Alaska News

Longtime charter operator Ward Air soars in Southeast Alaska

There are more than 250 operators in Alaska licensed under Parts 121 and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as air carriers, air taxis and charter providers. They are based in all areas of the state from Southeast to the North Slope, from the Interior to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Companies range in size from single pilot owner-operators to rosters that include dozens of captains and co-pilots. They fly everything from single-engine Cessna 185s to De Havilland Dash 8 twin turbo-props carrying up to 37 passengers. The range and depth of Alaska's aviation industry is as vast as the state it serves. In this occasional series, Bush Pilot will highlight the diversity of that industry and introduce readers to the many different ways that aviation is an integral part of Alaskan life and business.

Juneau-based Ward Air Inc. was founded in 1974 by Ken Ward. The company was sold in 1993 to its current owners who include Ward Air pilots Ed and Randy Kiesel, who have a combined total of 30,000 hours in the Southeast. The company operates as an on-demand charter, flying wheeled and float-equipped aircraft that include De Havilland Beavers, Turbine Otters and Cessna 206s.

Many of Ward Air's business relationships are long term and reach back over years in the region. They include contracts with the the U.S. Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Transportation and area mining operations such as Greens Creek mine, which has been flying its employees and supplies exclusively with Ward Air for more than 30 years. Alaska Electric Light & Power also relies on the company to transport employees to the remote Snettisham complex located 28 miles southeast of Juneau where a hydro-electric plant that powers the city is located.

One of the company's more unique aspects: its certification to carry external loads on amphibious aircraft during cargo-only flights. They have hauled canoes, lumber, drill steel, piping and other items in this fashion, flying in a manner that conjures images of the most classic bush pilot tales.

In the warmer months they fly primarily with straight floats off the float pond at the Juneau airport. After freeze-up, some of the aircraft are converted to amphibious floats and one of the Beavers is placed on wheel skis. Operations change somewhat, as they do across the state, but the company continues to fly even as the air traffic quiets down after the summer-time tourist rush.

At its heart, Ward Air remains a locally driven and oriented operation. This image is expressed plainly by Director of Operations Chris Breiner who explains, "Ward Air has a diverse fleet of aircraft and many different missions and we try to do all we can as a locally owned and operated company."

They fly year round in both Alaska and Canada, carrying customers interested in fly fishing and bear viewing, sightseeing and glacial photography. Local customers are transported to cabins in remote locations while visitors travel to rental destinations for fishing and hunting. There is support for private yacht owners and delivery of basic supplies to mine owners.

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All in all, Ward Air is the quintessential Southeast charter company; providing the same service it always has to customers who have come to rely on it and feel comfortable with pilots and staff. According to the company's website, "When you travel with Ward Air we fly when you want, where you want, and in the airplane you want."

That's an admirable promise to customers new and old, from this longtime operator continuing to do what it does best in Alaska's capitol region.

Company: Ward Air Inc.

Established: 1974

Based: Juneau

Type of Operation: On-Demand Charter operating under FAR Part 135

Aircraft: 4 De Havilland Beavers, 2 Turbine Otters, 2 Cessna 206s, a Cessna-185, and a Cessna-310

Website: http://www.wardair.com

Contact Colleen Mondor at colleen(at)alaskadispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter @chasingray

Colleen Mondor

Colleen Mondor is the author of "The Map of My Dead Pilots: The Dangerous Game of Flying in Alaska." Find her at chasingray.com or on Twitter @chasingray.

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