BCMFLNR

[Deleted]

I thought I'd be in on the work down at the mines south of Dease, but Jamie and I were handed our new assignment sheet for the next week. We were to proceed up to our satellite base in Atlin to start a patrol of the far northwest end of the district. So much for my time in the Twin Otter. Anyway, we loaded up the 185 with a week's worth of gear and off we went into good VFR conditions. This trip would give me a chance to practice my NDB work. Even though it's going out of style rapidly, I still liked to keep current on the old ways. So it was we turned northwest off of 20 at Dease to intercept the NDB airway that ran direct to Atlin. Holding 323* I waited until the ADF needle was 30 degrees off S, then turned to the airway heading of 283. Adjusting slightly for wind as I climbed to 8500 in the mostly clear skies, the needle stayed pretty much where it was supposed to. The trip in all would be about 1.3 hrs, and it wasn't until we got the other side of Kawda Mtn that the clouds from the system moving into Atlin started to appear. For the most part we were on top of a widely scattered deck though, so they weren't a problem. About 25 nm outside of Atlin, I could see they were thickening up, although nowhere near the predicted overcast at 13,000 they were talking about, but I started a slow descent anyway. It was pretty chilly and I wanted to keep as much power on the engine as possible. Descending at 17" and about 500 fpm seemed to work pretty good. Finally, we crossed the field at about FL+1500, joining the downwind right at 3300 ft, FL+1000. It was snowing by this time, but not hard and there was virtually no wind, so I elected for 02. Once on the ground, we taxied up to the far end hangar where Ministry aircraft are housed and shut down.


Loading up at Dease Lake


Climbing to join NDB Airway B Rte 20. We are just at the point of turning onto the airway


Beautiful country up here. Very white!


The Tachilta Lakes from 8500 ft


More scenery enroute


Descending into Atlin, it started to snow. Atlin is ahead and a bit to the left.


On final for Atlin


Unloading. We'd be starting our patrols tomorrow morning.

Thanks for looking

[scottb]

Nice Glenn. Got to break out my skis for my 185

-Scott

[pivo11]

That ski plane sure is working hard!  Another nice one.  Enjoy 'em a bunch. 

[Deleted]

Thanks gents . Yup, it's getting a workout alright. Finally!