Blue Goose Aviation
Alaska 2009
Blue Goose Aviation is planning another tour to Alaska in June 2009 and you are invited to join us. This is an exclusive invitation extended first to clients that have flown with us before and then to those who would like to add some great adventure to their flying.
We will limit this tour to 7 airplanes. Previous clients have to 1 November 2008 to sign up for the tour to make sure they guarantee a slot on the tour. If there are any open spaces after 1 November 2008 we will open the tour up to anyone else that would like to join us. These spaces will be filled on a first sign up basis (ie. if you have not flown with us before and sing up for the tour in March 2008 you have priority over someone who signs up in November 2008.)
The tour will take 21 days beginning 20 June 2009 in Cut Bank Montana and ending there 10 July 2009. I sincerely hope you can join us on this exciting adventure.
The Alaska tour is different than the stateside tours we operate in the following respects:
This will be an exciting tour with great memories. I have included the itinerary for the entire 3,900 NM trip below. Changes may take place due to weather or other causes. If you have any questions please contact me at 719 393-5550 or send me an e-mail at flybga@hughes.net .
Joe Kuberka, President & CEO
Blue Goose Aviation
Saturday 20 June 2009: KCTB – CYQL 64 NM Lethbridge Canada
Fly into Cut Bank Montana by 12:30 PM. We will check your credentials and review Customs forms for Canada. Then you will fly to Lethbridge Canada where we will spend the first night. On the first night, we will review required survival equipment (we will send you a list after you register) and discuss some survival techniques. The first dinner of five provided by Blue Goose Aviation will be here.
NOTE: Okay we are now on our way up north. The idea is to get to Alaska but enjoy the journey on the way. I have done this trip by three hoping each day. There is no time to enjoy sites on the ground. By flying only one hop each day we will have no time in Alaska when we get there. Therefore, we will plan two hops one day and one hop the next. This will get us to Alaska in a reasonable time. Alternating the stops on the return will allow us to overnight in different towns than those visited on the way north.
Sunday 21 June 2009: CYQL – CYDQ 456 NM Dawson Creek
We will do two flights today. The first flight is 273 miles to Edison Alberta where we will stop for fuel and a quick snack. Then we will fly 183 NM to Dawson Creek. This is where mile marker 1 of the Alaskan highway is placed. We will go out to the marker for a photo opportunity. The rest of the day is yours to explore this small town.
Monday 22 June 2009: CYDQ – CYYE 201 NM Fort Nelson
Today’s flight will take us to Fort Nelson, Alberta. We will be leaving the farm lands and open spaces for more trees, swamps and rugged terrain. Fort Nelson is a short drive from the airport but an interesting small town. You will have time to look around and enjoy the beauty of this remote site.
Tuesday 23 June 2009: CYYE – CYXY 393 NM White Horse
We will cross some beautiful terrain today as we turn more westerly during our flight. Our flight takes us to White Horse, Alberta. This is an interesting town and we will spend two nights here. We will stop for fuel and another quick snack at Watson Lake. Be prepared for the highest priced fuel of the trip at this stop since it is trucked in from Fort Nelson or Whitehorse. The airport is on a lake that has great views and a beautiful picnic spot. We will spend the night here on the way back. The afternoon will be yours to mosey around the town of Whitehorse after arrival.
Wednesday 24 June 2009: Non Flying Day (Weather catch up day)
If we arrived yesterday and the weather looks favorable for a Friday departure, we will spend the day here to relax. The second dinner provided by Blue Goose Aviation is here at White Horse.
Thursday 25 June 2009: CYXY – PAOR 236 NM Northway USA and PAOR – PAVD 200 NM Valdez
It is “Back to the USA” today. Keep your cameras ready. When we arrive in Northway we must go through U.S. customs again. After we clear customs, we will fly down the mountain range southwesterly and across some glaciers. Our landing spot is Valdez, AK. You will see this pristine village and meet the friendly people. This is the terminal end for the Alaskan Pipe Line. You will have time to walk around the docks as well as shop in the downtown area today.
Friday 26 June 2009: We will spend a second day in Valdez where you can shop, look around or even go fishing if you want. It will be a great day to relax.
Saturday 27 June 2009: PAVD – PAMR 190 NM Anchorage
Okay – this is a short flight as the crow flys (104 NM) but our route will be longer I am sure. Today we arrive in Anchorage where we will spend two nights. You will have time to shop, look around the town, and eat at some great restaurants. My favorite is “Humpy’s.” They have a berry crisp that keeps bringing me back. If you are interested in flying across the Cook Inlet to Iliamna or to Kodiak, today or tomorrow will be your chance. This will be on your own if you decide to do so. We will help you plan such a route and set up arrangements if you desire. Dinner will be provided by Blue Goose Aviation.
Sunday 28 June 2009: (Non Flying Day) This is your chance to visit the city or walk around Lake Hood if you would like or just relax.
Monday 29 June 2009: PAMR – PAWD 66 NM Seward and PAWD – PAHO 58 NM Homer
We arrive in Seward, Alaska today. We will take you to the sea aquarium here. This was built with money from the USS Valdez clean up efforts and gives you the chance to get up close and personal with some of Alaska’s wonderful wildlife. In the afternoon we will fly to Homer Alaska. It is a short hop but to drive it by auto would take all day. Homer Alaska is home to “The End of the Road”.
Tuesday 30 June 2009: Non Flying day to enjoy the town of Homer or go Fishing. If you plan on Halibut fishing in Alaska, this is the place. Let us know and we will help set up the fishing trip.
Wednesday 1 July 2009: PAHO – PATK 178 NM Talkeetna
We fly to Talkeetna today. We actually fly past Talkeetna to Healy for our landing. If the weather is right we should see Mt McKinley. Our lodging is on the Nenana River.
Thursday 2 July 2009: Talkeetna Non flying day. Today we will do a 12 hour bus tour to Kantishna. We travel through Denali National Park stopping for photos and to watch wildlife. This is a great trip. We have lunch at Kantishna as part of the tour.
Friday 3 July 2009: PATK – PAFA 161 NM Fairbanks
This will be another beautiful flight to Fairbanks Alaska. If anyone is interested in flying north to the artic circle this is the place from which to depart. Let me know and I will help you plan the trip. For your planning, all the runways north of the artic circle are gravel.
Saturday 4 July 2009: PAFA – CYDA 231 NM Dawson City Canada
Dawson City Airport is a gravel runway. For those who can not land on gravel or do not want to go to Dawson City, you will fly from Fairbanks to Whitehorse to clear customs and have an extra night in Whitehorse. Dawson City will be a day to relax in what I think is the last Wild West town alive.
Note: I will ask on the reservation form if you want to fly to Dawson City or direct to Whitehorse.
Sunday 5 July 2009: CYDA – CYXY 230 NM White Horse
After arriving in White Horse you will have the day to explore or to participate in an event you discovered on the way up to Alaska.
Note: Based on weather and aircraft capabilities those whishing to fly the trench south will be allowed to do so. The trench is 400NM down a beautiful valley; however, landings areas are very limited. On the reservation form I will ask if you are interested in flying the trench or not.
Monday 6 July 2009: CYXY – CYQH 188 NM Watson Lake
At Watson Lake we will go to the Alaskan Highway Interpretive Centre and the Northern Lights Centre. I think you will be entertained by both.
Tuesday 7 July 2009: CYQH – CYXJ 345 NM Fort St Johns
We will fly two hops today flying first to Fort Nelson for those who need fuel. This leg is 205 NM. Departing Fort Nelson and on down to Fort St Johns another 167 NM. Fort St Johns is a small town for us to relax for our next leg.
Wednesday 8 July 2009. CYXJ – CYBW 382 NM Spring Bank
Another two hops, with 217 NM to Edison and 167 to Spring Bank just outside Calgary, Alberta.
We will spend two nights in Calgary giving you the chance to see the city. We will have an activity scheduled for the first day.
Thursday 9 July 2009: (Non Flying day) Calgary, Alberta – see the city
Friday 10 July 2009 CYBW – KGTF 247 NM Great Falls USA