Just a Bit Windy Up There

Fasten your lap strap, it is just a bit windy up there today.

Pilot Shortage...

Below is from a recent article published in the ADN - Alaska Dispatch News.

With a possible pilot shortage looming, some in Alaska are especially concerned

"What we are seeing is a pilot pay shortage," he said. "Carriers that aren't competitive, they have a hard time attracting that talent."

A 2015 study from research institute Rand Corp. found that there would "not be a civilian system-wide pilot shortage in the near-term, though the system will become strained."

"Low-paying airlines will continue to have difficulties finding qualified pilots," the study continued. "All operators will experience fewer applicants for the available positions, potentially resulting in less qualified pilots system-wide."

October in Ohio

Long hours spent in the flight simulator for training are eased by touring the Ohio country side.

Advertising Stupid

One morning the company was advertising their stupid by placarding the side of the aircraft with something that could be seen from 1,000 feet.

Good thing they quickly realized their mistake and by that afternoon the placards were being removed.

The joys of working in aviation!

Before the Snow

Before the snow sets in again and the land becomes white. Of course Denali is always dressed in white.

DC6 Taking off from Point Woronzof

Just happened to be at the right place at the right time!

Benefit to Flight 960

Denali Sunrise

The View from 35,000 Feet

Evening Flight Home

Things that Make You Wonder...

How in the world did that plane get there?  Or more importantly why is this plane in the woods?

Cold Bay Fish Load

Our cargo helper for the flight.

Were you wondering what we were doing in Cold Bay? Well wonder no further, we were picking up a load of fish to bring to town - 33,297 pounds to be exact. Now that is a lot of fish.  So when you order Alaska Salmon from the menu at your local restaurant it might have been on this plane or one of the MANY flights full of fish that we haul in the short Alaska summers. Happy eating!

Popcorn Clouds

Popcorn clouds shadowing the land below, while it is a good morning up above.

Not Every Day You Go To Cold Bay

It's not every day that you get to take a flight to Cold Bay out on the Aleutian chain.

Flight to Fairbanks in May

Go Nanooks!

The Alaska Range

You can see Glitter Gulch a.k.a the business side of Denali National Park in the upper right corner.

The winding rivers and creeks of the Tanana Valley in the Interior of Alaska, just south of Fairbanks. 

Ahwww... home sweet home! Fairbanks!

In May we took a flight to Fairbanks and rode on Ravn Air in one of their DeHavilland DHC-8-100 (Dash 8).  Just the right one too, supporting UAF's team name and logo.  Go Nanooks! Which added to it being a great flight home.

Company in First Class

We had some chick's ride along in first class with us the other day to Bethel, they talked too much though. 

Flight Aware

Sometimes the Flight Aware tracking program gets the flight information incorrect, as was the case for this flight back in 2014. It had the flight arriving in Santa Maria Island 15 hours after the aircraft departed Emmonak Alaska. Now the DC6 is a great plane (plus its Captain does have super hero powers) so I do believe it could leap a tall building in a single bound but to fly halfway across the world would be a feat for Superman and Superman alone.

DC9 ~ Garden City, Kansas