What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Alaska Trip - First week in September

AV8ER

Well Known Member
We are planning a trip to Alaska and looking or any local knowledge flying the the Pacific Northwest through the Aleutian chain of islands. Safety, weather patterns, must see airports (no gravel or grass), that sort of thing. Some type of local event is also on our the list so if you have any of those please include.

Myself and another instrument rated pilot (who loves flying for flying's sake) will make the trek in my 60 gallon RV-10.

AL9nZEU68P-JfcXu6vIJRbTPR2uUhxjiT9LMIln_0Zg2bjEAjWSf3ExdAtVeXeP6ax1_IuAj8OfIUrUAlfYYZ7ukTa-7RJ2kykninKFozjMPV_Qz5p1zomTzHiZ7O7tm_nsVYwdh6OmfNEYrOUg9WVFNwIwuJA=w850-h636
 
Not going to deviate a bit north to fly past/around Denali? I did not fly my RV past it but did take a tour plane up to Denali and it was definitely a highlight. Just RV note is the pilot who took us in the charter twin had his RV-6 parked right by the FBO office.
 
Went to the fly AK link but didn't dig into the details.

Friend lives North of your route PADQ to PADC.

I recall he stated the weather seems to take a sudden change last week of August-First of September. Consider that contingency.
 
Personally I would fly up the trench. That stretch from Vancouver to AL is extremely rugged and absolutely no where to land safely but it is very scenic. Enjoy your flight which ever way you go.
 
Went to the fly AK link but didn't dig into the details.

Friend lives North of your route PADQ to PADC.

I recall he stated the weather seems to take a sudden change last week of August-First of September. Consider that contingency.

Thanks Marc.

Since this thread started I was warned of this elsewhere. I was told that June/July are the months that this trip is best to plan and the first week in September is a bit late in the season as the weather takes wide swings. Its looking more like a re-boot of the plan for June of next year.
 
…the plan for June of next year.

Four of us with RV-10s are planning an Alaska trip next June also. The website https://fly2ak.com/ is what we’re using as our primary guide. We also learned of the new Transport Canada website at an OSH forum: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/general-operating-flight-rules/flying-canada-what-you-need-know-tp-15048.

Any other resources to recommend? This will be the first time flying through Canada and in Alaska in GA for all of us. Some of us have 121 experience flying in Canada but that doesn’t really translate.
 
Last edited:
Personally I would fly up the trench. That stretch from Vancouver to AL is extremely rugged and absolutely no where to land safely but it is very scenic. Enjoy your flight which ever way you go.

And at least one hungry bear every square mile looking for a meal. If you havent flown in the north cascade mountains and in the lower trench area of BC this year might be a good warm up for next years trip to AK. A friend who has flown regularly to Alaska from WA recommends a group aircraft trip with someone leading who has flown the route and knows the go-no go limits for each leg of the trip. The cascades are estimated to have in excess of 20,000 bears including a few grizzlies just as a data point.

KT
 
Last edited:
Personally I would fly up the trench. That stretch from Vancouver to AL is extremely rugged and absolutely no where to land safely but it is very scenic. Enjoy your flight which ever way you go.

+1. The trench gives you options if things don't go as planned.

Michel
 
Personally I would fly up the trench. That stretch from Vancouver to AL is extremely rugged and absolutely no where to land safely but it is very scenic. Enjoy your flight which ever way you go.

And at least one hungry bear every square mile looking for a meal. If you havent flown in the north cascade mountains and in the lower trench area of BC this year might be a good warm up for next years trip to AK. A friend who has flown regularly to Alaska from WA recommends a group aircraft trip with someone leading who has flown the route and knows the go-no go limits for each leg of the trip.

KT
 
That's what the PLB is for, so they can find your gnawed-on bones! :eek:

When we went many years ago, AK required (but didn't seem to enforce) you to carry a firearm in the plane. Canada forbid handguns, so I borrowed a shotgun with 00 buck shot. Never found out if that would actually discourage a bear, or just make him angry! But seriously, you'll be dead before a bear finds you, if you're unprepared: the mesquitos will suck you dry. I'd consider heavy long sleeve shirt and pants, tucked into your boots, and a hat with netting, to be part of your emergency equipment.
Also, in post 1, I didn't see any contingency days. We went in the best wx season - late June, early July - and still had 2 IFR takeoffs, one instrument approach. And another VFR departure under a 1500' overcast, described by the FSS briefer as "a nice vfr day". And spent one extra day in Canada due to thunderstorms all over very southern Canada and the Seattle area.
 
Scenic Route

My favorite route to the peninsula was to fly from Anchorage to King Salmon. I’d fly west from Merrill Field across the flats and into Lake Clark Pass. The pass runs between two mountain ranges and I’d always see moose and bears along the river in there. I’ve even seen a couple of wolverines in there.

Once through the pass I’d fly over Lake Clark and turn southwest over Lake Iliamna, Alaska’s largest lake, and on toward King Salmon. Most times there would be caribou in the open areas. From about the middle of July to September I would watch for the thousands of salmon making their way to their spawning grounds.

King Salmon has a nice airport and food and lodging are within walking distance. You can also catch a floatplane ride to Katmai National Park and see plenty of bears there. If the salmon are running you can watch the bears try to catch them as the fish jump the falls.
 
Heard any rumors of Canada lifting the vaccine requirement? I wanted to fly the trench to AK this year but was unable due to this requirement. I have heard too many stories of weather issues about the west coast route. Are those condition more moderate in June/July.
 
The conditions are typically best in June/July but the extremely rugged terrain doesn't improve any. There are NO OUTS if you experience any troubles.
 
Sorry, been pretty sick with COVID since OSH, including pneumonia, but thought I would chime in here.

Having flown to Alaska 4 times in the last 9 years, my experience is that it's really getting to be too late to head there this year. I know I talked to one of you regarding the timing, and want to thank you for listening.

Alaska can test the best of us. We were witness to 3 people pushing the weather on one of our trips and they paid with their lives. It can be quite sobering.

It is also the penultimate destination/journey for flying your own aircraft. You will see things that can only be seen from the air, and create a lifetime of memories. I assure you that most of the rest of your flying will be boring after having gone to Alaska.

It takes planing and patience. We usually start about 8-10 months in advance. Be prepared for the schedule to to not mean anything. The weather systems are numerous, with lots of localized conditions, due to high mountains, cold waters, and the usual solar heating, and the weather will change from forecasted good VFR when you depart to low IFR upon your arrival.

I've written a series of columns that are being published in Sport Aviation on how to plan, prep, and fly to/from Alaska. I think the first one may be published already, but watch for the remiander over the next few months. Hopefully, they will be of value to those of you planning to go in the near future, meaning next year at the earliest. :)

As for the Trench vs. the coast, there are pros and con's on each. The trick going up the coast is to go at low tide and with tailwinds. It's still about 3.5-4 hours to Ketchikan from Bellingham, WA. The Trench certainly keeps you over land, but it is very unforgiving in it's own way. Plus, inland there are the fires to contend with. They are huge. The first time I saw one I thought it was a nuclear explosion. Flying in the smoke is not an option, as visibilities can go to zero instantly.

Will all of it's risks and stress, flying Alaska is one of the very best aviation adventures. The Alaskans are super friendly, and I have yet to see a picture that does the scenery justice.

Just take the time to plan it properly, have patience, and did I tell you enough to not be on a schedule???

Vic
 
One thing about the trench and flying the Alaskan hwy there is some where to land. Not much beach up the west coast except a few spots and as you said when the tide is out. It all depends on your personal risk levels. The locals here take the trench and you are right the wx can change almost in a heart beat from full VFR to below IFR just around the corner.
 
Another Perspective

Weather along the coast can be quite nice in May. My daughter, a Juneauite, says the past two winter/spring transitions were weird, though. My most recent trip in mid-July saw the bluebird wx drop to low IFR fall/winter-like in 24 hours. Clear days since have been rare. Thinking IFR? Watch out for those MEAs, MDAs/DH. And if it's undercast, what's to see?

To the OP, planning a 7-day loop from Georgia out the Aleutians is beyond optimistic. How about a two+ week trip and enjoy Alaska?

For those listening who have less fuel and small bladders, the coast actually has more airports and closer spaced than inland, especially north of Prince George. Many days offer decent VFR, but you have to be comfortable with 15-2,500 ceilings yet visibilities are usually beyond 10 miles, or you will be waiting it out - a lot. Get a feel for it by watching the FAA webcams.

The Trench is really desolate. And if you must land in Canada (fuel, bladder, etc.) reentering the US is a PITA exiting from Yukon. Ketchikan is quite understanding of wx difficulties. Therefore, my choice is almost always the coast. I suggest overnighting in Smithers, BC. Fly the Skeena River to the coast, Ketchikan and onwards. Utterly spectacular! Topping off in Juneau/Haines/Skagway will let you easily overfly what remains of western Canada, then back into the US, no customs required. The AK Gulf and Prince William Sound up to Whittier or Seward is rather empty, fewer options, and more variable wx than inland.

You'll enjoy FSS service in AK (and Canada). They retained the old pre-Lockheed lower 48 model of answering the phone, don't read you the FARs, responding immediately to your request. They have windows.

John Siebold
Boise, ID
 
Last edited:
Yup, what Vic Said

Started doing those trips in 1977. The coastal route is way above my risk tolerance, though I did a tailwind run in a Cessna 210 once. Ketchikan to Seattle in record time. Still uncomfortable most of the way. Lack of oxygen probably kept the anxiety down somewhat.
Plan for next year. Stay inland.... have fun. Take friends with planes.
 
Alcan

We did the Alcan, very easy as long as you are patient with the weather. Late May, totally VFR. 4 days from Texas to Anchorage, 10 days for return, because of weather. I posted about the trip in 2019 and we did go alone. It’s a great trip, we were gone a total of 28 days.
 
Went to Canada Instead

After deciding from the research that Alaska was a bit late in the season this year decided to head to eastern Canada instead.

5 days, 42.0 hours logged, 442.88 gallons burned, 1 night in a hotel.

AL9nZEXNGYonUImQOgvw54TvZjthDpU5_INdvdkis0ZZJD8JoKrl3aJzM7jUGJPDATTh3EidAobARq2maqk5cz4ZArBDkMdVvlnUj7NvBTyCpAcbFgQrsJiejKw5wbpq_y3jqbwpXjUmUVihz6xB6i_KiK9dRA=w963-h890
 
You'll enjoy FSS service in AK (and Canada). They retained the old pre-Lockheed lower 48 model of answering the phone, don't read you the FARs, responding immediately to your request. They have windows.
John Siebold
Boise, ID

Wow, this is so true. Was up in BC, and truly enjoyed the Canadian Customs & FSS. Of course, that all changed on the return and US FSS & US customs beat-down. The US moto is “we will give you the shake-down, even though you did everything right.”
 
Back
Top