The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-09-02
REPUBLICANS |CAAFAv0R5 CLAIM LABOR AIR PROGRAM SUPPORT MONITOR JUNEAU
Tom Dyer Gives Excellent Report at Chamber
 Luncheon Today

Tom Dyer, chairman of the Avia . tion Committee for the improve ment of the Juneau Airport. ten dered an excellent report of his and Mayor Waino Hendrickson's recent trip to Anchorage where they conferred with General A. D. Atkinson of the U. s. Air Force in the Territory, and Walter Plett. Regional Director of the CAA operations.
 Reporting at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, Dyer said that both he and the Mayor were well pleased with accomplish ments, and were especially impress ed by the courtesy with which they were received.
 In the first place, Dyer said that Plett was in full accord with the lengthening of the present air strip, which is incapable of hand ling jet propelled or extremely heavy aircraft. Dyer pointed out that the length of the present strip is slightly more than 5000 feet and that it is desired to lengthen it by 1000 feet.
 To Survey Strip
 Altogether in favor of the move, Plett said he would send an en- cheering force of GAIA personnel to Juneau for the purpose of sur .so Ag the addition; ,Fs&s ste and to advise the committe concern ing recommended means of con- struction. Dyer said the engineer ing job is expected to be com- plete within the next three weeks and that construction will be un- dertaken as soon as possible.
 Second topic on the agenda of approved proposals, was that which provides for an improved light ing system for the Juneau air. port. Dyer said the CAA has the money on hand without additional appropriations, and is making a study for the lighting installation. This would include additional light ing between Juneau and Gustavus on strategical mountain points.
 Winter Maintenance
 Another sorepoint which has been up for consideration for some time is that regarding winter main- tenance of the Juneau air field. Dyer said this formerly came with out the jurisdiction of the CAA, as the Juneau strip was not ac- credited on the route of CAA air. ways. Credited points are those which can he maneuvered by in- strument flying. However, Dyer continued, maintenance of the field was approved by the last Congress in Bill N. 647. and CAA headquart- CTS is now provided with funds for that purpose.
 Relative to the flight schedules from the Juneau field, scheduled flights were formerly confined to the hours between sunrise and sum- set for landing and take-off. Dyer explained that due to rezoning of flight regions relative to the extent of favorable light fol- lowing sunset, the hours during which the field may be used have been inccreased.
 Dyer pointed to this as a defin- ite advantage inasmuch as good portion of flights will not be held up in Juneau overnight because of stringent field regulations.
 Still going strong with favor able response to the airport im- provement program, Dyer then an- nounced that Plett had extended the service of the CAA to include the landscaping of the Juneau terminal building. Plett said he would supply both materials and men when occasion for landscaping was on hand. Further saving the city of Juneau from expensive con- the CAA has extended the use of their power lines to the Airport.
 Air Force Valuations
 Dyer said that he and Hendrick- son spoke with General Atkinson and were told that the General would endorse the program for the 2,000 foot extension for the run- way, and that an effort would be made to send greater number of Air Force personnel to Juneau than has been done in the past.
 Atkinson said this would be done in an effort to acquaint the Air Force with Southeast Alaska and have this region become more