Transportation in extreme environments: by air, by ground, by rail, by boat-goods and people get to where they are going, despite extreme temperatures.

• Author: Hardan-Smith, Sara J.

Alaska is known for its extremes, especially when it comes to weather. On a normal day, the weather can go from mild to menacing in the blink of an eye.

Each winter day, a majority of Alaska men and women in the transportation industry fight the harsh temperatures and extreme challenges just doing their jobs.

IN THE AIR

Alaska's extreme weather takes its toll on the aircraft used to transport people and freight daffy.

Hageland Aviation is a carrier specializing in passenger, cargo and charter service. The company has a varied fleet of planes, ranging from Cessna 207 and 208 single-engine craft, to twin-engine 406s and Beechcraft 1900s that service villages from Dillingham to Barrow.

Bob Anderson, director of cargo services and sales for Hageland, stressed that the condition of the runways is of the utmost importance, for both departures and arrivals.

Before departing from Anchorage, villages are called to get current weather and runway information.

"You have to know this information before you even leave," Anderson said.

The villages Hageland serves have contract workers maintaining the runways, yet blowing or drifting snow can accumulate very quickly.

"Sometimes, (maintenance) is an allnight ordeal," he said.

Extreme temperatures-those 20 to 30 below zero-contribute to the decision to fly at all, because various air craft types have different operational requirements. Also, because of temperature inversions, that is the difference between the temperatures on the ground and in the air, flights may stay grounded until warmer weather.

Anderson said cold weather gear is important for both the planes and the people in them.

During the harsh winter weather, covers are used to keep moisture and snow off wings to keep them from icing up, and industrial-strength engine heaters are used to keep the engine and oil warm.

"It is easier on the engine and saves wear and tear," Anderson said.

Howard A. Hardee, director of operations for Everts Air Cargo, said Everts' fleet, which consists of seven Douglas DC-6s and two Curtis C-46s, are all powered by piston engines that are cooled by air.

"This offers the most demanding aspect of cold-weather operation-preheating the engines prior to start and retaining the heat after shutdown," he said.

Each craft is equipped with a set of engine inlet plugs and insulated engine covers, and there are ample combustion preheaters in case an external source of engine heat is needed.

Anderson said passengers' clothing is important.

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