In many Alaska communities, people are more likely to own a small plane than a car. This just makes sense in a state with far-flung communities unconnected by roads or highways.
The aviation industry necessarily plays a vital role in Alaska, as a main source of transportation for many remote villages as well as being a main player in the state’s tourism industry. It’s no question that aviation is important in Alaska, especially for smaller aircraft, as many areas in the state are only accessible by plane or boat. Lake Hood, a small lake nestled in a small Anchorage neighborhood, is the busiest seaplane base in the world. In many communities, all groceries and mail are delivered by plane.
In addition to vast distances, Alaska’s mountainous terrain and erratic weather patterns can make air travel difficult. That’s why the FAA and GCI have partnered to start a remote weather camera program in Alaska. The FAA and GCI have partnered together over the past decade to make flying in Alaska safer by using the weather cameras to reduce plane accidents and increase real-time information for industry professionals.
The partnership is a great match. Telecommunications company GCI operates Alaska’s largest wireless network. GCI towers are built in some of the most remote, rugged and unforgiving terrain in North America. These towers, often located on remote mountaintops to maximize microwave connectivity, are an excellent vantage point from which to monitor the weather and are often the only structures with power and connectivity for miles.
GCI partnered with the FAA to install hundreds of weather cameras on towers statewide to transmit real-time weather images via a dedicated virtual, private network. GCI internet connectivity ensures images are easily transmitted in a timely manner, meaning pilots always have up-to-date information about the weather from takeoff to landing, and everywhere in between. GCI crews are available for technical support 24/7, though the remote and isolated location of many of the towers requires technicians who are both skilled and willing to travel via helicopter or snowmachine to reach their destination.
Prior to this program, pilots were forced to rely on calls to the weather service or reports from people in the destination villages. This method left plenty of room for interpretation and error. By the time they received weather information, the forecast may have already changed. Now, pilots simply visit the FAA weather cam website to get real-time images of current conditions from the 960 cameras positioned throughout Alaska.
The FAA/GCI partnership has seen great success. Since its inception, weather-related aviation incidents in Alaska have been reduced by 85 percent. The program has also led to a 66 percent reduction in the number of trips pilots have to cancel mid-flight due to weather. In 2017, the Competitive Carriers Association recognized GCI and the success of the program by presenting them the Industry Innovation Award. Thanks to GCI and the FAA, pilots have experienced real, lasting and life-changing effects. Pilots have come to rely on the system to ensure that flying is safer for everyone in Alaska.