In a moment of temporary insanity I asked to be considered for a position in Kotz. Gump, MTV, others...what's the flying scene up there? Floats or wheels make sense? Do folks fly floats out of that water-filled basin surrounding the main airport runway? Is it brackish?

Yes, they fly floats out of the ditch. It can be a real challenge when the wind's wrong, and there is some wind out there.

Floats and/or wheels work fine out there. My choice would be wheels, frankly, for that part of the world. Lots of great gravel bars and beaches.

Flying is "challenging" due to weather, but a great place to learn. Get in touch with the local 135 guys and other pilots and learn everything you can from them.

Be patient, and be willing to wait out the weather.

Watch out for what I refer to as "PVFR". The P stands for Pretend. This is a common winter condition, where weather conditions are well above basic VFR, but a high overcast creates a "flying in a milk bottle" sensation. Everything out there is pure white in winter. Under those conditions, flying by reference to instruments is absolutely essential.

And, did I mention the wind?

MTV

Ditto what Mike said, and let me repeat some of it....

Lots of whiteout conditions, so be real proficient on dealing with the tactical IFR stuff, and learn how to ignore the physical sensations you get from the optical illusions. Real easy to get the leans when the weather goes to crap on you, and that will kill you in a matter of seconds. And practice, practice, and practice partial panel when you're up there. The cold eats gyros, and dry pumps suck pond water. Bring instrument covers (I used post-it stickies) and be ready to use them in a hurry.

Wind is right, so be good at cross-wind stuff. You'll get lots of practice!!!! Ice is a problem up there, so learn what your airplane flys like with a load of the stuff. It's not just an IFR problem. The wx can be pure VFR, but this freezing haze can develop in a matter of minutes, and even though you're not in the clouds, the ice starts forming.

PM me, and I'll give you the contact info for some of the better flyers up there and a couple good mechanics.

Gump

Damn, those posts sound like doom and gloom...

The good flying days up there far outnumber the bad. And when it's nice, that part of Alaska is one of the most beautiful, take your breath away, best places to fly on the face of the planet.

The Kobuk River, especially up in the headwaters, is an "on the deck" pilot's paradise. It's full of moose, caribou, brown bear and other critters. The Noatak and Kelly Rivers have great sand bars, fishing and hunting, and are just a quick trip out of Kotz.

And the Arctic coast...

It is fantastic. Polar bears, wolverines, fox, birds of all descriptions. In the water there's walrus, whale migrating, seals. Tracking from the air is a hoot, and you learn just how wide ranging the white bears actually are. All fun stuff.

If you've never been to Kotz or a big native village before, just be forewarned that it's not America. It's a Third World country with a zip code. There's a few cultural differences to master, and attitude with the locals, especially first impressions, go a long ways. Take the time to listen and learn, and don't be too quick to judge intelligence or wisdom. You're gonna be surprised (more ways than one).

Bottom line is fly safe and have fun, and enjoy the experiences.

Gump

Well said, and I'd second everything.

I also would re-emphasize that there are people out there who've been flying up there for a long time, and they WILL talk to someone who asks for information. So, for heaven's sake, ASK them, and learn.

Gump's description of OTZ as a Third World Country with a zip code is apt, and I had to chuckle. Some attitude there, but professionalism goes a long ways toward respect, which one has to earn.

It's a fantastic place, and if you're under 40, a great experience.

Over 40, maybe not...

MTV

mtv wrote:I also would re-emphasize that there are people out there who've been flying up there for a long time, and they WILL talk to someone who asks for information. So, for heaven's sake, ASK them, and learn.

It's a fantastic place, and if you're under 40, a great experience.

Over 40, maybe not...

The pro pilots up there are a tight, close knit, good bunch of guys. They will take ANYBODY under their wing who is willing to watch, listen and learn. The place is huge, and there's tricks and local procedures for a zillion different places and weather conditions. Give it time, and build slowly on the weather skills.

Everybody flying up there earns a rep, good or bad, and it's a very small population so absolutely nothing you do will go unnoticed. Fly smart, learn who to pay attention to (and not), fit in with the local flying style, and you'll have a ball.

MTV is right about the under 40 rule. I first went up in my 20's and was in hog heaven. After a bunch of different jobs and different places up there, I bugged out in my 50's, and was really ready to be back in the real world. I was sick and tired of village life, and sick and tired of airplanes trying to kill me every day.

But, it was a damn great adventure while it lasted.

Gump

Boy I know that feeling........

GumpAir wrote:

mtv wrote: , I bugged out in my 50's, and was really ready to be back in the real world. I was sick and tired of village life, and sick and tired of airplanes trying to kill me every day.

But, it was a damn great adventure while it lasted.

Gump

The sheefish run on the Kobuk river can be lots of fun. The first time I saw the big sand dune right out in the middle of the tundra, I couldn't believe my eyes. Flying up the Noatak river goes on forever and has lots of wild life.

Flying out of Kotze is great, has it's own weather quarks,but once you learn the area it's alot like flying on the slope, or Nome area.

There is a wind farm about three miles from the airport and that should be a clue about what you can expect from the wind -- and the wind turbines are not up on a mountain side, they are at the same elevation as the Kotz airport. And generally it is not economically feasible to install wind generation unless the AVERAGE wind speed is 10 kts or higher.

And every thing that MTV and Gump said is true. You can do very well there, but listen to what the locals have to say and give a lot of deference -- you will find that they do things a little differently up there.

Nizina

Nizina wrote:There is a wind farm about three miles from the airport and that should be a clue about what you can expect from the wind -- and the wind turbines are not up on a mountain side, they are at the same elevation as the Kotz airport. And generally it is not economically feasible to install wind generation unless the AVERAGE wind speed is 10 kts or higher.

And every thing that MTV and Gump said is true. You can do very well there, but listen to what the locals have to say and give a lot of deference -- you will find that they do things a little differently up there.

Nizina

When the heck did a wind farm go in there? I don't remember that.

Tadpole wrote:
When the heck did a wind farm go in there? I don't remember that.

The wind farm has actually been in there for about eight or nine years. It was built by Kotzebue Electric Association and consists of about 10 wind turbines now. They add a turbine from time to time. It probably provides about eight percent of the total electricity for the community -- the rest coming from diesel generation.

Nizina

Ah. Last time I was there was probably 1999 or 2000.

Saw this resurface...

I turned down the offer. I'm sure the backcountry 'round there was outstanding, but just couldn't see us living in town there and being happy.

Any regrets on turning down Kotz?

Saw on another thread that you're thinking Smith Valley or Minden for retirement. Now is the time to jump if you're gonna buy something. Prices have hit rock bottom on houses and land, but once the 395 connector between Reno and Carson is completed, and the USA Parkway hooks up 80 and 50 at Silver Springs, things are gonna boom.

We just bought at Dayton Valley Airpark (A34) which looks to be a good compromise between close to city, but being able to fly/ride in a matter of minutes from the house.

Gump

Gump,
One of my best pals (character) is at Dayton, I'll introduce you guys. Going to Genoa tomorrow to see Sourdough Slim.

Roger That.

Have fun with Sourdough. We joined a gaggle of folks a couple weeks ago in Eureka to see his show. What a hoot.

Gump

Funny about the timing of your question. The same job I originally turned down was never successfully filled and I saw that it was readvertised last week. But no, no regrets. There are other, better adventures out there for my wife particularly who has BTDT in the bush for a number of years before meeting me. She loves SE Alaska instead now. Plus, since I originally posted I've turned forty

Congrats on the move. You didn't want a lot over in Fallon with...drat who here lives at that private airpark in Fallon? I forget. We already have property in Carson Valley but by the time we are ready to occupy it we will probably wish it was in Smith Valley instead. NV97 used to be in the family. Too bad it isn't anymore though Manny and Sharon are nice folks.

I roamed as far north as Nome a few years ago, mid February, on a charter. I quickly realized if I ever took a job flying up there, I'd starve to death...I'll take the Interior and its -60 winters, hot and high summers, and the Alaska Range and its weather any day. It's all in your experience level, your taste in scenery, and the size of your flying balls that make a flying job worth it. Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy. If you can't do both, it's time to move on.

maybe a better place to "start" would be to come out to the bethel area, then consider moving up north. Kinda like learning how to crawl before walking...

GumpAir wrote:If you've never been to Kotz or a big native village before, just be forewarned that it's not America. It's a Third World country with a zip code. There's a few cultural differences to master, and attitude with the locals, especially first impressions, go a long ways. Take the time to listen and learn, and don't be too quick to judge intelligence or wisdom. You're gonna be surprised (more ways than one).

Gump

Laughed out loud when I read this because it reminded me of my first time in the bush, i.e. Fort Yukon in 1974. To say it was a different place is an understatement. After getting over some of the shock of how they do things, I actually found it to be a fun place, even if a white man went downtown with a .357 on his hip on Friday nights....hmmmmm wonder if Fort Yukon''s still as wild and wooley as it was in '74. .