Shalom and greetings all my pals!!!
Hope all of you had great time flying along very scenic Californian coast up and down last weekend!!!!
Now time FOR THE TOUGHEST AND MOST BRUTAL BUSH POUNDING FLIGHTS THAT REQUIRE MORE ENDURANCE than all of you had experienced in last month's 2013 Yukon International Dog Sled Race!!!
Presenting CVA'S 2013 IDITAROD SUPPLY MISSIONThis weekend, Alaska is having world's most and most toughest dog sled race called 2013 Iditarod better known as The Last Great Race. Our job is to use class one propeller bush pounding planes to move over 124,822 lbs of dog food to nourish the racing dogs as well as 100,000 lbs of food for mushers (total of 3203 bags of food), move 391 bales of straw/hay enough for each team to have fresh straw at every checkpoint, move 1135 cases of heet, and fly 45 veterinarians that monitor the athletes before, during and after the race to insure there well being (vet will do air dropping supplies while you fly the plane).
For the event starting this Saturday night March 2, 2013 at at 8:30 pm EST or 01:30z (pls check your local time zone) and this Wednesday March 6, 2013 at at 8:30 pm EST or 01:30z (pls check your local time zone), please use the following flights as seen below. IT IS IMPORTANT AND IMPERATIVE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.
Class one plane particularly bush pounding planes is required. Any propeller plane with supply air dropping capacity is preferred. Any propeller plane with skis will be more cool. Because Iditarod is MUCH MUCH MORE LONGER AND TOUGHER FLYING, it is important to pick propeller planes with longer range.
NICE MAP EXAMPLE OF FLIGHT PATH DURING THE IDITAROD RACE
In CVA schedule database, please pick CVA flight PANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to PAMC McGrath airport with SPECIFIC SUPPLY FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS BELOW and remember IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOAD UP CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL!!!!!
Take off from PANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to fly to PASW Skwenta airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, then fly to 6AK Rainy Pass airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies then fly to PAFS Nikolai airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, and then land at PAMC McGrath airport to load up more supplies and fuel. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOAD UP CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL!!!!!
In CVA schedule database, please pick CVA flight PAMC McGrath airport to PAUN UNALAKLEET AIRPORT with SPECIFIC SUPPLY FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS BELOW and It is imperative to load lots of aviation fuel because the next flight will be tougher and longer WITHOUT stop for refueling. Plan your fuel load accordingly.
Fly from PAMC McGrath airport to fly to Z17 Ophir airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, then fly to PAHX Shageluk airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies then fly to PAKV Kaltag airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, and then land at PAUN Unalakleet airport to load up more supplies and fuel. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOAD UP CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL!!!!! It is imperative to load lots of aviation fuel because the next flight will be tougher and longer WITHOUT stop for refueling. Plan your fuel load accordingly.
In CVA schedule database, please pick CVA flight PAUN Unalakleet airport to PAOM Nome airport with SPECIFIC SUPPLY FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS BELOW:
Fly from PAUN Unalakleet airport to PAKK Koyuk Alfred Adams Airport where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, then to PAGL GOLOVIN AIRPORTwhere you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies, then to PAWM WHITE MOUNTAIN AIRPORT where you will make two circles around to air-drop supplies and then land on PAOM Nome airport to watch the finish line of exciting Iditarod race!!!
Important air dropping instruction: please air drop supplies at between 1,000 ft and 1,500 ft above ground around each airport. If you prefer, you instead of circling around airports for air-dropping supplies can make TWO runs along 1,000 ft above each of the airports' runways to air-drop supplies to avoid hitting mountains which might make it impossible to circle around.
Thank you for reading and have great time doing exciting bush pounding flights!!! This event is going to be annual tradition for Canadian Virtual Airlines EVERY MARCH!!!
By the way, here are rules for all bush pounding pilots participating in 2013 Iditarod Dog Race as quoted from organizers of the world's famous dog sled race:
Flying out on the Iditarod Trail is one of the most fun aviation adventures you can have. If you follow common sense, flight regulations and some basic rules you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. Here are a few of the many things to keep in mind:
1. Plan in advance. If you do your homework, you’ll have a blast. Flying on the Iditarod is one of the most fun aviation experiences you can have….when it goes according to plan. So have a good plan and stick to it.
2. Be self sufficient. While people are invariably helpful, the Iditarod taxes the resources of many of the bush communities. Plan to be self sufficient. Either bring it along, or arrange for it in advance. This includes preheating, oil, fuel, lodging, food and warmth.
3. Be courteous. If a tie down looks occupied, it probably is – don’t use it. Give the dog teams plenty of room. Don’t park blocking other aircraft. Don’t plug into other aircraft’s power without permission. We are all guests along the trail.
4. Keep a distance from dog teams. Don’t buzz the teams. If landing along the trail, give it some room. Plan your take off and landing so as not to be next to a dog team – especially at high power settings.
5. Fly to the right on the trail. Also, while you’re watching that dog team, keep at least one eye open for other aircraft; there are lots of them out there. Especially south of the Alaska range.
6. Light up. Show whatever lights you have. Especially south of the Alaska range.
7. Adhere to local flight patterns and frequencies as published in the supplement.
8. File flight plans. Make sure someone knows where you are going to be and when to expect you. Fly as filed in your flight plan!
9. Leave time for weather. The distances are long and weather reporting is spotty in areas. Weather can change quickly, especially along the coast and in the Alaska range. Don’t put yourself into an emergency situation.
10. Fuel is not generally available in the smaller checkpoints. Don’t plan on fuel being available unless you have checked specifically for that location and know that it is.
11. Don’t (!!!!) land off airport on wheels!! It might work, but…..you might be gaining a whole new perspective on the world. In many of the communities, the airports are a ways out of town and most pilots will be operating off a river or lake….on skis. Don’t be tempted!
12. Operate within your limits. Know the limitations of your airplane and skills. You will be flying around some of the most skilled bush operators in the world with the best equipment money can buy. Use your limits, not theirs.
Regards,
Aharon
