Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/23/2003 01:35 PM Senate CRA
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 23, 2003
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Thomas Wagoner, Chair
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Senator Kim Elton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Robin Taylor, Vice Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to fully staff
and maintain flight service stations in Alaska.
MOVED SJR 14 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
SJR 14 - See Transportation minutes dated 4/10/03
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator Donny Olson
Alaska State Capitol, Room 510
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor SJR 14
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 03-11, SIDE A
CHAIR THOMAS WAGONER called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Present
were Senators Lincoln, Elton and Chair Wagoner. Senator Taylor
arrived momentarily.
The business to come before the committee was SJR 14.
SJR 14-FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, sponsor of SJR 14, paraphrased from the
following sponsor statement:
SJR 14 is a resolution requesting the Federal Aviation
Administration to fully staff and maintain its flight
service stations in Alaska.
Alaska is a vast state that relies on air
transportation for much of its commerce and
connectivity. A substantial portion of the State of
Alaska does not have the road infrastructure to
facilitate the transport of freight and the movement
of people. Furthermore, coastal and river communities
in Western, Central, and Northern Alaska lose their
marine transportation alternative during the five to
eight months of winter ice conditions. These
communities then are solely dependent on air
transportation for travel, goods and emergency
services for a substantial part of the year.
Furthermore, there is a large number of Alaskans that
own and fly airplanes. Indeed, Alaska has the highest
percentage of general aviation users per capita in the
United States. General aviation users depend on FAA
flight service stations to inform them of runway
closures and conflicting runway traffic.
FAA flight service stations are essential for the
continued safety and dependability of Alaska's vital
air transportation network. Both commercial and
private pilots are totally reliant on the expertise
and competence of FAA's flight service personnel. The
state of Alaska has over 180 airports that depend on
flight service stations for weather updates, runway
conditions, and assistance with safe air travel.
SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR asked what could be done to encourage the
FAA to expand staffing rather than constricting it and relying
on private sector contracting. He favored returning to the
system in which communities were FAA-authorized to provide on-
site weather information for pilots. He opined having an
individual look out the window to check for local landmarks was
far more satisfactory for pilots than relying on a computerized
box for weather information. He expressed frustration with the
FAA and asked whether there was a possibility of using more
people and fewer machines.
SENATOR OLSON acknowledged it was a good question and he agreed
that Alaskan pilots who fly in inclement weather find local
observations to be invaluable. Unfortunately, privatization and
mechanization is on the rise. SJR 14 is an effort to stem the
tide and keep current FAA stations staffed and maintained to
better provide for the safety of the flying public.
There were no further questions.
SENATOR TAYLOR made a motion to move SJR 14 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There being
no objection, it was so ordered.
CHAIR WAGONER adjourned the meeting at 1:52 pm.
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