October - December 2025
Alaska Chapter of the 99s is Revitalizing!
The Alaska Chapter of the International Organization of Women Pilots is revitalizing. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors the Chapter has been inactive for a few years. Several of us feel it is time to regroup and renew. We support the International 99s Mission Statement promoting advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and…
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Alaska Weather Chart Change Proposed
Tom George, AOPA Alaska Regional Manager The National Weather Service’s Alaska Aviation Weather Unit is soliciting feedback on planned updates to its Surface and Significant Weather charts. The public notice inviting feedback includes links to sample products so interested parties can see what the new charts would look like. In general, changes to the Surface…
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Sky Sisters of Alaska
Have you ever wondered if the conundrum gracing your mind’s beaches has washed ashore another’s mind? I would love to clarify that this question is for the inexperienced pilot; however, I believe that this occurrence does not discriminate by experience or age. For the extroverts, for the quiet at heart or in voice, for the…
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Alaskan Women in Aviation: Hattie Schmidtkunz
By Regan Tunstall Growing up in Sutton, Alaska, Hattie’s love for flying started when she was paragliding in her early 20s. One day when she was at Lake Lucille, she spotted a floatplane taking off and instantly knew she wanted to become a pilot. Hattie was working for the DOT most summers while pursuing her…
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President’s Report, Q4
Greetings Airmen’s Members, Hope you all are enjoying a nice beginning to the fall season. We’re doing well at the Airmen’s and preparing for the 2026 year ahead with several highlights in store. Happy to report that our 2026 Great Alaska Airmen’s Gathering Reffle Plane is coming along well with Brad Sjostedt in Cordova, AK. …
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Luke Hansen NextGen Scholarship Update
Hello, I received the Glacier Oil and Gas Scholarship in the amount of $2,500. I have been accepted to the Alaska Airlines Ascend Academy and will be starting my training this fall at Hillsboro Aero Academy in Redmond, OR. I am beyond grateful to have received this scholarship and am excited to start building hours…
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Boost Your Aviation Career – Volunteer with the Alaska Airmen’s!
Dear NextGen Members, Are you looking to strengthen your aviation resume and stand out in the industry? Volunteering with the Alaska Airmen’s Association is more than just giving back — it’s a powerful way to grow your network, gain hands-on experience, and demonstrate your commitment to the aviation community. Here’s why volunteering matters: Ready to…
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Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Letter
Dear Friends, Martha Stewart will not be dining with us at my place this Thanksgiving. I’m telling you all in advance, so you won’t be surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes. Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided…
Read More
The FAA’s New MOSAIC – What All Is In This Picture?
By John M. Dahlen I am frequently heard joking about how the FAA and I finally found something we totally agree on. After my stroke and three or four heart stoppages, we all agreed that I should probably no longer exercise my flight privileges as PIC. It’s one thing when your prop stops spinning at…
Read More
Executive Director’s Report, Q4
As summer winds down, the Alaska Airmen’s has been buzzing with activity. From the weekend after the Gathering through the end of September, we’ve been part of 20 different events! Our outreach has stretched across the state, Fairbanks, the Mat-Su Valley, Kenai, and of course right here in Anchorage. A big thank-you to all the…
Read More
Commemorative Air Force Alaska
By Regan Tunstall & Wella Marie Are you interested in learning more about the Alaska warbirds? The Commemorative Air Force Alaska Wing, founded by World War 2 Veteran Colonel Howard “Mike” Hunt, strives to uphold their mission of restoring and preserving combat aircraft in the US. Col. Hunt started the Alaska chapter in the late…
Read More
Obvious and Logical- The Ice-Cold Case of N1812H
By Jim Gibertoni by Joan Skilbred On October 16, 1972, a Pan Alaska Airways, Ltd. flight from Anchorage to Juneau, Alaska failed to make its destination and was never seen or heard from again. The plane N1812H, a twin-engine Cessna 310C, was owned by Pan Alaska Airways LLC. The pilot was Don Jonz from Fairbanks,…
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A Role for Rules
By Bernie Willis A highly experienced, respected and accomplished European aviator said to me, “Rules are for fools, but a guide for wise men.” Contemplating his statement my mind bounced like a ball in a hand ball court. Try following these thoughts! Now, rules are for our safety. When followed we stay within safe guidelines.…
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Advocacy With Adam, Q4 Overview
Adam White, Alaska Airmen’s Association Government Affairs We continue to work with Federal, State, and local officials on behalf of our members, ensuring Alaska Aviation remains accessible and a viable means of transportation and recreation. The following issues are just a few examples of how we work towards those goals. Anchorage Class C Redesign The…
Read MoreArchived Articles
Alaska Chapter of the 99s is Revitalizing!
The Alaska Chapter of the International Organization of Women Pilots is revitalizing. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors the Chapter has been inactive for a few years. Several of us feel it is time to regroup and renew. We support the International 99s Mission Statement promoting advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and…
Read More
Alaska Weather Chart Change Proposed
Tom George, AOPA Alaska Regional Manager The National Weather Service’s Alaska Aviation Weather Unit is soliciting feedback on planned updates to its Surface and Significant Weather charts. The public notice inviting feedback includes links to sample products so interested parties can see what the new charts would look like. In general, changes to the Surface…
Read More
Sky Sisters of Alaska
Have you ever wondered if the conundrum gracing your mind’s beaches has washed ashore another’s mind? I would love to clarify that this question is for the inexperienced pilot; however, I believe that this occurrence does not discriminate by experience or age. For the extroverts, for the quiet at heart or in voice, for the…
Read More
Alaskan Women in Aviation: Hattie Schmidtkunz
By Regan Tunstall Growing up in Sutton, Alaska, Hattie’s love for flying started when she was paragliding in her early 20s. One day when she was at Lake Lucille, she spotted a floatplane taking off and instantly knew she wanted to become a pilot. Hattie was working for the DOT most summers while pursuing her…
Read More
President’s Report, Q4
Greetings Airmen’s Members, Hope you all are enjoying a nice beginning to the fall season. We’re doing well at the Airmen’s and preparing for the 2026 year ahead with several highlights in store. Happy to report that our 2026 Great Alaska Airmen’s Gathering Reffle Plane is coming along well with Brad Sjostedt in Cordova, AK. …
Read More
Luke Hansen NextGen Scholarship Update
Hello, I received the Glacier Oil and Gas Scholarship in the amount of $2,500. I have been accepted to the Alaska Airlines Ascend Academy and will be starting my training this fall at Hillsboro Aero Academy in Redmond, OR. I am beyond grateful to have received this scholarship and am excited to start building hours…
Read More
Boost Your Aviation Career – Volunteer with the Alaska Airmen’s!
Dear NextGen Members, Are you looking to strengthen your aviation resume and stand out in the industry? Volunteering with the Alaska Airmen’s Association is more than just giving back — it’s a powerful way to grow your network, gain hands-on experience, and demonstrate your commitment to the aviation community. Here’s why volunteering matters: Ready to…
Read More
Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Letter
Dear Friends, Martha Stewart will not be dining with us at my place this Thanksgiving. I’m telling you all in advance, so you won’t be surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes. Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided…
Read More
The FAA’s New MOSAIC – What All Is In This Picture?
By John M. Dahlen I am frequently heard joking about how the FAA and I finally found something we totally agree on. After my stroke and three or four heart stoppages, we all agreed that I should probably no longer exercise my flight privileges as PIC. It’s one thing when your prop stops spinning at…
Read More
Executive Director’s Report, Q4
As summer winds down, the Alaska Airmen’s has been buzzing with activity. From the weekend after the Gathering through the end of September, we’ve been part of 20 different events! Our outreach has stretched across the state, Fairbanks, the Mat-Su Valley, Kenai, and of course right here in Anchorage. A big thank-you to all the…
Read More
Commemorative Air Force Alaska
By Regan Tunstall & Wella Marie Are you interested in learning more about the Alaska warbirds? The Commemorative Air Force Alaska Wing, founded by World War 2 Veteran Colonel Howard “Mike” Hunt, strives to uphold their mission of restoring and preserving combat aircraft in the US. Col. Hunt started the Alaska chapter in the late…
Read More
Obvious and Logical- The Ice-Cold Case of N1812H
By Jim Gibertoni by Joan Skilbred On October 16, 1972, a Pan Alaska Airways, Ltd. flight from Anchorage to Juneau, Alaska failed to make its destination and was never seen or heard from again. The plane N1812H, a twin-engine Cessna 310C, was owned by Pan Alaska Airways LLC. The pilot was Don Jonz from Fairbanks,…
Read More
A Role for Rules
By Bernie Willis A highly experienced, respected and accomplished European aviator said to me, “Rules are for fools, but a guide for wise men.” Contemplating his statement my mind bounced like a ball in a hand ball court. Try following these thoughts! Now, rules are for our safety. When followed we stay within safe guidelines.…
Read More
Advocacy With Adam, Q4 Overview
Adam White, Alaska Airmen’s Association Government Affairs We continue to work with Federal, State, and local officials on behalf of our members, ensuring Alaska Aviation remains accessible and a viable means of transportation and recreation. The following issues are just a few examples of how we work towards those goals. Anchorage Class C Redesign The…
Read More
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…
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About 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…
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Alaskan 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.…
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President’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…
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NextGen 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,…
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Flying Through Canada for Dummies
by Larry Maile (4AK6) Last updated: July 27, 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…
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