Grant for a flight plan

September 15, 2006

By MARY AMES

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - An online survey is now available as part of a 20-year Regional Aviation System Plan that started in April.

Using a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Mat-Su Borough hired DOWL Engineers to develop a plan to map existing airports, identify conflicts and propose sites for future airports, according to a report from the borough. The borough assembly awarded a $590,786 contract to DOWL to develop the RASP and to find potential locations for public airports and floatplane facilities.

Private citizens can add their opinions at www.regionalaviation.info and follow the survey links to rank areas of concern. People can submit the survey online or print it out and mail it to Tom Middendorf, DOWL Engineers, 4041 B Street, Anchorage AK, 99502. Surveys also are available at the borough's planning department, which can be reached at 745-9569 or 745-9556.

With 137 FAA-identified landing areas, the borough claims one of the highest concentration of public and private airports in the nation. More private airstrips probably exist, but remain unknown to the FAA, according to Matt Freeman, airport projects manager with the FAA in Anchorage. The number also doesn't include lakes that are used by floatplanes but are unregistered as seaplane bases with the FAA, he said.

Some statements on the survey allow people to rate their concerns on issues, from no opinion to strongly agree. The issues include mandating radio communications in high-traffic areas, consolidating antenna farms, and restricting heights and developments around airports.

The Valley's booming population, which grew 25 percent between 2000 and 2005, surrounds its dense concentration of airstrips, the report said.

The FAA provided a $673,858 grant to the borough to address issues such as airspace requirements and potential conflicts in order to ensure aviation safety.

About 20 people formed a Technical Advisory Committee, including local pilots, airstrip owners, community leaders and government officials, according to Brad Sworts, transportation and environmental manager for the borough.

&#8220It's a pretty good cross section of people concerned with aviation in the Mat-Su,” Sworts said.

Two public meetings are scheduled. On Oct. 12, from 6 to 10 p.m., a meeting will be at the Upper Susitna Senior Center, Mile 98.5 Parks Hwy., Talkeetna. On Oct. 18, from 6 to 10 p.m., there will be a meeting at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School at 800 N. Seward-Meridian Pkwy. in Wasilla.

The agenda for both meetings includes introducing the project to the public, discussion of key issues, forming ideas to address issues and airport siting ideas.

Sworts expected the online survey to be posted for at least another month or two.

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@frontiersman.com.