After nearly two weeks in Alaska, I have realized the reason so many Riddle students head north once they graduate. To rack up their experience hours. There's just one helluva lot of general aviation going on up here in a state where the capital cannot even be reached by road. Remember, only 10 numbered highways (actually 11) in the 49th; you've heard of Nome ... of Barrow? No such thing as a road or railway heading in their direction. Boat, yes. Plane, the fastest route. Usually a single engine puddle jumper.
Often it's what's called a float plane up here in the land of much water (back in Jax, we called them seaplanes, but I doubt that these pilots would or could land in the rough seas hereabouts very often). Fairbanks Intl. Airport features a lagoon almost as long as its jet runway for the large numbers of these planes to land and berth.
This picture was taken at a
flightseeing facility near Talkeetna; such planes may be chartered to get a view of Mt. McKinley (Denali) on those rare days when the cloud cover breaks. More likely they will carry tourists wanting to see the elusive grizzly bear. Below, another float plane charter business.
And what do those planes do in winter, when there's very little open water? Probably what they did in the old days -- trade in pontoons for heavy-duty skis.
Yesterday the SIL took me and the granddaughter out into the countryside to see the aeroplane graveyard. But first, we stopped across the road where the cheap tie-downs invite several line-ups of private planes (below). Note the spare set of pontoons.
At first, we didn't realize that the drive we were on led to a runway and we had to quickly move out of the way for this machine heading for a take-off.
Among the planes at the tie-down was this carcass and the former flyer below, in the midst of weeds. I'm guessing that there still was a future for them, since someone was probably paying the rent. Of course, perhaps the parts were being salvaged.
I wonder how often the gas-guzzler above unfolds its wings to take to the skies ... as a former US Navy plane built for aircraft carrier landings, it should work well in the Alaskan bush with its many small airstrips.
Once every useful part has been scavenged from yesterday's planes, here's where they might finish their days -- as hollowed out husks.
After nearly two weeks in Alaska, I have realized the reason so many Riddle students head north once they graduate. To rack up their experience hours. There's just one helluva lot of general aviation going on up here in a state where the capital cannot even be reached by road. Remember, only 10 numbered highways (actually 11) in the 49th; you've heard of Nome ... of Barrow? No such thing as a road or railway heading in their direction. Boat, yes. Plane, the fastest route. Usually a single engine puddle jumper.
Often it's what's called a float plane up here in the land of much water (back in Jax, we called them seaplanes, but I doubt that these pilots would or could land in the rough seas hereabouts very often). Fairbanks Intl. Airport features a lagoon almost as long as its jet runway for the large numbers of these planes to land and berth.
This picture was taken at a flightseeing facility near Talkeetna; such planes may be chartered to get a view of Mt. McKinley (Denali) on those rare days when the cloud cover breaks. More likely they will carry tourists wanting to see the elusive grizzly bear. Below, another float plane charter business.
And what do those planes do in winter, when there's very little open water? Probably what they did in the old days -- trade in pontoons for heavy-duty skis.
Yesterday the SIL took me and the granddaughter out into the countryside to see the aeroplane graveyard. But first, we stopped across the road where the cheap tie-downs invite several line-ups of private planes (below). Note the spare set of pontoons.
At first, we didn't realize that the drive we were on led to a runway and we had to quickly move out of the way for this machine heading for a take-off.
Among the planes at the tie-down was this carcass and the former flyer below, in the midst of weeds. I'm guessing that there still was a future for them, since someone was probably paying the rent. Of course, perhaps the parts were being salvaged.
I wonder how often the gas-guzzler above unfolds its wings to take to the skies ... as a former US Navy plane built for aircraft carrier landings, it should work well in the Alaskan bush with its many small airstrips.
Once every useful part has been scavenged from yesterday's planes, here's where they might finish their days -- as hollowed out husks.
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