ARLINGTON — David Ryan, the new manager of the Arlington Municipal Airport, says it could become a regional center for many types of businesses because of all the open space.

“The Arlington airport has a lot of potential,” he said.

Ryan replaces Dale Carman, who was promoted to airport manager last year, after the retirement of Rob Putnam, who was airport director for more than 13 years. Ryan, 55, spent the last six years as airport manager in Friday Harbor. He will make $90,732.

Ryan is tasked with planning for the airport’s future. He sees room for growth, but not so much that the airport loses its sense of community.  He’s not looking to create another Paine or Boeing field, and neither is the city, he said. Ryan’s expertise lies in airport operations and construction, but he’s shifting his focus to marketing and leasing. He hopes to bring more businesses to the airport and the surrounding industrial area.

He’s trying to gather ideas from pilots, leaders and business owners. He’ll have a chance to meet many of those people Saturday, during Arlington Airport Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include a free lunch, tractor rides, aircraft displays, helicopters, bouncy houses, face painting, flight simulators, a flying gizmo showcase, paint-an-airplane booth, aircraft flyovers and free airplane rides for kids ages 8-17. There also will be 5K and 10K Rescue Runs at 8 a.m., and the Historic Flight Foundation’s T-6 Texan will be available for rides for a fee.

For more information visit the city’s website at www.arlingtonwa.gov or call 360-403-3471. The Arlington Airport office, located at 18204 59th Drive NE, is the site for the event.