Don Lee in Talkeetna and Alex Clark in Homer are both fantastic for getting a float rating. They are both class acts.

If you wanted a Bush Flying Safari while staying in a true wilderness lodge Ultima Thule Lodge is an adventure centric wilderness outpost inside the vast Wrangell/St. Elias Mountains. They operate PA-18's C-185 and an Turbine otter all on tundra tires and Skis
[email protected]

Alaska Grizzly Safaris & Adventure Lodge also does bush flying safaris in Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks And Bristol Bay. Best place on earth to see Grizzlies/Brown Bears & Walrus They operate a Beaver and C-185 on Floats plus a Super Cub and Beaver on 35" tundra tires. Their chief pilot Blake Larue has been flying in the Lake Clark,Iliamna and Katmai area for 30+ years www.Alaska-Grizzlies.com


Jerry Jacques
www.Bristol-Bay.com

JacquesAK wrote:Don Lee in Talkeetna and Alex Clark in Homer are both fantastic for getting a float rating. They are both class acts.

If you wanted a Bush Flying Safari while staying in a true wilderness lodge Ultima Thule Lodge is an adventure centric wilderness outpost inside the vast Wrangell/St. Elias Mountains. They operate PA-18's C-185 and an Turbine otter all on tundra tires and Skis
[email protected]

Alaska Grizzly Safaris & Adventure Lodge also does bush flying safaris in Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks And Bristol Bay. Best place on earth to see Grizzlies/Brown Bears & Walrus They operate a Beaver and C-185 on Floats plus a Super Cub and Beaver on 35" tundra tires. Their chief pilot Blake Larue has been flying in the Lake Clark,Iliamna and Katmai area for 30+ years http://www.Alaska-Grizzlies.com


Jerry Jacques
http://www.Bristol-Bay.com

Thank you JacquesAK they both sound real interesting.

You'll be fine learning float flying in a Cub or Pacer even if you normally fly a 172. All of my early flying was 172 and I did get my float rating in a 172, but then I took additional float training in Super Cubs and in Don Lee's Pacer, among others. The important thing is the float techniques that you'll learn in your training.

One thing that I did and that I would highly recommend is to take additional float training from time to time so that you will build experience. I did this for ten years before I was able to finally buy into a float plane partnership, so I had 75 hours of dual and felt comfortable flying floats by then. Also, by flying with different instructors, in different aircraft, you will pick up lots of different techniques and determine which aircraft is right for you when you finally get your own floatplane.

Thank you pipeliner I appreciate your input. I agree that you learn something from everyone you fly with.

Come to Homer and book a flight "down the line" with Smokey Bay or Kbay air. They make hourly runs to Seldovia, Port Graham, and Nanwalek. It is a glimpse into the life of a working Alaskan pilots. Maybe make a layover in Seldovia and go to the Lynwood bar for a beer and pizza.

Headoutdaplane wrote:Come to Homer and book a flight "down the line" with Smokey Bay or Kbay air. They make hourly runs to Seldovia, Port Graham, and Nanwalek. It is a glimpse into the life of a working Alaskan pilots. Maybe make a layover in Seldovia and go to the Lynwood bar for a beer and pizza.

Thank you Headoutdaplane, that's a great idea. We would like to see and do some things that not everyone else is doing.

I can't help you with the flying part but will 2nd others comments about early June being the better time to visit, not only because there are fewer tourists but the bugs aren't out in full force yet!

If you're road tripping it's worth it to stop in for some food and a Beer (or a few if you camp on site) in Healy AK outside of Denali NP.
https://www.49statebrewing.com/denali there is also an airport in Healy with sightseeing tours https://www.flydenali.com/ (didn't do the Glacier tour the offer but it looks fantastic). Healy could easily be overlooked if you're blasting by in your rig going from Anchorage to Denali NP or Fairbanks.

I'm envious that you're able to have so much time up there! I can't wait to go back there.

Everyone says early June but September in Alaska is basically a constant orgasm.

asa wrote:Everyone says early June but September in Alaska is basically a constant orgasm.

How many September's have you spent in Alaska? While the past two have been absolutely beautiful, it typically rains most of the month. Not to mention most of the seasonal businesses are shutdown. Not when I'd recommend visiting.

I don't completely disagree with you, though.

September in the interior can be spectacular. And, it can also be pretty ugly.

I'd vote for June as the best choice.

I would not miss Talkeetna and a tour of the mountain, my preference would be K-2 Aviation.

Lots of places to see, and not nearly enough time to see them all, so go into it with that understanding.

MTV

Alaska ferry out of Bellingham to Skagway. Might be cheaper than the gas cost to drive the Alcan. That’ll get you into Ketchikan for an hour or so. Or....buy the segment from Bellingham to Ketchikan...then buy another from Ketchikan to Skagway on the next ferry. I don’t recall any RV sites in Ketchikan... maybe the chamber of commerce can advise? Drive from Skagway to Anchorage...Fairbanks or wherever on the road system. I didn’t know Lake Clark Air did float ratings...they’re a couple hours south of me...may have to look into that for myself. Lake Clark and the pass is beautiful...another beautiful area to fly is between Glennallen and Palmer. Usually you can spot Dall Sheep on the north side of the highway...lots of air traffic through there...
My neck of the woods is great for beach combing. Miles of beach to fly...Whales and especially walrus carcasses are pretty common. Bring an axe! If you find a carcass with tusks you’ll need it..wear nose plugs...nasty! Visit federal fish and wildlife to get the custodial documents so that you can care for the ivory until you move on from this life..I have mogas and 100LL if your wondering finds you in one of the two places in the US where platinum is mined.. I managed the mine for years and can answer just about any questions about its history, geology and mining...if you want a tour...


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The last three trips I've taken to Fairbanks have been in August, and they've all be beautiful.

I think my next trip will be a spring one, but there's something magical about late summer in the Alaskan interior.

Planning a February trip in the coming years to get some good winter activities in.

I can't wait until we can move back!

Thank you to all who replied. We appreciate all the information and great ideas. I retired last year and my wife retired last week so this trip will be our first one that we don't have a schedule and don't have to be back in two weeks.

Any more ideas, advice, and suggestions are all very welcome.

If you end up traveling through Carcross, Yukon on your way up or back, shoot me a pm. We have lots of room to dry camp with a truck and trailer.

UpNorth

UpNorth wrote:If you end up traveling through Carcross, Yukon on your way up or back, shoot me a pm. We have lots of room to dry camp with a truck and trailer.

UpNorth

Thank you UpNorth, we really appreciate the offer, it looks like we won't be far away. We don't have pets and we are very quiet campers and have solar too.

red sled wrote:

UpNorth wrote:If you end up traveling through Carcross, Yukon on your way up or back, shoot me a pm. We have lots of room to dry camp with a truck and trailer.

UpNorth

Thank you UpNorth, we really appreciate the offer, it looks like we won't be far away. We don't have pets and we are very quiet campers and have solar too.

Same offer stands from me. If staying east of the Rockies and need anything mechanical or a nice quiet place to camp you can use my grass strip.

A1Skinner wrote:

red sled wrote:

UpNorth wrote:If you end up traveling through Carcross, Yukon on your way up or back, shoot me a pm. We have lots of room to dry camp with a truck and trailer.

UpNorth

Thank you UpNorth, we really appreciate the offer, it looks like we won't be far away. We don't have pets and we are very quiet campers and have solar too.

Same offer stands from me. If staying east of the Rockies and need anything mechanical or a nice quiet place to camp you can use my grass strip.

Thank you A1Skinner, we really appreciate your offer. I hope it works out and we would enjoy meeting you.