PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Joe Pearson
August 1, 2008

Some friends asked recently whether they should start building an ark; another commented that this summer reminds them of Seattle … in the winter. So, not only is time slipping away, but the days I relish have been very few this year.

            Your Alaska Airmen’s Association has been busy, and this year, I believe, will standout as one of our most effective and productive. The association was awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy for work on the ADS-B program, and Governor Palin signed the State Loan Program in support of the ADS-B transitions for Alaska-based aircraft during the Trade Show. However, I think the most far reaching and significant contribution the association made this year, to date, has been the Title 17 rollback. What was this? In a nutshell, the DOT was going to increase a five-year, 10 percent per year increase in lease rates retroactively. So this year, the rates would have increased 50+ percent.

I believe we should pay our share, but with little notice hitting, for example, the Part 135 operations in the summer with a 50 percent increase on top of $6 a gallon av gas, and allowing only a 30-day window (during the summer no less) for comment was inappropriate in our view. The impact would have been significant for everyone involved in general aviation, not just the Part 135 operators, and the regional Part 121 outfits.

I cannot overstate the significance of the role your association played in forestalling this increase. Dee organized the response, and the response was effective, including comments not only the major lease holders, but elected state officials as well. Additionally, the successful efforts spilled over to the rural airports, where the increase had already gone into affect. All in all not a bad return on your dues, which are less than an hour of gas for a Cub at today’s prices.

            The weekend following the Trade Show, a friend and I decided to ride the motorcycle to Valdez for an evening away from home. Unbeknownst to me, I would be demonstrating the value an airplane brings to Alaskans. My plane burns about seven gallons an hour (I’m in no hurry). At a conservative 85 knots, Valdez is a fairly short flight. My bike gets 45 mpg. The “fairly short flight” is a 325 mile road trip that consumes six and a half hours with a lunch stop. The return leg was slightly longer as I discovered there were more than two troopers in the vicinity of our mid-way lunch stop, and 74 mph in a 55 mph zone is worth $162. It has been a long time since someone told me I was flying too fast, and I have never been told that while behind a prop. Advantage clearly goes to the airplane for time, fuel burn, convenience and cost.

            We are interested in your concerns, and what you believe the biggest threats are to GA in Alaska. Several of you have expressed concern over the ADS-B program. Please check the article covering the current status and issues on the table contained in this edition. In the meantime, have fun, stay dry, and be safe! And thanks for your support- Joe