WHY 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 individual membership to the Alaska Airmen’s Association can easily be recovered from the members-only discounts offered around the state on things many of you already buy, including avgas from supporting suppliers, as listed in the Transponder. If you want to see other member-only discounts added to the list (both in-state and outside), send me contact info for those businesses and I will make sure they are contacted.
EDUCATION & SOCIAL CAMARADERIE:
Members also enjoy the social camaraderie at Alaska Airmen’s Association events such as the monthly NextGen summertime social gatherings and The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering. Planning for our 2026 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is already underway and, as a member, this is truly your event to be proud of, as one of the nation’s largest annual aviation tradeshow events that still features free admission, free parking, and free shuttle bus service between show venues! Members can also apply to earn a portion of the more than $150,000 in aviation-related scholarships awarded annually. Information about these and the many other events the Alaska Airmen’s Association hosts or co-sponsors is found in your quarterly Transponder, and periodic e-mail bulletins to our members.
SUPPORTING OUR OBJECTIVES:
Inevitably some of our key leaders come and go after serving us well, as they do in any organization approaching 75 years in existence. Yet the Association successfully moves through all such leadership transitions and continues to serve our members by maintaining a strong and committed focus on the 3 main objectives stated in our Corporate Bylaws:
- To preserve and promote general aviation in the State of Alaska.
- To promote aviation safety and education.
- To assume an advocacy role for general aviation within the State of Alaska, by maintaining liaison and coordination with such agencies or departments of the United States, the State of Alaska and local governments as may be charged with the responsibility of regulating general aviation, and other Associations, groups and individuals which have an interest in the welfare of aviation in Alaska.
HELPING THE ASSOCIATION GROW STRONGER:
Our members are literally the eyes and ears of general aviation in Alaska. The Alaska Airmen’s Association has been educating and advocating on behalf of general aviation in Alaska since before statehood. We have developed strong liaison relationships over the years with federal and state government departments, agencies, and other associations who recognize us as the voice of general aviation in Alaska. We always want to hear from you about the aviation-related issues that affect you wherever you live or fly in Alaska. If you are interested in a general aviation-related topic you think is underrepresented, drop me an e-mail or text to let me know for future exposure in the Transponder. I will also pass along all such interests to our Board and Staff. Finally, as always, you are welcome and encouraged to contact staff and Board members directly. Their contact information is listed elsewhere in the Transponder, and at www.alaskaairmen.org.
Another way you can immediately help us grow stronger is to bring in one new member this month. The more members we have sharing their local aviation experiences, concerns and insights, and helping us achieve our objectives, the more responsive we can become to our members, the stronger our collective voice becomes to preserve and promote general aviation throughout Alaska. After all, you, I and all of our other members ARE the Alaska Airmen’s Association! And, as I sign off all my e-mails, “Individually we are unique, but together we are incredible!”
I wish each of you a safe and successful peak flying and fishing season!
John M. Dahlen is a life member and regular writer for the Transponder. He is a past Vice President of the association, and the US/Russia Liaison for group VFR flights from Alaska to Russia when such opportunities can be safely resumed. He welcomes all correspondence related to Alaskan general aviation. Send e-mail to him at OneAlaskanGuy@hotmail.com, or call/text him in Alaska at (+1) 907.830.5889.