2017 Sonex Alaska Trip

[fastj22]

So far, we have some informal discussions with several Sonex flyers to make a group trip to Alaska.
This thread is to see who might be interested and what we need to do to prepare.
Jim Hicke, Mike Niedenthal and I are up for this trip sometime next May/June.
Anyone interested, post here, anyone who's done the trek, post advice.

[hickej]

I'm going to have to buy a Prince Prop to keep up with your climb!
Current Plan
Start Date: Memorial Day Weekend 2017 (May 27)
Plan: Three Weeks
Week 1 - Meet up at Cut Bank International on Memorial Day (KCTB). This gives everyone 3 days to get there from across the country. Have a memorial day BBQ at Cut Bank. Cross into Canada on Tuesday morning and fly the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, plan to stick together (e.g. agree on a target airport for each leg, wait for everyone to arrive, repeat while sun is up)
Week 2 - Everyone has a different bucket list while in Alaska so camp at Fairbanks and explore from there
Week 3 - Fly home - by now we've probably scattered a bit (and have become Alaska experts!) so no attempt at group flight but track each other with Spot, cell phones, or blogs.
My wife plans on joining me during Week 2 (via Alaska Airlines...) and we'll probably rent a car and go to Denali - Still lots of planning to do....

Here is a possible route outline based on Robert Barber's account with advice from others (which I'm sure we'll continue to get). All accounts indicate that flexibility is a must due to weather and that following roads whenever possible is wise.
Big Picture: Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Tok Junction, Fairbanks
KCTB CYQL CYYC CYEG CYZU CYQU CYXJ CYYE CYQH CYZW CYXY PFTO PAFA
Note: These are not all direct legs nor all intended stops but a general route that follows roads. I tried to pick airports that had 100LL since many airports have no fuel. We'll probably have to carry extra fuel for longer legs.

I'm really excited about this trip and hope we can get a few people to go!
-Jim Hicke

[fastj22]

Question: Do you need a private or can a sport pilot do the trek? How about a PP flying without a medical?

[hickej]

The last time I checked, Canada doesn't allow flight without a valid medical certificate. Also, if the third class medical exemption ever gets approved, none of those pilots will be able to fly in Canada either. The IAOPA is working on a drivers license medical for international flight, but I would not hold my breath given the current mess the USA is making of it (i.e. it won't be just a driver's license). My understanding is that customs will ask to see your pilot's license but only rarely ask to see your medical. Of course, if you aren't carrying one the odds go up to 100% by Murphy's Law. ;)
-Jim

[fastj22]

Yet another reason to just bite the bullet and get current on my 3rd class medical.

[gknowles]

Several Sonex owners from the Ottawa Canada area may be interested in this trip. In fact, 3 of us just got back from a two week trip where our original goal was Alaska. But while in ND we made the call to revert to Plan B due to an extened poor forecast along the Alaska highway. Plan B was great, however ... Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, taking in some of the major attractions along the way.

[fastj22]

Yet another reason to just bite the bullet and get current on my 3rd class medical.

Passed my 3rd class last week. I'm good to go now.

[caveman370]

Jim,
Have my passport and my restricted radiotelephone operators permit( for years)
Standing by for another update

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dynomike]

I couldn't do the trip but would like to fly my sonex up to cutbank and meet everyone

[hickej]

That's a great idea! Anyone who wants to fly to Cut Back and hang out with Sonex pilots should join us. Who knows, maybe it will become a fly-in...
-Jim

FYI - I just got a new tent (with good netting) and plenty of room inside to stretch out if I need to hide from the mosquitoes...