AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 73

the towering mountains and coastal canals
means there can be little or no radar coverage at the low altitudes we’re flying,
airplane-to-airplane ADS-B signals let us
know each other’s whereabouts.
ADS-B ground stations have long been
in place throughout southeast Alaska, so
in airspace with radar coverage, aircraft
with Mode C transponders also show up
with relative altitudes, headings, and distances—but not N-numbers or flight codes.
Commercial operators here also use an asyet-unpublished network of IFR low-level
GPS airways that allow them to navigate in
the clouds through high-walled canals on
cloudy days that otherwise would ground
them. Since many of the towns and settlements in this region can only be reached
by air or water, the ability to fly safely in
inclement weather is a major plus.
The rare Alaska sunshine holds out during our flight to Klawock, a fishing village at
the southern tip of the imposing Prince of
Wales Island, and a day of fishing turns out
to be my favorite part of the trip. The fishing is incredible, and our group lands what
seems like enough salmon, halibut, ling cod,
and snapper to stock the Pike’s Place Market
in Seattle. But the amount and variety of
wildlife around us is far more impressive.
Otters and sea lions seem as curious
about us as we are about them; clusters of
eagles (a.k.a. “Alaska pigeons”) swoop low
over schooling fish, and humpback whales
gorge themselves near the shoreline. At
times, the majestic, submarine-sized mammals cruise directly under our 24-foot boat
and spout near enough for us to hear the
roar of their hardworking lungs.

The weather forecast calls for low ceilings and rain on our
departure day, and I’m secretly looking forward to an introduction
to nonradar IFR flying in Alaska. From Klawock, we’re flying just
20 minutes east to Ketchikan to refuel before starting the long leg to
Seattle. The procedure calls for a climb to 6,000 feet over the ocean,
then intercepting the airway that leads to the final approach fix for
the ILS approach to Runway 11. But as we drive to the airport, the
ceiling and visibility improve to what Lysen describes as “VFRish”
(about 800 feet), and it’s VFR by the time we take off. More sunshine awaits in Ketchikan.
A cooler of fish in our baggage compartment puts our airplane
right at its maximum gross weight. The airplane seems not to mind,
however, as we lift off the ground in 1,500 feet and climb 2,000 fpm.
Our VFR border crossing goes smoothly just north of the San Juan
Islands, and after 3.5 hours of flying, we’re back at Boeing Field in
Seattle where this trip of a lifetime began.
“One of the most surprising things about Alaska is how accessible it is,” says McIver, whose sales territory includes the entire
state. “Ketchikan is within easy nonstop range for an SR22. And
Anchorage is only one tank of avgas beyond that. It may feel like
the end of the Earth, but it’s within reach.”
AOPA
EMAIL dave.hirschman@aopa.org

RARE ALASKA
SUNSHINE made

scenic flights
possible in some
of the higher
elevations (left)
that are often
shrouded in clouds.
Glacial ice is an
irresistible force as
it slowly pulls its
way to the sea. The
coastal mountains
in southeast Alaska
are ringed with
such ancient and
current natural
wonders. Red
snapper, ling cod,
and silver and
Chinook salmon
were among the
catch on a full day
of fishing that is
a highlight of The
Flight Academy’s
annual Alaska trek
(www.theflight
academy.com).

www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 73


http://www.theflightacademy.com http://www.theflightacademy.com http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013
President’s Position
Membership Highlights
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
Safety Pilot
License to Learn
Inverted Jenny stamp to be reissued
Fly-Outs
AOPA Sweepstakes
Milestones
Pilot Products
Test Pilot
Pilot Products
News
People
AOPA News
Seeing is Believing
A Passion for Flight
Epic Flight: Journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun
Young Blood
Ownership
Wx Watch
Dogfight
Frugal Flier
Never Again
Airports
Member Services
Member Products
AOPA Foundation
State and Local Action
AOPA Contact Info
Fly by Wire
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Membership Highlights
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Safety Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 26
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Inverted Jenny stamp to be reissued
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Fly-Outs
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - AOPA Sweepstakes
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Milestones
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Pilot Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Test Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Pilot Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - News
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - People
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - AOPA News
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - D1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - D2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Seeing is Believing
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - A Passion for Flight
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Epic Flight: Journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Young Blood
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Ownership
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 81
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Wx Watch
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Dogfight
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Frugal Flier
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 91
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Airports
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Member Services
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Member Products
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - AOPA Foundation
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - State and Local Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - AOPA Contact Info
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2013 - Cover4
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