Archive for July 2025
Clearing Customs Along the Alaska Highway
Tom George, AOPA Alaska Regional Manager For northbound aircraft entering Alaska from Canada, Northway has been a popular location to clear U.S. Customs before proceeding on to other destinations in the state. Inspection services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for Northway Airport (PAOR) are managed out of the Alcan Highway station, located about 50 road miles…
Read MoreAbout Sky Sisters of Alaska
Sky Sisters of Alaska (Sky Sisters) is a group of women active in and passionate about Alaska’s aviation industry who joined forces in 2024 to create the first (that we know of) women-based, crowd-funded scholarship for women and by women in our state! Our grassroots efforts in creating two $2,500 scholarships in 2024, one for…
Read MoreAlaskan Women in Aviation: Deb Ylijoki
By Regan Tunstall “Deb’s passion for aviation started over 10 years ago when she worked as a tour guide for a helicopter company in Juneau, Alaska. Since then, Deb’s interest in aviation has grown exponentially. Currently, she is a flight follower with Pathfinder aviation while she’s also training to get her commercial fixed wing license.…
Read MorePresident’s Report – Transponder
Greetings Airmen’s Members, Happy beginning to summer in Alaska. First off, it was great to see Alaska Airmen’s members, friends, exhibitors, and aviation enthusiasts at the 2025 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering. We greatly enjoyed the event and it’s nice to put another successful gathering in the books. I was very impressed with the Legend cub…
Read MoreNextGen Spotlight
Hello! My name is Lucy Hankins. I was born and raised in Seward, Alaska, in a commercial fishing family. I became fascinated with aviation at a young age and would daydream about flying while halibut and black cod fishing in the Gulf of Alaska on my family’s boat. I began flying at 16 years old,…
Read MoreFlying Through Canada for Dummies
By: Larry Maile (4AK6) Last Updated: June 17, 2025 There are two aspects of a flight through Canada that have to be considered. The first is the legal/customs/landing rights issues (better known as bureaucracy), and the second is what the conditions really are in the few towns that you can land at. Bureaucracy: There are…
Read MoreWhat Most Pilots Get Wrong About Eating on the Go (and How to Fix It)
by Kylie Viens As a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, private pilot, and spouse to an airline transport pilot (ATP), I understand the unique challenges aviation professionals face when it comes to staying healthy on the road. Whether you’re flying back-to-back legs, navigating layovers, or prepping for a stint in bush Alaska, the unpredictable nature…
Read MoreWHY PEOPLE BECOME MEMBERS OF THE ALASKA AIRMEN’S ASSOCIATION
By John M. Dahlen Each of our approximately 2.000 Alaska Airmen’s Association members has one thing in common – an interest in knowing what is happening in general aviation in Alaska. Beyond that the reason(s) each member joins, and their expectations from their membership are quite varied. MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNTS: The cost of your annual…
Read MoreExecutive Director’s Report Priscilla Ribic – Alaska Airmen’s Association
The 2025 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is in the books and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who made this year’s event such a tremendous success. Your support continues to elevate the Gathering as one of the premier aviation events in the country. A special…
Read MoreAn Aircraft of Wood
By Bernie Willis Where is the wood in your airplane? You may say, “Modern airplanes are made of aluminum and 4130 chromoly steel, there’s no wood!” But are you sure? If yours is a Cessna, 1960 or newer you’re probably right. But many Piper, Beechcraft, American Champion, Taylorcraft, and Bellanca aircraft have wooden parts. The…
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