AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 79

The runway is now repaved and expanded to 60 feet wide. DeLaurentis started a program called Kids Fly and purchased a 1966 Cessna 172 for
discovery flights. The polished aluminum airplane is named Sugar. " We're upgrading her with electronic ignition and a pretty slick panel, " he said.
" If you're a kid who likes video games, you're going to like flying Sugar. " DeLaurentis's motto is " If you're not afraid, your dream isn't big enough, "
and that applies to his renovated airport.
come in here and support the airport.
And when you consider the cost to renovate
an airport that's 52 acres, $20 is
immaterial. It gets people involved; they
have skin in the game and they're contributing
to our community rather than
taking away. "
Aviation dreams
Leaving San Diego for Oak Harbor
after completing his circumnavigation
flights and at the height of the
pandemic, DeLaurentis said he needed
time to reflect.
" I didn't want my whole life to be the
same chapter in San Diego. I wanted a
place that had mountains, snow-capped
mountains but also the ocean. I liked
the idea of an island, " he said. " An island
with lots of birds chirping and orca
whales and gray whales, and bald eagles.
I think the reason why pilots want to fly
in this part of the world is because it's
unbelievably beautiful. "
Aviation fuels every dream DeLaurentis
has, and he has a lot. He wants to introduce
kids to aviation, he thinks pilots are
the best people to own and run airports, he
believes safety is tantamount, and he wants
to contribute to his community.
" The way the airport contributes to a
community is that it provides a vital link
between aviation and the infrastructure. So,
people fly in, rent a hotel, go on vacation, "
he said. Additionally, he is concerned with
the accessibility to the island. " When someone
is injured, they need to get to Seattle
fast. LifeFlight flies out of here but because
the weather is often bad in the winter, they
can't fly their helicopters. We widened the
runway so that we can get turboprops in. "
In February 2024, the airport became
DeLaurentis International Airport
(OKH). " We decided to take some
chances and make this an international
airport. It would open us up to Canada
and other countries, but it would also
put us on the map. It's a great thing for
the community. And since I've done so
much international flying, I thought it
would be so cool. "
DeLaurentis admits there have been
more challenges than he anticipated and
is disappointed that people often don't
believe in him. " I'm a dreamer, definitely
a dreamer. People may call it other
things, but things are possible when you
surround yourself with love and support.
And it's never a mission of one; it's
a mission of many, " he said. " I've delivered
on my promises; it's a safe airport.
Everything works and we're welcoming
people who support aviation. "
He has more than 20 industry sponsors
whose names and logos are displayed
on the hangar entrance to the airport.
" One of the things I've enjoyed most
about this airport is the people who
have come together to work on it. It
reminded me that aviation brings people
together and airports do the same. "
julie.walker@aopa.org
AOPA PILOT / December 2024
79

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024

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