Upgrade for Alaska?
Ok we are trying again to assemble a whirlwind trip(we only have 30-40 days) to Alaska. We purchased a TT a few years ago and did a 7000mi cross country trip towing it with our Excursion. We figured...
Forum Discussion
Been flying since 1983....with all but 10 of my flying hours in AK...so take this for what it's worth regarding visibility etc:
- Don't worry about the money...it will come back in the next paycheck, SS check, etc.
- Before I get flamed...what this means is if YOU don't feel comfortable flying and MOST CERTAINLY IF THE PILOT doesn't feel comfortable flying, don't be pressured or pressure the pilot to go "We've spent XX days and $YY for this trip." Simply ain't worth it.
- Particularly if "flying" is on your bucket list, don't skimp on the duration of any air tour: While I may be a bit jaded, almost any tour from a popular starting point (Los Anchorage, Talkeetna, Fairbanks) will have a some degree of transit time to the "scenic" areas. The longer tour times (i.e. 2-hour vs. 1-hour) allow more flying time for the scenery and don't lose as high a percentage to transit time.
- FWIW, a turbine Beaver or Otter is an incredible, kick-a** machine. but......there is nothing in the world that sounds as neat (IMNSHO) as a big radial engine winding up with that throaty rumble. If the option presents itself, choose a Beaver or Otter with a radial, not the turbine conversion.
- Don't worry about the money...it will come back in the next paycheck, SS check, etc.
- Before I get flamed...what this means is if YOU don't feel comfortable flying and MOST CERTAINLY IF THE PILOT doesn't feel comfortable flying, don't be pressured or pressure the pilot to go "We've spent XX days and $YY for this trip." Simply ain't worth it.
- Particularly if "flying" is on your bucket list, don't skimp on the duration of any air tour: While I may be a bit jaded, almost any tour from a popular starting point (Los Anchorage, Talkeetna, Fairbanks) will have a some degree of transit time to the "scenic" areas. The longer tour times (i.e. 2-hour vs. 1-hour) allow more flying time for the scenery and don't lose as high a percentage to transit time.
- FWIW, a turbine Beaver or Otter is an incredible, kick-a** machine. but......there is nothing in the world that sounds as neat (IMNSHO) as a big radial engine winding up with that throaty rumble. If the option presents itself, choose a Beaver or Otter with a radial, not the turbine conversion.
