AOPA urges FAA and NWS to reach agreement on Alaska weather stations
March 28, 2011, 09:15 pm
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to reach an agreement with the National Weather Service that would allow certain Alaskan weather stations to remain open.
The Big River Lakes and Hayes River stations were recently closed due to the government budget cuts that reduced funding for the National Weather Service.
However, the AOPA argues that weather-related information that these sites used to provide were essential to flight safety.
"Some members indicated that they monitor these stations frequently to determine if weather conditions will allow them to depart," Heidi Williams, AOPA's senior director of airspace and modernization, told the National Weather Service in a letter. "Without reports from these areas, pilots are forced to 'go take a look,' which is a safety concern. We strongly encourage both agencies to find a solution to providing weather for these locations."
Unsafe meteorological conditions contribute to a number of plane accidents this year. With many of the nation's weather reporting centers closing down, it may become increasingly important for aviators to have pilot insurance, as their risk of a fatal accident due to poor weather may be greater.
Are you covered? Are you overpaying? Find out! Get a Quote Now!
| 
