Alaska trip June 24th

Well we now begin our journey up into Canada to Alaska with our first stop in Abotsford, BC for clearing Customs into Canada . Today we were trying to learn to fly together as a group in a somewhat loose formation. On our departure out of Olympia all 13 planes lined up together to taxi out to the runway for take off . That was an interesting site as we sat at the end of the runway for departure. A photo of it is below.

We took off together staggered to the left and right side of the runway. The person on the left would start his take off and as soon as his wheel broke ground then the person on the right would begin his take off and so on until all of us were in the air. Needless to say,since this was a new experience for many of us, this first attempt wasn't what you would see at an airshow :>}

Enroute proved to be a bit of a challenge also for everyone to get accustomed to flying as a group. There are different planes with different capabilities and the same with the pilots. But we managed to get through all of that and made it to our first stop at Abotsford to clear customs.

On take off out of Abotsford heading to Quensnel our group did a little bit better on the takeoff but then enroute its still proved to be a challenge for some of the folks, but it was a little better. We flew low between the montain passes and it was very scenic and interesting and at times a little bumpy, Traudl diffenetly wouldn't have liked it.

Ron is trained in formation flying and I think this is probably driving him whacko so far because several in the group are having difficulty in following the leaders assigned directions.Hopefully today will be a little better. The leader is making some adjustments to try and correct some of the issues.

On arrival into Quesnel we ran into some rain showers, which ended up getting us a little wet. When we land we all landed on the runway together staggered in landing time, one on the left side of the runway then the next plane onthe right side of the runaway and so on and this proved to be a little interesting at Quesnel. The fellow ahead of Ron, a Bonanza, I think forgot that there was someone behind him and slowed way down, which caused Ron to have to do the same, which caused me,I was behind Ron, to have to start making large, what pilots call, S turns to slow down and not over take the person in front of you. Very interesting landing that time. But we finally all made it down no worse for the wear but having used a few choice phrases on that landing.

We got a cab into town and checked into our hotel, which is a Casino. We now have no money to continue on with our trip :>}

Well that's about it for this post, tomorrow we forge on to Whithorse with a pit stop at Watson Lake. Fuel is just a tad on the expensive side up here at around $8.00 per gallon, man that smarts :>}

We will have a fairly long flying day tomorrow at about 800 miles and lots more of that expensive fuel.

Wayne

Preparing for first take off in formation in Olympia
heading out to Abbotsford.



Formation en route to Abbotsford


Abbotsford airport to clear Canadian Customs


Preparing for departure to Quesnel


Quesnel airport

Got wet in arrival in Quesnel

Waiting to gas up after the rain in Quesnel

Ron & Barb at river in downtown Quesnel

David & me Quesnel