Mountain Air MAIL ROUTE 8A and 8B

(Juneau Cargo Hub flight numbers 9915 and 9916)

I have to say, the mail route business has been good.  Serving the runways that no sane operation could or would serve.  Exploring the way backwoods.  Well, seems we serve almost every tiny airport hidden in a hole in all of Alaska.  Out on a marketing tour, I did manage to scrape up some more business and construct our 8th Mail Route.  Could it be the last?  Seems like the future may be in floatplanes.  Maybe in jets.  This business fluctuates so much, it is hard to say what the future will bring.  Enjoy the spectacular scenery on this route...relax on final approach to a really long runway with a clear approach path.  This is the bonus run.  If you survived the other routes, you deserve this easy break. 

"Are you sure this isn't a Jet Route?  The easiest Mail Route I have ever seen!" - Dan Ellis, MTN395.

"That route was so easy I flew it inverted to add some challenge!" - Chad Nichols, MTN199

"I have never been so lost, so cold, and so sure I was going to die.  But it was an easy route."  Pistol Pete Kozlowski - MTN011 (Pete is always this way it seems!)

"Why are we servicing an airport that says EMERGENCY ONLY?  Did you clear this route with the CEO?"  Verne Cotton, MTN005, CEO

Please continue to follow our Mail Route rules:

• Remember...VFR ONLY!  Do NOT fly in the clouds.  There are no long range navaids to help you, only mountains to smack you.  Don't be an idiot!

• The direct route to your next stop is the most fun, but not always the most prudent.  Check the map and fly based on the weather.

• You may fly any aircraft you wish.  For this route, I tested using the DHC-2 Beaver, Pilatus Porter (PC-6),  DHC-6 Twin Otter, and other super fun bush planes. 

• Fly the same plane for the route - we cannot afford to leave spare planes sitting around for you to fly.

• Don't forget to unload the mail!  Imagine the postmaster's face watching you touch and go and blast off into the sunset with his mail!

• KEEP ON SCHEDULE!  DON'T BE LATE!  In the winter, this route will start and end in darkness.  Still easy though.

• Plan for fuel.  Fuel may not be available along the route.  Be prepared to divert for fuel if you need to.

MAPS and Resources

• Another finely stitched Route Map is available for you...scanned from real world Alaska WAC charts.  As always, don't be a goober, these charts are for FLIGHT SIM USE ONLY!  The main map is of a quality that you could print it out on 1 sheet of paper just fine so you can follow along on your flight.  I know you like to cheat by using the GPS or FSNav, but try navigation by map sometime, it is fun.

•    Mail Route 8 Map...suitable, as always, for printing (750KB)  Red Stars are airports served on route.

•    Flight Plans for those who don't want to just wing it:

  • FSNav Flight Plan

  • FS2004 Flight Plan

  • Plain Text Flight Plan

THE ROUTE

LEGS IN DETAIL

between McGrath, AK (PAMC) and Tin Creek, AK (PAFL)

8A: Tin Creek - Airport Elevation: 1151' / Runway length - 1200ft / Surface: Gravel

8B: McGrath - Airport Elevation: 337' / Runway length - 5400ft / Surface: Asphalt

   Check out a picture of the real Tin Creek airport!  Don't be confused by FWL designation, ICAO is PAFL.

How about a look at McGrath AK in the real world too?

    JY says go this way in bad weather.  Suggestion only.

Helpful Hints:

• All the legs on this route are easy, but this one takes the cake!  Flatlands all the way between these 2 airports.

• Weather can get very foggy in this part of the world, keep it low and slow.

• Keep an eye out for moose and giant mosquitoes.

• Tin Creek Pix below

between Purkeypile, AK (01A) and Tatitna, AK (8KA)

8A: Tatitna - Airport Elevation: 1490' / Runway length - 1200ft / Surface: Gravel

8B: Purkeypile - Airport Elevation: 1950' / Runway length - 900ft / Surface: Gravel

The Real Tatitna.  Beware in the winter, the Iditarod race stops here.

  JY's fun route between Tin Creek, Purkeypile, and Tatitna.  Beyond fun in the dark.

Helpful Hints:

• Between Purkeypile and Tatitna you have to start thinking a little bit.  Mountains play a part unlike north of Tatitna.

• In really bad weather, it may be more prudent to take a more roundabout route.  PAJN pilots were never prudent though!

• Tatitna airport is in the flat, long runway, no challenge.  Great mountain views though.

• Tatitna pictures below

8A: Rainy Pass - Airport Elevation: 1900' / Runway length - 900ft* / Surface: Gravel

8B: Tatitna - Airport Elevation: 1490' / Runway length - 1200ft / Surface: Gravel

Rainy Pass real world style.  Notice the hill off end of runway.

The route I found best in really low weather.  I mean really low like 1/2 mi vis and 200ft ceiling.

Helpful Hints:

• Between these 2 airports there are so many valleys to choose from.  All twisty and fun.

• Rather large hill about 2 mi off end of runway and near a lake in Rainy Pass makes it easy to find.

• *At least on my system, the north half of the runway disappears in flare, so use the southern half to avoid embarrassment.

• Pictures of Rainy Pass below

8A: Drift River - Airport Elevation: 30' / Runway length - 4100ft / Surface: Gravel

8B: Rainy Pass - Airport Elevation: 1900' / Runway length - 900ft* / Surface: Gravel

Helpful Hints:

• *As mentioned above, North half of runway in Rainy pass is phantom...land on southern half of runway.

• This is the longest leg of the route.  Plenty of wonderful mountains and lakes to enjoy.

• Navigation is the key here because the runway is long enough to land the space shuttle and it is in the flatlands. 

• This is so easy, Pete Kozlowski (MTN011) could make it in less than 2 tries.

• Drift River pictures below

between Drift River, AK (3AK5) and Pedro Bay, AK (4K0)

8B: Drift River - Airport Elevation: 30' / Runway length - 4100ft / Surface: Gravel

8A: Pedro Bay - Airport Elevation: 45' / Runway length - 3100ft / Surface: Gravel

  I wonder why Pedro was up here?  And what did he do to get a bay named after him?

  JY Route between Drift River, Pedro Bay, and Camp Point.  Low weather route of course.

Helpful Hints:

• Drift River is too easy to even talk about it more.  Route 8B types, look at entry above this one.

• Nice mountains in between these 2 airports.  Enjoy the scenery as you weave your way to your destination.

• Pedro Bay is located right beside a rather large hill.  No big deal really since the runway is long.

• Pedro Bay pictures below

Try 50ft AGL the whole way on this leg :)

  Look how big the Homer airport is!

Helpful Hints:

• Easy overwater leg.  It would take the worst weather imaginable to stop this leg from getting done. 

• 50 ft AGL is a good target altitude until on final at destination.

• Couple Homer pictures below