Renting in Alaska

ArrowFlyer86

ArrowFlyer86

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The Little Arrow That Could
I have the opportunity to travel to Alaska on very short notice (before xmas). It's TBD if I pull the trigger, working on logistics.

Any recommendations of places where I may be able to rent a plane in winter in Anchorage or Fairbanks (either flying with an instructor or doing a check out)? I'm 740 TT and 680 complex. No IFR. No multi. To be honest, I don't even know if people fly in Alaska (non commercial) during the winter!

And I'm sure it would present weather challenges and might not work out. But I gotta at least try. Any thoughts or experiences welcome.
 
fly8ma.com

Pilot Lodge - FLY8MA Online Flight Training

We offer full accomodations on our Private Airstrip here in Alaska. Tie-down, hangar space, and Cabin rentals available along with our Airplane Homes.
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Jon built a lodge out of an old DC6 and does instruction up there now. Dont think it'd be an option but I thought it was interesting he moved up there.
 
simie1 said:
I did that out of Merrill field. Couple of flights with an instructor in the right seat. Over glaciers, gravel strips, pretty awesome.
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Any outfits you would recommend for rental?
 
Blue River Aviation in Palmer, AK is likely exactly what you're looking for.
 
We were in Alaska on vacation in February of 23. My son with a fresh private cert checked out with a CFI at Blue River Aviation in Palmer to rent their 172s. I got to ride along on that check-out flight and then he flew his mother and I two more times while we were there. The most beautiful terrain and glaciers are right off the end of the runway.
 

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Adventure said:
We were in Alaska on vacation in February of 23. My son with a fresh private cert checked out with a Blue River CFI to rent their 172s. I got to ride along on that check-out flight and then he flew his mother and I two more times while we were there. The most beautiful terrain and glaciers are right off the end of the runway.
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That's awesome! Exactly what I'm hoping to do. Thank you!
 
We also did a half day ski flying lesson at Alaska Floats and Skis in Talkeetna. Also highly recommend.
 
I rode back seat in the Tri-Pacer on skis :) At least a dozen rough lake landings, the slightest glimpse at Denali, and a super cool flight winding between canyon walls.
 

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I rented a 172 at Palmer, great place to fly. Flat land plus mountains and glaciers.
 
Adventure said:
I rode back seat in the Tri-Pacer on skis :) At least a dozen rough lake landings, the slightest glimpse at Denali, and a super cool flight winding between canyon walls.
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It sounds like to had a trip you will truly never forget.
 
We didn't fly any GA in or around the big city, but there is a cool aviation museum at the Anchorage airport. Driving around Lake Hood is completely eye-opening. I had no idea. And as a midwesterner I just can't imagine that place in the summer. We also had fun at the Bushwheels and Alaska Gear store at Merrill Field.
 
It’s probably a little tougher due to the time of the year although my daughters local FBO still tries to conduct business down to -15 degrees…she is in North Pole next to Fairbanks so also colder there. She lives on the runway in a local fly in community so everyone already has their skis on in that community. Good luck probably going to take a few phone calls…I know in summer they have a problem keeping up with demand but maybe not so much in winter.
 
They definitely fly in the winter in Alaska and have done so since the end of WWI. Try to find a copy of Polar Pilot by Dorothy G. Page for the history on that. (Warning: It's written like a biopic, complete with "what they might have said" dialogue, but it's still a great read.) Please go there now, do some flying, and file your PIREPs here.

If I were you, I would try to find some ski instruction and get a flight review and/or tailwheel endorsement on the snow. But that's mostly because I have a pair of skis for the J-3 that I haven't been brave enough to try out without an experienced ski pilot CFI on board.
 
Man, I wish I had asked this question; went on an Alaskan cruise early September. That would have been cool.
 

FAA WeatherCams

FAA aviation weather camera imagery, aviation and weather data, flight planning and weather monitoring tools, and other resources for pilots, forecasters, ...
weathercams.faa.gov weathercams.faa.gov

Check out the weather cams, it’s a whole different world of flying, the days are shorter in the winter too.
 
Thank you all for your recommendations.
I'll find out shortly if the trip is going to happen :)
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Any outfits you would recommend for rental?
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At Merrill, try Angel Aviation, Land and Sea, and Birch Creek Aviation.

If you can make it up to Palmer, see if they have a super cub on skis yet. It'll be pricey, but a completely different experience than anything you've done.
 
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