November 2016
| |
BIG NEWS!
ALASKA ANNOUNCES USE OF RNP APPROACH AT SUN Approach procedure expected to improve reliability and reduce diversions by 95%!
Alaska Airlines' sister carrier, Horizon Air, has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin using its proprietary Required Navigation Performance (RNP) instrument approach procedure at Friedman Memorial Airport near Sun Valley. The procedure is expected to reduce weather-related diversions by 95 percent allowing Horizon to have the best access to Sun Valley of any airline. It is projected to reduce diversions for Horizon from an average of 40 to 50 per year down to one to two estimated diversions per year.
RNP technology allows aircraft to follow precise three-dimensional curved flight paths through difficult terrain using a combination of onboard navigation technology and the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network. It allows aircraft to fly safer flight paths, provides more reliable landings, and eliminates reliance on ground-based navigation aids. This enables pilots to navigate aircraft more precisely and efficiently, while also being able to fly to lower altitudes in to airports where limited visibility upon approach is common due to weather and characteristics of the terrain.
"Friedman Memorial Airport is located deep in a valley with surrounding mountain peaks. As a result, instrument approaches used by pilots are often hampered by low cloud ceiling and extensive visibility requirements, resulting in a higher than average percentage of flight cancellations or diversions," said Cody Hargreaves, RNP engineer at Alaska Airlines who was integral in the approval and implementation of this approach. "The RNP approach Horizon uses will increase safety in this challenging environment and will drastically reduce the number of diversions."
|
NEW! ALASKA FARE SALE JUST ANNOUNCED!
Fly from:
PDX to SUN - as low as $91 each way! SUN to SEA - as low as $121 each way! SUN to LAX - as low as $135 each way!
Hurry! Book HERE by November 21. Restrictions apply.
|
 NEW! ALASKA SEATTLE FLIGHTS START NOV 23
In our continuing work to improve air service to SUN, we have expanded our winter Seattle service on Alaska Airlines to start Nov 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and then run 3x week (Thurs/Fri/Sun) through Dec 15, with 2x daily service starting on Dec 16. www.alaskaair.com
|
AIR SERVICE KEY PART OF OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH
The recent Idaho Mountain Express 2016 Blaine County Economic Almanac includes information and statistics on the significant increase in air service to/from the valley since 2013 as one of the key drivers of Blaine County's economic growth. Our strategic air service developments are working. Read the full story here.
|
FAA BANS SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 7 ON ALL FLIGHTS
 The FAA has announced that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones are classified as hazardous material and are banned from all commercial aircraft in the United States. This includes on your person, carry-on luggage, checked baggage, or even shipped as air cargo. The ban went into effect on 10/15/16.
|
MTN RIDES STARTS AIRPORT SERVICE THIS WINTER
This new "Ride & FLY" route will connect Friedman Airport (SUN) with downtown Hailey, downtown Ketchum and Sun Valley Resort Village and will run during the peak seasons in correspondence with flight times; however, late night and early morning flights cannot be accommodated during the first year. It will stop at only a couple of stops per town and would be primarily for airport travelers, but it would also help Valley Route capacity and connectivity. It would connect to almost all flights except the earliest departure (7:00am) and the latest arrival (10:55pm).
The schedule is designed to arrive 90 minutes prior to scheduled flight departures and depart 30 minutes after scheduled flight arrival times. The one-way cash fare will be $12.00 to/from Ketchum-Sun Valley; $4 to/from Hailey. Details at www.mountainrides.org
|
NEW CONCESSIONS AT AIRPORT OPEN NOV 21
SUN travelers will have new fresh food and beverage options with the opening of the new concessions run by Hailey's popular deli restaurant, Jersey Girl. The concessions will be located in the airport's departure lounge and will be open to service passengers on departing flights. A new Vyykn water station will also be available in this area.
|
SUN AIRPORT ART EXHIBIT - ARTIST RECEPTION
The SUN Airport Arts Committee (SAAC) recently unveiled its fourth exhibition of artwork at the public terminal. The current show features 36 works by 27 artists working in a range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, mixed media and fiber arts. The pieces were selected by the SUN Airport Arts Committee, an independent jury consisting of representatives of the airport and the Hailey, Ketchum and Bellevue Arts Commissions.
An artist reception will be held Thursday, November 17th, 5:30 pm at the airport; the public is welcome to attend.
|
|
|
|
|
|