By Abby Austin, Executive Director, Alaska Airmen Association
Hello Airmen!
It has been just about a year since I took on the role of Executive Director at the Alaska Airmen and, with the end of the calendar year coming up, it seems like a great time to reflect on what we have accomplished thus far. It has been such a pleasure and privilege to spend the last year in service of an industry and a community that I so deeply love. Working with the staff and a team of devoted volunteers, we have managed to take on quite a few tasks and have a lot of fun in the process. From Adam White’s tremendous advocacy work to the staff’s new ideas for community outreach, we have tackled a wide range of projects and I’ve shared a sampling below that I believe would make the members proud.
Defending and Protecting Aviation in Alaska
Infrastructure
Advocating for Alaska Aviation to be included in federal Infrastructure Bills
Contributing to improvement and expansion of ADS-B coverage in Alaska
Successful addition of Mountain Pass elevations to charts (next cycle)
Championing the needs of local communities
Preserving Skwentna Airport lighting
Anchorage Airspace Study
Retaining the NDB in Nenana
Access
Advocating for more low-level T-Routes
Fighting to keep ADS-B data from primary cause for enforcement action
Worked to minimize size and scope of restricted area R-2206
Financial
Collaborated with the Municipality of Anchorage on Aircraft Tax reform
Advocated for pause of DOT lease rate increases
Supported the Advancement of Aviation Technology by collaborating on the following projects:
Expanding the availability of 360˚ weather camera
Weather cam edge detection for ceiling and visibility estimates
Satellite base cloud sections in remote areas
Graphical Area Forecast tool
CFIT avoidance tools with NASA
2-way texting with Flight Service coming soon
Outreach and Education
Continue to be the go-to source for the media about GA in Alaska
Scholarships
Record breaking year with 101 applicants
24 awards were disbursed totaling $59,000
All segments of the industry represented including management, maintenance, and piloting
Alaska Airmen’s Association NextGen Club
Day Camp
48 middle schoolers participated in aviation STEM activities
28 kids took their first flight in a small plane thanks to the EAA’s Young Eagles Program
Outreach at Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
20,000 square feet of free aviation STEM activities, scholarship, and career outreach
Anchorage School District Collaboration
King Tech Aviation program - career pathway events and scholarship outreach
East High metal shop program-collaborated on sheet metal fabrication STEM project
Discovery Flights
Partnered with Regal Air to offer approximately 25 young adults interested in aviation careers their first ride in a deHavilland Beaver on floats from Lake Hood.
The return of the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering!
20,000+ visitors and 150+ vendors attended the event at the Alaska State Fairgrounds
Pioneered a new location with potential for growth and new experiences
Supported aviation business in Alaska generating over $1 million in revenue for our small business community
Community Events
Supported Lake Hood Pilots Association painting of Goose Bay Airport
Event Sponsorship: Valdez Fly-In, Wings Over Wasilla, Skwentna Fly-In, Seldovia Fly-In
Social events: Fairbanks Member BBQ and Anchorage Member BBQ
Reinstated Alaska Airmen Fly-outs
1st destination: Hope, AK with 10 airplanes and 26 guests attending
Up next: Talkeetna, AK on October 2nd
We are pleased with what we have accomplished so far this year and there is much more to come. For the first time ever, we are venturing into the world of experimental aircraft for the 2022 raffle fundraiser airplane, and we have plans to incorporate Alaskan teachers and students into the build. We are on track for an even larger amount of scholarship awards to be offered and we believe we have some new opportunities that will allow us to take our advocacy efforts even further. So, stay tuned, stay engaged, and encourage others to consider membership. We are only as strong as our membership, and we need your support to keep working hard for aviation in Alaska through the winter and beyond!
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