Avionics Funding Bills Pending In Legislature

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin unveiled Saturday details of a new aviation safety initiative.

With seven times the licensed pilots of any other state, Alaska also has the highest accident rate nationwide. Bad weather and harsh terrain contribute significantly to that statistic, according to the State of Alaska website.

The administration's plan is a multi-departmental effort that includes a bill that will establish a new loan program in the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development. Under this program, low interest loans will be available for the purchase and installation of advanced satellite-based aircraft avionics.

Governor Palin's plan to improve aviation safety is a critical component of the Federal Aviation Administration's plan to invest over $400 million dollars in the installation, operation and maintenance of the ground stations as part of its "Capstone" aviation safety program.

ANN recently reported on the FAA's request for the State of Alaska to provide $34 million to outfit 4,000 aircraft with Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) avionics over the next five years.

Pilots flying such equipped aircraft will be able to view their exact position, groundspeed, position relative to altitude and terrain, course, destination, and position relative to other such equipped aircraft.

Real-time weather condition information will also be available, providing invaluable assistance in avoiding weather-related accidents.
 
"In addition to reducing aircraft accidents, such equipped aircraft will offer safer access to rural communities," Governor Palin said. "This new technology will also increase the safety and effectiveness of medical evacuations and search-and-rescue operations."

Creating new digital maps of the entire state is another safety effort. These maps, used by the new avionics, will feature accurate height and depth data of physical terrain that will be incorporated into the FAA's terrain models.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is also working with The Medallion Foundation to provide updated map data in flight simulators. This allows pilots to receive very accurate and realistic training for flying in Alaska's rugged environment.

House Bill 340 and Senate Bill 249 are pending in the Alaska Legislature to establish the avionics loan program.

FMI: www.gov.state.ak.us; www.faa.gov