Alaska Airmen’s Association hosts annual aviation gathering

The aviation community from across the state gathered at the Alaska State Fairgrounds this weekend to attend The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering.

Hosted by the Alaska Airmen’s Association, this event is meant to bring pilots, aviation manufacturers, flight educators and more to one location for a weekend of education and community interaction.

“It brings people back in. It reconnects people. It helps build relationships,” Alaska Airmen’s Association Board President Tim Kochert said. “Aviation’s a small community in Alaska. It just helps foster all that together. And it's a great time to reconnect with people and see new products.”

A decades long event, the fair brings in dozens of exhibitors from not only across Alaska, but across the entire continent. Booths packed Raven Hall, the Sluicebox and spilled out into the fairgrounds and filled the Textron Aviation Pavilion. Vendors included aviation manufacturers, flight schools, contractors, aviation insurance companies, aviation groups and more.

Seminars hosted by the Alaska Aviation Safety Foundation were hosted in Hoskin’s Hall and a Show and Shine of various planes took place on the lawn. Children enjoyed the Youth Aviation Activity Center and watched the Alaskiters maneuver the slight breeze on Saturday.

Other events including skydiving, water bombing and a STOL demonstration that took place at the Palmer Airport. A variety of food vendors lined the paths as attendees enjoyed the sunshine and lack of hellacious wind.

“This is the largest aviation gathering in the state, right here,” Kochert said.

Visitors admired the 2026 raffle prize parked in the middle of the fairground’s plaza, a brand new 4-Place Cub built by Highline Air in Cordova. Those who purchased raffle tickets for a chance to win the beautiful blue aircraft helped to bolster the Alaska Airmen’s Programs for another year, as the raffle program is one of their main revenue sources. It allows them to foster such a welcoming and educational environment and host this event, year after year. The association celebrates 75 years in 2026.

The Alaska Airmen’s Association awarded $170,000 in aviation scholarships this weekend. This included those interested in becoming pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and more. These scholarships are only available for Alaska residents.

“And it’s all people who are focused on having a presence in Alaska in the future too,” Board Member Kelly Reynolds said. “That’s one of the main focuses of the organization is promoting and preserving Alaskan aviation.”

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the fair each year is to bring awareness to aviation in the Last Frontier. It not only allows the community to reconvene and admire what’s new, it creates an environment that welcomes new members to the aviation workforce in the state. By doing so, the association perpetuates the cultural and economic importance that aviation has in Alaska.

“There’s a lot of people here who aren't in aviation yet, but they have an interest,” Reynolds said. “It’s an opportunity for them to come and learn and make connections and relationships. And maybe they'll start their aviation journey because of the event.”

For more information on the Alaska Airmen’s Association and their programs, readers can visit: https://www.alaskaairmen.org/