AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 71
Facing page: Ultima Thule's red
and yellow Turbine Otter is well
known in the Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park and Preserve. The
versatile Otter on wheel skis in the
Western Brooks Range. Paul Claus
with his grandson in the family
Otter. Above: Icelandic horses hang
out peacefully en route to Apricity
Alaska Homestead on the other side
of the Alaska Range in Talkeetna Air
Taxi's Turbine Otter.
In the 1990s, glacier runway environments were far less travelled, and some days
the rustic Sheldon Mountain House became the shelter for the night. Roderick says
there is not much that would keep an Otter from getting out of the range, as the wide
skis, powerful engine, and STOL kit make it a remarkable performer.
However, the overhead and operational costs of the Turbine Otter can be daunting,
especially with up to six on a flight line. Maintenance can also be challenging
since so few DHC-3s were produced. Keeping ahead of the game is key. Companies
like K2 and TAT have maintenance staff who are masters of online research of parts.
They keep a keen eye on what parts regularly need to be replaced, and they purchase
and stockpile them for future use. The tailwheels on Otters landing on glaciers tend
to take a beating, and the conversion to 1,000 horsepower may also take a toll on the
body of the aircraft. Strict FAA maintenance rules and regulations keep the maintenance
side of the business busy, and mechanics are often at the Talkeetna post office
eager for boxes of valuable parts to arrive, especially in the summertime.
Without a doubt, the sound of the DHC-2 Beaver's radial engine, along with its rustic
charm and irresistible interior, cannot be replaced, not even with the Turbine Otter.
Dave Lee of Sheldon Air Service squeezes loads of climbers and gear into the lovely
Beaver-and his flights may enjoy the lower altitudes and sights of the Alaska Range
with passengers elbow to elbow, knee to knee. But these days the Beaver, 185, and Super
Cub are limited to single-pilot operators like N2 Aviation and Sheldon Air Service.
What does the future hold for aircraft companies that are secretly drawing up
designs for aircraft that could replace the Otter? Perhaps the Turbine Otter will still
be the preferred aircraft, lifting the spirits of passengers, soaring among granite spires
with timeless glacial rivers below. Katie Writer is an Alaska pilot and journalist who
enjoys the slow speeds of her Piper Super Cub for aerial photography.
katiewritergallery.com
AOPA PILOT / April 2022
71
http://www.katiewritergallery.com
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022
Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 20
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 22
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 26
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 30
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 31
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 37
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 43
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 46
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 58
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 63
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 79
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 81
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 86
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 91
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - Cover4
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