Mountain Air CARGO ROUTE 2A and 2B
(Juneau Cargo Hub flight numbers 9982 and 9983)
We made a ton of money with our Cargo Route 1 operation. The suits behind the desks (me) think we should expand! After some touchy negotiations, Cargo Route 2 is born. Big airports, small airports, medium airports - the connecting factor is the communities these airports serve. Everyone needs food, medicine, parts, gas, and the other essentials. We are here to serve :)
Cargo Route 2 is to be flown with prop twins or larger planes. The more cargo we can carry, the more money we make. Don't take a plane bigger than your abilities though - wrecked planes cut into the bottom line! This route has been tested with planes up to the size of the CRJ (although it gets pretty sporty in the CRJ!)
All airports serviced are available in stock FS2004 scenery...no guarantees for FS2002 or before. (FS2002 should have them though)
Use Real World Weather, either via the flightsim program or an addon program (activesky, fsmeteo, etc) - Be aware of the notoriously bad weather along the southwest coast of AK. Be prepared to weave through some mountain valleys.
Have fun and enjoy the challenge! Depending on the weather and time of day, it can be a major challenge.
Arrival Times are not as important on cargo routes. Fly whenever you get a plane full of stuff.
IFR flight is allowed on the cargo routes; however, 90% of the airports served DO NOT have an instrument approach. Plan accordingly and DO NOT get caught on top in bad weather. Be aware of high terrain and narrow valleys making IFR operations foolish.
MAPS and Resources
Here is a map of the route area. Basically the coast area of AK from Juneau down to Ketchikan. I had to piece this together from 7 scans, but it came out pretty nice. As always, this map is suitable for printing and is sized for a single page print. Kinda big file though, such is life sometimes. Smaller detail maps for each leg can be found below in the route detail area.
Flight Plans for those who don't want to just wing it:
THE ROUTE
LEGS IN DETAIL
Juneau, AK (PAJN) to Hoonah, AK (PAOH)
Airport Elevation: 20' / Runway length - 3000ft / Surface: Gravel
Check out a picture of the Real Airport!
JY tested low weather routing map. Click for larger view.
Helpful Hints:
Load up the plane with fuel oil, gasoline, food, and engine blocks and head out to Hoonah.
From Juneau, it is an easy flight out direct to SSR VOR then into Hoonah. Beware of high terrain between SSR and the airport.
Land and takeoff using runway 5 is prefered due to steep terrain on the runway 23 end of the field.
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Hoonah, AK (PAOH) to Snettisham AK (7AK2)
Airport Elevation: 14' / Runway length - 2500ft / Surface: Concrete
For when the weather is low, and it will be, here is how I went. Click for
larger view.
Helpful Hints:
One of the largest hydroelectric plants in the region is located near Snettisham. Load up the plane with heavy parts for the hydro plant. (not sure why they keep the parts in odd places like Hoonah and Muddy River)
The runway runs north/south and is basically one way. Land to the north, Takeoff to the south.
Steep terrain north of airport makes a missed approach very difficult, so don't miss the approach!
The easiest way to the airport is to head south of Taku Harbor to a large inlet. Follow the inlet east until it forks, go left.
Follow the left branch for a few miles by some big cliffs...it will lead you to the airport. High terrain all quadrants...beware.
You can get a CRJ into this airport, but you have to get it just right. This may be the toughest airport on the route.
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Snettisham, AK (7AK2) to Muddy Lake Canada (BD7)
Airport Elevation: 3150' / Runway length - 5000ft / Surface: Gravel
Low weather routing used for testing. This leg is tough with low weather.
Click for larger view.
Helpful Hints:
Load up the plane with Fish...big fish hatchery in Snettisham in addition to the hydro plant.
The runway in Muddy Lake is long, so that is no challenge. Getting there is, especially if the weather is poor.
The low altitude river route is the easiest way - head back out the fjord from snettisham - across from the main inlet there will be a large river. Make the left turn and follow the river eastbound. Pick your way through the valleys towards Muddy Lake. Lowest pass to cross I have found is around 5100ft. Valley flying dodging clouds...very nice.
The low altitude route will require some strong climb performance about halfway through the leg, so be prepared.
The airport is in a deep valley, but it is not aligned with the valley, instead it goes across it!
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Muddy Lake Canada (BD7) to Telegraph Creek Canada (CBM5)
Airport Elevation: 1100' / Runway length - 5000ft / Surface: Gravel
Here is the easy low weather routing to get you where you are going.
Helpful Hints:
Load up the plane with whatever you can find at Muddy Lake...mud perhaps?
The tough part of the trip is over, so take a relaxing breath and head out. The departure out of Muddy Lake is a bit confined, but once out it will be a pleasant flight over to Telegraph Creek.
In low weather, there is a nice wide river vally you can follow all the way. Fun low level flying too.
The airport is located in a wide valley - a long runway with only slight terrain and tree problems on final. Piece of cake.
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Telegraph Creek Canada (CBM5) to Bronson Creek Canada (CAB5)
Airport Elevation: 442' / Runway length - 5000ft / Surface: Gravel
Have a look at the fun canyon route if you like. Click for larger view.
Helpful Hints:
Load up the plane with dead tourist bodies or any other cargo you can find and head out on the next leg. If you are in the CRJ, take some live tourists too space permitting.
The runway at Bronson Creek is long and wide, no challenge. The fun of this leg is the spectacular mountain and valley scenery.
For the best experience, fly as low as you can and run the canyons.
Weather, again, is often pretty poor in these parts so expect low ragged ceilings and gusty winds.
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Bronson Creek Canada (CAB5) to Stewart Canada (CZST)
Airport Elevation: 3500' / Runway length - 3000ft / Surface: Asphalt
Low weather map for those so inclined...such as myself.
Helpful Hints:
Load up with designer rocks and head out. Designer rocks bring big money down in the lower 48.
High terrain is a real concern on this leg if the weather is low. 9000 foot peaks abound. Enjoy the deep valleys.
Enroute scenery is spectacular...I suggest enjoying it from 100ft AGL.
Stewart is located at the end of a fjord and has a long lake approach making it very easy to land.
Some testers have reported a hill at the south end of the runway, I did not see this. Like it matters, just land the plane.
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Stewart Canada (CZST) to Ketchikan Alaska (PAKT)
Airport Elevation: 88' / Runway length - 7500ft / Surface: Asphalt
Low weather routing for the sporty.
Real life picture of the airport I took in 2003 while hiking in Ketchikan on a
rare clear sky day.
Helpful Hints:
Load up with illegal aliens (we make a killing smuggling Canadians into Ketchikan) and head out.
Enjoy the fjordlands of southern Alaska. Relax and don't look nervous in customs.
Ketchikan has an ILS approach and often you need it as the weather is usually low and rainy.
The airport is on the south side of the channel in case you can't find a 7500 ft long lit runway.
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The End
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last modified 3/1/08
