Hi,

I'm heading back to Alaska on or about April 20th, and seeking someone to come along to help defray the costs. If you have always wanted to do the flight to Alaska, but haven't because you didn't have the right aircraft, or weren't comfortable with the weather, border crossings, mountains, or whatever, this might be the right opportunity for you.

This post will be a little long, but will hopefully answer many questions, therefore helping you decide if you or someone you know might be interested in joining me.

A little background: I work summers for an air taxi in Alaska. Each year I fly up from Colorado in my Maule to go to work. I've done this trip over a dozen times, by many different routes. I am very experienced at all the aspects that go into doing this trip, as well as in flying in Alaska itself. I currently have about 4,000 hours, most of it in Alaska/backcountry operations.

What I offer: I will provide the aircraft, do all of the logistics, weather checking, route planning, inflight decision-making, border crossing procedures, etc. I will share my knowledge of these tasks with you to whatever extent you like, and will happily let you take on whatever parts of it you like. I will probably do all of the landings, and perhaps all of the take-offs as well, depending on your proficiency and comfort level in my aircraft. You are welcome to do as much of the inflight portion of the flying as you like. I will be sitting left seat, and you will be sitting right seat. Note that this is NOT an instructional flight, and I am not a CFI? If you're looking to build dual time, or want to do a lot of landings to get better at tailwheel, this isn't for you.

What you contribute: Per the FARs, half of the fuel costs. You will also cover your own food and lodging costs, of course. In addition, separate from the flight costs, I charge a fee of $650 for instruction in how to plan and implement a trip of this type, including how to deal with customs, how to get and interpret Canadian and Alaskan weather, best places to stay, route options and considerations, what and how to pack, etc. The idea is that if you take full advantage of what I'm offering, you will feel much more comfortable and prepared to undertake this trip on your own at some point. Note that the fee is for not for flight instruction, and this is not a commercial trip. You should expect to spend about $1500 total for the fee, your half of the fuel, lodging, and food. In addition, you'll need an airline ticket home from Alaska. You can come to Colorado to start the trip with me, or I can pick you up somewhere along the way.

I'll have all my stuff with me that I need for the whole summer, so you will be limited to 50 pounds of baggage.

If you're interested, it's easiest if you email me directly, at [email protected]

Thanks!
Andy

Hey Andy,
Good to see you planning out the annual trip north. I'll be looking forward to your arrival.

Folks, here is my post from last fall when Andy was on BCP seeking a southbound right-seater.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:I can vouch for Andy. Good guy, good pilot, good ship. His commute could be somebody else's vacation of a lifetime.
-DP

Thanks DP,

Looking forward to getting back. See you soon.

Hello,

I'm once again headed to Alaska for the summer, and looking for someone to come along. Please see my earlier post (from about this time last year) for details. I plan to leave Boulder, Colorado on April 19th. The trip usually takes three or four days, but I always plan on six, for weather contingency. If interested, feel free to email me directly at:
youngan1yahoo.com

Happy to answer any questions.

Andy

Andy, I wish I could take advantage of this but very likely can not. Stupid work. Curious what Maule you have, better for day dreaming.
FZ