Before the 

Department of Transportation 

Washington, DC 

Office of the Secretary 

In the Matter of ) 

) 

l)af ~ o$'T- ~oe;~. II SEt 

~o7- otT- :2. {])()'- :l..{Sii'J.. 

ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AT ) Docket DOT -OST-2002-115 86-0045 

ANGOON, TENAKEE SPRINGS, ) 

PELICAN & ELFIN COVE, ALASKA ) _____________________________) 

SERVICE PROPOSAL OF KALININ AVIATION LLC 

dba "ALASKA SEAPLANES" 

Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to: 

Kent Craford 

Kalinin Aviation LLC 

1873 Shell Simmons Dr. Ste. 110 

Juneau, Alaska 99801 

kent@ tl valaskaseapl anes.com 

October 22, 2014 
Before the 

Department of Transportation 

Washington, DC 

Office of the Secretary 

In the Matter of ) 

) 

ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE AT ) Docket DOT-OST-2002-11586-0045 

ANGOON, TENAKEE SPRINGS, ) 

PELICAN & ELFIN COVE, ALASKA ) _____________________________ ) 

SERVICE PROPOSAL OF KALININ AVIATION LLC 

dba "ALASKA SEAPLANES" 

Alaska Seaplanes (Seaplanes) respectfully submits the following proposal for continued 

Essential Air Service between Juneau and the communities of Angoon, Tenakee Springs, Pelican 

and Elfin Cove. 

Our proposal is based on the established stipulated minimum weekly frequencies for the markets: 

Angoon: 10 weekly roundtrips in the 18 week peak period, 5 weekly roundtrips off-peak 

Tenakee Springs: 7 weekly roundtrips in the 18 week peak, 3 per week off-peak 

Pelican: 6 weekly roundtrips, year-round 

Elfin Cove: 5 weekly roundtrips peak, 2 per week in the 34 week off-peak period 

Seaplanes is requesting another four-year term for service to AGN/TKE/PEC/ELV, and this 

proposal is offered incumbent on a four-year term. Seaplanes has made, and plans to continue 

making, capital investments in our service that require the certainty of a four-year Order to 

finance and amortize those investments. 

Revenue projections 

Angoon, the largest market of the four served, has experienced persistent economic challenges. 

Alaska Seaplanes is working to contribute as we can to economic development in the 

community, by partnering with the local Native Corporation, Kootznoowoo, Inc. on an 

Admiralty Island-based bear tour, now in its third year. We have also partnered with the City, as 

well as Tenakee, Pelican and Elfin Cove, on a Small Community Air Service Development 

(SCASD) grant, which we hope will bring additional independent travelers to Angoon via Alaska 

~-~~-~-· /' -~~~" 

/ 4~ ~.,~ 

ALASKASEAPLAN ES 

Flying at a Higher Standard DOT -OST-2002-115 86-0045 2 Is 
Seaplanes. But the economic challenges the community faces, and a shrinking population, 

coupled with·an increase in competing fast-ferry service, cause us to project Angoon traffic 

declining going forward. 

Tenakee Springs' economy has also faced challenges, most recently with the closure of their 

school during the 2013-14 year. However, the school has now reopened, and the mainstay 

business in town, Snyder Mercantile, is under new and invigorated ownership. A new lodge is 

scheduled to open next year, and an improved marina is expected to bring more summertime 

vessel calls. We also believe that given its attractiveness as an independent travel destination, 

Tenakee stands the best chance to benefit from the marketing injection offered by the SCASD 

program. As such, we are optimistic that Tenakee traffic will rise over the next four years. 

Subsidy requirement for 2015 will actually drop versus current levels based on our projections. 

Pelican's economy also faces challenges as it begins to reinvent itself from a cannery and 

commercial fishing-based economy to a blended fishing and tourism economy. While there have 

been bright spots in the economy and resulting air service demand, such as the growing 

Highliner Lodge, that demand is concentrated in the summer and has not mitigated the continued 

decline of the year-round population and economy. Several major public works projects have 

helped the year-round economy and demand for air service, but thqse projects are now 

completed. The Pelican School remains open, but enrollment is very close to the minimum 

requirement for full funding. We project total Pelican traffic to grow modestly, carried by the 

summertime peak. 

Elfin Cove has fully transitioned from a year-round economy to a summertime 

tourism/commercial fishing economy. As such, any growth is seen in the summer months, and 

lately that trend has been good as the sport fishing lodges rebound from the recession. Ondemand operators continue to dominant the lodge market, but the activity has helped Alaska 

Seaplanes as well. Based on this trend, we project steady passenger growth in Elfin Cove and a 

reduced subsidy per passenger over time, but the need to service the community year-round for 

EAS will continue to render the service unprofitable and require increasing total subsidy. 

In all markets we are seeing a long-term declining trend in mail volumes. Coupled with lower 

mail rates since the last EAS period, we expect to see mail revenue continue a slow drop over 

time. We expect freight revenue in Angoon to fall over time as more people transition to the fast 

ferry for grocery runs, etc. and as the population declines. We expect Pelican freight to drop 

modestly as its year-round population declines. We project Elfin Cove freight revenue to climb 

as a function of increased lodge demands. And we expect Tenakee freight revenue to remain 

flat. 

Specific projections for revenue by type and market can be found in Attachment 1. 

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·~ 

ALASKASEAPLANES 

Flying at a Higher Standard DOT -OST-2002-11586-0045 315 
Aircraft 

The one material difference between our existing operational platform and what is proposed here 

is the addition of a Cessna 208 "Caravan" to our fleet. We are proposing to add the Caravan as a 

way to begin the transition towards more modern equipment still in production, reducing reliance 

on our aging DeHavilland DHC-2 "Beavers." The Beavers remain the workhorses of our fleet, 

but are showing signs of age, as parts become harder to obtain, leading to reduced dispatch 

reliability and longer periods of down time. Our oldest Beaver is a 1949 model. The three sets 

of amphibious floats we use have been out of production for almost 50 years and are becoming 

increasingly costly to support. We have resorted to having parts custom-fabricated when needed 

to keep them operational, which is expensive and time consuming. Of our last four Beaver 

engines, only one made it to TBO (overhaul limit), increasing down time and expense. 

While we are committed to keeping our Beaver fleet in good operational condition, it is 

becoming increasingly expensive to do so, and with aging airframes, they cannot be considered 

immortal. For safety and reliability reasons, Alaska Seaplanes must begin the transition to 

aircraft that are still in production and better supported with parts readily available. The Cessna 

Caravan is the logical platform to transition towards, and has already been adopted by our peers 

in the Southeast Alaska Part 135 float plane market, including Island Air Express and Taquan 

Air. 

Alaska Seaplanes operates one Cessna Caravan on wheels, and has pilots and mechanics with 

experience in type. Significant advancements have been made in the last few years to the 

Caravan which greatly improve its utility and cost-effectiveness as a float plane. We plan to 

acquire one IFR-equipped Caravan on floats during the next four-year term, and our projections 

are based on the assumption that it will fly approximately one-third of the flights to 

AGN/TKE/PECIELV. While it is a more expensive aircraft to operate, it also has greater 

capacity, and therefore we propose a flat subsidy per departure regardless of type. 1 

Alaska Seaplanes full subsidy requirement proposal can be found in Attachment 2. 

Safety considerations 

The Request for Proposals dated September 22, 2014, stated in part that the Department is 

directed to consider "the experience of the applicant in providing, in Alaska, scheduled air 

service or significant patterns of non-scheduled air service." In communities served by floatequipped aircraft, especially in the winter when on amphibious floats, safety is paramount. 

Wind, visibility and tidal influences make flying to these destinations on a regular basis very 

high risk. 

1 Alaska Seaplanes plans to continue using its straight and amphibious float-equipped Cessna C206 as a back-up 

aircraft at the same subsidy rate as the other aircraft, as established in the amendment to the last Orders 

,_ 

-~-~ / --~~~ 

/ .. 

~ 

·~ ~ 

ALASKASEAPLANES 

Flying at a Higher Standard DOT-OST-2002-11586-0045 415 
Alaska Seaplanes has a seventeen year track record of serving Angoon, Tenakee Springs, Pelican 

and Elfin Cove without incident or accident. We believe this track record should be given 

significant weight. 

Juneau as hub 

While we understand the pressure the Department is under to cut costs in the EAS program, 

severing these communities' link to their long-established Juneau hub in favor of a lesser 

alternative is not an advisable way to go about it, nor is it in keeping with the Department's own 

guidance stipulating Juneau service as found in Order 80-1-167. To do so would be a permanent 

socio-economic blow to these communities. As Angoon Mayor Matt Kookesh recently wrote in 

a letter to the USDoT regarding this issue, "The abandonment of service to Juneau in favor of 

less frequent and reduced capacity service to Sitka would be economically devastating to our 

communities." 

What's more, service to an alternate satellite city such as Sitka would deny interstate travelers 

going to and from these communities access to the greater flight frequency and destination 

offerings of Alaska Airlines in Juneau, and the competitive service provided by Delta Airlines. 

And it would render the Department's $300,000 investment in Small Community Air Service 

Development for Southeast Alaska wasted. 

It is our understanding that the Essential Air Service program dictates that communities are 

entitled to access to a "medium hub." Juneau is the hub of Southeast Alaska. A decision to cut 

Juneau EAS in favor of service to a non-hub such as Sitka would be punitive and prejudicial. 

The Department currently provides EAS subsidy to communities a short driving distance to an 

airport, only because that airport does not qualify as a "medium hub." An example is Hot 

Springs, Arkansas, less than an hour's drive from Little Rock's Bill and Hillary Clinton National 

Airport which according to its website hosts six airlines offering 57 departures each day and nonstop jet service to 16 national/international gateway cities. And yet, Hot Springs receives EAS 

subsidy for flights to Memphis and Dallas, for substantially more subsidy per passenger than 

these four Alaska markets require. 

We would like to extend a good-faith invitation to the Department staff, to visit Southeast Alaska 

at their earliest opportunity. We believe that seeing scheduled float plane service first-hand 

between Juneau and AGN/TKE/PEC/EL V will help underscore the critical role it plays in the 

daily lives of residents and the economic viability of these otherwise remote locations. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Kalinin Aviation LLC 

Kent Craford, President 

October 22, 2014 

·~~~ 

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~ ""'\.:~- / 4~. 

·~ 

A LAS KAS EAP LANES 

Flying at a Higher Standard DOT-OST-2002-11586-0045 SIS 
ATTACHMENT 1, PAGE 1 

PROJECTED REVENUE, 2015-2018 

2015 

MARKET TRAFFIC PROJ. REVENUE 

PELICAN Passengers $259,755.62 

Freight $67,553.68 

Mail $52,666.43 

ELFIN COVE Passengers $126,755.49 

Freight $22,444.87 

Mail $28,171.64 

ANGOON Passengers $332,633.70 

Freight $40,100.73 

Mail $62,700.08 

TENAKEE Passengers $159,778.13 

Freight $29,367.52 

Mail $41,295.97 

Total $1 223 223.84 

2016 

MARKET TRAFFIC PROJ.REVENUE 

PELICAN Passengers $273,649.97 

Freight $65,278.19 

Mail $50,559.77 

ELFIN COVE Passengers $135,447.29 

Freight $25,062.65 

Mail $27,044.78 

ANGOON Passengers $335,557.95 

Freight $38,749.97 

Mail $63,954.08 

TENAKEE Passengers $167,418.43 

Freight $29,367.52 

Mail $40,717.83 

Total $1 252 808.41 
ATTACHMENT 1, PAGE 2 

2017 

MARKET TRAFFIC PROJ. REVENUE 

PELICAN Passengers $284,705.42 

Freight $62,884.66 

Mail $48,347.78 

ELFIN COVE Passengers $144,436.07 

Freight $26,055.52 

Mail $25,861.57 

ANGOON Passengers $342,269.11 

Freight $37,329.13 

Mail $61,609.09 

TENAKEE Passengers $175,300.43 

Freight $29,954.87 

Mail $40,100.04 

Total $1 278 853.68 

2018 

MARKET TRAFFIC PROJ. REVENUE 

PELICAN Passengers $296,093.64 

Freight $60,369.27 

Mail $46,027.08 

ELFIN COVE Passengers $153,730.21 

Freight $27,078.07 

Mail $24,620.21 

ANGOON Passengers $345,235.44 

Freight $35,835.97 

Mail $59,144.73 

TENAKEE Passengers $183,430.74 

Freight $30,553.96 

Mail $39,441.25 

Total $1 301 560.59 
AGN, ELV, PEC, TKE ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE 

2015 

ATIACHMENT2 

TOTAL W/5% SUBSIDY SUBSIDY PER WEEKLY CAP WEEKLY 

MARKET AIC EXPENSE INDIRECT EXPENSE MARGIN REVENUE REQ'D DEPARTURES DEPARTURE (PEAK) (OFF-PE

PELICAN DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $308,757 

C-208 "Caravan" $218,716 

ELFIN COVE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $135,837 

C-208 "Caravan" $96,224 

ANGOON DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $305,845 

C-208 "Caravan" $216,653 

TENAKEE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $166,824 

C-208 "Caravan" $118,174 

AGN, ELV, PEC, TKE ESSENTIAL SERVICE 

2016 

$114,034 

$50,169 

$112,958 

$61,614 

$641,506 $673,582 $379,976 $293,606 624 $470.52 $5,646.27 $5,6

$282,231 $296,342 $177,372 $118,970 316 $376.49 $3,764.88 $1,5

$635,456 $667,229 $435,434 $231,794 700 $331.13 $6,622.69 $3,3

$346,612 $363,943 $230,442 $133,501 456 $292.77 $4,098.72 $1,7

TOTAL W/5% SUBSIDY SUBSIDY PER WEEKLY CAP WEEKLY 

MARKET A/C EXPENSE INDIRECT EXPENSE MARGIN REVENUE REQ'D DEPARTURES DEPARTURE (PEAK) (OFF-PE

PELICAN DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $321,107 

C-208 "Caravan" $224,184 

$119,736 $665,026 $698,278 $389,488 $308,790 624 $494.86 $5,938.26 $5,9

ELFIN COVE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $141,271 

C-208 "Caravan" $98,630 

$52,678 $292,578 $307,207 $187,555 $119,652 316 $378.65 $3,786.47 $1,5

ANGOON DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $318,078 

C-208 "Caravan" $222,069 

$118,606 $658,754 $691,692 $438,262 $253,430 700 $362.04 $7,240.85 $3,6

TENAKEE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $173,497 

C-208 "Caravan" $121,129 

$64,694 $359,320 $377,286 $237,504 $139,783 456 $306.54 $4,291.57 $1,8
AGN, ELV, PEC, TKE ESSENTIAL SERVICE 

2017 

ATTACHMENT2, PAGE2 

TOTAL W/5% SUBSIDY SUBSIDY PER WEEKLY CAP WEEKLY 

MARKET AIC EXPENSE INDIRECT EXPENSE MARGIN REVENUE REQ'D DEPARTURES DEPARTURE (PEAK) (OFF-PE

PELICAN DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $333,951 

C-208 "Caravan" $229,788 

ELFIN COVE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $146,922 

C-208 "Caravan" $101,095 

ANGOON DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $330,801 

C-208 "Caravan" $227,621 

TENAKEE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $180,437 

C-208 "Caravan" $124,157 

AGN, ELV, PEC, TKE ESSENTIAL SERVICE 

2018 

$125,723 

$55,312 

$124,537 

$67,929 

$689,462 $723,935 $395,938 $327,997 624 $525.64 $6,307.64 $6,3

$303,329 $318,495 $196,353 $122,142 316 $386.53 $3,865.25 $1,5

$682,959 $717,107 $441,207 $275 900 700 $394.14 $7,882.85 $3,9

$372,523 $391,149 $245,355 $145,794 456 $319.72 $4,476.13 $1,9

TOTAL W/5% SUBSIDY SUBSIDY PER WEEKLY CAP WEEKLY 

MARKET AIC EXPENSE INDIRECT EXPENSE MARGIN REVENUE REQ'D DEPARTURES DEPARTURE (PEAK) (OFF-PE

PELICAN DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $347,309 

C-208 "Caravan" $235,533 

$132,009 $714,851 $750,593 $402,490 $348,103 624 $557.86 $6,694.30 $6,6

ELFIN COVE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $152,799 

C-208 "Caravan" $103,623 

$58,077 $314,498 $330,223 $205,428 $124,795 316 $394.92 $3,949.20 $1,5

ANGOON DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $344,034 

C-208 "Caravan" $233,311 

$130,764 $708,109 $743,514 $440,216 $303,298 700 $433.28 $8,665.65 $4,3

TENAKEE DHC-2 "Beaver"/C206 $187,655 

C-208 "Caravan" $127,261 

$71,326 $386,241 $405,553 $253,426 $152,127 456 $333.61 $4,670.57 $2,0
Mr. Todd Homan 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Mr. Homan, 

Office of the Mayor 

City of Pelka n 

PO Box 737 

Pelican, Alaska 99832 

October 20, 2014 

Pelican is a remote community on Chichagof Island, an hour's flight from our hub at Juneau. Our 

community has no road access to the mainland, and very infrequent ferry service. As such, we depend 

on scheduled air service for Pelican's daily U.S. Mail deliveries, and access to basic services including 

healthcare that Alaska Seaplanes' six days per week flight schedule offers. Alaska Seaplanes is Pelican's 

lifeline to Juneau and points beyond. Over the past four years, under new ownership, Alaska Seaplanes 

has consistently reinvested in their service, with the addition of another aircraft in 2012, upgrading their 

fleet, and expansion of their reservation system and increased marketing efforts. 

Being situated near the outside coast of the Pacific Ocean1 Pelican often experiences challenging 

weather conditions. As a member of a commercial fishing family, I can attest to this first hand. Despite 

this challenge, Alaska Seaplanes has managed to capably serve Pelican for 17 years with an excellent 

safety record, a remarkable accomplishment in Alaska aviation. 

Alaska Seaplanes demonstrates their commitment to Pelican's economy by partnering with the City of 

Pelican in our pursuit of a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant, which provides 

needed resources to more broadly market the unique tourism opportunities our community has to offer 

independent travelers. Alaska Seaplanes contributes to community events and organizations, and 

sponsors a local high school student skier by supporting flights to Juneau for pra<:tice and competitions. 

Alaska Seaplanes is also proposing to expand their aircraft fleet over the next four year EAS term by 

adding a Cessna Caravan, which will support our local fishing fleet and tourism businesses-a decision I 

strongly endorse. Further, having an IFR~capable Cessna Caravan will allow Pelican to enjoy the same 

benefits as nearby wheel plane markets like Kake, Hoonah, Gustavus, Haines and Skagway-who are 

served by Alaska Seaplanes IFR-capable aircraft able to cut through the notorious moisture that hangs 

around the Juneau airport and Mendenhall Glacier that otherwise render our float-planes grounded. 

This will offer an improvement in flight completion percentage, but also the added safety benefit of 

turbine aircraft. 

I support Alaska Sea planes' proposal for continued Essential Air Service (EAS) between Juneau and 

Pelican for a new four-year term. 

Sincerely, . 'J ,f .~A . 

P~~.-c/r~~ Patricia Phillips I 

Mayor 
RESOlUTION NO. 14~08 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ANGOON, ALASKA 

SUPPORTING THE PROPOSAL OF AIR SERVICE TO ANGOON BY ALASKA SEAPLANES 

WHEREAS, The Community of Angoon, Alaska is situated on Adrnirolty Island, Without road 

access to the mainland; and 

WHEREAS, Angoon Is guaranteed scheduled air service under the 1978 Airllne Deregulation Act 

Essential Air Service (EAS) program; and 

WHEREAS, Schedul'?d air service prcv:dt>s 2 ci:.:cai l:nk. emergency ;ervrces, medica: ca'e. equipment 

and supplies. freighT and US rnari serv Ce, and businpss :)nd tourrst tr;:rve!; a1rl 

WHEREAS, Angoon rs served by our scheduled air service provider Kalinin Aviation dba ''Alaska Seaplanes' 

with a minnl1Ufll guaranteed seven roundtrips per week to and from Juneau in the summertime peak 

season, and at least three guaranteed roundtrios in the off-peak season; and 

WHEREAS, Aloska Seaplanes has a full fleet of straight and amphibious iloat planes cmd hvs capably 

served our community for 17 years with perfect safety record; and 

WHEREAS, Alaska Seaplane's proposes to continue service to Angoon under a new four year contract 

utilizing its existing DHC-2 Beaver/Cessna 206 fleet on straight floats in :he summertime and amphibio,Is 

floats in the winter when the Juneau pond is frozen, and 

WHEREAS, Alaska Seaplanes proposes upgradrng its fleet with the addition of and IFR-capable Cessna 208 

Caravan aircraft on amphibious floats. offering greater capacity and improved reliability during poor 

VIsibility conditions al the Juneau airport when the VFR operations are otherw1se grounded. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANGOON, ALASKA, hereby endorses 

the Essential Air Service proposal of Alaska Seaplanes os :-ubmittcd for a new four-year term to DOT on 

a DHC-2/Cessna 206/ Cessna 208 plat~orm. 

PASSED AND APPROVED BY A DULY CONSTITUTED QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL THIS _21"_ 

DAY OF __ October __ , 2014. 

rvlaUiH:'W Kuuke~t1 Jr, Mayor of Angoon 

ATIEST: 

Mariann David, Interim City Clerk 

Voting: 

Jess Dan1els Kevm Frank Sr. 

Albert Howard 

Edward Jack Sr. 

Matthew Kookesh 

Yea __ Nav ____ Ha-rlet Silva 

Yea __ Nay __ . Randa!! Gamble 

Yea_j__Nay __ 

Yea_-_Nay __ 
Dear Mr Gomas 

Pelican City School District 

Box 90- 14 Chum Way 

Pelican Alaska 99832-0090 

907·735·2236 ph. 735-2263 fax 

Please accept thiS letter endcrSif19 Alaska Seapll:mes' proposal to ccnbnue providing Essential Air Service between Juneau and Pelican for 

another 4·year term. 

l's a remote Ala:sk.a commun•ty with no road access and limited ferry service, we rely tremendously on Alaska Seaplanes" scheduled seNk-.e 

to provide a cntical !ink to Juneau for medical care, emergency services, groceties and supplies, and connections to Alaska Airlines and 

Delta Airlines flights lo Anchorage, the lower 48 and beyond Alaska Seaplanes has terrific local customer service agents here in Pelican 

·Nho have yeatS of experience ensunng our commurtity gets the attention and p.rtorrty we need 

Alaska Seaplanes has responded to that demand, by add1119 an addltior.at airctaft in recent years. making less expensive tares available 

through online bool<ir'9. developing a mobife ~bsite for e3Sier reservations, and upgrading the quality of their airr:raft with new seats and 

1ntenors JUst this year Seapia11es has made an exira effort this year to support our local fishing ficct -Mth extra capacity and discounl> co 

fresh fish shipments, whiCh help fill up the plane when it wouldn't other~>ASe be. ltns suppof!S !heir six day per weeK flight frequency-a 

frequency which is crucial to mamtainmg PetK;.<Cln's economic heal!,h 

Seaplanes also goes the extra mile to a=mmodate fish when 1t amves m Juneau Last year they bought a larger r.apacity freezer to ensure 

that our product is, well cared for despite its long journey. Seaplanes has contributed consistently over the years to local philanthropic 

activities. and has' even spcnsored our local compeblive skier ln her effurts to maintain a prectice and race schedule. Further. Seaplanes 

has taken a leadersh•p role in supporting economic developmet'!l '" Pelican by p"rtnering with the Oty on ohtamong a Small Community Air 

Service Development grant which will help IJS market our localtourlsm businesses in Juneau and beyond 

I understand that Alaska Seaplanes' new EAS proposal includes the addition of an IFR-capable Cessna Caravan on amphibious fioa\5 Tms 

1s a very wise investment 111 Pelican's air se!Vice, as it will help support cur growing sumrnertime fishmg lodge businesses. better randle 

travel for our local sports teams. and lessen the frequency of weather c.1ncefations when Juneau airport visJbility conditions prevert VFR 

flights from departifl9 the pond. 

Finally, Alaska Seaplanes has an unparalleled safety recorrl, -Mth 17 ye.~rs of incident ami acr.>rJent free fiying-a record that sr,eaks to the 

care and responsible approach they bring lo every ft1ght 

Please accept Alaska Seaplanes' proposal for a new 4-year term serv1ng. Pelican. 
September 26, 2014 

U.S. Depart of Transportation 

Attn: Michael Gormas 

Dear Mr. Gormas: 

The Pelican Chilmber of Commerce is most supportive of the essential service designation for 

the Alaska Seaplanes, a Juneau based firm. It is Chamber's position the essential air service 

designation should be continued for the following reasons: 

• PcUc::1n l:. J remote .~!a~ka con1rnunity v.;ithout road COiHlci..liOn.:> tu ad·y> uti'.t:I 

community. 

• Pelican depends upon air transport for and services from the nearest major urban 

community----Juneau, Alaska. 

• Geography being what it is; Juneau is the most reliable route for air service to an urban 

center. 

• Advanced medical care is available in Juneau. 

• Juneau, the Capitol of Alaska, is a destination for business, government, and local 

political interests. 

• Juneau is a major transportation hub for air service to the 48 contiguous states and for 

the Alaska Marine Highway System, (ferry service to roads out of Alaska). 

• Alaska Seaplanes has a very lengthy history of serving rural communities in Southeast 

Alaska, for all practical purposes they are the descendent of a company that was serving 

Pelican in the 1970's. 

Please continue to provide essential air service to Pelican through Alaska Seaplanes. 

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 

Sincerely: 

Norm Carson, President 

Pelican Chamber of Commerce 

PO Box 737 , 

Pelican, AK 99832 
October 21,2014 

Mr. Todd Homan 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Mr. Homan, 

Please accept this letter endorsing Alaska Seaplanes' proposal to continue providing Essential 

Air Service between Juneau and Tenakee Springs for another 4-year term. 

As a remote Alaska community with no road access, we rely heavily on Alaska Seaplanes' 

scheduled service to provide a critical link to JlUleau for medical care, emergency services, US 

mail, groceries, supplies, and connections to Ala'lka Airlines and Delta Airlines flights to 

Anchorage, the lower 48 and beyond. With only two ferry stops a week, it is critical to keep the 

daily scheduled service that Alaska Seaplanes provides into Juneau. 

Alaska Seaplanes has responded to that demand, by adding an additional aircraft in recent years, 

making less expensive fares available through online booking, developing a mobile website for 

easier reservations, and upgrading the quality of their aircraft with new seats and interiors just 

this year. Their scheduled frequency-to Juneau (not Sitka~-is crucial to maintaining 

Tenakee's economic health. and must be preserved in the next four-year EAS term, without 

reduction. 

As a future business o~11cr of the Tenakee Inn., I will rely on Alaska Seaplanes for moving my 

customers in and out of Juneau for their vacations with us. 

1 have lived in Tenakee Springs since 1981 and have never seen scheduled service from 

anywhere else but Juneau. Why would I go to a town of 8,000 (Sitka) when I can go into the 

regional hub of Juneau (33,000) for all my services. There are many people who live here who 

work part of1he year in or out of Juneau and losing daily scheduled air service to Juneau would 

be a hardship tor these individuals and their families. 

Seaplanes also goes the extra mile to accommodate fish when it arrives in Juneau. Last year they 

bought a larger capacity :freezer to ensure that our fishermen's product is well cared for despite 

its long journey. Seaplanes has contributed consistently over the years to local philanthropic 

activities, they are a great community partner. Further, Seaplanes has taken a leadership role in 

supporting economic development by partnering with the City on obtaining a Small Community 

Air Service Development grant which will help us market our local tourism businesses in Juneau 

and beyond. 
I understand that Alaska Seaplanes' new EAS proposal includes the addition of an IFR-capable 

Cessna Caravan on amphibious floats. This is a very wise investment in Tenakee's air service, 

as it will provide greater capacity when we need it and lessen the frequency of weather 

cancelations when Juneau airport visibility conditions prevent VFR flights from departing the 

pond. 

Finally, Alaska Seaplanes has an unparalleled safety record, v.itb 17 years of incident and 

accident free flying-a record that speaks to the care and responsible approach they bring to 

every flight. 

Please accept Alaska Seaplanes' proposal for a new 4-year term serving Tenakee Springs. 

Sincerely, 

6~t) .. L)f-/1 t r !JaL-f"-RA--

Beret M. Barnes 

POBox502 

Tenakee Springs, AK 99841 

(907) 736-2226 

Future G-wner of the Tenakee Inn 
ANGOON TRADING CO., INC. 

BOX 10 • ANGOON, ALASKA 99820 

October 22, 2014 

!vrr. Todd 1:-Ioman 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Mr. Homan, 

I am \\'Titing in support of Alaska Seaplanes' proposal 19 continue serving Angoon 

under the Essential Air Service program tor another four years. 

We operate Angoon Trading, the only store on Admiralty Island, selling groceries 

and general merchandise. We rely on Alaska Seaplanes' scheduled service between 

Juneau and Angoon, both for freight service for our business, as well as p~rsonal 

travel. Since Angoon has no road access, Alaska Seaplanes' scheduled service 

provides a critical link to Juneau for medical care, emergency services, and 

connections to Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines. Seaplanes has supported 

economic development in Angoon through their joint venture with our local native 

corporation, and by partnering with the City to obtain a Small Community Air 

Service Development grant. In order to capitalize on that investment, it is 

imperative that Angoon's current schedule frequency be maintained to Juneau 

which has superior medical facilities, as well as access to other consumer goods 

not found in the rest of SE Alaska. 

Alaska Seaplanes has consistently reinvested in their business, from their aircraft 

to their back-office. I support Alaska Seaplanes' proposal to add an IFR-capable 

Cessna C208 Caravan on floats to their existing fleet. A Caravan so equipped 

should reduce the incidence of weather canceiations when Juneau visibility 

conditions prevent VFR ±1ights from departing. 
Alaska Seaplanes also stands apart with an unparalleled safety record--17 years of 

incident and accident free flying. As a business person dependent on reliable air 

transportation between ~ngoon and Juneau, I hope you will accept Alaska 

Seaplane_.~~:J.pprror ~sa~~?a new 4-year term. 

j/ ~;::-¥;: y, ' _,. , I 1' //\ - / ./ ~ ,.../r 1 7 ·.......___.~"'~ f I i ~ - / ,_. v I !. /' i' .~' j 

"-,-ffayne Thompson 

President 

Angoon Trading Co. 

907-209-4226 

-------······-···-···--·------------
October 16, 2014 

~v1r. Gmnas 

Department of Transportation 

This letter is to inf()rm you of my opinion Alaska Seaplanes 

is to our communi . lived since January 

at which tin1c Alaska Coastal daily service 

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lican. 

t 

remained with until around 1980. From there "t \\Us 

Lo avwt10n present A Scap 

A! Seaplanes taken ·ly'' service to do 

the they can do j that. 

Anvtime ere an emergencv Al SeaJJlanes will '-- " l' 

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lanes 

our community 
October 21, 2014 

Mr. Todd Homan 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Mr. Homan, 

Please accept this letter endorsing Alaska Seaplanes' proposal to continue 

providing Essential Air Service between Juneau and Tenakee Springs for another four 

year term. 

Their scheduled frequency-to Juneau (not Sitka)-is crucial to maintaining 

Tenakee Springs' economic health, and must be preserved in the next four-year EAS 

term, without reduction. 

Tenakee Springs is a remote Alaska community with no road access and limited 

ferry service. As a full time resident and business owner, I fully support Alaska 

Seaplanes' scheduled daily service to Juneau. Reliance on transportation for medical 

care, emergency services, groceries and supplies, and US Mail service is indispensable 

in sustaining our way of life. 

Alaska Seaplanes has responded by adding additional aircraft in recent years, 

developing .a mobile website for easier reservations, and upgrading the quality of their 

aircraft with new seats and interiors just this year. 

Seaplanes also goes the extra mile to accommodate fresh seafood when it 

arrives in Juneau. Last year they bought a larger capacity freezer to ensure that our 

fishermen's product is well cared for despite its long journey. Seaplanes has 

contributed consistently over the years to local philanthropic activities, they are a great 

community partner. Further, Seaplanes has taken a leadership role in supporting 

economic development by partnering with the City on obtaining a Small Community Air 

Service Development grant which will help us market our local tourism businesses in 

Juneau and beyond. 

I understand that Alaska Seaplanes' new EAS proposal includes the addition of 

an IFR~capable Cessna Caravan on amphibious floats. This is a very wise investment 

in Tenakee Springs' air service, as it will provide greater capacity when we need it and 

lessen the frequency of weather cancelations when visibitity conditions prevent VFR 

flights from operating into and out of Juneau airport. 
Finally, Alaska Seaplanes has an unparalleled safety record, with 17 years of 

incident and accident free flying-a record that speaks to the care and responsible 

approach they bring to every flight. 

Please accept Alaska Seaplanes' proposal for a new 4~year term serving 

Tenakee Springs. 

Sincerely, ~ 

,>)A~'{ ---- /0' .'/ 'i/ .i ~·"'· //.- (.., / ,/ "·-., y· (/,. ,...~ .. :....-"'\, -... -,~~'. 

Ken Wheeler 

PO Box 502 

Tenakee Springs, AK 99841 

(907) 736~2226 

Owner: West End Woodworks 
ANoooN OIL&: GAs ·co. 

P.O. Box 126 • Angoon, Alaska 99820 

October 22, 2014 

US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Attn: Mr. Todd Homan 

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE 

Dear Mr. Homan; 

Our community of Angoon is located on a remote island with no mainland 

road connections. OUr scheduled daily air service is provided by Alaska 

Seaplane in and out of Juneau which enables connection for travel north 

for healthcare; emergency and otherwise a::~ we utilize the Alaska Native 

Medical Clinic in Anchorage. 

It is my understanding that there is discussion by the Department of 

Tran5p0rtation about possibly discontinuing the Angoon-Juneau service. 

AS a ~ife lonq resident and owne~ of small business {native female 

owned.)" l: cannot :stres::~ enough '¥ detrimental this type of action 

would be on our7falready fraqil ~·nomic picture. It is imperative that 

the Juneau-Anq~ connection ;~in intact and with the same frequency. 

Alaska. Angoon residents 

basis for shopping, 

larqer functions such as 

.ebration (s) • 

. tor 17 years with no 

considerably in upgrading 

expanding their service hours, extending 

~~~~ati~n :sy~em, enlarged the freezer capacity etc. They have 

:~f Angoon and Kootznoowoo, Inc., our local native P:~omote tourism. 

~~~~n4 Seaplane for a new four-year term to provide i~>~··~~SE~nt:1clL Air Service program.