The Lake Hood Seaplane Base is in the process of updating it’s Master Plan, the document which will guide development of the airport for the next ten to twenty years. The process involves planning staff and stakeholders reviewing issues, current use and future projections for the airport, and developing alternatives for projects to maintain and/or expand the facility. At this stage, alternatives have been developed, and a user survey is underway to rate the alternatives developed by the planning team. Options range from maintenance of existing facilities, to candidate projects that could significantly expand the capacity of the airport. For more information about the plan, which is about halfway through a two-year schedule, see the LHD Master Plan website.
Whether you are a local or transient user of Lake Hood, consider taking the online survey, designed to help set priorities for the proposed alternatives identified. The survey has links to color maps, showing the locations of different elements of the plan. It contains about 50 questions, so you might grab a cup of coffee and prepare to devote a little time to working through the the options. Click here to take the survey, which runs through December 7, 2015.
Lake Hood is is purported to be the world’s largest seaplane base, and is the home for some 800 aircraft. With the water lanes and gravel runway, it serves both seaplane and wheel traffic, often topping 400 operations a day in the summer. This general aviation airport (exclusive of neighboring Anchorage International Airport) is estimated to have an economic impact of $24 million to the Anchorage community. In addition to being home for private pilots, air taxi operators, maintenance and parts businesses, it has an aviation museum, several government aircraft bases and a Civil Air Patrol maintenance facility. It is also home to the Alaska Airmen’s Association.
If you care about this facility, take a few minutes and provide some feedback to help guide the future of this Alaskan crown jewel.
