Flying in Ketchikan, Alaska
Flying SeaPlanes in Ketchikan, Alaska has been the highlight of my career in Aviation. Began flying up there when I was 17 years old. Literally flew around the area, that many of us termed as, “God’s Country”. Which seemed to fit as a perfect description of this region. The sheer beauty of it.
Here I am helping my passenger off my plane. Circa 1987. I was a 19 year old Commercial Seaplane pilot. 🙂
Here are a few of the aircraft I flew in the 1980’s. With Temsco Airlines, Inc.
These are incredible machines. The DHC – 2 (Beaver) and the DHC – 3 (Otter) The work horses of South East Alaska. Really great machines to fly. This is when the DHC-3 Otters had radial engines, before they were all converted to the Turbine Engines.
Seeing Southeast Alaska from the Sky was an amazing time. And some truly beautiful Country.
This is how we go lake fishing in Alaska.
And the flight seeing really began to take shape in the 80’s. A big draw was, and still is, the Misty Fjords.
When you close your eyes and picture Alaska, you are in the Misty Fjords National Monument. Icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, glacial valleys … literally everywhere you point your camera, it’s a postcard. There are two ways to experience “the Mistys,” as we affectionately call them: from a floatplane, where you get a true eagle’s eye view; and on a cruise tour, where you can actually feel the vibration of nature. Both are jaw-droppingly incredible.
The Entrance to Rudyard Bay.
Big Goat Lake
Rudyard Bay
And on the mountain tops, many times on snow caps, we were have a chance to see herds of mountain goat, up at at 3,000 – 4,000 foot mark, on the mountain sides.
Truly saw some amazing territory. One that, I have seen, many times, passengers seeing this with me, with tears in their eyes, or streaming down their face, at the sheer beauty of it all. Breathtaking.
Yes, I miss flying up in Alaska, and will cherish the times I flew up there. Flew with some amazing people, many of whom I still remain in contact with. Great pilots.
The birds, back at the ranch, getting ready for the next load of passengers, mail, groceries and or supplies.
Campers, tourists, the Locals going home, hunters, fisherman and loggers. Yes, great times indeed.
One day, I will tell the story about the Super Pod of Killerwhales we saw one morning.
#Seaplanes #Ketchikan #Temsco Airlines #Misty Fjords
Alex Atkinson Jr 