Has anyone here flown single-engine piston from the lower 48 up to Alaska? There's a possiblity that this trip will go through for an aircraft we're selling.

So far, my proposed routing would be from Indiana(kmie) to Billings with an overnight, then to the Seattle area(kclm) before heading north. Anyways, from CLM-PAKT(Overnight)-PAJN-PANC is the rest of the routing, keeps me well within the range of the Saratoga, fuel seems to be available at each stop, etc..

Any recommendations or variations on this routing? I'm not really wanting to go through the northern wilderness of Canada. I figured the west coast route is well traveled enough that even if I had a problem, hopefully someone would hear/find me.

Finally, if this trip goes, I'm also putting out the offer for someone to go with. You'll be responsible for all hotel, food, and expenses home, but there's an opportunity here for 18+hrs, and a trip of a lifetime. Plan to be gone for up to 5 days. I wouldn't have an issue going slightly off-route to pick someone up, but not terribly so for the obvious reasons. For now this is a feeler, nothings in stone as of yet.

 

Stop at BFI and pick up Vagabond.

 

Wouldn't a shorter, closer to a Great Circle Route be possible? From Indiana to DLH, VBI (Sioux Narrows), YQD (The Pas), YVC (La Ronge), YMM (Ft. McMurray), YQJ (High Level), YYE, (Ft. Nelson), YQH (Watson Lake), YXY (Whitehorse), then, because of the single-engine, swing South over YAK (Yakutat), JOH (Johnstone Point), and on into Anchorage.

That would be the shortest way and the facilities should be satisfactory along the whole route. And, it's flat until you get to Whitehorse. Anyway, that's the route we flew out of O'Hare to Anchorage (with the exception of the jog at the end).

Ought to be a nice trip no matter which way you go. Long with only one screw though!

 

Stop in Akron, OH and get me. Little outta the way...but not too bad...

 

That would be an awesome trip. I live in Indy and would go with you in a second but not sure I can get the time off from my job. PM me if this thing actually looks like it might happen and you are seriously looking for someone to tag along. Might have to ask the boss for a favor. That should go over great.

 

In my 20's I made several trips between Alaska and the lower 48 every year. I flew it mostly in single engine planes.

Don't go up the coast. The weather is always bad and there are few options.

I would instead head from Billings to Prince George BC. Then from Prince George to Watson Lake via the trench. Then Watson lake to White Horse. To then be followed by White Horse to Northway Alaska.

You could spend the night in Billings and White Horse or push it all the way to AK in one long day if you wished. One time I left Washington State at 5:00AM and landed in Anchorage at 2:00 AM the following morning in a Cessna 150. Often I would camp. Some of the airport FBO's offer a bunkhouse for those who wish to save money. If I recall it took 16 hours from Seattle to Anchorage in a Cessna 180, 21 hours in a 150 and 26 hours in an Aeronca Champ.

Stick to the bigger airports. Some of the smaller ones that are listed on the chart as public airports are not friendly towns to outsiders. Especially do not land there to sight see or to try and fish the local stream.

I would practice working the term "eh" after each sentence. Example "nice weather, eh?" In addition pronounce the word about as "a boot". As you get farther north clinch your teeth together when you talk. Not in an angry way but try keeping your front teeth constantly touching each other when you speak. Don't move your jaw as you talk and speak slowly.

The weather is very unpredictable and severe along the coast. If you end up flying IFR you will miss out on much of the scenery. I would stick the the inland routes if I were you and never get above 500' AGL. Fly along the right side of the valleys. Don't cruse down the center.

Bring camping gear because Canadian law requires that you carry survival equipment that includes a gun of some kind. Find out that the list is and bring it. They are serious about that stuff up there.

It is a beautiful trip.

Skyhigh

 

Having flown through Canada quite a number of times on floats & amphibs, the route that Skyhigh suggested would be the best. You do not want to jump from Whitehorse to Yakutat, that is very remote mountainous country with no where to land. And as stated before, stay away from the coast, unless you are going to install floats and don't mind flying really low.

The last plane(a 206 amphib) I flew up was from eastern Mass to Anc, it took 36 hours flight time. The Saratoga will, of course, make much better time. You'll get charged landing & ATC fees while traveling through Canada.

Have a good flight.

 

I was going to try and avoid Canada, because this plane will have a pink-slip registration, unless we get the new one ASAP. I have a passport, and have flown into canada before, but I was weighing the options of whether I wanted to see tree's, more tree's, and then maybe some more, or take the coastal route and maybe having a slightly better view. I'm not going to rush this trip. I'll file and fly IFR, but planning on VMC flying only regardless if I fly over Canada or the Coastal route.

I'm not sure these guys are going to bite on us flying the plane out there, because frankly, we're expensive! They have a pilot, but he was injured snowmobiling, so could be a month or so before he's safe to fly again.

Appreciate the responses!