innovators through experiential learning in science, technology, engineering, math, and history.
Key Educational Aspects
- STEM & Aviation Focus: Experiential STEAM activities (simulators, wind tables, build projects).
- Hands‑On Activities: Models, rockets, supervised flight sessions—turning concepts into practice.
- Historical Significance: On‑field history (e.g., 1924 world flight) connects students to innovation.
- Community & Career Exposure: Open Cockpit, career fairs, scout programs.
- Accessibility: Free “Open Saturday” events for families and groups.
Sources & Further Reading
Community
Add more local orgs, AAC agendas/minutes, and partner programs here as needed.
Meetings & Public Information
The AAC meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public, guided by VMC 10.05, and structured to support transparency in airport governance, safety, and long‑term planning.
2026 AAC Yearly Agenda
Purpose: Provide recommendations regarding management and operations of Pearson Field Airport and aviation‑related issues impacting the City of Vancouver.
January
- Bylaws reviewed against VMC audit; Goal: finalize bylaws for publication following audit.
- Schedule annual retreat; develop training agenda (historic, economic, public safety, cultural, educational values).
- Review Commercial Operating & Minimum Standards for Commercial Activities at Pearson Field.
- Review Pearson Field Airport Rules & Regulations and Minimum Standards.
- Quarterly budget discussion.
March
- Hangar/tiedown waitlist review, utilization rates, and lease compliance.
April
- Training session: historical, economic, safety, cultural, and educational value of the airport.
- VMC 10.05.065 layout plans—ensure master plans are current and posted publicly.
- Discuss timing and preparation for next airport master plan.
June
- Rates review—hangar leases, tie‑downs, short‑term parking, offices, building rentals, and lease agreements.
July
- Potential break for summer and travel schedules.
August
- Quarterly budget meeting.
- VMC 10.05.540—Operations & technological advances in aviation and airspace use.
- SFRA refresher and airspace briefing.
- PDX Tower relationship discussion; invite controller guest speaker.
September
- Base pilot feedback forum & listening session.
- Per bylaws: Public comment permitted for matters under consideration; the Chair may limit speaking time as needed.
October
- Set regular meeting calendar for 2027.
- Officer elections (as required).
November
- Quarterly budget review.
- Annual accomplishments recap; prepare update for City Council.
December
- Set preliminary AAC agenda for 2027.