Boutique Air parks a Pilatus PC-12 on March 6, 2024, at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton during a turnaround to head back to Portland. The Oregon Airport Management Association on Sept, 30 named the airport in as the General Aviation Airport of the Year.

PENDLETON — The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton has a new title: General Aviation Airport of the Year.

Dan Bandel, airport manager for the city, accepted the award from the Oregon Airport Management Association at its conference Sept. 30 in Eugene. According to an announcement from the city, the award recognizes the Pendleton airport’s contributions to aviation, innovation and community engagement.

“This award reflects great credit on each member of our team,” Bandel said in a statement. “Administration, maintenance, engineering, air traffic and range control all played essential roles in making this happen. I am honored to work with such motivated professionals.”

Oregon has more than 90 general aviation airports. Among these, the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport was recognized for its pioneering efforts in unmanned aerial systems research and testing, according to the city.

The Pendleton airport has become a national leader in UAS research, development, testing and evaluation. The airport’s UAS Range is one of the more active in the United States, attracting businesses and researchers from across the country and internationally. The facility has worked to advance UAS technology, providing a safe and controlled environment for testing and innovation.

“The ongoing developments at the Pendleton UAS Range and the Oregon UAS Accelerator have positioned the airport as a key player in the tech and aviation sectors,” according to the city’s announcement. “These advancements have not only boosted the local economy but also transformed the airport into a hub for innovation.”

The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is the largest public airport in Northeastern Oregon, offering services including daily round-trip flights between Pendleton and Portland, hangar rentals and industrial park facilities.