Weather for Unalaska, Alaska
If you came here to look at the Grumman Goose, Please leave a note!
Thanks
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When Bob and Jennifer worked
full time as physician assistants and were not on Safari, they were in
remote and beautiful places. Alaska is one of the places they have had
the good fortune to see. Part of the excitement of going to remote
places is the means of getting there. If you've never been in a flying
boat, these pictures show some of the action. |
Weather for Akutan, Alaska
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Click these
small pictures to see larger version
"DE Plane, Boss, De Plane" echoes in memory as the ancient but
beautiful 1942 Grumman Goose comes into sight. It just landed on the
smooth water of Akutan Bay, also known as seaplane base KQY, Akutan's
fixed wing air link to the world.
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Helicopters on the other hand land right on the
ramp.
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The Goose comes closer still, details of her lines
becoming clear, at home in this watery element as in the sky. A
flying boat. A 65 year old wonder. |
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| Taxiing closer, the sleek lines of a machine that is
equally at home on the water and in the air become more apparent.
UGLY? Never. It is truly an amazing machine, kept in flying condition
by Alaska's "Peninsula Airways" called PenAir. |
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| Belly wet and FEET DOWN the Goose prepares to
leave the bay and climb up the ramp to the seaplane landing base,
seagulls scatter at the sight. |
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This base is named after a PenAir pilot, Nic Sias who
disappeared August 11, 1996, 58 yrs old, with his ship and a passenger never to be found. A
year later, one door of the plane was found in a fishing net.
Yes...The
danger of flying is real. The risk however say most pilots is worth it.
Our sympathy to Nic's Family. Click
HERE to read the accident report. |
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| With a mighty roar, twin 450 HP Wright engines pull the
Goose onto the ramp. It had just snowed, and the light was
beautiful. Jennifer is in the front co-pilot seat (as often she
is) having told the pilot of her student pilot status, and being given
the honor of the jump seat. The outrigger "sponson"
retractable float for water use is down, and passes by the photographer
with a few feet to spare and the dirty looks of the pilot who must watch
out for dogs, ATV's, (and the occasional unconscious photographer.) |
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| Hard right brake, left throttle and she swings around to
starboard, pointing out to sea for the departure. The baggage
arrives for loading, and the passengers get off the plane. |
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| Who is that grinning ear to ear in the right
seat? Let's see if the ZOOM works... |
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Yup, it does! Jennifer arriving
back at Akutan after helping out at Dutch Harbor during a flu outbreak. |
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