May 14, 2003
Wednesday - 12:05 am

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan International Airport was recently re-inspected by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and received passing grades regarding all aspects of airport operations according to information provided by David Allen, Director of Transportation Services for Ketchikan Gateway Borough. This re-inspection followed earlier critical comments from the state that the airport was not being operated as it should have been. The State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) owns the airfield portion of Ketchikan International Airport. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough owns the passenger terminal and operates the airfield under a long-term lease with the state.

Director Allen, met with Kip Knutson, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Deputy Commissioner for Aviation, and other DOT&PF officials. The meeting was held to review earlier DOT&PF comments regarding the airport. Allen noted, "The meeting was very positive. While we agreed there is much remaining for the Borough to work on at the airport, there was no acrimony or criticism that the airport was not being properly operated. Specific action items were discussed and an action plan to address these items was agreed to." Others attending the meeting were DOT&PF SE Regional Director Bob Doll, Southeast Region Maintenance and Operations Chief Greg Patz, Regional Airport Safety and Compliance Officer Michael Binkie, Borough Manager Roy Eckert and Anchorage-based airport consultant Paul Bowers.

The specific inspection items discussed and agreed to between Allen and DOT&PF included the following:

• Complete policies and procedures are needed. Airport consultant Paul Bowers has been hired and is presently working on this and other issues.
• Copies of the Airport Certification Manual (ACM) should be available to various offices with responsibilities under the manual.
• Non-standard markings on the runway need re-painting. This was a FAA identified discrepancy. A contractor, whose services were obtained in cooperation with DOT&PF, is scheduled to complete this project by June 30, 2003.

Binkie also recommended that all required FAA documentation be located in one place. Records are currently maintained in three different Borough offices.

Positive observations included reinstatement of a mutual aid agreement with the city, recent Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training for area mutual aid parties, and the return of the airport mechanic/ARFF position to the airport. Additional comments noted the establishment of a training coordinator and the improved quality of the training record documentation.

The parties also discussed a replacement schedule for snow removal equipment. Present equipment, while operational, is generally old and overdue for replacement. According to the news release, the state will work with the Borough to expedite replacement acquisition using FAA funds.

Allen summed up the discussions as follows: "DOT&PF identified areas that need improvement, and the Borough will definitely benefit from making these improvements. I believe the Borough and DOT&PF are committed to working together toward problem resolution."

Source of News Release:

Office of the Director of Transportation KIA
Web Site

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