FAQ - YUKON AND ALASKA AIRTOUR
updated March 8, 2013
What additional optional costs can I expect?
We’ll be crossing international borders. How should I prepare?
What is required for my aircraft? What about insurance?
Aircraft & Camping supply list
Is the route suitable for me to fly my float plane?
Is the route suitable for me to fly my Light Sport?
What type of runways will we be using?
What type of accommodations will there be?
What is the proposed itinerary?
What experience does the Tour Organizer have?
Can you recommend some internet links so I can do more research?
How do I register?
Registration is now open. We will be accepting online registration only. <Click here to Register> Please contact Shelley Goertzen if you have any questions or problems with registration.
What is the cost?
$300 per participant, plus personal expenses including food and accommodation, optional tours, etc.
What does that include?
- Charts and Maps
- Ground transfers in Dawson City
- Dawson City tours
- Alaska Salmon Bake farewell dinner in Fairbanks
- Commemorative T-Shirt, hat and name tag
- and more...
What additional optional costs can I expect?
http://www.wpyr.com/carcross.html
A train tour has been organized on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route from Carcross YT to Skagway AK exclusively for participants in the Airtour. The fare per person will be $199. As space is limited to 40 participants, we will be running a waiting list and adding another bus if there is enough interest. The tour includes hot lunch at the remote Lake Bennett railway station (hearty beef stew, homemade bread, coleslaw, apple pie, hot coffee/tea), the all-day bus charter from Whitehorse to Carcross then train to Skagway and return bus to Whitehorse.
We’ll be crossing international borders. How should I prepare?
Please refer to the information posted by the respective countries:
Canada
- Canada Border Services Agency http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
U.S.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security. http://www.dhs.gov/
- U. S. Customs and Border Protection http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/private_flyers/private_flyers/
Other countries
The "AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations” is available online to members and lists all the requirements.
Make sure you have a valid Passport for all, US Customs Decal, eAPIS log on ID and all aircraft paperwork. For US aircraft, liability insurance is a Canadian requirement.
One (or more) of the people on my aircraft was born outside Canada or the US. Is there anything special I should do?
Beginning on May 18, 2009, all general aviation pilots conducting international flights departing from or arriving to the United States will be required to provide passenger manifest and aircraft information to the US government on the eAPIS system. <more> The US lists minimum notice requirements, however that will not help if you have a passenger or pilot who is not allowed to enter the US on a private aircraft.
"While the information must be filed at least 60 minutes prior to departure, operators can file it as far in advance as they would like. For example, information on the departure from the United States and return back into the country can be filed at one time in advance of the flight.
If an individual on the No-Fly watch list is identified on the manifest, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct a risk based analysis and make a determination whether to grant, restrict, or deny landing rights. If landing rights are restricted, the pilot will be provided with appropriate instructions and contact information."
What is required for my aircraft? What about insurance?
We recommend that you have a recent annual as you could put on 30-40 hours depending on your starting point.
Each participant will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance and carry minimum liability as per CARS.
Aircraft & Camping supply list
|
”A” Equipment:
· tent with fly · light foam mattress (insulated & self inflatables are on the market) · sleeping bag & pillow · propane or primus stove · mess kit, frying pan, pots, pans, cutlery · dish pan, cloth, scrubber · soap & towels · can opener · waterproof matches and container · plastic garbage bags · coffee pot · small chairs and table · axe · cooler
|
“B” Optional
· fishing rod, reel & net · camera · ground sheet · playing cards & books
|
“C” Personal Gear
· gloves · tooth brush & paste · comb · soap & shampoo · toilet paper & Kleenex · towels & face cloth · hiking shorts · bathing suit · deodorant · suntan oil · mosquito repellent · Bug Shirt · casual shoes or running shoes · duffel bag or soft sider · warm sweaters · T shirts · rain poncho & pants · crush hat or cap · regular & wool socks · hiking boots · pants · underwear · cotton shirts · jacket (anorak) · jacket (wool or down) · mirror
|
“D” AIRCRAFT
· recent 50hr or 100hr inspection you’ll put on 25 to 35 hrs depending on aircraft. · all required aircraft documents including liability Insurance. · tie?downs · spare oil · first aid kit (compulsory) · survival kit (compulsory) · small tool kit
|
” E “ Food
· Depending on your weight available you can take fresh supplies or freeze dried meals which can be purchased at your local camping supply store. We recommend that you carry one or two liters of fresh water on board your aircraft. You will only need two to three days of fresh supplies for convenience. You will be able to purchase food at most stops.
|
Is the route suitable for me to fly my float plane?
It is possible but not convenient.
Is the route suitable for me to fly my Light Sport?
Yes, as long as the pilot holds a PPL.
What type of runways will we be using?
Although our route will take us through mountainous terrain and higher elevations no airport is above 2500’ ASL and most are well below this. The shortest runway is 2000’ and the rest are much longer. There is one turf runway and a few are sand/gravel and well maintained. As always, all will depend upon conditions at the time. The following are the planned Gravel strips. They operate DC6 water bombers out of Dawson City and HS748 turboprop on sked and light twins, the ramp is paved.
- Atlin, BC CYSQ 2950X75 gravel good shape
- Dawson City CYDA 5006x100 gravel in very good shape paved ramp
- Beaver Creek CYQX 3745X100 gravel in good shape, used for clearing Canadian Custom and is just across the Alaska Border
- Ft Selkirk CFS3 2000x75 gravel with soft spots, recommended for larger tires and fixed gear. This is an optional strip for historic reason and not recommended for everyone.
Is 91Octane mogas available?
COPA maintains a section on the website under “Places to Fly”. Members update the website with information on fuel price and availability. COPA does not certify that the information is up-to-date. There is no guarantee it is available except at Fairbanks, AK.
http://archive.copanational.org/PlacesToFly/airport_fuel.php
I would like to join the Air Tour, but I do not have an airplane. How can I contact someone to hitch a ride and share expenses?
See the COPA forum. There are a few threads that have already been started. Go to: https://archive.copanational.org/forum/index.php and search on “Alaska”.
I am looking for a co-pilot or passenger to help split the cost. How can I contact someone who may want to go but doesn’t have an airplane?
See the COPA forum. There are a few threads that have already been started. Go to: https://archive.copanational.org/forum/index.php and search on “Alaska”.
What type of accommodations will there be?
We expect that most participants will camp at or near the airports. There are hotels or other accommodations at most planned overnight stops, but reservations for accommodations other than camping are the responsibility of each participant. Tour participants should consult the web sites links listed below under the internet links section for accommodation and tourist information. If you are booking accommodation please book early. Please NOTE that camping at Dawson City, Yukon is not practicable and therefore everyone should make hotel reservations. Transportation to/from the Dawson City airport to any accommodation you book will be provided as part of the registration.
What is the route?
The route of flight generally follows the Alaska Highway to Teslin YT, then west over Surprise Lake to Atlin. From Atlin there are various scenic routes to Whitehorse. From Whitehorse you can follow the Yukon River and/or the Klondike Highway to Dawson City. From Dawson City, we will fly the Yukon River and White River then direct to Northway AK to clear US Customs. From there we will continue flying the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks AK.
This is a distance of approximately 1240 NM and in a C172 type aircraft @ 110K would take 11 hours and 45 minutes of flying time and burn about 400 litres of Avgas. In addition there may be some added side trips i.e. Kluane National Park Glacier Tour.
What is the proposed itinerary?
|
Dates |
Description |
Approx. Distance NM |
|
June 23 |
Depart Dawson Creek BC (full weather briefing, routing details, flight planning and fuel information will be provided at the COPA Fly-In AGM) follow the Alaska highway to Ft. Nelson and on to Watson Lake Yukon. Camping overnight at the Watson Lake Airport. |
407 |
|
June 24 |
Possible tour to Sign Post Forest. Camping overnight at the Watson Lake Airport. |
|
|
June 25 |
Depart Watson Lake, BC follow the Alaska Highway to Teslin then west south westerly via Surprise Lake to Atlin BC. Tour Atlin. Camping overnight at the Atlin Airport. |
162 |
|
June 26 |
Glacier flying over Atlin Lake and Llewellyn Glacier and fly to Whitehorse via the lakes to Carcross and/or via Lake Bennett. Camping at the Whitehorse airport or Hotel/motel. |
100 depending on route |
|
June 27 |
Tour Yukon Transportation Museum, Whitehorse and SS Klondike National Historic Site paddle wheeler. Weather permitting Glacier tour of Kluane National Park. (2.5 hr. flight) |
|
|
June 28 |
For those who sign up for this tour. Bus to Carcross to ride the White Pass Yukon Route historic narrow gauge railway via Bennett for lunch and continue to Skagway AK and return bus to Whitehorse. |
|
|
June 29 |
Whitehorse to Dawson City Via the Yukon River and/or Klondike highway route. Possible stop at Ft Selkirk for capable aircraft. Hotel Dawson City. |
268 |
|
June 30 |
Tour of the Klondike Gold Fields, Gold Panning and Dredge Tour. This takes you to world-famous Bonanza Creek. Local Dawson tour of historic sites. Diamond Tooth Gertie’s in the evening. |
|
|
July 1 |
Depart Dawson City via the Yukon River and White River to Northway, Alaska to clear US customs. Continue on via the AK highway to Fairbanks Intl. The best on-airport campground in the world. BBQ to be hosted by the Fairbanks General Aviation Association at the pilots’ campground. |
335
|
|
July 2 |
Return options will be briefed. Tour through Alaska, the Yukon, NWT, Alaska/BC Coastal route, Trench Route. Tour Fairbanks area on your own. Attend the Alaska Salmon Bake and farewell at Pioneer Land. |
|
|
July 3 |
Return home via you a route of choice. |
|
What experience does the Tour Organizer have?
This tour is being organized by Bram Tilroe. Bram has been organizing Airtours since 1987, including those for the Alberta Aviation Council, Alberta Flying Farmers and the Montana Antique Aircraft Association, specializing in Northern Canada Tours. The most successful tour was the 1992 Alaska Highway 50th anniversary tour which counted 130 participant and 59 Aircraft. The 2013 tour will mirror the 1992 tour, but with the addition of Dawson City to the itinerary.
Most tours have been of the “flying & under the wing camping” type due to the remoteness of the areas and lack of accommodations. Bram has organized tours which included the states of Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington, an Oshkosh tour as well as tours of northwestern BC, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.
Can you recommend some internet links so I can do more research?
travelyukon.com/vacationplanner2013/index.html
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane/index.aspx
Although not an aviation resource, in this publication you will find trip planning help and frequently asked questions about highway travel by RV, auto, caravan or motorcycle, ferry and fly/drive travel to Alaska and Western Canada. Since 1949, The MILEPOST® has been the most trusted and complete Alaskan travel guide and Alaskan trip planner for highway and ferry travel to Alaska, the Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta and Western Northwest Territories. Updated annually, The MILEPOST® gives you nearly 800 pages of detailed information on everything from the famous Alaska Highway system to cruising Alaska's Inside Passage.
Maps
Proposed Route
Kluane National Park Glacier Tour
