Birchwood Airport Association

Ken McCarty began his interest in aviation at age 16. One of the elders at church, a multi-engine, CFII, aviation enthusiast, frequently took him flying around California to aviation fly-in luncheons. This inspired his desire to become a commercial pilot. Upon graduating high school, he planned to attend LeTourneau college for a B.A. in aviation; however, his interest turned to psychology, changing his college path. During college, he attended ground school training 3 times with friends and passed each time but never took the next step with the F.A.A. After finishing college, he married a woman who was terrified of planes, especially small ones, so he never continued his interest in flying; but, he did continue his interest in big wall rockclimbing, mountaineering, and white water rafting, which his wife watched from a distance.

By 2010, while living in Kodiak and no longer married, McCarty renewed his interest in flying, taking all lessons and flying from Merrill since Kodiak is a challenging place for dependable weather. By 2011, he received his single engine VFR pilots license and was signed off by the well experienced, renowned, and fearsome Heidi Ruess. In 2015, he bought a Cessna 182M, planning to fly to Kodiak often and wanting a plane that could carry weight (e.g. Fish) and get out fast. His flying in Alaska has been diverse from Kodiak to Fairbanks to Juneau and many places in between.

Keeping his plane at Birchwood and living only a mile from it, McCarty loves hearing the sound of freedom from his house: planes and gun fire from Birchwood airport and shooting range. He has come to greatly appreciate the local and state-wide aviation community. It has been an honor to serve as BAA's president between 2018-2020 and now since 2024. As Chugiak's State House Representative between 2021-2023, he was honored to be in the Pilot Caucus and to advocate for airports and aviation in the State.

Today, at 66 years old, McCarty considers himself an adolescent pilot with a big backyard to enjoy and wisdom of local aviation friends to share in the enjoyment. As an enthusiast of aviation, he wants to protect the airport, promote aviation for youth and maintain strong collaboration with the F.A.A., State D.O.T., and clarity regarding the 2025 Birchwood 20-year Master Plan. In January 2025, he will be picking up two aviation simulators for youth and adults to have access locally.

Happy Flying

Abe is originally from North Carolina and started flying during college after having some exposure to general aviation in his childhood with family members who had an airplane. He came to Alaska after college to work as a Mechanical Engineer for Airframes Alaska and Alaskan Bushwheel, where he spent five years (back when they were still located on Birchwood Airport). Currently he is the co-owner of Helio Alaska, Inc., a Birchwood-based aircraft company that holds the type certificate to the Helio Courier.  Abe has spent a considerable amount of time at the Birchwood airport in recent years, both while working and flying out of it recreationally. He believes there is something special about Birchwood (beyond just the convenient central location and calm winds), and he is committed to supporting and maintaining that unique community spirit that we all share here

Rob learned to fly as a young man and continued to fly during his career as a photojournalist in Alaska. Stapleton is interested in aviation safety, flight training, and attracting anyone interested to learn to fly.
Rob believes in volunteering to give back to the Alaska community and has served on many Alaskan aviation related non-profit boards. Committed to all forms of aviation he has served on the Ultralight Flyers of Alaska, EAA Chapter 42, The Alaska Airmen Association, The Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association and the Birchwood Airport Association boards.
While working on assignments and photography projects Stapleton has lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Nome and travelled extensively throughout Alaska

Catherine's love for aviation started when she was a kid growing up on a farm in Idaho. She and her siblings would watch the crop dusters flying low over the fields, and they often chased after them, amazed by how fast and low they could fly. Her dad, who was a big aviation fan, would take the family to the airport to watch the big jets take off and land.  After college, where she earned a degree in Geology, Catherine’s career took her all over the U.S. and even to the Pacific Islands. Eventually, she found herself in Alaska, where she got her pilot’s license while living in King Salmon. At the time, Catherine never thought flying her own plane would be something she could actually achieve, but after meeting her husband, Cecil, who shared her passion for aviation, she began learning to fly. Cecil taught her, and flying quickly became a big part of their life together.

Shortly before getting married, they started C-Air, an on-demand air taxi service in King Salmon, which they ran for over 20 years providing service throughout Bristol Bay. During that time, Catherine also kept up with her geology career, often commuting back and forth to King Salmon via the stunning “Lake Clark Highway.” No matter how many times she flew it, she could never get enough of the beauty of the route, especially with their two daughters in tow.

Catherine and her husband have had a hangar located at Birchwood Airport since 1996. As co-owner of C&C Aircraft Services, Catherine provides support overseeing operations. One of her loves of the aviation world is mentoring new pilots.  Catherine is committed to keeping Birchwood Airport a safe and vibrant place for aviation, all while preserving its rural charm. She is  passionate about balancing growth with the unique, laid-back atmosphere that makes Birchwood so special.