About the Alaska Airmen's Association

Our Mission

To protect, preserve, and promote general aviation in Alaska.

Who We Are

With more licensed pilots per capita than any state in the union—the Airmen includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest general aviation communities in the country. We strive to promote aviation, enhance safety and support initiatives that benefit pilots and grow the aviation community. Whether you're a veteran pilot or you've just discovered a passion for aviation, the Alaska Airmen Association is proud to welcome new members who share the wonders of flight in the Last Frontier!

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WHAT IS AAA?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF MEMBERS

WHAT IS THE ALASKA AIRMEN'S ASSOCIATION?

The Alaska Airmen's Association, established in 1951, is the largest General Aviation(GA) organization in Alaska. With over 2,000 active members, this also makes it one of the largest GA groups in the country. We are a non-profit 501 (c) 3 membership-based organization whose sole purpose is to protect, preserve, and promote general aviation.

Each year, we host the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, with over 30,000 attendees and nearly 300 exhibitors from around the world this is one of America's largest free-entry aviation tradeshows.

We also host our annual SuperCub raffle, which is the Association's main fundraiser source and the largest raffle hosted in Alaska.

WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?

Our members include pilots, students through ATP, mechanics, airline employees, aviation enthusiasts and any individuals or businesses that have an interest in aviation. Our members reside in 5 countries, 46 states, and more than 50 Alaskan cities and villages. Membership is open to everyone, including non-Alaskan residents.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STEPHEN RATCLIFF

President

Stephen is a 2nd generation skywagon pilot and grew up with aviation as a part of his life when he started flying with his father in a 185 as a small child.

Stephen lived in Alaska and Wyoming as a boy before moving to Texas. He worked on his pilots' license while in college at Texas A&M University, when not studying to become a Petroleum Engineer. After graduation in 2003, he went to work in the oil & gas industry. In 2013 he moved back to Anchorage with his wife and son when he took a position with a startup oil company.

Stephen also serves on the board of directors for two energy related service companies as well as the Alaska Director for the 180/185 Club. Stephen is active in the community and more specifically in the aviation community and flying the great state of Alaska!

He is grateful at the opportunity to serve on the board for the Alaska Airmen Association and hopes to further the vision of aviation in the great state of Alaska.

KEVIN CAMPBELL

Vice President

Kevin is a lifelong Alaskan and 2nd generation pilot who grew up in Anchorage and Soldotna. He grew up flying with his father, who has flown in Alaska since the 1960s, and has always wanted to fly.

Like his father, two things will always stand for him - he'll live in Alaska, and he'll fly airplanes. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Alaska Anchorage and has been an Airmen's Association member since earning his private pilot's license in 2006. Kevin handled aviation products and accounts in Southcentral Alaska for Inlet Petroleum Company before joining ENSTAR Natural Gas in 2007, where he works in business development. He is active in the community and sits on several volunteer boards and committees. He holds a single engine land certificate with tailwheel endorsement, with plans to add a seaplane rating soon so he can explore new areas of Alaska. His favorite place to be is in the air, and he's frequently found flying around Southcentral Alaska in his Super Cub. Kevin is passionate about aviation and considers flying a privilege that everyone should have a chance to experience; he is grateful to give back to the aviation community through involvement in the Alaska Airmen Association, and hopes to encourage interest and engagement in the aviation community among younger pilots.

PETER CALTAGIRONE

Peter is an Alaska attorney and pilot. He owns a law firm in Anchorage, Caltagirone Legal, LLC.

Licensed in five states, Peter is an experienced trial attorney with over a decade of legal experience representing a wide spectrum of clients from individuals to publicly traded companies. Peter routinely represents pilots and aviation-related businesses and is one of AOPA's panel attorneys in Alaska. Additionally, Peter has litigation experience in multiple practice areas from oil and gas, mining, complex commercial litigation, large loss property subrogation, breach of contract, land use, and personal injury.

Peter is the first pilot in his family and has been passionate about aviation ever since he can remember. He learned to fly shortly after college in 2005, receiving his Private Pilot License at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles County. He moved to Alaska in 2016 for the purpose of aviating in this incredible state. Since arriving in Alaska, he has accumulated several ratings and endorsements. In 2021 he purchased his first airplane, a Cessna 185, which has been the perfect addition to his Alaska adventure.

MARK PHILLIPS

Mark grew up in Alaska in the aviation industry, having the great fortune to fly the entire state in everything from Lear Jets and Boeings to Grumman Amphibs and Super Cubs.

NICK KELLAR

Treasurer

Nick is an aviation enthusiast, earning his wings in 1975, holding land and sea ratings. He and his wife Donna have lived in Alaska since 2001 with their three children.

Nick is the CEO of Mackinnon Marine Technologies Inc., an Alaskan based company that builds rescue watercrafts. He volunteers on several non-profit boards and flew as a member of the CAP Polaris search and rescue squadron, and remains an active supporter of veterans programs. Nick served as the Airmen's Treasurer from 2017 through 2019 and has led the Scholarship program for the past four years. He continues his concentration towards future aviators with interests in creating lower costs alternatives for younger pilots to own and operate planes, and he sees that Alaska Airmen's Association can take a positive role in this area.

DOUGLAS BRADBURY

Secretary

Doug was born in Minnesota and after growing up between MN and AK, he moved north for good at 18 to escape the cold!

He graduated with an aeronautical engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990 and was subsequently selected for USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training for the 168th Air Refueling Wing/Alaska Air National Guard just outside of Fairbanks.

Originally hired in 2000 by Northwest Airlines (now Delta Air Lines) flying Cargo 747's based in Anchorage, he worked as the Director of Operations in his guard unit and as an airline pilot at Delta until retiring from the Air Guard in 2012.

Having a background in military and airline flying, his main passion lies in general aviation. A pilot since he was 17, he has owned three airplanes including one of the remaining Piper PA-14's still flying. Wanting to promote and retain the privileges we enjoy as airmen in the Last Frontier, his wife, Heather is a seasoned flyer and comes from an aviation family, son Caleb (also an AK Airmen's Member) is a Sophomore at UND studying Professional Aviation and then there's the family dog, 'Piper', of course!

Honored to be selected as a Board member, he is hoping his experience can contribute to the promotion and retention of the privileges we enjoy as Alaska Airmen.

If you want to contact him, email is best, otherwise you may have to call his satellite phone as he and his family are usually 'off the grid' on Lake Iliamna. When you do get an answer, don't be surprised to hear "FISH ON" when he answers!

ADAM SKINNER

Aviation came a bit later for Adam in the form of a career change, fueled by the passion for flying that was instilled in him by his father and grandfather.

After completing his aviation degree in Walla Walla, WA, Adam moved to Talkeetna, Alaska to provide tailwheel and floatplane instruction. Adam, and his wife Reagan, thought they were embarking on a summer adventure, but decided to make Anchorage their permanent home after discovering Alaska’s beauty and unique way of life.

When not working as a corporate pilot on the North Slope, or on the family’s app-based aviation business, Adam enjoys spending time off exploring in the family PA-14.

Recognizing the privilege to fly in such a rewarding and challenging environment, he is passionate about sharing this opportunity with others. Adam is honored to serve on the board of the Alaska Airmen’s Association.

STEVEN LEWIS

Hello, My name is Steven Lewis. My family and I, consisting of my wife, and our three teenage kids, have been residents of Alaska for the past thirteen years. We came for a vacation and never left, true story.

I've been an aviator for 30 years. My career began in sailplanes and tailwheel aircraft and has taken me into international heavy cargo. I spent ten years of those years flying medevac, cargo and flight instruction all throughout Alaska. That was rewarding and also gave me a first hand perspective of the the unique challenges facing aviation in our state. From the ever changing and often unpredictable weather patterns to complex terrain and complex social interactions. These challenges can be exciting, but they also require an alertness, respect and understanding that can't be underestimated. I will strive to share what I've learned from my personal experiences with the Airmen's Association. I am proud to lend a hand in the work of promoting and furthering aviation and aviation safety in this great state.

ALASKA AIRMEN'S ASSOCIATION STAFF

ABBY AUSTIN

Executive Director

Abby began her flying and aviation career in her hometown of Austin, Texas, working at the local FBO. Having found her passion, she completed her flight certifications and Aviation Management degree at the University of North Dakota. She holds a Commercial license with Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Seaplane ratings.

During her 20-year career in general aviation, she has had the opportunity to work in almost every sector of the industry from Flight Schools and 135 Charter Operations to Manufacturers and Parts Distributors. Over the years, she has become increasingly aware of the greatest challenge the industry faces – the need to cultivate the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and other industry professionals. Increasing access to and participation in general aviation has been a passion of hers both personally and through volunteer work with groups like the 99s and Youth Aviation Adventure.

She is excited for the opportunity to work with the Airmen’s Association and to devote her energy full time to protect, preserve, and promote general aviation in Alaska and beyond.

abby.austin@alaskaairmen.org

ADAM WHITE

Government & Legislative Affairs Advocate

Adam grew up in Georgia, where his first real job as a kid was washing and refueling airplanes at the local airport, within a short time he was a mechanic's apprentice and flying whenever he could.

Adam came to Alaska in 1995 after earning a BS in Aviation Technology from LeTourneau University where he also earned his pilot and mechanic certificates. He holds CFII, Multi, and Seaplane ratings. Living in Nenana with his wife and three daughters, he is an Itinerant Pastor flying his Maule M7 throughout the Interior visiting homesteads, fishcamps and Villages. Adam is actively involved in the aviation community of Fairbanks and the Interior.

adam.white@alaskaairmen.org

WILL DAY

Operations Coordinator

Will fell in love with aviation as a kid listening to his dad talk about designing rockets for McDonnell Douglas. After moving to Alaska and watching a bush pilot drop backpacking supplies on a small gravel strip in the Talkeetna Mountains, he realized flying in Alaska was different than in the Lower 48.

One evening, on the deck of 49^th State Brewery watching the planes come and go over the Cook Inlet, the romantic notion of bush work set its hook, and it hasn’t dislodged yet. Recently, Will was thrilled to discover the existence of an aviation-related nonprofit. He came from a background of youth, outdoor education work, and the idea of combining his passion for nonprofits with his drive to contribute to General Aviation in Alaska was idyllic. He is particularly excited about the NextGen program—hoping to preserve and grow the unique lifestyle of Alaskan aviators.

operations@alaskaairmen.org

ALYSSA LEIER

Financial Administrator

Alyssa has lived in Anchorage, Alaska her whole life. When she is not working in the office setting, Alyssa manages her cleaning business

She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She plans to further her degree in the human services field with an emphasis on human behaviors within the next five years. She is an integral part of the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering planning team and a great resource to members looking to rent the beautiful Airmen facility, participate in the annual airplane raffle or make the most of their membership.

accounting@alaskaairmen.org

MELINDA FARMER

Outreach Assistant

Melinda is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in Anchorage and recently moved back to the city after completing her degrees at UAF in 2020. She graduated with two degrees- BBA Business Administration concentration Marketing and BA Digital Design.

She chose this unique combination of degrees because the ever-changing social landscape of social media and the creative freedom of designing keep her engaged and piqued her interest from an early age.

In her leisure she enjoys exploring different art mediums, watching scary movies with her partner, and travelling around the state. The bush plane rides out to her family's homestead in Lake Minchumina is what started her interest in the aircraft community. Getting to interact with members online by designing posters for events then meeting the members in person at said events is what she enjoys most about working at the Alaska Airmen's Association.

outreach@alaskaairmen.org

WHY SHOULD I JOIN?

The Alaska Airmen's Association maintains an active liaison with agencies and departments across the United States, the State of Alaska and local governments that are charged with the responsibility of regulating General Aviation.

Everyday we address important issues such as the closure of airstrips, airspace, state leasing regulations, weather, aircraft taxing, etc. Volunteers sit on numerous committees statewide representing you and the best interests of General Aviation. You also receive a substantial member benefits package when you join.

Our quarterly publication keeps you up-to-date on Association activities such as; pilot safety meetings, seminars, fly-ins, banquets, special events and the latest and greatest in General Aviation! Membership discounts are available around the state and online, on fuel (up to .15 cents per gallon), aviation parts, survival equipment, labor and much more.

Use your Alaska Airmen's Association membership card to save!

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