I should start out by apologizing for not writing this sooner... We all know words come easier when the memories and details are fresh. Also don’t expect Ted Waltman level of writing here.

My name is Rob I am 31 and my aviation timeline goes like this. My wife and I bought a beautiful PA22/20 last August. I received my private pilot license this February. My tail wheel endorsement came in April. As did my A&P mechanic certification. I left for Alaska in May.

My wife and I were living in Colorado and dreaming of moving back to Alaska (her birth state, my spirit state). I often flew with Ted in his SQ-2 which lead to him being one of the inspirational frontrunners for adding aviation into my long love for hunting, fishing, and hiking the backcountry. I had many mechanical hurdles with the pacer while I worked towards my tail wheel endorsement but it all worked out.. and only about two weeks before I was to be at my first A&P Job, in alaska to boot! Work was north of the Arctic Circle, at the southern edge of the Brooks Range in Bettles, Alaska. After many long talks with my mentor Ted, as well as my father (former AK bush pilot), my mother (retired FAA) and of course my wife, I made the decision to fly the pacer to Alaska, solo. I needed the room for more gear being Bettles is off the road system in the summer, and any good A&P doesn’t come to work without their own tools which isn’t without weight. I also felt I needed to be the person to make the go/no go decision. Not a joint decision with a copilot. So here I was, a fresh A&P, fresh pilot, and 6.7hrs solo time in my own airplane. 100hrs or so total time. I weighed all my gear, arranged things, and calculated. I made calls and plotted lines on charts.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/03gXCPc ... ton_&_Ault
One day early in may I took to the sky headed north. I told myself I would fly only when the weather was darn near perfect. It happened to be that most of all the days were just that. Talk about luck. My route took me by way of the highway, for safety and fuel stops, I planned to stop every 2 hours or so. One fuel stop brought me to a fellow with a Archer II. He offered to fly me to his farm strip for coffee and to see his glassaire project. Canada hospitality is truly unmatched.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0KRxWsI ... nty_No._10
I met up with a facebook friend Jason near Edmonton, he greeted me with a beer and a place to sleep, then even took me on a flight of two flight see tour into Jasper!
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0EMbd1o ... asper_Lake
The next day was clear and I once again headed north. Somewhere around Fort Nelson I felt a change in the pacer, or was it in myself. I am not sure but there was a specific moment that I will never forget. I finally felt like I could FLY the pacer. Not just manage a smooth landing and operate it safely. It is tough to find the words, but we just clicked. Kinda like the time you meet a girl and its love at first... well, lets not go there shall we. I planned to land at Toadriver, but the winds were horrible, direct cross and lots of it. So i passed it up. But Mucho Lake was nice. This was my first real non typical airstrip landing. It went well and the scenery was magnificent as was the sand which from the deli down the road.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0XcgNrR ... ncial_Park
Next was an abandoned airstrip about 10km west of the famous Liard hot springs. I buzzed it twice and put down after the spot of overgrown willows on the west end. A quick hitchhike due to bison on the highway and I was soaking in sulfur smelling 100*+ water.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bTF_-o ... _Rockies_B
The fun really started in Watson Lake, where I camped under the stars at the gazebo and met some new friends.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0W2c_zl ... _Rockies_B
From here, I flew all the way to Tok with a C180, Maule, C170b and a backcountry cub. The fellow in the C170 is now a good friend of mine,John (aka Shiney), he also owns a pacer and lives just up the road from me in my new home of Homer Alaska. (More on that in a bit).

At Tok we all parted ways and I continued north even still. On the ground at fairbanks, I parked in possibly the coolest campground besides Watson Lake. Tied the pacer down and pitched the tent. I spent a few days shaking hands with my new boss, getting my AK drivers license, picking up my rifle/pistol from the FFL and loading even more food and some beer into the pacer.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0gGAZUf ... al_Airport
I remember taking off on the gravel from Fairbanks and being astonished at how much runway the pacer chewed up. Looking back, it was a warm day and I did just add groceries, beer and firearms to an already crowded airplane. My first jobs as an A&P in Bettles was to ready the airplanes that had been sitting all winter, and relocate two beavers, an otter and a C185 to the float pond via truck and trailer, dodging the fast growing willow trees that line the 3 mile stretch of road.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0PGa4SM ... on-Koyukuk
Soon my work slowed down as the airplanes became airworthy. This meant I got to fly the pacer. ALOT. Almost every day in fact. I can count on one hand the number of IFR days we had this season. I kept a fuel tab running in the office and my wife gave me permission to fly as much as I could while up there. I started by just flying the pattern, over and over again. Working on my spot landings, they got better and better with time. One day I came into work and saw three super cubs parked out on the grass. So I wandered over and met Jarod and Suzie in their red and white cub named Maggie. I flew with them as a flight of two a couple of times and one night, around midnight with the sun high in the sky, He guided me into my first gravel bar landing. The bar was long, flat, and wide with great approaches. I was lucky enough to have.a good friend and photographer along in the super cub to capture it all.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0J8CPDl ... gy_qijZrZg
My first “Oh boy” moment came a few weeks later when I spotted a gravel bar I wanted to land on. First mistake was misreading the wind. Second was floating due to misreading of said wind. Third issue was caught by GoPro. Just as my tail was dropping, my left tire rolled over a rock roughly 4in taller than the rest. This caused my pacer to veer towards the river. I hit my right brake/rudder and it wasn’t coming around quick enough. I quickly added throttle and just as the tail came up, I hit the water. The beach was smooth and thankfully the pacer turned back to dry land. Many lessons learned there. I also made regular trips to Coldfoot for some cell phone coverage to upload videos and talk to my wife while enjoying a buffet dinner at the truck stop. I often would fuel up, and just fly the Koyukuk river low and slow right off the runway at Bettles. I saw moose, lynx, black bear, brown bear, swans, eagles, and boaters all from the river and sometimes rather close.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0TXGB_c ... QBupElnKmA
I spotted moose deadheads, and Dall sheep in the park on almost every flight I took. I flew with the Lefore boys in their Rev and SQ2s deep into caribou country. I was buzzed at the runway threshold by a DC-6. I replaced a dead battery in our float C185 along a river in the rain. I went swimming in the river on 90* days. I even put 7.5hrs on my pacer in a SAR effort for an overdue boating party. They were found downstream of Bettles and unharmed luckily. Likely the most jaw dropping flight took me over the Arrigetch Peaks.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0aIwQ3a ... YnkP1AB-Cw
I flew this multiple times and I look forward to going again. Another place I really enjoyed seemed a bit out of place. Just a couple hours west is the Kobuk Sand Dunes. What a unique landscape with unending mystic to it.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/03sokbw ... ional_Park
I did have some bucket list flights I have yet to complete. I still desire to dip my tail wheel in the Arctic Ocean, see a polar bear, muskox, and a wolf. As well as spot the sheefish running up the kobuk river, land on a gravel bar and catch them on rod and reel (maybe even fly rod). Brooks Range Aviation had an amazing year and I learned so much from my Boss Jay and all the pilots and locals. My Pacer was coined the Pinto Bean (another story for another time) and earned many of the standard “AK mods” such as VGs, 29’s, baby bush wheel and a patrol door. The season ends late as we mostly fly hunters and the determining factor to go home is when the ice forms on the lakes. I left Bettles on Oct 13th this year. I flew south to Nenana and while flying directly into the sun I developed a massive headache. No worries, I thought, I will stop short of Talkeetna and land at Healey. Well Healey was covered in fresh white powder. I should have dragged my tires a time or two first but I didn’t. That almost cost me a cold cold night as there is no taxi this time of year. If the snow would have been crusty, it could have easily cost me the airplane. It took multiple full throttle passes to plow a path and gain enough speed to get clear of the snow and into ground effect. A lot was learned here as well. The rest of the flight was severe clear and uneventful. I landed in Homer and had a short 24hrs before I loaded onto a Dash 8 and headed for Anchorage and then Denver. While I was making the money as they say, My wife is the true hero, she stayed in Denver this summer and worked full time while also purging and packing up all our belongings for our next adventure. We loaded up in two vehicles and drove back north (late October) to lay our heads in what is now our forever home, Homer, Alaska. I am currently looking for winter A&P work here, and you can bet your fuel sump cup I’ll be back in Bettles next summer. I have more adventures to partake in!

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0S0PUKL ... _Peninsula

I flew approximately 150hrs this summer. Roughly 500 gals of Avgas. And $4200. Nowhere but Alaska could I have learned all that I did for that kind of money. Nowhere but Alaska could have made these memories that will be with me for the rest of my life. I am grateful to have learned what I have and excited to continue learning.

HI Rob! That is one hell of a way to get started in aviation! Just about the opposite of what I did, taking six years to get my first 100 hours, never leaving the state of GA in the process!

I'm Shiney's friend in the 180....met you in Watson Lake right before Shiney landed...... we'll have to tell the story of his nickname one day. I have pictures.

Great summer report!

Happy Flying......

Great report and hats off to you for going for it in all regards! I love the pic of the Pacer in the sun.

Keep posting all your stories. If possible, please put your photos in a spot where they will be available for the long haul. Not a criticism at all. This is a great and inspirational story and I would hope as it gets stumbled upon years from now the photos will still be available.

Thanks for the TR.

Joe

Salute to you, sir.
We all have dreams, but few have the fortitude to act on those dreams.
As Goethe said:
“Be Bold, And Mighty Forces Will Come To Your Aid”
Keep up your adventures and please continue to regale us Lower 48’ers with the Alaska Dream.

Les

Great story and you can write too!!!!

Good on you for following your dream! Bettles is a great “jumping off point” for LOTS of fantastic country, no doubt.

Years ago, the guy who drove the fuel truck down to the lake to fuel float planes was always accompanied by a Jack Russell terrier. The dog’s self appointed duty was to entertain the pilot while his boss fueled the plane. Mission accomplished, they’d both climb back in the truck and head back to BTT.

The Beaver I flew in Kodiak for almost eight years was one of the BTT fleet last I saw of it.

Keep us posted on your adventures.

And congratulations on snagging a fantastic wife, by the way!

MTV

Great write up, thanks for sharing! You probably flew right over my old place on your way up, just NW of Grande Prairie. Then drove by again on your way up. You'll have to stop in next time!

Thank you for a professionally written, engaging trip report Rob. You indeed write very well!

The most compelling lesson, I believe, is you had a dream and you made it happen! Few have such vision and even fewer see such through to actualize their dreams. Awesome accomplishment my friend!

A visit to Homer is in my plans to see you both!

Congratulations Rob!

Indeed, congratulations on following your dreams. And congratulations on finding a spouse who is willing to help you follow those dreams.

Say hello to my old Beaver that I flew for ~ 7 years in Kodiak. Can’t recall what the new tail number is, but based on serial number, last I saw of it, it was working out of BTT.

MTV

Great report, and congratulations on making the dreams turn in to reality!

Looks like you have set yourself up for a life of grand adventures!

mtv wrote:Indeed, congratulations on following your dreams. And congratulations on finding a spouse who is willing to help you follow those dreams.

Say hello to my old Beaver that I flew for ~ 7 years in Kodiak. Can’t recall what the new tail number is, but based on serial number, last I saw of it, it was working out of BTT.

MTV

We have three beavers, 1954J red/white on floats, i hung a new engine on her this summer. Then there is 4040W a yellow and blue beaver on floats. And finally 1675B a brown and red/tan on 35s bush wheels. I know them all pretty well. Even have an hour of flight time on 4040W!

The Jack Russel Terrier was probably my Boss Jay’s. He has two black labs that literally will not get out of the right seat in the airplane for anyone! I have never seen such loyal dogs.

tedwaltman wrote:Thank you for a professionally written, engaging trip report Rob. You indeed write very well!

The most compelling lesson, I believe, is you had a dream and you made it happen! Few have such vision and even fewer see such through to actualize their dreams. Awesome accomplishment my friend!

A visit to Homer is in my plans to see you both!

Congratulations Rob!

Thanks Ted, I will keep a spot next to my pacer for you! And as soon as I have my own home, and not living in my in-laws, I’ll have a room for ya.

A1Skinner wrote:Great write up, thanks for sharing! You probably flew right over my old place on your way up, just NW of Grande Prairie. Then drove by again on your way up. You'll have to stop in next time!

Right on. I do want to fly that trip again, who knows when though. Hopefully I didn’t buzz ya too low..

twflyer wrote:Great report and hats off to you for going for it in all regards! I love the pic of the Pacer in the sun.

Keep posting all your stories. If possible, please put your photos in a spot where they will be available for the long haul. Not a criticism at all. This is a great and inspirational story and I would hope as it gets stumbled upon years from now the photos will still be available.

Thanks for the TR.

Joe

That’s my plan for today, i am not the most knowledgeable on tech these days.. wrote all this on an iPad mini 4 with a equally small keyboard, and at midnight!

kg wrote:HI Rob! That is one hell of a way to get started in aviation! Just about the opposite of what I did, taking six years to get my first 100 hours, never leaving the state of GA in the process!

I'm Shiney's friend in the 180....met you in Watson Lake right before Shiney landed...... we'll have to tell the story of his nickname one day. I have pictures.

Great summer report!

Happy Flying......

I was wondering if you were on here! Shiney has helped me multiple times since we met. Great flying with ya, even though you fly at mock 6 compared to my pacer. Hoping to fly up and visit Shiney this week if weather works

The Beluga Lake Lodge in Homer has pilot night pretty much every Thursday night, slows way down in the winter but usually somebody shows up, starts about 6 or so. The center table in the dining room, can't miss it. Chris knows about it.

The Beaver from Kodiak was sold to a guy who leased it to an operator in Ketchikan, where it was got upside down in water, with fatalities. Insurance paid, owner (Don Gilbertson) bought the wreck, had it rebuilt and leased it out for many years before it was sold to the current owner. In the meantime, the plane was painted and tail number was changed, but I can’t recall the new tail number. Many of Don’s planes wore numbers ending in DG, though. When I flew it, it was N765, and is pictured in my avatar.

MTV

Headoutdaplane wrote:The Beluga Lake Lodge in Homer has pilot night pretty much every Thursday night, slows way down in the winter but usually somebody shows up, starts about 6 or so. The center table in the dining room, can't miss it. Chris knows about it.

I went a couple weeks ago, but no one showed up. I’ll try again soon. Definitely need to mingle a bit. Otherwise I’m looking for work in Palmer or Talkeetna.

mtv wrote:The Beaver from Kodiak was sold to a guy who leased it to an operator in Ketchikan, where it was got upside down in water, with fatalities. Insurance paid, owner (Don Gilbertson) bought the wreck, had it rebuilt and leased it out for many years before it was sold to the current owner. In the meantime, the plane was painted and tail number was changed, but I can’t recall the new tail number. Many of Don’s planes wore numbers ending in DG, though. When I flew it, it was N765, and is pictured in my avatar.

MTV

Whoa. What an interesting story. I’m guessing it’s 1954J. Only because I don’t know it’s history. And the other two I know spend some time in Canada.

Spdcrazy wrote:

Headoutdaplane wrote:The Beluga Lake Lodge in Homer has pilot night pretty much every Thursday night, slows way down in the winter but usually somebody shows up, starts about 6 or so. The center table in the dining room, can't miss it. Chris knows about it.

I went a couple weeks ago, but no one showed up. I’ll try again soon. Definitely need to mingle a bit. Otherwise I’m looking for work in Palmer or Talkeetna.

mtv wrote:The Beaver from Kodiak was sold to a guy who leased it to an operator in Ketchikan, where it was got upside down in water, with fatalities. Insurance paid, owner (Don Gilbertson) bought the wreck, had it rebuilt and leased it out for many years before it was sold to the current owner. In the meantime, the plane was painted and tail number was changed, but I can’t recall the new tail number. Many of Don’s planes wore numbers ending in DG, though. When I flew it, it was N765, and is pictured in my avatar.

MTV

Whoa. What an interesting story. I’m guessing it’s 1954J. Only because I don’t know it’s history. And the other two I know spend some time in Canada.

Yes, N765 was purchased new from DHC, and lived its whole life till ~ 1984 in federal service, much of that in Louisiana, where I picked it up from. I think it was a 1954 vintage. I may still have the serial number somewhere.

MTV

Great story...that pic in the sun!!!

Awesome story and pictures. I bet you will look back on that summer and reflect on how awesome it was, and I hope that it is the beginning of many more adventures!

I spent four years in Alaska from 2000-2004 and put 500 hours on a Super Cub in that time. That was an awesome time for me and to say that those years changed me is an understatement. It was more like my formative years as an aviator. I think back on them often and leverage that experience every time I fly. It seems that you are now having that type of experience, plus you have the foresight to document it and the generosity to share it!

Wow! Thanks for the great write up! I've checked off a multitude of items on my bucket list, but have yet to fly to Alaska. Unfortunately, now flying under Basic Med so no border crossing....yet.

mtv wrote:The Beaver from Kodiak was sold to a guy who leased it to an operator in Ketchikan, where it was got upside down in water, with fatalities. Insurance paid, owner (Don Gilbertson) bought the wreck, had it rebuilt and leased it out for many years before it was sold to the current owner. In the meantime, the plane was painted and tail number was changed, but I can’t recall the new tail number. Many of Don’s planes wore numbers ending in DG, though. When I flew it, it was N765, and is pictured in my avatar.

MTV

Back in Kodiak, it looks like.
http://dhc-2.com/id386.htm

Marc wrote:

mtv wrote:The Beaver from Kodiak was sold to a guy who leased it to an operator in Ketchikan, where it was got upside down in water, with fatalities. Insurance paid, owner (Don Gilbertson) bought the wreck, had it rebuilt and leased it out for many years before it was sold to the current owner. In the meantime, the plane was painted and tail number was changed, but I can’t recall the new tail number. Many of Don’s planes wore numbers ending in DG, though. When I flew it, it was N765, and is pictured in my avatar.

MTV

Back in Kodiak, it looks like.
http://dhc-2.com/id386.htm

Cool! Thanks for that archive. Someone has put a LOT of time into that list!

I was told 765 had been a civil Beaver, but turns out she was assigned to the AF.

Seems appropriate that the old girl is back in Kodiak.

MTV