Our Airport Hosts
It’s not just like a fill up at the local service station, you have to know what type of fuel, what to push, what to pull, and what shouldn’t be pushed or pulled. Hauling out thirty feet of heavy fuel hose from the airport fuel truck, airport Operations Manager Keegan Bailey climbs up a folding ladder to the fuel tank opening on the top of the wing of the glider tug to put in a few gallons of 100LL (100 octane low lead) gasoline while explaining his responsibilities as the head of a crew of four college students who provide manpower at Santa Ynez Valley Airport.
There are a lot of things this 24 year old, part time airport manager and full time college student must know in order to safely operate the fuel truck bringing gasoline and jet fuel to airplanes. Some days are slow and some are busy with aircraft based here at Santa Ynez Airport and aircraft transiting on cross-country flights, those stopping here to visit or drop off passengers, and those who are fogged out of Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. Keegan noted that most jobs he has responsibility for around Santa Ynez Valley Airport are pleasant.
Whether he is fueling a Citation jet, getting a rental car for valley visitors, or his least favorite chore, cutting the weeds on a hot summer day, Keegan and his crew of three other college age co-workers keep Santa Ynez Airport operating seven days a week.
His experience has helped shape his career choice. Keegan intends to attend college and eventually learn airport management at a professional level. He hopes to manage a big airport in the future or will pursue a career as an airline pilot.
Keegan grew up around aviation with father Doug Bailey a former navy pilot, Captain with former Continental Airlines, and operator of a locally based air taxi service as a role model. Obtaining his private license at 19 and obtaining 250 hours as pilot in command, Keegan is currently working on his instrument rating with local flight instructor Yves Bajulaz.
Keegan is currently a student at Santa Barbara City College and intends to continue on to UCSB or Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with studies in Business Administration.
Jake Bates, 20 also works with Keegan providing services to pilots and visitors at Santa Ynez Airport. Jake, a life long resident of Solvang is also a college student attending Allan Hancock College and studying business. Jake too has some interest in aviation having taken about eight hours of instruction but not having soled.
David Brazzell, 24 and Ben Brouillet, also 24 are both long time valley residents and also college students who work on Keegan’s crew helping with airport maintenance.
These four young men, under direction from Airport Manger Jim Kunkle keep Santa Ynez Valley Airport running efficiently and in a friendly manner in keeping with the hospitality offered by the valley in general.
Keegan Bailey’s reply when asked what the most important benefit the airport played in the community was that, “the huge economic benefit that the airport provides for the valley in general.” Not a bad insight from such a young man who has his head in the clouds.