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AVIATION
The importance of aviation to northern development at all levels cannot be overstated. When aviation service is interrupted, life in the 1,500 communities in the Arctic beyond their national road and rail systems is dramatically affected. During periods of intensive economic development spurred by global markets, it is critical that continuing service to the local population be maintained. The ability of Arctic peoples to operate and compete within the national and international framework depends critically on their access to affordable air service.
Events
Arctic Aviation Experts Conference, November 8-10, 2006
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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The Arctic Aviation Experts Conference -- co-hosted by the Institute of the North, LPS AVIA of Ottawa and the Province of Manitoba with the support of the University of Manitoba Transport Institute -- took place November 8-10 at the impressive Fort Garry Hotel in downtown Winnipeg. |
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More than 80 participants from six countries met to discuss the impacts on aviation in the north. Presentations and focused panel discussion facilitated technology transfer in enhanced safety and Arctic connectivity, and resulted in a list of action items for each of the topic areas: socio-economic benefits, airport and air route expansion, new technologies in air navigation and airports, airline and aircraft improvements, and policy issues.
As a result of the conference, a series of working groups are being formed to continue work in enhanced safety and Arctic connectivity. One such group will focus on meteorology as it affects Arctic aviation, another on the impact of policy; additional working groups will form as interest is expressed.
Attendance at the conference is not a prerequisite for participation, and ongoing discussion will take place electronically via the website for the Sustainable Development Working Group of the Arctic Council. For more information, please contact Nancy Hemsath, program coordinator at the Institute of the North: 907.771.2443 or nhemsath@institutenorth.org.
2006 Arctic Aviation Experts Conference Action Items
2006 Arctic Aviation Experts Conference Final Report
Press release, 11 May 2007: Report urges aviation improvements in circumpolar North
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Arctic Aviation Experts Workshop, October 5-7, 2005
Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Ugra, Russia
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In cooperation with the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, The Institute of the North convened an Arctic Aviation Experts Workshop 5-7 October 2005 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The workshop addressed the growing transportation demands to support natural resource development - and other economic drivers - in the Arctic, especially in the Russian North; the staggering economic pressure being placed on the industry today, as well as the unique opportunities for technology transfer to advance aviation safety.
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Representatives from Russia, Canada and Alaska – spanning two-thirds of the Arctic -- worked for three days to create a list of 50 recommendations in six categories to improve living conditions via air transportation in some of the world’s most remote areas. The workshop was hosted by the Institute of the North in Russia in conjunction with the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, the Northern Forum and the Arctic Council.
2005 Aviation Experts Workshop Final Report
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Studies
Viability of Sakhalin - Alaska - Alberta Commercial Aviation Links
December 2005 with June 2006 Addendum
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While Anchorage is uniquely positioned to provide expanded air service to the Russian Far East from the U.S. and Canada, new East-West air routes will be dependent upon a combination of the willingness for passengers to pay slightly higher fares, the conversion of passenger air craft to carry more cargo, or other revenue generating alternatives, a study commissioned by the Institute of the North indicates. |
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Ottawa-based LPS AVIA Consulting focused on the circumpolar energy sector in the RFE, Alaska and Alberta as the potential cornerstone upon which new regional air links might be developed. The study is part of the Institute’s work with improving the infrastructure within the Arctic to support sustainable development.
Specialty and niche market air carriers may offer the best potential in considering the circumpolar route. Combi operations within Alaska is one critical element in being able to provide air links to regional hubs and smaller villages. The report urges the formal acceptance of jet combi operations by officials in Russia, the U.S. and Canada in order to increase circumpolar aviation options.
FINAL Report -- Economic Study of Alaska-Russia Air Routes
FINAL Report -- Economic Study of Alaska-Russia Air Routes -- Russian
Prepared by LPS AVIA Consulting
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Projects
International weather camera in Fraser Camp, British Columbia, Canada
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As part of its grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration, the Institute of the North worked to demonstrate the benefits of digital technology in enhancing aviation safety and efficiency. One of the Institute’s projects was a camera to provide pilots with real time images of the terrain and reliable weather data in White Pass, a highly traveled remote mountain pass that serves as a primary route of flight between Canada and United States. |
Working with the FAA and Meteorological Services Canada (MSC), the Institute purchased the equipment necessary for camera installation at the Canada Border Services Agency building at the border crossing in Fraser, British Columbia. A satellite link provides round-the-clock images to both American and Canadian agencies, which in turn link their website users to the up-to-date information.
At the end of the demonstration period in September 2007, the camera and its operation reverted to NAV CANADA.
FAA Alaska Region Weather Cameras
International weather kiosk at Whitehorse Airport, Yukon Territory, Canada
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As a two-year demonstration project to promote international technology transfer to enhance aviation safety, the Institute of the North has installed the first international weather kiosk at the Flight Service Station in the Whitehorse Airport, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. |
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The kiosk provides pilots flying into Alaska from Canada with easy access to current Alaska weather information and forecast data, augmenting the personalized weather briefings already provided by NAV CANADA personnel. A Memorandum of Understanding between the institute and NAV CANADA provided the terms for the demonstration project; staff from the Anchorage-based institute trained with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to learn the skills needed to effect the installation.
Pilots need real-time weather information to make go/no go decisions when flying. In Alaska, this need has led the FAA to install a network of 63 weather cameras throughout the state – in addition to the Institute of the North’s demonstration project weather camera at the Fraser, British Columbia border crossing – all linked at a common website available on the Internet.
Although NAV CANADA has a series of similar kiosks throughout Canada, the kiosk at Whitehorse, this is the first weather kiosk in Yukon Territory.
Funding for the demonstration project comes from a congressional appropriation through the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA to the Institute of the North.
Aviation management training
Sharing North American airline marketing and sales strategies is translating into better connectivity between Alaska and the Russian Far East as a result of airline management training and job shadowing program conducted in Alaska in May 2006.
Funded by the Institute of the North’s Circumpolar Infrastructure Task Force grant through the Federal Aviation Administration and a Small American Business Internship Training grant secured by the Northern Forum, six representatives of Russian airline and marketing services participated in the three-week airline program.
The training included both classroom and job shadowing experiences. Each of the different topics was followed by corresponding shadowing; the trainees had an opportunity to see all the theory given to them in practice. The training program also emphasized the importance of open communications between airlines flying in the RFE, Alaska and other North American destinations, as well as the concept that increased aviation traffic in the region can create increased business opportunities for all carriers.
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