USE OF AIRCRAFT 



Alaskans are the most airminded people 

 in the world. On a per capita basis, they own 

 more aircraft and fly more people and freight 

 than any other population group. Airlines must 

 fulfill definitely scheduled flights; people depend 

 upon these flights to run cn schedule so that they 

 can carry on necessary business. The State has 

 numerous charter aircraft companies, and an 

 astounding number of private aircraft operates 

 in the State. Some are used for pleasure, but 

 many are for business. These private planes 

 also must be able to fly when the need exists 

 so that their operators and owners can perform 

 their business. An article in a recent issue of the 

 Alaska Sportsman (1961, p. 27) stated, "There 

 are an estimated 900 private planes in Anchor- 

 age, 200 commercial aircraft, 300 private sea- 

 planes, and 50 commercial seaplanes. An esti- 

 mated 35 helicopters also register out of busy 

 Anchorage airports." When large fires occur, 

 the atmosphere becomes so smoked up that com- 

 mercial and private flying becomes nearly im- 

 possible. 



Aircraft are essential to many firefighting 

 activities — detection, patrol, chemical attack, 

 smokejumping, crew transportation, helicopter 

 use, and servicing of fire crews. Grounding these 

 planes on account of reduced visibility due to 

 smoke sharply pyramids the fire problem. In 

 1957, smoke covered the entire Interior with such 

 a thick layer that virtually no aircraft operated 

 for days at a time. The only exception was that 

 a few Bureau of Land Management planes were 

 permitted to fly as an emergency measure to 

 service firefighting crews. 



Location gives this State extremely strategic 

 importance in the defense of the rest of the 

 United States. Since aircraft are a major military 

 tool, planes dare not be grounded because of 

 smoke-filled air. 



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USFS 



Figure 13. — Defense communication outposts must be pro- 

 tected from forest fires. 



USFS 



Figure 14. — A small portion of the Anchorage float plane 

 basin. 



17 



