Hello, I am looking at buying a plane from Alaska, and as I have never been there nor know anyone there. I want to know what Alaska planes are to be expected of, is it like buying one from Montana where it’s a relatively dry climate and not much corrosion to deal with? Is it even worth buying one and bringing it down. The plane is a factory float kit 206
Alaska’s a big place. There’s a huge difference between Fairbanks and Juneau with respect to climate, and those don’t represent the extremes.
An anecdote from a Cessna expert I know... "Never buy a plane from Alaska, Florida or Maine. In Alaska they're working planes and abused them as tools through no fault of anyone's it's just how planes are up there. In Florida the planes are all corroded to hell. In Maine, people just get joy out of trying to screw you over, they even have a word for it." Shared purely for entertainment . I'm sure the plane you're looking at is fine - 206's are bitching planes!
Bought my Cherokee 180 which lived its life for a long time in Alaska as an air taxi. The logbook even showed it had skis on it at one point. Also bought the Comanche in Florida - Live Oak isn't exactly coastal. Zero issues with either one. Some people just like to perpetuate falsehoods.
Do float plans land on salt water up there much? I guess much depends in the deal, can’t see anything being lower cost from AK. The ferry costs will add a few $1000 to the price.
Alaskans use their planes but that's offset by having a fantastic talent pool of aircraft mechanics and rebuilders plus parts stores are plentiful. Aviation isn't just a hobby here, it's our culture. Saltwater use? Yes, very common in southeast Alaska. Not common but not unheard of around south central Alaska, and very rare north of Anchorage.
Depends on what part of Alaska it is from and how it is used. I used to fly a 206 that spent 2 years upside down in the tundra somewhere outside of Deadhorse. I have flown planes that were so bent and twisted that coordinated flight was impossible. I have seen privately owned airplanes that has not had an annual for years that were owned by non-certificated pilots that did their own maintenance. But most of those were in the southwest, northwest and northern Alaska. If it has any part 135 time it has flown over gross. Not that I ever did that... One thing to look for is if any seal oil has been spilled in it. Seal oil is VERY corrosive to aluminum. I have seen seal oil eat into asphalt. All companies I flew for treated seal oil as haz-mat. But still not a deal killer. I am thinking a 206 on floats in Alaska may have seen Pt 135 operations, and would expect it has seen salt water. Neither would scare me away as long as proper maintenance has been done. And every 135 operation I flew for in Alaska the maintenance was never a worry. Except one company that is no longer around. On the other side I have seen privately owned planes that were exquisitely cared for. I mean these planes were so well taken care of I would be afraid to get in one for fear of getting it dirty. They were not used as a work truck and were primarily used to go from paved runway to paved runway, and usually spend their non-flying time in a hangar. And spent all winter in a hangar.
Did you ever privately own planes in Alaska? There's a big difference in perspective about airplanes between hired pilots and people who own their own.
Huh. I'm helping collect an owner's new Baron from Maine shortly. I'd enjoy learning this word, just so I can provide instructional value on the way home.
The plane would be coming to a salt air and salt water environment but I’m not going to be keeping it on floats. Plane is in Bristol bay, Katmai area, I’ve always read a lot here on this site and respect Zeldman’s opinion on 206’s
