I'm a student pilot with 30+ hours. I will be traveling to Anchorage this weekend (1/20- 1/29) for some work and want to do some flying while in the area. Im looking to fly my PA-20 up in May and want to do some "Alaskan" flying before then. Any good recommendations on where I can get some time with a seasoned bush pilot?

Thanks!

In Anchorage, you could start with Arctic Flyers on Lake Hood, or Land and Sea Aviation on Merrill Field. Both have rag-and-tube rental aircraft that may feel more similar to your Pacer than a C-150 or a DA20.

Just getting airborne over the inlet is worth your while, IMO, for the stunning scenery, and the introduction to Anchorage-area procedures.

Flying up the highway does entail its share of mountain flying, most notably between Fort Nelson and Whitehorse. Landing in Toad River (if your range requires it) is probably the sportiest stopover of the journey. Otherwise I wouldn't sweat the airport arrivals and departures too much.

Best of luck,

Toad River, FYI. Picture snagged off the net. Glad I was there in the off-season. I'd hate to taxi through all those motor homes to get to the pumps.

I'd second Heidi and Richard at Arctic Flyers. Great and VERY experienced instructors both, and nice folks. Been there a LOONNNG time and know the country and flying well.

MTV

What happened to Herman............

mtv wrote:I'd second Heidi and Richard at Arctic Flyers. Great and VERY experienced instructors both, and nice folks. Been there a LOONNNG time and know the country and flying well.

MTV

Herman passed about a year to two years ago.

Don,

Yes, Herman passed away about a year ago. Quite a character there!! Always a lot of fun, largely because he was so intense.....

Take care,

MTV

Didn't know Herman had gone west. Sorry to hear that

To make your life easier in Anchorage - pick up a local copy of the A/FD, which are pink not green and say "Alaska Supplement" not A/FD on the cover. In the back, they have lots of great information, including charts with local landmarks showing the VFR approaches and departures for airports in Anchorage. It'll make a lot more sense with either a satellite photo like google maps and a local to point out the landmarks, or just flying - and if you're flying out of Lake Hood with Heidi and Richard, you'll only need a couple of the approaches/departures, and a different couple of 'em if you're out of Merrill with Land & Sea.

If you want to get a quick look before picking up your supplement, they're here: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/tracon/anchorage/pilots_info/locproc/

Thanks to all for the help! I'll let you know how it works out!

These guys have a Cub at the Lake Hood Strip.
Both guys names are Steve.
They fly Air Ambulance Lear's to compensate for the money they loose teaching folks in the Cub.
They keep it on one of the float fingers.

They have wheels, skis, and floats for it.

Never flown with them but they seemed like good folks.

[email protected]

http://acmecub.blogspot.com/

Fraser
'80 A185F

All the Anchorage folks were booked this weekend so I ended up doing some flying with Don Lee (Alaska Floats & Skis) in Talkeetna. I had a great time and learned alot about flying on skis and mountain flying. Would highly recommend getting some time with Don if you plan on doing any mountain flying or just want to hear some great stories!