Comment from Warbelows Air Ventures

As private operators and owners of both Warbelow's Air Ventures and Wright Air Service, we strongly support the modernization and commercialization of aviation weather services. Safe operations depend on timely, accurate, and dependable weather information, and nowhere is that more important than in Alaska, where many communities and operating areas lack certified weather reporting. We wholeheartedly support the FAA's proposed rule because it would modernize aviation weather reporting by allowing the use of FAA-approved alternative weather sources, streamlining the approval process, and expanding access to flexible, lower-cost technologies that can enhance safety and operational reliability. In addition: The FAA should have the flexibility to approve reliable third-party and alternative weather sources when they can improve safety and fill gaps in existing reporting coverage. Traditional weather reporting systems are extremely expensive. Some AWOS installations can cost $1.5 to $2 million, while newer technologies such as Montis systems are available for approximately $25,000 per unit. Competition and innovation can deliver significantly more coverage at a fraction of the cost. Many private operators and local governments around the state have begun to deploy these systems with great success. Warbelows installed a system at Rampart and it has helped immensely with flight operations since the day it was brought online. The FAA should recognize that modern, lower-cost technologies can greatly expand weather reporting coverage and create a robust network of data while maintaining the highest standards of safety. More timely and accurate weather information will help operators make better decisions and improve aviation safety, particularly in rural areas, mountainous terrain, and coastal regions where weather conditions can change rapidly. Affordable and widely available weather reporting will reduce uncertainty and allow carriers to operate more efficiently and safely in areas where weather information is currently sparse or nonexistent. The FAA should ensure that the process for approving alternative weather sources is practical, timely, and workable for operators serving rural, remote, and weather-sensitive environments. For nearly eight decades, our companies have operated throughout Alaska, where weather information is often the single greatest limiting factor in providing safe and reliable air service. We believe advances in technology present an opportunity to dramatically expand weather reporting coverage and provide pilots with better information than has ever been available. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the communities and passengers who depend on aviation every day. — Matt Atkinson Warbelow's Air Ventures and Wright Air Service