A flight through Alaska and up to 80 degrees north in Arctic Canada presents a few challenges that you don’t run into when flying around the lower 48. Before setting out there was a fair amount of work to do to get ready for the flight. Aircraft preparation There were several major upgrades done to the aircraft to prepare it for the flight, as well as general maintenance to get it into top condition. The biggest upgrade was the addition…
Arrival into Canada was, as always, fairly straightforward. I’d had to buy a “customs decal” for $28 in advance to place on the airplane (seems to have no other purpose than a tax), and then file an e-apis declaration online with the US CBP. Apart from that, it was just filing a VFR flight plan online, and calling the Canadians to let them know about the arrival. The flight was a short, less than 30 minute hop up to Vancouver…
The next day brought a flight up into Eastern Washington, and Sullivan Lake Strip, a beautiful grass field next to Sullivan Lake in a secluded valley. It features fantastic camping and hiking. There are State Forest campsites both sides of the strip but it is extremely quiet and peaceful. We set up camp and explored the area a little include a hike up into the hills around the lake with a great view back to the airplane and campsite. That…
As is often the case, the work on the aircraft went right down to the last minute, and the final piece of work was finished the morning of my planned departure. The aircraft was at an airport in central Pennsylvania, 150 miles in the wrong direction. I loaded all of my gear into the trusty old Cessna 172 and a good friend flew me over to Williamsport airport where I loaded the 182, fueled up to my full 111 gallon…