Day 8, July 2, Dawson City, YK to Anchorage, AK

The weather was good except for smoke, so we filed IFR from Dawson City to Anchorage, following the "airways" to Northway, Gulkana, and Big Lake (near Anchorage).  We were able to get IFR charts at the Dawson City airport.   The flight took 4 hours.  It was uneventful, though I admit I was nervous flying on  instruments in the smoke.  But the trick is not to overcontrol, and sometimes it good to just steer with your feet using the rudders to make sure you don't overcontrol, so I did that occasionally.  We passed 16,000 ft peaks to our left and never saw them.     Here was the typical view:



We saw some mountains briefly.  Just think of all that scenery we missed!


We had to land at Anchorage International airport to clear customs.  I did an ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach.  In retrospect, I maybe shouldn't have because I slowed traffic behind me.  But as you can see, there were some low clouds.  A Korean Airlines airplane behind me had to change runways.  The controllers said more than once "54 Delta, keep your speed up."  Pretty funny.  I tried.  Here, we're about to turn left for the final approach to the airport.  The water off to the right is the Cook Inlet:


Here we are in the company of the big planes.   Clearing customs would have been painless but they don't let you go to the bathroom until you are done and it was a 4 hour flight.


Now we are done with customs, and it's time to depart Anchorage International and head for the general aviation airport.  When we were taxiing, the controllers told one of these big planes to yield to us, and they didn't see us and got scolded.  I had to laugh--they were probably looking for something bigger.


Merrill Field is only about 5-10 miles away from anchorage international and is like a mecca for general aviation.  I have never seen so many small planes in one airport.  According to their website, there are 888 planes based there.  But it seemed like more!


And most of them are taildraggers!


The first thing we did was get an oil change.  By this time we had logged 31 hours of flying since leaving Madison.   Dan's Aircraft was willing to do the job for us.  Their business is mainly rebuilding SuperCubs.


Here is Dad next to a real bushplane.  Look at those tires!


Finally, we are parked for the night.  Our plane is right at home with the other taildraggers.


The hotel lobby of the Ramada Inn: