I got off the plane at Anchorage Intl and Akschu picked me up. We hauled ass to visit BCP sponsor Airframes Alaska. Among several cool things spotted were the Performance STOL flaps. This guy Chris was making them. I think he was named Chris. CRS.
The next thing I know, my Bearhawk-building buddy Akschu and I were getting out of town. We loaded gear into his 170A and made our best attempt at going camping. The target was Eight Mile, but when we got there, it was covered in snow. We were on wheels.
Everyone needs some shaking hips on their glareshield.
This is just me testing the GoPro mount/filter but as you can see, the wx was degrading and so, for reasons in addition to poor wx, we decided a beer and BBQd burger at home was a better idea.
A little in-flight communication to see where the action is... we ended up at Willow airport, about 20 miles NW of Wasilla, home of famed Trimmer Aviation, Piper Pacer gurus.
PA-18 gear legs and Maule struts on a Pacer...beefy.
It's hard to be too glum when you're weathered out of camping, as long as you have fuel on board and remaining daylight. My smile was mainly because Akschu had just let me borrow his 170A to join in on an impromptu Valdez practice session at Willow. A line was drawn across the dirt runway at the main taxiway intersection, and about 4 airplanes took turns doing their best STOL work. A Beaver on wheels was even in on the action. I didn't crash Akschu's plane which is the main reason we're both beaming.
Back at Wasilla, the views were improving as the sun broke through to illuminate the mountains to the SE.
Some interesting metal lurks there.
The next day I drove down to Lake Hood and started sniffing around. Of course I'm curious about the local Pacer population.
This one caught my eye. Lumber rack?
The show had some cool stuff. The Burl's Aircraft Aerosedan prototype fuselage made it out. A brand new Aeronca Sedan! They aren't cheap but they are well constructed. Look at the diameter of some of these tubes!
Airframes Alaska is selling Sensenich wood-composite props. Might be a good alternative for the Borer?
Hmm...
Matt from Acme Aerofab showing Jeremy from TacAero some of his wares. That's a tailspring replacement in his hand.
The Gweduck, an experimental composite analogue of the Grumman Widgeon. Very cool!
The Raffle cub... very nice craftsmanship this year.
@cdgarg recognized the stupid look on my face, now we're best friends.
I always snap a shot of this airplane at Lake Hood, every year. There's just something about the Alaska red/white color scheme that speaks to me. Any guesses as to what it is?
Lots of interesting aircraft parked in the fingers. Helio, Moose...
...Artic Tern
I attended a hangar party on the lake and admired his craftsmanship on a Skywagon: Ballistic nylon on the interior foam.
Titanium gear.
And back to admiring aircraft on the drive back to the hotel...
Sunday morning, I was so tired, but I saw sun squeaking through the gap in the blackout shades. I rolled over and checked my weather app. Observations were showing wind only 7mph. It HAD been honking the last couple days. I texted my buddy Tradecraft who'd offered to take me flying the night before at the party. He's a longtime BCP guy but this would be the first time expanding our relationship outside of eating gargantuan savory breakfasts in Anchorage.
We loaded his O-200 powered Taylorcraft with our man meat and set out for the great return to the Knik. That's a long prop.
The air was getting a little more active. I had zero food or coffee in my body. Not for any actual pressing biological need, but my morning mind began to wander, and I thought about the prospect of what it would be like to wipe my ass with a smooth Knik river rock in 35 mph winds should the need arise. Luck was in our favor and that DID NOT happen. The rock part, that is. The 35 mph winds were very real and Tradecraft treated me to a display of great flying (video coming.)
We were the only ones stupid enough to be out on this fine windy morning. It was gorgeous, but the wind was relentless. My camera batteries died about 2 minutes after I took this photo. I was kicking myself for leaving the heavy long lens in the car.
So I switched to my phone... and caught this gem. Deadstick! Can you believe it?
Just a couple of wild and crazy guys (in puffy jackets.)
Ramp mummies get pooped on.
Here's the story of this Beaver in the pax terminal at PANC.
Until next year...
