PAIN Flying into Denali
I saw that there is a 3000 ft gravel strip (PAIN) right in the heart of Denali NP headquarters. Anybody ever been in there? How well is it maintained? Is it far to camping and services? Is there sufficient ramp space etc? I have a kansas built 4 seater tricycle. I went to McCarthy Alaska and stayed at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge a few weeks ago. Anybody know of any other places like that in Alaska where a non bush plane can go with a decent 3000 ft strip and something to do once you get there?

fracguy wrote:PAIN Flying into Denali
I saw that there is a 3000 ft gravel strip (PAIN) right in the heart of Denali NP headquarters. Anybody ever been in there? How well is it maintained? Is it far to camping and services? Is there sufficient ramp space etc? I have a kansas built 4 seater tricycle.

Is that code for a bonanza?

I'm based at PAIN. You'll be fine. The approach to 34 has some terrain but a high recon and a strategic mindset will get you in here ok and half the time the wind favors 16 anyhow. It is maintained very well. We have PC-12s and light twins in and out.

Short of a large group arriving together there are plenty of tiedowns. Bring your own ropes.

Yu can walk easily to the visitor center which has a cafe and a bookstore. Or there is a longer walk to the area immediately outside the park with all the amenities. Or shuttle.

Likewise it is an easy walk or a shuttle to the campground.

I went to McCarthy Alaska and stayed at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge a few weeks ago. Anybody know of any other places like that in Alaska where a non bush plane can go with a decent 3000 ft strip and something to do once you get there?

Great guns where would one begin?!? Lots of places.

Fine runway, no services. Walk over the train tracks to the NPS visitor center; they can help you with your questions about what to do and see. Plenty of eat/sleep and even camp options available locally. Lots of fixed wing and helo traffic- keep your eyes and ears open.

Bettles.
Eagle.
Skwentna.
Manley Hot Springs.
Minchumina.
Cantwell (nice grass strip in the summer don't see those much in Alaska)

All have a place to stay and something to do.

Tons of places out on the Alaska Peninsula too.

Daggum it now you've made me think I need to get my butt out there doing a better job of doing the same thing.

There is one in the Park , Kantishna. it is 1800 X 35. N63,32.50 W150 ,59.64 Not to sure what it is like now or even if you can fly in to it. Been years ago when I was in there. They have park rules to fly in there so check with the FS in Fairbanks .They are a lot of strips one can fly in to . Most are gravel and not monitored.


Ken

I dunno... Point Lay, or Bethel... Hard to decide between the two.

Or, do you mean NICE places to go? Hell, close you eyes and put a finger on the map and odds are you'll have a great time. Bettles would be near the top of the list, or head further west head down the Kobuk River to Kiana. Awesome country.

Gump

Gump,

I figured more like Kong or Kwig...

These days, virtually every village in Alaska has a 4000 foot gravel airstrip. That in and of itself, however, does not necessarily imply that you really want to visit.

I'd second Bettles as a good choice to start. Lodge there, nice scenery nearby, gas and food.

If you're inclined to visit Canada, DO NOT miss a visit to Dawson. It's a ways east of Fairbanks, but an easy trip, nice airport, though it's 26 kilometers outside town. If you stay at one of the B and Bs in town, they'll usually come pick you up at the airport. HUGE history there.

Homer down south, touristy, but fun. If you don't mind flying over 40 miles of cold water, visit Kodiak. You can land in town or at the main airport. Lodging, food, etc. A very artsy community and major history there as well--Russian HQ in North America.

Talkeetna--advertised as "a quaint little drinking town with a mountain climbing problem". Lots of fun, places to stay, and you can board one of the air taxis for a ride around the mountain or a do it yourself version....if you decide to do it yourself, hook up with one of the air taxi operators and let them give you a briefing on the mountain.

And, LOTS of other great places to visit.

MTV

akflyer2001 wrote:There is one in the Park , Kantishna. it is 1800 X 35. N63,32.50 W150 ,59.64 Not to sure what it is like now or even if you can fly in to it. Been years ago when I was in there. They have park rules to fly in there so check with the FS in Fairbanks .They are a lot of strips one can fly in to . Most are gravel and not monitored.


Ken

Well if it's true he has a Bonanza (or some other Beechcraft) he'd have to be light and on his game

The strip is in fine shape. Only rule is you can't be conducting commercial ops. Or in a helicopter. Now, once you are on the ground there are plenty of rules

I actually have a Beech Musketeer. Half the pilots I run across don't have a clue what that is. The Maule is still in pieces in the garage. I fly out to all the lovely villages like Bethel and such with work. I have had a blast going to Valdez, McCarthy, Talkeetna, Seward, Homer, King Salmon and hit up Canada when I flew the plane up from Vegas earlier this year. I will have to try out Denali. Has anyone ever flown into Chena Hot Springs strip? I drove there once a few years back but wasn't sure about accessibility or runway condition there.

Thanks for all the info

fracguy wrote:Has anyone ever flown into Chena Hot Springs strip? I drove there once a few years back but wasn't sure about accessibility or runway condition there.

Thanks for all the info

I have. They operate a Navajo (light) and a C207 out of there I believe. In a canyon with rising terrain on both ends. Fun but pretty easy, just slip in a bit and depart along the river.

It's dirt so if it's raining it may be muddy. Prior permission and they grill you on your experience and type of plane. On the other hand someone had landed a Diamond the last time I was there.

I fly in to the hot springs a lot, I don't live to far from there. Its a nice place to hike and if you like to swim is ok.
There is a good place to eat and the rates are reasonable. The strip is in great shape and well maintained. A great flight from Fairbanks..

Some of these places (Minchumina comes to mind) have pilot registers that ask you to sign in. These can be important for demonstrating activity levels when funding questions arise. Take a moment, look around for one, and let 'em know you appreciate these resources by signing in.

Fracguy , what part of Alaska are you in? I am in the North Pole area.

Ken

I am in Anchorage at Merrill.

fracguy wrote:PAIN Flying into Denali
Anybody know of any other places like that in Alaska where a non bush plane can go with a decent 3000 ft strip and something to do once you get there?

Can't leave out beautiful downtown Nome and the BOT

Chris

Not that long ago that a trip to Nome was a big deal "going to a real town" and getting to buy a beer at the Bottom Of the Trough was the highlight of it all !!!

Guess ya had to be there.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Not that long ago that a trip to Nome was a big deal "going to a real town" and getting to buy a beer at the Bottom Of the Trough was the highlight of it all !!!

Guess ya had to be there.

Gump

Hey, it still is a big deal! The Las Vegas of Western Alaska
What happens at the BOT, Wait, what did happen at the BOT

Chris