Saturday, May 31, 2014

The Plan






At home the map is on the wall and I have started the dot to dot of the places Jack has stopped. 
The pink arrow is Resolute Bay the most northern stop Jack hopes to make.
Joanne

Masset

I've been to most westerly part Canada - anybody know what's most southerly ? Windsor? Victoria?

Some pictures

Leaving Chilliwack ,my home base

Looking from Hecate Strait Towards east

Yesterday was a good photo day for the most part as can be seen. Today basically stayed in Masset as Atlin, my next planned stop,is clouded in. Spent part of the day with person who took me ( and my jet ski ) back from Charlottes in 2011. Slept in the plane last night and was not bad! I went past the B &B I stayed in last time I was here and the plane is smaller but in ways more secure feeling.
I transferred some 2 hours worth of fuel ( about 14 gallons US) from jerry cans this morning . I will be doing more of this as I travel further north so wanted to make sure ladders, filters etc worked.
Flight services , my new friends, are suggesting tomorrows weather may be fly able with a morning start.
The folks here at the airport are now quite accommodating which is much appreciated .Fishing season started today so guess what - lots of helicopters and private jets. 200 people a day fly into and out of here on way to or from lodges by helicopter then jet to wherever from this airport.
Having fun !

Friday, May 30, 2014

Hadai gwaii

Had a gorgeous trip up to Bella Bella stopping in Courtney Airpark and then Alert Bay which is a most interesting runway. Waited in Bella Bella for two hours for weather to clear enough in Masset to land.Regular contact / consultation with Flight Services whom I'm going to get to know well over next few weeks .
picture :See traditional site ? Rose Spit and ? Went to Masset and the last 10 miles were cloud mist .... Thank goodness for instrument training ! This is traditional Haida Gwaii weather . Without instrument training they say you are basically toast within a minute - I believe that . I came over airport it opened up and I landed quickly not wanting to loose sight of that beautiful runway ! I'm not so certain the folks here are all that inviting - they are going to charge me $50 for landing after hours (8-6) . Oh well I will discuss it with them later . I'm allowed to sleep in my plane although they were somewhat resistant . It's trial run for 'real' north travel. I was hoping to go fishing etc but not feeling all that welcome .
Glad to be on the ground! I was here 3 years ago on my jetski . That's a whole different story but sure felt welcomed in queen Charlotte city then ! Stayed in B&b in Masset then and not real impressed .
Plane ( retro rocket) did great today!
Lets see what tomorrow brings ....

On the way

Here at Howe Sound all good but may be weather bound further north -

Adapting to situation

This is what happens if you overload electrical system- those fuses are hard to get to sometimes . I had the system updated with a 10amp breaker / new larger power wire which not only provides extra power but also greater safety . Electrical wire burning smells scare me.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

The Tentative Plan

This is the tentative plan; The Northwest Passage and circumnavigating Canada in 6 weeks.  Day 1 will be Friday, May 30th.  

Back of the plane

no back seat -- the hammock isn't for decoration or sleeping but when i sleep back there- yes sleep- will have quick access to bear bangers , air horn... knifes .... and deodorant :) passenger seat will be taken up by fuel tanks

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The front seat



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sorry blurry-- note two seats plus back seat


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how to get all this in ....


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NAVCAN weather outlook at airports

Green good , yellow marginal, red not healthy( -IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules) - looking out 12 hours no better maybe bit worse --tomorrow should be ok


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Plugged in!

Don't worry , will be organized once I'm on my way-- cameras,Gps',etc all demand power:) had a new 10 amp service installed to keep them -and me- happy -  need to find a 12 volt coffee pot so won't need to use mixed gas stove- extra weight you know


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Day 1

mmmm day 1 and maybe tomorrow will be day 1- weather not so great--thats why gave myself lots of latitude time wise  --if i was instrument rated could go but then wouldn't see much!


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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Tofino

One of my favourite flights is from Vancouver to Tofino - has everything : ocean ,mountains, coast , lakes , beautiful city .... Came back yesterday . Now to airport for final packing/ weighing and checks on plane! then northwest bound when weather permits!