Aircraft

With just a few weeks left in this legislative session, lawmakers in Juneau continue to focus on oil tax reform and declining revenues, but some lawmakers see the need diversify our state, seeing huge potential in unmanned aircrafts or drones. “We need to be looking at other possibilities across the state,” said Rep. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer.  “It's expected that this industry will grow leaps and bounds in the next three years and it's important that Alaska get a piece of that pie.” Representative Hughes is the sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 6, a resolution that would create a task force of 15 legislators who, according to Hughes, will work together to address privacy concerns among other issues.  The resolution would also recognize the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Birds are returning to Alaska by the millions and a non-stop effort is now underway to keep them from getting close to aircraft. A team from USDA Wildlife Services will tell you it's a constant challenge -- trying to outsmart flocks of geese and seagulls. They're now working around-the-clock, patrolling the major airports in Alaska, harassing birds and other wildlife that might get in the way. “We've harassed probably 1,200 animals so far this year and 500 were last week,” said Quinton Fiscus, the USDA wildlife specialist responsible for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, “they've gotten the picture that they're not supposed to be around here.” Pyrotechnics called “bangers” and “screamers” shot from a pistol appear to be the most effective deterrent.

The two people who were killed in a plane crash near Fairbanks Wednesday night have been identified by Alaska State Troopers. AST spokesperson Megan Peters says recovery efforts continue Thursday for the remains of 64-year-old pilot Stephen Knight and 60-year-old passenger Gillian Knight, both of Queensland, Australia. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Clint Johnson said a Piper Saratoga PA32R 301, was en route from Fort Yukon to Fairbanks shortly before 5 p.m. and disappeared from radar.

STORY UPDATED AT 7:52 p.m. at 5/19/13: Alaska State Troopers say weather continues to hamper the search for two snowmachiners near Kotzebue. Shallain Adams, 23 of Noorvik, and Clifford Griest, 32 of Selawik, left Kotzebue early Wednesday morning on a black Polaris IQ snowmachine destined for Selawik. Over 70 searchers from Kotzebue, Selawik, Noorvik, Kiana, Noatak and Buckland have been involved in the ground search, but “efforts have been hampered by periodic bad weather. On Saturday, an Alaska wildlife trooper flew for a couple of hours before fog and blowing snow turned the pilot back.

The Air Force believes that it's solved the years-long mystery of why F-22 pilots have suffered potentially dangerous, hypoxia-like symptoms aboard the world's most advanced jet fighter. And the answer is so insanely simple, some Congressmen don't believe it. It's primarily clothing! According to Congressional Testimony by NASA and Air Force experts earlier this month, the problem lies with an inflatable combat vest that was worn -- in combination with rubberized cold-weather survival gear needed for ejection by pilots over cold water.

Alaska State Troopers say the bodies of two Anchorage pilots in a cargo plane crash near Dillingham were recovered Saturday morning by the Alaska Air National Guard. AST identified the victims of the downed plane as Capt. Jeff Day, 38, and First Officer Neil Jensen, 21, both of Anchorage. Troopers said that an Air National Guard HH -60 Pavehawk found the wreckage of a downed Beech 1900 plane around 6:00 a.m. Saturday. A helicopter crew recovered the bodies and flew them to Dillingham and then to Anchorage.

A plane following an Iron Dog snowmachine team that crashed near Rainy Pass Sunday afternoon, severely injuring both men on board, had turned around after it took off according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Alaska State Troopers say Robert Stone, an Anchorage attorney, and former Iron Dog snowmachine racer Jason Wichman received “critical injuries” in the crash. Stone was listed in fair to stable condition at the Alaska Native Medical Center, while Wichman was in critical condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

by Channel 2 News staff Monday, April 26, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The state Department of Transportation says a PenAir Cherokee aircraft crashed while landing at the King Cove Airport Monday afternoon. DOT says a pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Early reports indicate the aircraft's landing gear collapsed during landing. The runway has been closed to remove debris and the damaged aircraft.

A local museum is hosting a quiet reminder of former Sen. Ted Stevens' contributions to aviation. The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum has placed a wreath on a vintage Grumman Goose aircraft that spent decades flying the Last Frontier. The late senator helped donate the aircraft, which is part of the museum's outdoor display. Amphibious aircraft have a rich history in Alaska, and at times carried Stevens on his many visits to rural communities. “This plane flew for U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Service)

State Troopers have identified the two pilots involved in a collision during takeoff Wednesday in Dillingham. They say Justin Rodgers and James Woolington, both of Dillingham, were both taking off in Super Cub planes when they collided and crashed into the ground at the edge of Shannon's pond. Both aircraft were personal, not commercial. Rodgers was transported to Anchorage for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Woolington had only minor injuries, but was also transported for medical attention.