Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, will tour key aviation resources throughout Northwest Washington this week. Larsen, who was tapped to serve as the top House Democrat on aviation issues in January, will use the tour to learn about aviation needs in Northwest Washington and highlight the importance of the industry to the region’s economy.

“The Pacific Northwest is the aerospace capital of the world,” Larsen said. “I want to make sure that Congress continues to invest in this important part of our economy. I look forward to meeting aerospace workers, pilots and airport administrators to learn more about the challenges and opportunities they face so that I can make sure national aviation policy meets the needs of Northwest Washington.”

Larsen will also discuss the impacts of automatic federal spending cuts, known as sequestration, on the aviation industry.

The four-day tour of aviation resources will include visits to Paine Field, Arlington Municipal Airport, Skagit Regional Airport, SeaTac Airport, local manufacturers and meetings with general aviation pilots. Larsen recently visited Boeing’s Everett factory, Bellingham International Airport and Anacortes Airport.