Palmer Municipal Airport is entering its busy season according to Airport Superintendent John Diumenti in an interview on Big Cabbage Radio last Friday.
The airport has seen an increase in aviation activity with the arrival of summer weather. Aircraft that spent much of the winter and spring parked are now in use. Forestry operations are at full strength for the wildfire season. Local flight schools are busy, and recreational pilots are taking advantage of favorable flying conditions.
The unusual aircraft currently operating from Palmer is the fleet of Single Engine Air Tankers, or SEATs. These firefighting planes are equipped with floats that skim lakes, rivers, and other water sources. They collect water through a system that uses the aircraft speed and aerodynamic principles to fill onboard tanks.
The smaller size of the SEATs allows them to access water sources that larger firefighting aircraft cannot use. This means faster turnaround times when fighting wildfires. Larger aircraft such as the Q400 airtankers must return to tanker bases like Palmer to refill with water or fire retardant.
Diumenti also provided updates on airport development projects. Mat-Su Valley Avionics is expanding its operations. It plans to construct a new hangar. However, a new federal review process requires environmental and historic preservation analyses before airport development can proceed.
The new process adds time and complexity. However, the Federal Aviation Administration is working to move the project forward.
Another project is the airport lighting system. Construction is scheduled to begin this week and will occur in three phases of about 45 days each. The project will replace the aging lighting infrastructure with modern equipment, including LED technology. The completion is scheduled for December. However, Diumenti acknowledged that weather conditions and equipment changes could push the work into next year.
The most significant development on the horizon is the long-awaited Palmer Airport Master Plan. The FAA grant needed to launch the planning effort has been submitted. City officials expect to receive funding approval soon. The planning process could begin before the end of summer after the grant is approved by the City Council.
The master plan includes public participation. Initial work will focus on assessing existing airport conditions and identifying future needs. Community members, airport users, and local stakeholders will be invited to share their perspectives on how the airport should develop in the coming years. The resulting plan will guide future investments, infrastructure projects, and operational improvements.
Diumenti noted that Palmer is in a unique position because both the airport master plan and the city’s comprehensive plan are being developed around the same time. He encouraged residents to participate, emphasizing that this is an important opportunity to help shape the future of both the airport and the community.
Looking at current airport activity, Diumenti says overall traffic appears steady, though there has been an increase in larger turboprop aircraft such as King Airs and Caravans. He attributes this to expanded maintenance services and increased aviation business activity on the airport’s south apron.
Airport officials are focused on balancing current operational needs with long-term planning. They want to ensure that the airport remains a valuable transportation and economic asset for the region as the aviation sector of Palmer continues to grow.
The full interview with Diumenti is on bigcabbageradio.org under Inside the City in podcasts.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was reported by Mike Chmielewski and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday June 23, 2026.
Image credit: Air Tractor Inc.