Baffin Island Arctic Adventure Trip June 30-July 8, 2012

[AirDC]

So I just committed to joining a group going on an adventure to the Arctic Circle that I wanted to share here for input/recommendations and let others know in case anyone else wanted to join (staging in Maryland or Quebec). I'll update the thread with more details as they come.

This started as a trip to go up to Resolute Bay but we couldn't find reliable 100ll up that far. Iqaluit, Nunavut on Baffin Island looks to be as far as we can make it, although we'll venture farther north above the arctic circle to tour.

We will plan on leaving on the morning of June 30th from Frederick, MD (KFDK). So far we have 8 people in 4 planes coming. A Columbia 350 from FDK, Vtail bonanza from GAI, 182RG from GAI, and a 177RG from Toronto which is meeting up with us in Quebec. We'll be flyign low and slow in Canada since this is a sightseeing trip, and at the speed of the slowest plane (130kts). At least one pilot in every plane is IFR but once in Canada we probably only want to fly if it is VFR since the purpose is to sight see.

The details are still being hammered out but so far looking like this

Saturday June 30 - FDK to Quebec (customs) then Charlevoix
Sunday July 1 - Manic 5 and Wabush or Schefferville
Monday July 2 - Torngat Mountains and Iqaluit
Tuesday July 3 - Iqaluit Land Excursions
Wednesday July 4 - Baffin Island/Arctic Circle Ariel Tour (RT Iqaluit)
Thursday July 5 - Gaspe Peninsula or other
Friday July 6 - Gaspe Peninula or other
Saturday July 7 - Saturday - Trek back home
Sunday July 8 - built-in flex day

Highs in Iqaluit in July are in the low 40's. We'll be staying in hotels, not camping.

 

[AdamZ]

This from the guy who was concerned about flying to MPO. Good on you looks like it will be a blast. You should Ping Ted Dupuis on this board. Ted has more experience flying in Northern Canada than most Canadians.

I do think your Low n Slow comment is a bit of a misnomer. Your speed won't be governed by how fast the 182 can fly but how slow the Columbia can fly.

 

[AirDC]

MPO gave me the confidence to conquer the world. JK. This is not something I would do on my own with 150TT, and definately not with a single plane. One of the reasons I decided to go is that one of the experienced instructors from our club who has done lots of adventure trips will be splitting some of the 182RG time with me. So I'll get 10 hours dual time I need to be checked out in the RG, my complex/HP endorsements, 15-20hrs of retrac time, and some IFR instruction (in US portion) all while splitting plane costs with gratis instruction. Pretty sweet deal.

Yeah - we decided to fly at the cruise speed of the slowest plane. So thats the 177RG at 130kts. The Columbia might be in slow flight.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Sounds like a blast.
couple points:
- only one day of flex?
- why would you only do it with a group?

 

[bbchien]

I've been trying for the past year to get Avgas at Resolute setup, but the only vendor is Halliburton, the ship arrives in late May, and it is now past time for the delivery contract. Plus, there is no way to arrange an agent to guard the fuel until I get there.

At 815 NM that is a one way trip unless one is assurred of fuel....so Iqaluit is about it.

 

[AirDC]

There is more flexibility than just that one day. This is an experienced group of pilots (sans myself) and know that nothing is guaranteed. We expect to hit some unexpected issues and not stick to a strict schedule beyond wanting to be back in 8 days. This is the "ideal" schedule.

I am new to this, we are adventuring into some remote areas and I'd personally feel better flying with others. I'm sure lots do it solo.

Yeah - the fuel issue is interesting.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Sounds great, pls report back.

 

[steingar]

Eight days to Alaska and back? Sounds like when done you might need a vacation from your vacation.

 

[AdamZ]

Eight days to Alaska and back? Sounds like when done you might need a vacation from your vacation.

He's actually going to Canada!

 

[steingar]

He's actually going to Canada!

Arrgh! You are of course correct, just had Alaska fixed in my noggin. Still a LOT of flying in a limited time.

 

[AirDC]

So I haven't had time to do a full write up yet, but figured I would share some stats and pictures from this epic trip. I have tons of pix, PM me if you want a facebook link.

Total flight time: ~35 hours
182RG Tach time: 32 hours
Actual IMC instruction: 6 hours
Simulated IMC instruction: 3 hours
# of diverts due to weather 1
Number of planes broken down out of 5: 0
Days late getting home: 0
Highest 100ll gas price paid: $14/gal in Kuujjuaq and you have to pump yourself (took 5 hours for 5 planes)
Lowest gas paid: $5.89 in Iqaluit believe it or not (govt subsidized)
Polar Bears seen: 1 (in a museum)
Longest day: 1000 miles with a 25kt headwind
Planes on the trip
182RG
182T/G1000
177RG
Columbia 350
V-Tail Bonanza

1st stop - Charlevoix, Quebec. Auberge de Falaises (highly highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a weekend getaway)

The crew celebrating Canada day before our departure from Charlevoix

Planes and pilots

Bush pilots pump their own gas apparently. We had an electric pump which we powered with the airfield car

Lots of uncontrolled IFR and time we were not able to reach anyone but each other.

Ice had recently broken

Terrain north of Iqaluit

Crossing over the Arctic Circle on a daytrip. Mostly IMC but somewhat clear over the mountains near Pangnirtung.

Torngut Mountains National Park on the northeast coast of Labrador

 

[AdamZ]

Andrew I saw all of your photos on FB. Looked like an amazing trip!!

 

[Brad Z]

So I haven't had time to do a full write up yet, but figured I would share some stats and pictures from this epic trip. I have tons of pix, PM me if you want a facebook link.

I'm not sure which is more impressive...flying that far north, or prognosticating the weather that far in advance that you would fly to northern Canada, leaving behind DC during one of the hottest heatwaves in history. Nicely done.