Aero Commander 680
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:27 amWell this was a surprise approach. I took off from Anaktuvuk Pass "PAKP" in some chilly but rather calm conditions the other day. My destination was a small airport I have heard the locals talk about. "If you head North along the river, you will come to a small airstrip at the edge of the canyon wall", the man with the white beard whispered as we sipped our morning coffee. "Be real care full though, the winds will whip out of nowhere and send both you and your dog over the canyon wall"...
Yeah, yeah, yeah..... I can handle it. I packed some gear and both me and old "lucky" the dog hopped my trusty Aero Commander 680.
We took of from Anaktuvuk Pass and headed north.
Floating above some clouds, I navigated the aircraft while keeping the river always below us.
After an hour of rather calm flight, the challenge presented itself......I must say I was a little nervous. The drop to my Left was a long one and I could see snow blowing across the runway. One wrong move and old Lucky and I would be history!
I turned the Commander to line her up......
All is looking good while the cross wind plays tricks with my aircraft.
Slowly we descend on our target. The canyon is below us while the evergreens distort the truth about the impending danger below us. "Gear Down" I say out loud as old Lucky gives out a "yelp"!
I was too focused to take a shot of the touchdown with that strong crosswind!! As you can see, both I and Lucky managed to land on top of the canyon edge. Time to shut her down and go inside. Maybe next time I will listen to The Old Man with the White Beard!
Hope you like this little adventure!!
Dave 8)
Yeah, yeah, yeah..... I can handle it. I packed some gear and both me and old "lucky" the dog hopped my trusty Aero Commander 680.
We took of from Anaktuvuk Pass and headed north.
Floating above some clouds, I navigated the aircraft while keeping the river always below us.
After an hour of rather calm flight, the challenge presented itself......I must say I was a little nervous. The drop to my Left was a long one and I could see snow blowing across the runway. One wrong move and old Lucky and I would be history!
I turned the Commander to line her up......
All is looking good while the cross wind plays tricks with my aircraft.
Slowly we descend on our target. The canyon is below us while the evergreens distort the truth about the impending danger below us. "Gear Down" I say out loud as old Lucky gives out a "yelp"!
I was too focused to take a shot of the touchdown with that strong crosswind!! As you can see, both I and Lucky managed to land on top of the canyon edge. Time to shut her down and go inside. Maybe next time I will listen to The Old Man with the White Beard!
Hope you like this little adventure!!
Dave 8)
