Helicopter activity to increase at Olympia Regional Airport

Air traffic above and around Olympia Regional Airport is scheduled to ramp up this week, as helicopter pilots undergo routine recertification training.

The Port of Olympia said in a notice on Tuesday, March 18, that there will be increased activity at the airport from Saturday, March 22, through Wednesday, March 26.

The increase in activity stems from Department of Natural Resources helicopter pilots doing recertification training that they must complete each year in preparation for firefighting season.

The training is time sensitive.

"The increased activity will be most noticed during the hours of (9 a.m.) until (4 p.m.) each day. However, additional activity will take place on the evening of Sunday, March 23, from (6 p.m.) to (8 p.m.)," the Port of Olympia said.

"This is the second week of three separate weeks of scheduled helicopter activity. The days and hours may vary slightly due to unforseen weather delays."