Come Celebrate Taquan Air Grand Opening

Congratulations
On your new Facility!
Taqua n Air – Histori cal No t es
1977 – Company founded by Jerry Scudero, operating a Cessna 185 amphibian aircraft from a Annette Island airfield base. The company received
its air taxi certificate in August of that year.
Taquan Air’s first office manager and dispatcher was Candi Cowan, who joined the company in its first year of operation. Jerry and Candi were
married in 1979
1986 – Traffic steadily increased, to the point where the company purchased Ketchikan waterfront property at 1007 Water Street, which
became the operating base.
1996 – Further expansion took place this year when Taquan Air took over the facilities and routes of long time Sitka
based carrier Bell Air.
1997 – Juneau based Kootznoowoo Corporation purchased an interest in Taquan Air, and the company
acquired the assets of former competitor Ketchikan Air Service. Taquan Air grew to become the world’s
largest floatplane operator, with a fleet of 28 aircraft on floats.
1998 – Two Jetstream 32 aircraft were purchased for AirOne, a new Southeast Alaska regional
commuter airline operated by Taquan Air Service, Inc. Commuter service was discontinued in
1999.
2000 – When Kootznoowoo, Inc. exited the aviation industry in 2000 and Taquan Air was for
sale; Brien Salazar formed a corporation to acquired assets. His company, Venture Travel, LLC,
purchased the name “Taquan Air”, along with five Dehavilland Beaver floatplanes, and other
assets. The new Taquan Air continued to operate from the 1007 Water Street Location.
2007 – Brien Salazar purchased the former Southcoast Construction site at 4033-4117 Tongass
Avenue, which he has named Harbor Point Business Park.
S a f et y in
t h e Ai r
2008 – This waterfront property now houses recently completed facilities for Taquan Air
together with several tenants occupying other buildings on the 3.6 acre complex, a $6 million
development.
The joint FAA/industry Capstone Program
involves equipping commercial aircraft
with an advanced Global Positioning
System based avionics package. This
includes a multi-function color display
N e w Ta q u an Ai r C o m p l e x
with traffic/terrain advisories, a terrain
database,
radar
traffic
information,
weather in text and graphics, and flight
Taquan Air recently moved into a new state of the art 16,000 square foot facility
located in Ketchikan’s 3.6 acre Harbor Point Business Park at 4085 Tongass Avenue.
Vehicle access is via separate entrance and exit driveways from Tongass Avenue, with
motor coach loading, unloading and staging areas.
safety information. All eight Taquan Air
The spacious check-in lobby, passenger lounge, gift shop and restrooms provide a
new level of guest comfort. Other features in this complex include:
Taquan Air is a five star participant in the
Terminal building
• Passenger lounge with water view.
• Large outdoor patio overlooking floatplane docks
• Handicapped accessible passenger facilities
• Administrative and flight operations offices
• Space for expansion
Ramps and Floats
• Expanded passenger access ramps
• Non-skid surface floatplane floats
Maintenance Hanger
• Hanger space for six aircraft
• Fully equipped and staffed maintenance bays
• Expanded parts department
• Office space and employee break room
Beavers are Capstone equipped and
certified.
Taquan Air operates eight aircraft providing scheduled passenger, freight and mail service to 18
communities out of Ketchikan, charter services, contract flying for the U.S. Forest Service and Ketchikan
Public Utilities, and is a major supplier of flightseeing services to the cruise lines calling at Ketchikan.
Salazar grew up in his family’s aviation business, Ketchikan Air, which operated for more than three
decades. He served in many roles, from commercial airline pilot to chief operating officer. Prior to his current
role as president and CEO of Venture Travel, LLC, he was vice president of business development for Taquan Air
Service, Inc. From 1997 to 2000.
Salazar’s extensive aviation management background is coupled with an M.B.A. and bachelors degree in business
administration. He serves on the board of the Alaska Air Carriers Association. Salazar attributes his success to hard work, a
strong education, and most of all the support of his wife Angela.
In addition to his involvement with Taquan Air and Harbor Point Business Park, Brien Salazar is president and CEO of Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary,
LLC and Alaska Canopy Adventures. Alaska Rainforest operates a 30 acre wildlife and nature sanctuary at Herring Cove, which offers guided trail
hikes. The sanctuary also features a visit to an eagle center, interacting with an Alaska reindeer herd, a Native totem pole carver at work, inspection
of the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company sawmill, and refreshments at the General Store.
Alaska Canopy Adventures operates eco-adventure zipline tours at Herring Cove and on Douglas Island near Juneau. A second Ketchikan tour, the
Bear Creek Zipline adventure, will be offered this summer.
FAA endorsed medallion Foundation…
a
commitment
to
promoting
higher
standards of air safety through research,
education, auditing and advocacy. In
discussing air safety in Alaska recently,
Senator Ted Stevens commented that “if
they’re not in the Medallion Program,
don’t get on the aircraft”.
Taquan Air, first in safety, service
and schedules.
at 4085 Tongass Avenue
Call 225-8800 or
toll-free 800-770-8800
Sponsored by: Quality Concrete Products • Tyler Rental • Channel Electric
Harri’s Plumbing & Heating • Madison Lumber & Hardware • Ketchikan Mechanical, Inc.
Sponsored by: Bicknell Inc. • Advanced Communications • Alaska Marine Lines
Welsh Whiteley Architects, LLC • Carlanna Construction, Inc. • Pool Engineering