More then two years I planned the expedition. Job change, life happened you know how it goes. The year of 2014 looks like the year to go. I would like to tap the collective mind to share knowledge, tips and tricks about flying in the Aleutians. I am going to carry all survival equipment noted here and I will have some RV spare parts and tools in case I go broken somewhere in the islands. I will have some extra fuel onboard and O2. I can turn around any time if I don't like something.
I communicated with a NOAA aviator and several boat captains who also hold pilot licenses of different kinds. Some of them flew in/over Unalaska and Adak islands but commercially and under IRF. Everyone suggested that the best time to go VFR down the Aleutian chain is late July/early August.
I watched some military videos and intensively searched the web about ASEL flying in that corner of the world but didn't find much. Airports are few and far in between, lower octane fuel is available but not easily accessible and accommodations are a big unknown. If somebody has any information on flying GA planes in the Aleutians please share. If you know somebody who was there and knows where to stay,what to see, what to beware please ask him/her. I want to descend over certain harbors and basins and look over some volcanos. Other then that, just a regular island hop.
There is no other route then this.
Airport/Facility directory supplement for AK (thanks Andrew) has very minimal info and virtually nothing on accommodations. If there is a decent hotel at Dutch Harbor, there is nothing listed at Adak. A googled lodge doesn't respond to emails. I can camp but I prefer not to on this run
Well, here it is. The plan. Say something. If I don't go in 2014 I may never go...
I communicated with a NOAA aviator and several boat captains who also hold pilot licenses of different kinds. Some of them flew in/over Unalaska and Adak islands but commercially and under IRF. Everyone suggested that the best time to go VFR down the Aleutian chain is late July/early August.
I watched some military videos and intensively searched the web about ASEL flying in that corner of the world but didn't find much. Airports are few and far in between, lower octane fuel is available but not easily accessible and accommodations are a big unknown. If somebody has any information on flying GA planes in the Aleutians please share. If you know somebody who was there and knows where to stay,what to see, what to beware please ask him/her. I want to descend over certain harbors and basins and look over some volcanos. Other then that, just a regular island hop.
There is no other route then this.
Airport/Facility directory supplement for AK (thanks Andrew) has very minimal info and virtually nothing on accommodations. If there is a decent hotel at Dutch Harbor, there is nothing listed at Adak. A googled lodge doesn't respond to emails. I can camp but I prefer not to on this run
Well, here it is. The plan. Say something. If I don't go in 2014 I may never go...