Post by scottb on Jan 6, 2016 7:21:01 GMT -5
I’ve been busy continuing my new job as a rookie pilot for Alaska Wings. As a new hire, I’m low on the totem pole of assignments and aircraft. I have mostly been flying Cessna 207s, 206s, and 185s while I work out my probationary period. As I build my hours and experience with my new employer, I should be able to progress into twin engine piston, and then on to turboprops.
Except for a rough landing in a Super Cub, my flight reviews have all been positive. I’m flying today on New Year’s Eve. My assignment is to deliver five scientists and gear from Juneau to the Wood Lake Research Station on the eastern side of Glacier Bay National Park. I’ll be flying a Cessna 207 which is more than enough for the job.
The Wood Lake Research Station is manned year round, with periodic cycling of scientists. My five passengers, a mix of biologists and geologists, will be spending the next three months on station conducting research at Glacier Bay. There is a permanent dirt strip as part of the station to facilitate the transfer of supplies and personnel.
I get my passengers loaded up and their gear secured. I notice a couple of boxes containing various alcoholic beverages. Looks like the scientists will be ringing in the New Year tonight.
The weather, as usual, has pretty low ceilings. I’ll probably be flying at 1500 feet for most of the trip. Visibility is pretty good, hopefully the ceilings won’t drop and abort my trip.
With everyone ready to go, I get my clearance from Juneau tower, and we are off.
Departing Juneau. The clouds are broken here, but thicken up to the west where I’ll be going.
Passing the Point Retreat Lighthouse.
As I pass the Sisters Island VOR station, I run into a mix of rain and ice. Visibility starts decreasing and my cloud ceiling is dropping. I lose some altitude, but I don’t have much room to play. I’m getting nervous about the likelihood of finishing my flight. I can always abort back to Juneau or Gustavus, which I’m very close to.
I plan to alter course a bit to pass over Gustavus airport PAGS. If things look bad, I’ll put down there and wait. As I get closer to PAGS, I see some clear gaps ahead. I keep right of some ugly looking low cloud. It looks like it will be clear past Gustavus.
Passing Gustavus airport. Although the ceilings are low, I now have good visibility in front of me. I’ll continue on.
Back over land and entering Glacier Bay National Park. My destination is just ahead between the mountains.
I radio in to Wood Lake for weather conditions. I’m going to land with a slight tailwind. I have plenty of runway, and I feel it’s safer than making a tight canyon turnaround.
On final into for Wood Lake. It’s a pretty textbook landing.
As we touchdown the strip is a bit bumpy. The rugged 207 handles it well though.
I park next to a 185 by an old hangar. Some personnel come out to meet us and help get all the gear and the new arrivals off loaded.
I'll be flying back to Juneau with some scientists that are ending their stay.
Thanks for checking it out everyone! The Wood Lake Research Station is very nice scenery from Misty Moorings. So far FS Passengers has added a nice change of pace to my flying. Been enjoying using it so far.
-Scott
Except for a rough landing in a Super Cub, my flight reviews have all been positive. I’m flying today on New Year’s Eve. My assignment is to deliver five scientists and gear from Juneau to the Wood Lake Research Station on the eastern side of Glacier Bay National Park. I’ll be flying a Cessna 207 which is more than enough for the job.
The Wood Lake Research Station is manned year round, with periodic cycling of scientists. My five passengers, a mix of biologists and geologists, will be spending the next three months on station conducting research at Glacier Bay. There is a permanent dirt strip as part of the station to facilitate the transfer of supplies and personnel.
I get my passengers loaded up and their gear secured. I notice a couple of boxes containing various alcoholic beverages. Looks like the scientists will be ringing in the New Year tonight.
The weather, as usual, has pretty low ceilings. I’ll probably be flying at 1500 feet for most of the trip. Visibility is pretty good, hopefully the ceilings won’t drop and abort my trip.
With everyone ready to go, I get my clearance from Juneau tower, and we are off.
Departing Juneau. The clouds are broken here, but thicken up to the west where I’ll be going.
Passing the Point Retreat Lighthouse.
As I pass the Sisters Island VOR station, I run into a mix of rain and ice. Visibility starts decreasing and my cloud ceiling is dropping. I lose some altitude, but I don’t have much room to play. I’m getting nervous about the likelihood of finishing my flight. I can always abort back to Juneau or Gustavus, which I’m very close to.
I plan to alter course a bit to pass over Gustavus airport PAGS. If things look bad, I’ll put down there and wait. As I get closer to PAGS, I see some clear gaps ahead. I keep right of some ugly looking low cloud. It looks like it will be clear past Gustavus.
Passing Gustavus airport. Although the ceilings are low, I now have good visibility in front of me. I’ll continue on.
Back over land and entering Glacier Bay National Park. My destination is just ahead between the mountains.
I radio in to Wood Lake for weather conditions. I’m going to land with a slight tailwind. I have plenty of runway, and I feel it’s safer than making a tight canyon turnaround.
On final into for Wood Lake. It’s a pretty textbook landing.
As we touchdown the strip is a bit bumpy. The rugged 207 handles it well though.
I park next to a 185 by an old hangar. Some personnel come out to meet us and help get all the gear and the new arrivals off loaded.
I'll be flying back to Juneau with some scientists that are ending their stay.
Thanks for checking it out everyone! The Wood Lake Research Station is very nice scenery from Misty Moorings. So far FS Passengers has added a nice change of pace to my flying. Been enjoying using it so far.
-Scott
