Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2014 9:33:36 GMT -5
We now have a cargo charter set up with the Metroliner that runs from Prince Rupert to Stewart, Dease Lake and on to Whitehorse. It's a twice a week thing that runs Saturday afternoon/Sunday Morning, and Wednesdays. Fortunately, we've been approved for company RNAV arrivals/departures from both Bella Coola and Stewart (ed - which are freaking cool to fly!!!!) that gets us in and out when the weather isn't so great. We still have about a thousand foot ceiling minimum but believe me, you're far, far below the hilltops when you break out or enter the clouds at that level! Our flight this morning was a bit earlier than it should have been as the sun is pretty late getting over the hills this time of year so we'll have to adjust that. Nevertheless, the Metro's lights are pretty good and we were able to see clearly as we departed RWY 36 in good weather. We followed the RNAV course up the valley for about 12 nm before turning on course for Dease Lake (my leg was Stewart to Dease). Believe me, it's intimidating watching those "hills" on either side of the wingtips as we roared up that valley, making several turns along the way. The Metroliner doesn't have sophisticated avionics so I was hand flying this according to the GPS (again not sophisticated and has no map) and I wanna tell you - my eyes were glued to that display! You really don't want to be late making one of those turns or the outcome could be... well, "bad" 
). Anyway, we got out ok and headed for FL200 for the run to Dease. Dease was right on minimums at 4600 ft overcast so I did a procedure turn NDB approach with a fairly sharp turn on to final as we came over the hill and saw the runway ahead and to the right. Taxiing to the east end of the airport, we stopped at the cargo area where a truck was waiting to pick up our load bound for the mines down the valley a way. Air Caribou has the contract to supply them and a Twin Otter would be in later to pick the load up.
A great flight in all!
On the ramp at Stewart
Starting our takeoff run
Climbing up the valley, although here we're pretty much on top
Nice sunrise, if a little "dark" 
Stikine Country
Turning final
Ready to unload. I was able to use the reverse thrust to back into position. Ahead of me were some guys that were part of "janitor-flow" and one guy who guided us into this parking spot, who I think is part of "whiskey-flow" .
Thanks for looking!