Beta Needed-

I have been mulling around options for my float adventure this year, and I may be settling on migrating the floats west to Northwest Seaplanes in Seattle from Surfside in Minnesota. This will set me up to head to Alaska next year.

So, I was curious about suggestions on routing if I wanted to arc north across Canada. I know it will be longer and more expensive, but thinking also more cool camping/fishing options and seaplane bases. Any must make stops? Anyone live somewhere near the route with a friendly dock and cold beer? Love to hear any ideas, or cautionary tales.

I'm thinking I will depart Surfside/Minnesota around September 2.

Brad

Having just come back from Seattle after earning my SES, I can say without contradiction that you have a job ahead of you, just finding places to land! Careful planning will be to the extreme, because some places that are suitable to land have no facilities.

The DE I flew with made the comment that many Western waterways are off-limits because they are reservoirs for domestic water supplies. The Seaplane Pilots' Water Landing Directory will help, but it doesn't cover everything. It's available in hard copy and online--if I were doing what you're doing, I'd have a current hard copy in the airplane. A quick glance online indicates that a route through Montana, the tip of Idaho, and into Washington is pretty doable.

Cary

Brad,

I know it can be done (crossing the prairie provinces on straight floats) but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to go quite a ways north to do that.....like a long ways north. In September.....bring warm clothes

On the other hand, from Surfside, go direct Bismark, ND...land in Missouri R. Then to Fort Peck, MT for fuel, then to Seeley Lake, MT, Polson, MT, then Spokane River at Felts Field, in Spokane, WA, then SEA.

Pretty easy. But if you want a challenge, head north.

MTV

Thanks MTV. I think I want more adventure, more miles, and of course more expense. So currently I am looking at North!

Years ago, two gents from Maine used to come to Kodiak each summer in two Cessna 180s on straight floats, one an early model with small tanks. I think I saw them there seven different summers.

They'd figured out a route through the prairie provinces, and used a lot of mogas along the way. They stayed fairly far south, and I asked them why not go north where there are more seaplanes operating. They commented that the gas stops up north were really far apart, and most were lodges, etc, that weren't selling fuel. They concluded that it was easier with limited range, to stay south. They carried lots of cans. I recall them telling me that one of their fuel stops was an irrigation canal, and they'd got to know a farmer there who'd meet them at the canal and pump gas out of his farm service truck...

Could be a great adventure.

MTV

We'll see what the route looks like when I get this years aerodrome supplement, and I've got 82 gallons useable and a damn accurate fuel monitor.

I did the trip that MTV outlined twice three years ago, except after Sealy I went to Coure d'Alene (sp?) and the into Seattle. It is a beautiful flight. If you don't go through Canada give me a PM and I can give you details and phone numbers. Do you have your plane on floats in Colorado? when I looked into those trips it looked very restrictive in CO.

Wish I could help you out Brad. I just don't know of many flaot landing places where fuel is available. I know Dawson Creek has a float plane strip with fuel, but thats pretty much it. Let me know if you come up this way, would be great to meet up.
David

The FBO at Felts Field in Spokane will bring the fuel truck down to the river for you - just be sure to call ahead to make sure the truck is working!

Fuel stops from Northwest Territories to US border:
Yellowknife, NWT 118.5 (3 clicks on 119,5 activates a strobe to alert boat traffic)
High Level, Alberta (Footner lake) 123.25 Fuel truck 789-413-1826
Ft. St. John, BC (Charlie lake) 118.5
Vanderhoof, BC 122.8
Nimpo lake, BC 122.8
Then easy flight to Wash. border. Google is your friend!
Ford Wilson now lives in Wash, had a C185 & flew around here lots, [email protected]

NimpoCub wrote:Fuel stops from Northwest Territories to US border:
Yellowknife, NWT 118.5 (3 clicks on 119,5 activates a strobe to alert boat traffic)
High Level, Alberta (Footner lake) 123.25 Fuel truck 789-413-1826
Ft. St. John, BC (Charlie lake) 118.5
Vanderhoof, BC 122.8
Nimpo lake, BC 122.8
Then easy flight to Wash. border. Google is your friend!
Ford Wilson now lives in Wash, had a C185 & flew around here lots, [email protected]

It's getting across the prairie provinces that's the tough part. Not much water, and no gas.

MTV

Might want to inquire if fuel is available to floatplanes at Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan (CYVT). The airport is on the shore of the lake and there is a floatplane operation based there. It doesnt make mention in the flight suppliment but an inquiry might not hurt.