Ok AK 175 owners. We need to do a fly in. Lately I've been putting in a bunch of long hours in 14M to find a suitable spot to do a fly in that you can't drive to and that isn't a heavily used airport. I wanted to find a good spot that also catered to floats but I haven't been able to do that as I had hoped. I'm also looking for a spot that is interesting to fly into (ie NO PAVEMENT!) I know some people may not feel comfortable landing on a beach or may not have a plane that is equipped to land on semi soft areas. What I've come up with so far is either the airstrip 8KA (Rohn cabin, Iditarod checkpoint) http://www.airnav.com/airport/8KA. This strip is a bit sporting for those not used to nice gravel or pavement. Or there is a really nice "sand bar" strip between Knik Glacier and Inner Lake George. This strip is about the nicest off field strip (its not a platted strip on any FAA map) you will probably ever find. 1-1200ft estimated very hard packed (almost like concrete!) and quite smooth. Some of you may have been into this spot before as it sees a fair amount of use. If Inner Lake George clears off the icebergs a float plane could land there. I've seen floats in there before but right now the icebergs are to numerous. If anyone knows of another good spot speak up. This area is a perfect spot for sightseeing. You can hike around and fly around looking at the glacier and mountains. I take family members who come up to AK to this spot for some flightseeing

What I'd like to do is a BBQ fly in. Everyone bring some food or drinks and some chairs. A grill or two with some burgers and dogs. I'm aiming for July 25 (sat). I'm flexible on the date if more people can make another day rather than this date. I'd also like to know who isn't currently able to come in their own plane for whatever reason and make arrangments to get them out to this spot via other members.

Im on floats so that limits my options. What about something a little closer, like willow or skwenta. Flying that far and through the pass may put some off.

Any suggestions from the Cattledogn' Kenai contingent like Johnson Lake, Tustemena? It may not hurt to start out with something easy, compare notes, plan the next trip and work our way up. I will not have 88M going any time in the near future, but could provide ground support if on or near the road system. I still like the strip at Summit, just south of Cantwell. Not remote like Rohn, but Lakes across the Parks, strip is big enough to land a C-130, great view if McKinley is clear, and I've camped there overnight many times.

Doc I was thinking you bring your cub. You're still one of us even if your in something slower for now. I did find a suitable place on the Denali Hwy (connects Cantwell to Paxson in the summer) for both wheels and floats. Problem is that you have to land on the road. I can't find anything or anyone that can give me a 100% positive answer on wether or not you can legally land on a public road when it isn't an emergency. I know we've all done it one time or another for reasons other than an emergency. If someone knows something I don't let me know.

Craig, I hadn't thought of Skwentna, how far is the water from the runway? Looking at a pic of Summit I realized the lake is really close. Anyone know if the lake on the same side of the park as Summit is long enough for floats? I know the East side is.

Back in the 90's it was legal to land on public roads when the Alaska Airmens Association printed "The Logbook". See Doc, I have been reading it!

The warning was about municipalities and busy areas... use good judgement because they (law enforcement) will not take kindly to you interfering with the safety of ground traffic.

Tyler,

Nothing really close to skwenta for water landing. I just like going there on wheels. I suppose if you were daring you could land in the river, but Im a chicken.

Craig

Last weekend I found another good spot. Beluga Lake (upper lake). I've been in there in a 206 on floats long time ago. I think that was when I got hooked on flying. It has a decent spot to land on wheels at the west end. Its a bit sporting for those on tiny tires or aren't familiar with off field flying.

Been into Beluga lake many times. Any fish in Coal Creek yet? Not sure of the strip you are talking about, but being on floats, Id have the whole lake. The "sporting" strip may scare some away. FYI, Im a chicken, so sporting would keep me away.

Also, heard Skwenta isnt too bad to land on the river on floats, not that Im up to it.

Craig

I found two spots at the west end of the lake from the main glacier runoff (north river west side) that show signs of use. The one farther north is more suitable even for me. As the other one was quite soft ie I back taxied and took back off careful not to come to a complete stop for fear I'd be digging the plane out. Been there, done that.....

Didn't get to check to see if there were any fish in Coal Creek yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll head out with my inflatable and go do some fishing/camping. I'll let you know when I get back.

Tyler,

I don't even have the cub going yet...put fuel in the tanks two weeks ago and had to pull one and get it back to Atlee to fix several leaks. And I am still refinishing the wheels for the 29" Gar-aero's. It does have a shiny new 82/41 McCauley on it now though, so it is getting closer! It has been over two years on this project, so will have to learn to fly all over again anyway.

The Skwentna River is right off the eastern end of the runway (3400' gvl). I have seen jon boats tied up there, but never a float plane. I suppose conditions would dictate a landing there on floats, but there seems to be a lot of stumps and snags migrating downstream when water is high.

I heard you could walk across the Russian on on the sockeye last week, but they have stopped for now like someone turned the faucet off! I think they are still taking Kings at Lake Creek though.