Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/10/2003 01:40 PM Senate TRA
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 10, 2003
1:40 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator John Cowdery, Chair
Senator Thomas Wagoner, Vice Chair
Senator Donny Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gene Therriault
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
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 - No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
No witnesses to testify
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 03-14, SIDE A
CHAIR JOHN COWDERY called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Senators Olson, Wagoner
and Chair Cowdery were present. The committee took up SJR 14.
SJR 14-FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, sponsor of SJR 14, explained to members
that SJR 14 requests the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
to fully staff and maintain its flight service stations in
Alaska. He told members:
Alaska is a vast state that relies on air
transportation for much of its commerce and
continuity. A substantial portion of the state does
not have road infrastructure to facilitate the
transportation of freight and the movement of people.
Furthermore, coastal and river communities in western,
central and northern Alaska lose their marine
transportation during five to eight months when winter
ice conditions persist. There communities are solely
dependent on air transportation for travel, goods and
emergency services for that part of the year.
Furthermore, there are 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 and depends on
flight service stations for weather updates, runway
conditions and assistance with safe air travel. After
speaking to a number of people having been involved
with flight service station communicators, I'd like to
go ahead and quote a gentleman who has been a flight
service station communicator for over 30 years. He
wants to go ahead and see this present system continue
because of its safety record. With that, I urge your
support for the resolution, hoping to ensure the
safety of air travel in Alaska.
CHAIR COWDERY said he not only supports SJR 14, he would like to
co-sponsor the resolution.
SENATOR WAGONER said he has received several e-mails from
constituents about this resolution. One was from an employee who
stressed the necessity of continuing the flight service
stations. Senator Wagoner asked if the federal government
reduced the number of flight service stations in the state to
three in one action.
SENATOR OLSON responded that there was a substantial reduction
but he did not recall the number.
SENATOR WAGONER said the system was supposed to be automated to
the point it would take care of the needs of the program for 40
years. The City of Kenai built a $40 million facility to house
the FAA and the FAA requested a 20-year lease with an option for
a 20-year renew lease. Later he found the FAA had already
started contracting out services to run the towers in some of
the smaller communities. He questioned why dismantling a system
that is working.
SENATOR OLSON agreed.
SENATOR WAGONER motioned to pass SJR 14 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note.
CHAIR COWDERY asked for unanimous consent. There being no
objection, the motion carried. He then adjourned the meeting at
1:45 p.m.
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