Ron Lee
Well Known Member
Piney Pinecreek (http://airnav.com/airport/48Y) is located on the border between MN and Canada and should be the northernmost airport in the lower 48 (USA). In researching specifics of getting there I was concerned that I would have to go through hoops to get into and out of Canada. It turns out that if your intention is to land in the USA then it is no different than any other US airport. No passport. No customs decal. No two-hour notifications.
So a three day spell of suitable weather between CO, MN and MI and I was off. One fuel stop at Pierre SD and a T&G at Grand Forks ND and soon I was approaching Piney Pinecreek. Initially I was going to make straight in for Rwy 33 but decided to make a normal pattern which put me in Canadian airspace eh!
Touching down in the USA with roll-out ending in Canada. Turn around and taxi back to the USA then to the self-serve fuel pump. It only dispenses 20 gallons but that was enough to get me to Brainerd MN for the night.
This is the trusty plane at the airport:
I stopped by the US Customs office then walked over to the Canadian side to say hi. A few minutes later back to the US Customs to ensure that I was legal to reenter the US and back to the plane for the trip to Brainerd.
This is the airport after departure:
It was interesting to see the vast number of lakes in MN:
Groundspeed going to Brainerd was around 205 knots so the trip was quick. I had called for a rental car while in Piney Pinecreek so that ready for me when I arrived.
So a three day spell of suitable weather between CO, MN and MI and I was off. One fuel stop at Pierre SD and a T&G at Grand Forks ND and soon I was approaching Piney Pinecreek. Initially I was going to make straight in for Rwy 33 but decided to make a normal pattern which put me in Canadian airspace eh!
Touching down in the USA with roll-out ending in Canada. Turn around and taxi back to the USA then to the self-serve fuel pump. It only dispenses 20 gallons but that was enough to get me to Brainerd MN for the night.
This is the trusty plane at the airport:
I stopped by the US Customs office then walked over to the Canadian side to say hi. A few minutes later back to the US Customs to ensure that I was legal to reenter the US and back to the plane for the trip to Brainerd.
This is the airport after departure:
It was interesting to see the vast number of lakes in MN:
Groundspeed going to Brainerd was around 205 knots so the trip was quick. I had called for a rental car while in Piney Pinecreek so that ready for me when I arrived.
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