Backcountry Pilot

Aviation in Canada's westernmost territory of Yukon is more than mere transportation—it's an essential artery linking remote communities across a vast northern landscape. Photographer Simon Blakesley captures this with a style that blends artistry, precision, and a reverence for Canadian aviation's past and present. Below, we get to know the artist behind these images in eight questions covering Yukon life, his background in aviation, and his approach to photography.

—Zane Jacobson/Editor

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Eight Questions

BPSimon, your photography is immediately stunning to the viewer. What is catching your eye out there? What inspires you to pick up the camera and leave the house?

SBThat's very kind. Thank you! There are a number of elements that motivate me.

First, the Yukon's light and scenery is incredible. Beautiful mountains and lakes are in abundance. Located just over 60 degrees North, the sun angle visibly shifts each day except for a month around the Summer or Winter Solstice. We get a lot of “golden hour” light in the shoulder seasons.

Second, the Yukon is home to aircraft ranging in size from the Piper Super Cub to the Boeing 737-800. For me, that diversity adds interest, excitement, and challenge as each aircraft “shoots” differently.

The vastness and raw beauty of northern Canada is captured through the cockpit window of an Air North 737.

Third, and most important, are the talented people in the Yukon aviation community. Shaking the hand of the pilot who just earned their licence, getting a wave from an airport firefighter, visiting with air traffic controllers, planning photos with a local operator, or a cockpit ride with a senior Captain who owns the airline means so much to me. I follow an 80/20 Rule: It's 80% about people, 20% about the aircraft and cameras.

Alkan Air Ltd.’s Cessna 208 C-FMKP with its Texas Turbine Conversion really shows off on those cool mornings where the air is near the dew point.

BP Tell us a little about growing up in the Yukon and how you found a love of aviation. Is it just hard to avoid flying when residing that far north? ;) What inspired you to chase aircraft with a camera?

SBAir travel is central to life in the Yukon. You can drive for 24+ hours to get to Vancouver or fly for 2 hours at a lower cost. Aircraft are always flying over Whitehorse, be they commercial jets, medevac flights, military, charter aircraft heading to remote camps, or local pilots just out for a flight.

Capturing a friend’s newly repainted and refurbished Maule M-7-235 in the mountains south of Whitehorse.

I'm not a born and raised Yukoner, but my passion has been nurtured by life here. My Dad introduced me to photography. He was a photographer in the British Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Dad photographed everything the Navy assigned him, from reconnaissance to crashes on an aircraft carrier, air-to-air, or Queen Elizabeth when she would inspect sailors on the ship. Growing up, cameras and aircraft were central to home life.

Whitehorse is often windy, so a rare morning where the air is calm needs to be taken advantage of.

I joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at 17 as an Aero-Engine Technician. The CC-130 Hercules and CC-138 Twin Otter were my main aircraft types. I'm now a volunteer photographer with the RCAF's Associate Historian program, contributing imagery of military aircraft and crews whenever they visit the Yukon.

Lady Aurora shines bright over DHC-2 Beaver CF-HYT. 2025 thus far has been a great year for northern lights displays.

I've made it my personal goal to celebrate Yukon aviation. Aircraft and photography form a huge part of my identity. I can't imagine a life without these elements.

BP Your bio mentions that you are an educator by trade, tell us about that. Do photography or aviation factor in?

SB Working in the Air Force helped me pay for Teachers' College. After seven years in the Service I changed course and became a high school teacher. My wife and I took the leap 34 years ago and visited the Yukon for our honeymoon. We immediately knew we wanted to live life and raise a family here.

The love of aviation in the Yukon is evident by the number of recreational aircraft owners and operators in the territory.

Five years ago I retired from the Department of Education, having served as a Principal and Director. That said, I still enjoy helping kids. Recently I developed a presentation for Grade 7-10 relating Math to photography. It included a cooking tour of the Flight Kitchen and a visit Air North's Maintenance Hangar where I am a corporate photographer. We finished by making portraits at the school with kids, teachers, parents, and Elders. I'm always looking for ways to make schooling relevant and connect kids with future Yukon career options.

Pilots fly multiple aircraft types in the Yukon. This aviator flies both the Cessna 206 recreationally as well as professionally as a Boeing 737 First Officer.

BP What makes aviation in the Yukon special to you?

SBIn northern Canada and Alaska, aviation is central to the way of life. There's over 100 years of history and a multitude of remote airstrips—many built as part of the Northwest Staging Route to Alaska during WW2.

Cold fall mornings make for incredible atmosphere at Schwatka Lake, the float plane base in Whitehorse.

Yukon aviation is more than just getting from A to B and back. Many people have a connection to the field through employment, shareholder participation, or personal connections. At a social level, there are public STOL (short take-off and landing) events at small strips which always include flying, food, and fun! The annual Christmas PAN (Pilot Appreciation Night) Party (held in a hangar or at the Yukon Transportation Museum) is always well-attended. Air North is also a very generous community sponsor.

When the temperatures drop, the Yukon air, skies, and incredible scenery combine to create impressive colours and ambiance.

The Yukon has a close-knit and supportive aviation community. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of it and to contribute through my photography.

BP What's your favorite piece of photo kit/gear? What's your go-to body/lens/filter configuration for ground-based shooting?

SB Tricky question! My main gear is Nikon- that's what Dad used as I grew up. For ground-based shooting I rely on Nikon full-frame cameras. D850s are tanks when I'm out at -30 or -40 degrees. I've just added a mirrorless Z8 so there's a learning curve with that.

As soon as the ice is off the lakes and the buds burst in May, you can be sure that float plane action will be soon to follow.

The situation determines the lens. I use a 14-24mm for the up-close or wide scenic shots, 24-120mm and 70-180mm for events, and the 180-600mm for long shots. In the cockpit my old 15mm Sigma diagonal fisheye's 180-degree view helps to take it all in.

A unique view of the annual fall float plane pull from Schwatka Lake back to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

I use Fujifilm X-series cameras (X-T5) when photographing cabin crew or staff on the ramp. The smaller size doesn't intimidate like bigger cameras can. Fuji's fast primes (16, 23, 33, 56mm) perform well in low-light interiors. People are genuinely curious of their retro styling. They're tactile, meaning one glance down and I see the aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings. That's convenient during fast-paced moments and is a process I grew up with.

This is a RCAF military Twin Otter doing gravel strip training. The Twin Otter is extra special as I used to be an engine tech on that exact aircraft when I was 20 years old. The aircraft commander is a friend. Relationships are so important in what I’m blessed to do. A Canadian Classic. The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a workhorse that has helped open up northern skies for generations of aviators.

BP Do you ever find yourself in the cockpit with friends or charter pilots? Is aerial photography in your plans?

SBI'm in the 737 cockpit more with the corporate photography than I am with small aircraft. The reason for this is always a need for fresh images from a marketing perspective. I also love doing a cockpit “hero picture” for new First Officers!

Friends invite me on local flights and I enjoy the challenge of air-to-air. It takes a lot of planning and an aircraft with a window you can open (a Piper Super Cub) or a door you can remove (the rear door on a Maule M-7). There is so much to plan for—safety always being the # 1 non-negotiable factor.

The Cessna 206 is a popular aircraft in the Yukon. Commercial operators like Alpine Aviation fly the 206 all year-round utilizing floats in the summer and wheels in the winter.

BPFor aspiring aviation photographers who might be curious: how did you get published so many times? Tell us about some of those relationships and how you found your shots on magazine covers.

SBThe honest answer: time-in, persistence, and the beautiful Yukon backdrop and light. I've been at this for a while now. I've invested countless hours on cold days where you're frozen, you hurt, and desperate to pack it in. I watch for weather changes and turn out early. Patience is key: Many days (and nights) I return with nothing I'm happy with, but that's what comes with always trying to create something new and distinctive.

Alpine Aviation’s base at Schwatka Lake is a busy place. Even when the aircraft aren’t flying both locals and tourists alike visit the base to take in the views and enjoy the hospitality.

I've strived to push myself. Submitting aviation images for review and receiving professional accreditation from the Professional Photographers of Canada was a big test. It's a great learning opportunity to have others review and critique your work.

Fall often produces the most interesting conditions. An early-morning flight in cool air helps to produce some distinctive prop-tip vortice.

The team at Skies magazine have been incredibly supportive. Winning the Grand Prize in their 2019 photography contest with a Yukon float plane image was truly validating. I've placed First numerous times in multiple years but where I place doesn't really drive me. Just push yourself and keep learning. Comparison is the thief of joy.

It’s hard to go wrong with fall colours, reflections, and the bright red of Alpine Aviation’s de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver CF-FHZ

I'm incredibly fortunate to have been a member of the Air North team for almost 20 years. Contributing to something larger that Yukoners are proud of, witnessing the growth through my viewfinder, and feeling connected to people across the company, personally means so much.

Early-morning solitude. It’s about being in the moment, witnessing the conditions, and being grateful for the beauty of the Yukon.

Back to the 80/20 rule, I've gotten to know many in the Yukon aviation community and have established friendships that are deeply important to me. I always strive to capture people at their best and include the human element, be that with pilots, AMEs, flight attendants, or staff. Fostering positive relationships is central to what I do—and makes things far more fun!

When the plane, the pilot, and the photographer work together at the right time. This image of de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver C-FIGF won 1st Place (General Aviation) in Skies magazines 2020 photo contest.

BP Are your photos for sale as prints and where can we buy them?

SB I print myself and do sell them. I'm contacted about digital files and sell usage of them as well. The best way to contact me is through my website: simonblakesley.ca or through Simon Blakesley Photography on Facebook or Instagram.

Thank you kindly for the opportunity to contribute!