One in Seventy

Alaska is certainly a giant sized piece of our planet. It is the largest state in the US by total area and over twice the size of Texas, the next largest state. Bigger than Texas…now that’s BIG!

As for aviation, Alaska has six times as many pilots per capita and 16 times as many aircraft per capita when compared to the rest of the United States. To interpret that data another way, 1 in 70 people resident in Alaska is an active pilot. 

The Bazflyer’s flight from Nome to Anchorage was a bit over four hours duration. The flight traversed a kaleidoscope of geography including vast tundra plans, huge river systems and snow covered mountains that extended as far as the eye could see. Along the way there were no roads to be seen. In the whole state of Alaska, there are fewer than 20,000 kms of paved roads. So its not surprising then that Aviation is not only a state pastime; it is the state's major form of transportation.

Shortly after leaving 11,000 feet on descent into Anchorage the flight was in cloud and the Bazflyers were expertly radar vectored for the RNAV (GPS)-A approach into (PAOM) Merrill Field. With runway 07 in view straight ahead Merrill Tower cleared ZK-BAZ to land and the Bazflyer’s first flight in the USA culminated with a smooth touchdown.

Merrill Field is the main general aviation airport for Anchorage. It is interestingly sandwiched between a US Airforce Base on one side and a busy International Airport on the other. Not to mention the adjacent float-plane harbour and a residential airpark. 

Merrill Field was the first real airport in Alaska and was named in 1930 after the first Alaskan aviator, Russel Merrill. It was 92 years ago that Merrill made the first flight to Nome. Just two years later he disappeared on a flight to Akiak.
As development and history goes, Alaska is still a young land. Its population is reputedly increasing. Observing aviation activity on Merrill Field and putting that in context with Alaska’s huge footprint, the Bazflyer’s think there is every possibility the ratio of pilots to people might even increase as well. 

Mount Denali at 20,310 feet

Coming into to land at Merrill Field

Alaska’s newest IF rated pilot Kyle Jones (centre) with Flight Examiner Greg Stoddart and Bazflyer1

Aras Sirvelis working on his newly acquired airplane

Attending to a 50 hour oil change on ZK-BAZ at Pratt Aviation on Merrill Field
 
F-Street, a favourite with every aviator when you’re not flying. 

Bazflyer1 recommends the Halibut Sandwich


Molly goes flying…artwork in the wonderful Anchorage Museum