This video is for sure a long time coming. Some of you may recall that back in February of 2012 I spent some time up in Alaska flying in my friends Super Cub. This trip was particularly more special than my last visit because the airplane had it’s bush wheels removed and replaced with a set of skis for winter fun and flying. So when CJ told me about the skis on his plane, I knew I had to get to Alaska ASAP!
My previous visit was in August 2010 where we did some summer style bush flying landing on gravel bars, mountain tops, and even camping out on a glacier overnight. Yup, a glacier! You can do that kind of stuff in Alaska. Actually, funny side story here… while snow mobiles are NOT allowed within Denali National Park during the winter months, airplanes ARE! How cool is that?
But I digress so back to the story at hand. Arriving in Anchorage in February, we drove north to Talkeetna where we stayed in a cabin at the Meandering Moose Lodge. Oh the memories! Middle-of-the-night walks from town, intoxicated on good times and local microbrews, trekking through snowmobile trails in the darkness of a the Alaskan winter sky. But you’re here about the flying and not my social exploits, of course.
In this particular video we depart from Willow, AK and headed easterly out to the Talkeetna Mountain Range for some sightseeing. HOLY SHIT what a view! Most spectacular flying experience I’ve ever had hands down. Cruising down the valleys, crossing ridge lines, and coasting downslope were some of my favorite parts. But you can see all that for yourself in this video above.
Now I know this video is kind of long pushing the 40 minute mark BUT it’s worth EVERY MINUTE for the spectacular views and cool flying experience. Skip around if you have to, you won’t regret it. My friend Chris told me, “Just awesome! Watched it with my kids. It’s the first time they sat through a aviation vid without any complaints! 4 and 6 yr old. Great job!” If kids like it, so will you.
One last thing, if you want to hear me talk more about the the aspects of ski plane flying including my flight lessons and jumping out of the airplane to stop it from colliding into other objects on the icy taxiway then listen to Episode #21 of the Stuck Mic AvCast about Fly It Forward Recap, Planes-Trains-Automobiles, & Alaskan Ski-Plane Adventures.