Flights for the "Big Guys"!

(Captain Samuel Weyermann's 727 being loaded)

We may be a bit off schedule, but our pilots are having a great time delivering the big hauls from PANC Ted Stevens Anchorage Intl to PAMC McGrath, NUL Nulato and PAOM Nome. These are Alaskan Winds OPS Pre Race Flights for the "Big Guys"!
Honoring the pilots and operators who assure the most intrepid cargo flights all around the state, Alaskan Winds has been flying the Northern Air Cargo aircraft - who, by the way, are the Official Cargo Airline of the Iditarod. So our tools have been the 727 and the DC-6. About the latest, here's what NAC has to say!
"These extraordinarily specialized aircraft remain unmatched for rugged durability and workmanship. All our DC-6's can land on paved, gravel, and ice strips in support of remote project and construction sites. They are capable of carrying payloads up to 28,000 lbs and require a minimum 3,500 foot runway for safe operation."
The Iditarod is just around the corner... 3 days for the Start Ceremony at Anchorage 4th Avenue!

Alaskan Winds wishes a great Race to all Mushers and Teams, Race Officials, Vets, Handlers, Volunteers!, to the pilots of the real Iditarod Air Force and to all the Virtual Pilots to whom this is one of the most exciting moments of the year!


(AW001 Joao Paz, flying the DC-6B over McGrath)

The Yukon Quest

2008-02-20, 1:23AM: Lance Mackey wins the Yukon Quest for the fourth consecutive time! But this was a close race for the two Mushers leading the pack, as rookie Ken Anderson, after a 1000 mile race, arrived to Whitehorse just 15 minutes later!

Alaskan Winds (Virtual) Special Events

With a long tradition of flying the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaskan Winds did on 2008 the Yukon Quest for the 1st time. As a matter of fact, our Pilots are still on the trail, hauling dogs, flying members of the vet team, race officials and equipment back and forth, between checkpoints and dog drop points.
Accompanying these races, even on a virtual environment, is truly a special event, in many aspects! Pilots develop a connection (even a bond) with the Mushers and their Dog Teams; they get to know the terrain, places and locations in a more profound way; and, by dubbing the routines of the very special bush pilots that are doing it for real, they have a chance of becoming better pilots themselves.

And that is why some of the also special Alaskan Winds Pilots will soon be receiving their well deserved Yukon Quest Awards!