ALASKA Airports Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

(Approved)

May 19, 2009, 4:30PM

FAA 2009 Airports Conference

University of Alaska, Lucy Cuddy Center

 

Jane Dale opened the meeting introducing herself and presented the organization at the 2009 FAA Conference on the second day.  Jane described how several aviation managers came together to form a charter to form the Alaska Airport Association.  AKAA is the first statewide aviation organization for airport managers, airport personnel and airport operators.  With the help of John Parrott, of ANC, Tom George with AOPA, Tom Middendorf with DOWL and Archie Giddings they worked together to form a charter for the organization. 

Jane then described the outreach campaigns, educational outreach and efforts being taken to provide public awareness of airports and their use.  The organization always wants to foster the needs of the airports at these meetings and help disseminate information about airports accurately. 

Attendees included:

• Norman Heyano: Dillingham
• Steve Berninger: Unalaska Airport Manager
• David Cummings: King Salmon Airport Manager
• Mike Carney: Ketchikan Airport Manager
• Hugh Delong: AAE, PE, ESCO/Zodiac/EMAS CEO
• Gabriel Mahns: FAA, AK AIRPORTS Division
• Paul Bowers: 
• Rich Wilson: ANC International, Airport Planner
• Troy LaRue: DOTPF, Superintendent
• Ted Anderson: JNU Airport Planner, Vice Chair
• Tom George: AOPA Alaska Representative
• John Parrott: ANC International, Airport Operations
• Jeff Dorning: Cold Bay Airport Manager
• Secretary/Treasurer
• Jane Dale: Chair

After some discussion it was agreed that determining our MISSION statement should be the first priority so members have a clear understanding of what the organizations goals are. 

A discussion of some of the costs associated with the organization was reviewed.  The organization is looking for volunteers and members to manage and Electronic forum and to manage the website. 

MEMBERSHIP DUES:

The membership discussed the need to establish basic membership dues to support simple expenses of the organization and to encourage participation with the association.  We would like everyone to join.  Jane then asked the members for comments.

Tom George made a motion to establish dues for the organization as $25. John Parrot seconded the motion.  The dues for the organization were then established for new members at $25.  The same rate will apply to both types of members.

Solicit Volunteers: Troy laRue suggested that a minimum for dues be decided to ensure commitment by volunteers and members.  The State personnel and managers are not allowed to lobby therefore this organization would be a potential forum for airport managers to express their concerns. 

Comments and suggestions included:

An organization that is entirely Electronic based including:

• ENewsletter:  a quaterly newsletter where members besides the chair could provide their expertise on subjects that affect airport operations and management.
• Newsletter vs a Blog

Tom George provided a discussion regarding newsletter versus a blog and encouraged an open exchange Paul Bowers encouraged a series of topics for each month.  Comments were then taken from the membership about what types of information they would like to see in a newsletter.  The topics included but were not limited to the following:

• GPS Approaches: how to incorporate them at local airports
• LASP: Large Aircraft Security Program
• Land Use and community planning awareness
• LPV & RNAV approaches
• What does it take for a GA field to go from VFR to IFR status and rating?
• Tenant Relations
• Community Awareness of the airport
• Maintenance and Operations impacts on Design Projects
• User impacts on design projects
• Identification of Alaska Exempt compliances and statutes; review the history of these statutes to see when they might expire and where they apply.

These are issues we want to address in the newsletter and to make goals on these topics on how to address them over a given period of time. 

Lobbying

The feeling of the group was too not be a lobbying organization and instead to work with other aviation organizations that are currently working in that capacity to outreach to legislative officials as needed or requested by the membership.  It was recommended that AK AIRPORTS organization find out what the biggest concerns of the major Alaska organizations are and see how we can assist in addressing those concerns and issues by providing information sharing among all the alphabet groups. 

These organizations included: AAAE, AOCI, ACI, NASAO, Alaska Airman, Aviation Safety Foundation, Alaska Air Carriers Association, Lake Hood Pilots Association, AOPA, FAA, Alaska coordination Council, DOD, USCG, GAAB, ACE, and TSA. 

It was also recommended for AKAA to gather the mission statements of all these organizations in one location so that members could understand the differences and objectives of each organization. 

Incorporate vs. Non corporate

We discussed the benefits of being incorporated as a defined recognized 501(c) 3 organization.  The benefits of being a non profit tax deductible organization were discussed. 

Paul made a motion to adjourn, Tom George seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 540PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary

If you have questions please e-mail us: secretary@akairports.org