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Category: History

Discover Metlakatla: A Community Rich in History and Culture

Just 20 miles outside of Ketchikan lies a destination that blends history, culture, and welcoming spirit in a way few places can. When you arrive in Metlakatla, you quickly realize it’s not about checking off another location, It’s about experiencing a community shaped by history, pride, and connection.

Soaring Strong: The Inspiring 45-Year Legacy of Taquan Air

Since 1977, Taquan Air has played a vital role in connecting Southeast Alaska’s remote communities to the rest of the region—and the world. Founded in Metlakatla, Alaska by Jerry Scudero, the name “Taquan” means “village by the sea” in the Tsimshian language. The company has stayed true to its roots, growing from a single floatplane […]

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Flights do not operate on the following

Federal Holidays

New Year’s Day

Memorial Day

Columbus Day/Indigenous
People’s Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Independence Day

Veteran’s Day

President’s Day

Labor Day

SAFETY

Taquan Air’s Safety Management System Program

FIRST FAA-ACCEPTED PART 135 AIR TAXI SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SMS) PROGRAM IN ALASKA

In January 2021, Taquan Air became the first Part 135 Air Taxi Operator in the State of Alaska to receive the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) acceptance of a Safety Management System (SMS) developed in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in the FAA’s SMS Voluntary Program.

AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE PROGRAM TO MANAGE SAFETY IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Taquan Air’s SMS is a formal, top down, organization-wide approach to managing safety and ensuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls and was implemented in line with the international standards which led to the FAA’s program.
 
SMS elements include organizational policies which define the accountabilities and responsibilities of our leaders and employees regarding safety; a formal process for identifying, analyzing, assessing and controlling safety risks; assuring the effectiveness of safety controls through collecting, analyzing and assessing information; and, the training and communications necessary to promote the program overall.
 

 ACTIVE SMS APPLICATIONS THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS

Through policy, process, training and promotion, the SMS guides and supports key decisions related to preflight, inflight and post-flight actions; aircraft maintenance, equipment and operations; the use of navigation systems with synthetic vision, tracking and moving map capabilities; enhanced communications capabilities and, related initiatives promoting the safety of our guests, our employees and our environment overall.
 

OUR FACILITIES

Ketchikan Waterfront Base

Taquan Air Terminal

Taquan customers enjoy our state-of-the-art, custom-built facility, with a comfortable lobby, water view and floatplane dock with its waterfront patio.

The 16,000 square foot facility is located in Ketchikan’s 6.0 acre Harbor Point Business Park located at 4085 Tongass Avenue. Vehicles access the business park via a separate entrance and exit driveways from Tongass Avenue, with motorcoach loading, unloading and staging areas as well as ample short and long-term parking for customers.

The spacious check-in area, passenger lounge, gift shop and restrooms are specifically designed to handle groups large and small. Other features in this spacious complex include:

Administrative and flight operations offices

  • A large conference room and training facility
  • Space for expansion
  • Ramps and Floats

Extended passenger access ramps

  • Non-skid surfaced floatplane dock
  • Over 600 feet of floatplane dock space
  • Maintenance Hangar

Hangar space for up to six aircraft

  • Fully equipped and staffed maintenance bays
  • Expanded parts department and inventory
  • Office spaces and an employee break room
  • Freight Department

Extensive storage for freight and U.S. Mail

  • Large walk-in cooler and freezer
  • Industrial size floor scale

Aircraft Specs

Taquan Air Otter

Modal
DHC-3 Turbine Otter

Engine
1 x PT6A Turboprop engine, 750 HP

Weights

Take-off weight

3796 kg

8367 lbs
Empty weight
2268 kg
5000 lbs

Dimensions
Wingspan
17.8 m
58 ft

Length

14.99 m

45 ft 10 in

Height
5.05 m
16 ft 6 in
Wing area
114.3 m2
375 sq ft

Performance
Max. speed
214 km/h
133 mph

Cruise speed
209 km/h
130 mph
Ceiling
5333 m
16000 ft
Range
740 km
460 miles

Aircraft Specs

Taquan Air DeHavilland Beaver

Modal
DHC-2 Beaver

Engine
1 x Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp
Junior radial piston engine, 450 HP

Weights

Take-off weight

2540 kg

5600 lbs
Empty weight
1678 kg
3700 lbs

Dimensions
Wingspan
14.63 m
48 ft 0 in

Length

9.98m

32 ft 9 in

Heigh
3.18 m
10 ft 5 in
Wing area
76.2 m2
250 sq ft

Performance
Max. speed
290 km/h
180 mph

Cruise speed
185 km/h
115 mph
Ceiling
3795 m
15750 ft
Range
804 km
500 miles