OUR VOICE, ADVOCACY AT WORK . . . . . . our voice for general aviation
June 2010
Government and Legislative Report
ADVOCACY AT WORK:
Government and Legislative Report
ADS-B and WAM Available in the Juneau Area
The FAA Surveillance Broadcast Services Office announced that on Wednesday, April 28th, the the FAA achieved Initial Operating Capability for Juneau ADS-B . Both ADS-B and WAM (Wide Area Multilateration) services are now available for Air Traffic Control at the Anchorage ARTCC. This means that ADS-B and transponder equipped aircraft can be seen by controllers providing traffic services into and out of Juneau.
Fire Island Project Proposal
A request by CIRI to establish a Fire Island Wind Turbine Project is under a second review by the FAA. The project had been upgraded from 24 to 36 towers, with a larger sized turbine therefore requiring another review by the FAA. There are concerns that the impact of the turbines on ATC radar may impact the airspace over Fire Island, which could cause a change in the airspace, potentially impacting VFR traffic in the area. Industry groups were asked to participate in a three day Safety Risk Management review held the first week of May. Airmen Director Terry Cartee attended on behalf of the Airmen Association and represented our interests regarding preserving access for aircraft transiting between south Anchorage and points west and north. Issues include keeping a low level route for aircraft without transponders, and concerns about the possible impacts of turbulence downwind of the turbine wind farm.
FAA ADMINISTRATOR STATES GENERAL AVIATION IS IN THE FRONT OF NEXTGEN
In response to question from Juneau Airport Manager, Jeannie Johnson, FAA Administrator Randal Babbitt stated that general aviation will not be forgotten and is in the front and center for conversion to NextGen. The FAA plans to certify approaches to thousands of GA airport in the US. He also indicated that ADS-B should replace the need for a transponder. This response was given during a speech during the 2010 AAAE conference held in Dallas Texas in May.
100LL Aviation Fuel Update! - EPA is issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to describe information currently available and information being collected that will be used by the Administrator to issue a subsequent proposal regarding whether, in the Administrator’s judgment, aircraft lead emissions from aircraft using leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. In this ANPR EPA describes and requests comment on the data available for evaluating lead emissions, ambient concentrations and potential exposure to lead from the continued use of leaded avgas in piston-engine powered aircraft. They also describe and request comment on additional information being collected that will inform any future action. For information on this issue and the ANPR, see: http://www.epa.gov/oms/aviation.htm
The Alaska Airmen’s Association is working with other industry leaders to develop a strategy to address this issue, and its potential impact on the high-performance piston aircraft that today rely on 100LL fuel. We are requesting an extension of the comment period, which presently ends on June 28th. Stay tuned for more information on this issue. You might want to check out a blog http://avgasforak.blogspot.com/ set up with links to participate in an AVWEB survey and information on how to comment on this ANPRM.
GA Opportunity at Anchorage International Airport
The State of Alaska DOT, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport requested expressions of interest in possible lease development of the Old AvAlaska/Village Aviation lot at the corner of Postmark Drive and Victor Taxiway. The current lease expires in July 2010. The lease is currently designated “General Aviation” which is defined as an area related to the use, maneuvering, parking, and servicing of GA and air taxi aircraft, such as aircraft tie-down lots, taxiways specifically designate for GA aircraft use, and FBO facilities for servicing and support these aircraft. Respondents were asked to submit a letter of interest in the lease and development under the current land use designation. This is the only general aviation lease lot available on the west side of Postmark . . . . . . the Airmen fought hard to keep this lease for general aviation when the new field maintenance facility was built. We encouraged our members that were interested in potentially developing this property at the Airport to submit a letter. We understand the Airport has received several letters from interested general aviation businesses.
Fire TFR Issues
Last summer’s wildfires resulted in a series of Temporary Flight Restrictions, particularly in interior Alaska. The size and shape of some of these TFR’s blocked access to the Nenana Airport, and restricted the VFR fly ways around Fairbanks and Nenana. The Airmen’s and AOPA have initiated discussions with both the FAA and Alaska Fire Service concerning how TFR’s are established. The goal is to see if improvements can be made to protect fire fighting operations, with increased awareness of general aviation flight patterns.
Military Airspace Issues
The Alaska Airmen’s continues to have concerns about the impact of military airspace proposals on civil aviation. Last summer’s wild fires in interior Alaska highlighted the need for a viable IFR alternate for Fairbanks International Airport. The Air Force proposal to establish a MOA between Fairbanks, Delta Junction toward Northway further hampers the flow of routine IFR traffic to alternate airports east of Fairbanks. We continue to work this issue with the FAA.
Airport Operator Training
The newest aviation industry group in Alaska, the Alaska Airports Association held a three-day training session for airport operators. A group of 32 airport operators from 25 airports across Alaska attended the session, held at Anchorage International Airport. A national trainer from the east coast took the participants through a range of topics in the classroom, followed by field activities at ANC. This effort was so successful that the Airports Association is planning another session in the fall at Fairbanks International Airport, following Aviation North Expo.
Willow Airport Master Plan
Community members and interested people are working together to develop the first Willow Airport Master Plan. Willow Airport comprises a 4400 lf gravel airstrip and the Matanuska Susitna Borough’s only public Sea Plane Base. The first public meeting was held February 18, 2010 and the first Community Aviation Advisory Committee Meeting was held May 11, 2010. Meeting notes are available on the Willow Airport Master Plan website at http://www.dot.alaska.gov/creg/willow/index.shtml
Alaska Airmen Welcome New Aviation Commissioner
The Alaska Airmen would like to welcome retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Marc Luiken as he takes the new position as DOT&PF’s Deputy Commissioner of Aviation. Mr. Luiken was appointed to oversee Anchorage and Fairbanks International Airports as well as run Alaska’s 265 rural airports. Mr. Luiken joined the DOT team on June 1st following a distinguished military career spanning almost 30 years. The Airmen have had the privilege of meeting and working with Col. Luiken while he was at Elmendorf and we look forward to continuing this relationship.
Noise Abatement – by Chuck Jamieson
. . . . . . . . I can show you pictures of Lake Hood from the 40s and 50s with the takeoff channel and floatplanes already there and no houses anywhere near. This article was written and published in the April May 2008 Issue of the Transponder.