Talkeetna Considers How To Handle State-Mandated Improvements

Concerned community members met recently to discuss the future of Alaska's Talkeetna Airport (PATK). At issue is how much larger the airport, located at the base of Mt. McKinley, can grow -- and how quickly that growth can occur.

The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reports the Talkeetna Airport Improvements Environmental Assessment, compiled by the state, calls for three new lease lots just for helicopter use -- and eight others for other aviation uses -- by 2008.

The report goes on to state that by 2015, new lease lots should total 17 -- more than double the number of the airport's commercial tenants. The airport presently has just one helipad, and a single 3,500' runway.

Certified flight instructor and airplane mechanic Drew Haag, of Above Alaska Aviation, was named chair of the Talkeetna State Airport Expansion Advisory Committee, a panel formed by the town council designed to review community opinion, according to the newspaper.

Other concerns the airport faces include inadequate parking, insufficient commercial lots to lease to prospective tenants, no security fencing and helicopters forced to operate too close to fixed-wing aircraft, in violation of FAA rules, the newspaper reports.

Steve Hanson, the state airport's facility manager and DOT employee, attended the meeting as an "interested party" and wanted to gauge public opinion, according to the newspaper. Hanson said the state's report also asserts future demand forecasts mean nine new helicopter parking spaces should be built by 2008, with four to accommodate large helicopters.

Hanson hopes to pick up detailed plans for the expansion this week, he told the newspaper. Big plans have been made, but some details are still being worked out.

"Nothing's really set in stone," he added.

FMI: www.talkeetnachamber.org/