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Installation and Operation of Weather Camera Systems at Merrill Pass & Lake Clark RCO
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve » Installation and Operation of Weather Camera Systems at Merrill Pass & Lake Clark RCO » Document List
The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install two automated Weather Camera (WCAM) systems at Merrill Pass, and the continued operation of the remote Communications Outlet (RCO) and WCAM at Lake Clark Pass in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL). The NPS would issue a right-of-way to the FAA for the installation and operation of the WCAM systems.
The purpose of the action would be to decrease the risk of aviation accidents and increase safety for smaller aircraft flying through the passes. FAA is addressing the need to reduce risks and improve flying safety by proposing to provide a means to determine weather conditions in the passes without having to fly into the passes.
The FAA selected the Merrill Pass sites and Lake Clark site for the WCAM and RCO systems because of the unique geography and the established flight paths through both passes for civilian and military aircraft. The Merrill Pass Low Site would provide a view of weather conditions within the pass while the High Site would provide a long-range view of climatic conditions.
The installation of the two WCAM systems at Merrill Pass and continued operation of the Lake Clark Pass RCOWCAM would enhance aircraft safety in the park, and for aircraft transporting hunters, fisherman, and sightseers from South-central Alaska to the Stony and Kuskokwim river watersheds. The proposed action would increase aircraft safety in the passes by allowing private, military, and commercial pilots, access to current weather conditions prior to departure. The WCAM images at Merrill and Lake Clark passes would be updated every ten minutes, or often as possible. This would provide an additional tool for pilots to use in planning and conducting flight operations, and for use by Flight Service Station (FSS) personnel in briefing pilots. The "real time" images of weather conditions in the passes would be provided to the Automated Flight Service Stations, Flight Service Stations, Anchorage Air Traffic Control Center, National Weather Service Center Weather Service Unit, and military Base Operations.
Environmental Protection Specialist
National Park Service
240 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907 644-3535
The purpose of the action would be to decrease the risk of aviation accidents and increase safety for smaller aircraft flying through the passes. FAA is addressing the need to reduce risks and improve flying safety by proposing to provide a means to determine weather conditions in the passes without having to fly into the passes.
The FAA selected the Merrill Pass sites and Lake Clark site for the WCAM and RCO systems because of the unique geography and the established flight paths through both passes for civilian and military aircraft. The Merrill Pass Low Site would provide a view of weather conditions within the pass while the High Site would provide a long-range view of climatic conditions.
The installation of the two WCAM systems at Merrill Pass and continued operation of the Lake Clark Pass RCOWCAM would enhance aircraft safety in the park, and for aircraft transporting hunters, fisherman, and sightseers from South-central Alaska to the Stony and Kuskokwim river watersheds. The proposed action would increase aircraft safety in the passes by allowing private, military, and commercial pilots, access to current weather conditions prior to departure. The WCAM images at Merrill and Lake Clark passes would be updated every ten minutes, or often as possible. This would provide an additional tool for pilots to use in planning and conducting flight operations, and for use by Flight Service Station (FSS) personnel in briefing pilots. The "real time" images of weather conditions in the passes would be provided to the Automated Flight Service Stations, Flight Service Stations, Anchorage Air Traffic Control Center, National Weather Service Center Weather Service Unit, and military Base Operations.
Contact Information
Glen YankusEnvironmental Protection Specialist
National Park Service
240 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: 907 644-3535