Post by scottb on Aug 15, 2015 14:06:13 GMT -5
My latest adventure finds me based out of Gulkana, Alaska. My company operates a small fleet of Cessna aircraft in this area including 207s, 206s, and 185s. We provide the nearby area with air taxi service, cargo and mail delivery, and support for tourism and recreational activity.
My job this morning is to deliver an aircraft mechanic and parts to a small dirt strip on the west bank of the Tana River, about twenty miles north of the Tana Glacier. There is a small hunting lodge at the strip. The owners that live there have a Cessna 182 that they use for runs back to Gulkana for supplies. On a recent planned trip to Gulkana, they were unable to start their plane. They called in to see if we could fly in a mechanic to take a look.
I’ll be flying one of our turbo 206s on this flight. It’s powerful, rugged, and dependable. I enjoy flying it, and it will be more than sufficient to get our mechanic, parts, and supplies to the lodge.
The weather is scattered clouds with some possible light rain on the way. I’ll be running IFR (I Follow Rivers) on this flight. Down the Copper River to the Chitina, and then down the Tana River to the lodge.
Early morning departure from PAGK Gulkana.
As I fly across the tundra, keeping near the Copper River, the clouds start closing in. I get lower under the clouds, as we face some light rain.
Clearing out some flying down the Chitina River. Still some drizzle.
Lots of mud flats visible on the Tana River.
Over the base of the mountain on my right should be my destination.
Flying by the lodge and strip for a quick survey. The winds favor approaching from the north, so I’ll swing back around and land.
I pretty much have a solid wall of green to my right as I line up to land. There really IS an airstrip down, there, honest!
Down safe and secure after a few bumps and hops down the rough strip. I drop off the mechanic and his gear. I have some other work to do. The mechanic will radio back when he is done for a pick-up. Myself or one of our other pilots will be back to get him. Hopefully he can get the problem sorted out quickly.
Thanks for looking everyone, the Tana River airstrip is part of scenery found at Return to Misty Moorings.
-Scott
My job this morning is to deliver an aircraft mechanic and parts to a small dirt strip on the west bank of the Tana River, about twenty miles north of the Tana Glacier. There is a small hunting lodge at the strip. The owners that live there have a Cessna 182 that they use for runs back to Gulkana for supplies. On a recent planned trip to Gulkana, they were unable to start their plane. They called in to see if we could fly in a mechanic to take a look.
I’ll be flying one of our turbo 206s on this flight. It’s powerful, rugged, and dependable. I enjoy flying it, and it will be more than sufficient to get our mechanic, parts, and supplies to the lodge.
The weather is scattered clouds with some possible light rain on the way. I’ll be running IFR (I Follow Rivers) on this flight. Down the Copper River to the Chitina, and then down the Tana River to the lodge.
Early morning departure from PAGK Gulkana.
As I fly across the tundra, keeping near the Copper River, the clouds start closing in. I get lower under the clouds, as we face some light rain.
Clearing out some flying down the Chitina River. Still some drizzle.
Lots of mud flats visible on the Tana River.
Over the base of the mountain on my right should be my destination.
Flying by the lodge and strip for a quick survey. The winds favor approaching from the north, so I’ll swing back around and land.
I pretty much have a solid wall of green to my right as I line up to land. There really IS an airstrip down, there, honest!
Down safe and secure after a few bumps and hops down the rough strip. I drop off the mechanic and his gear. I have some other work to do. The mechanic will radio back when he is done for a pick-up. Myself or one of our other pilots will be back to get him. Hopefully he can get the problem sorted out quickly.
Thanks for looking everyone, the Tana River airstrip is part of scenery found at Return to Misty Moorings.
-Scott
? Just don't stand too close to him when you do, if you get my drift 
