Keep current on the 2005 Yukon Quest by clicking this link:

www.yukonquest.com

Yukon Quest Air Force

The Yukon Quest, a 1000-mile dog sled race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, is the toughest dog sled race in the world and is the only dog sled race to cross International Boundaries from Alaska into the Canadian Yukon.

The Yukon Quest Air Force, a strictly volunteer organization, is organized to support this great event by providing air transport of race personnel, dogs and handlers, supplies to bed the dogs down, food and supplies for the checkpoints and photographers. For this event pilots and planes will operate out of Fairbanks and Whitehorse. All flights will be operated in strict conformity with both the US FAA regulations and the Canadian CAR. Flights will not operate when the temperature drops below –20 F/-24C. It is preferred that aircraft be equipped with skis.

Scenery is available for these areas, but not required, but recommended.

Yukon_Flying.zip by Frank Betts

Ididerod.zip by Frank Betts, this file is required and is on the BGA 2004 Hangar Page

Or click here > Ididerod.zip by Frank Betts (654k)

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Akcm7.zip by Dave Erickson

Akcim9.zip

Awid_1.zip by Alejandro Fernandez de la Reguera (Alaska Winds VA)

Awid_2.zip

Awid_3.zip

Iditerod_2004.zip by Spacerise Aviation www.spacerise.net

Iditerod_2004_3.zip

Fingerlake.zip

Examples of aircraft actually in use by the two Air Forces. You are free to choose your specific aircraft, but we don’t recommend you go overboard, the strips are small and conditions will be poor. A couple of good example’s to think about are (0AK0) Scotts, North Pole’s runway is 8/26 1050’ Grass, and the two Mile Marker sites are on the side of the road (Trev actually clipped a wingtip while we were checking the site out).

Piper Twin Comanche

Piper Twin Seneca

Piper Super Cub

Cessna 170

Cessna 185 Ski Plane

Cessna 206

Scout Ski Plane

Found Bush Hawk Ski Plane

DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver

DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Maule M7

The name, Yukon Quest, is derived from the “Highway of the North,” the Yukon River and the routes of the prospectors, mail and supply carriers through the gold mines of the Klondike. The race will start in Fairbanks at 0900 on 14 February 2004 and end at the finish line in Whitehorse with the arrival of the last dog sled. The shortest race was in 1995 when Frank Turner turned in the winning time of 10 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes. The longest finishing time was by Ty Halverson, whose time was 20 days, 9 hours and 16 minutes. A quick point here, on the route map and in the Yukon Quest material they refer to locations as Dog Drops, no we do not drop dogs out of the plane. The Musher starts with from 8 to 14 dogs pulling his sled, when a dog becomes ill or injured it is left at these dog drops for one of the veterinarian’s that you will be flying, to examine, and bring it back to the outside world. It is not the Mushers decision as to whether the dog continues or not, that is up to the Vet. The Musher does not get to replace the dog; he must mush on as they say. Another aside is that the Musher must have booties for the dogs feet and he must have a specified amount with him at all times.

Lets get the requirements over with so that we can get on with flying. For Bluegrass members report flight times as you ordinarily do. For non-Bluegrass members send me an email at wradodel@tampabay.rr.com and I will send you a number for the Bluegrass reporting format, this number will be for both the Yukon Quest and the Iditirod races. Please submit your times on the Bush Pilot Division page.

We will be flying the flights on the date and hour specified and using Real Weather (whatever system you prefer). The planners of the races selected the time frame as the worst weather usually occurs during this time of year in the Yukon, anything to make it tougher. If the weather is below –20F they do not fly, in our case we will fly.

Flight Requirements

The route of the Yukon Quest is:

Start Fairbanks

Scott’s, North Pole Dog Drop

Chena Hot Springs --Angel Creek Check Point

Steese Hwy, MI 101, (Ididerod.zip) Dog Drop

Central Check Point

Circle City Check Point Slaven’s Cabin Dog Drop

Eagle Check Point

Dawson City (mandatory 36 hour layover) Check Point

Scroggie Creek Dog Drop

Pelly Crossing Check Point

Mc Nabe Creek, (Ididerod.zip) Dog Drop

Carmacks Check Point

Braeburn Check Point

Finish Whitehorse.

The Yukon Quest Air Force will use the following airstrips, please note that not all of the checkpoints or Dog Drops have airstrips.

From Fairbanks Intl (PAFA)

Scott’s (0AK0) North Pole

Chena (AK13) Angel Creek

Steese Hwy. Mile 101 Steese Highway

Central (CEM)

Circle City (PACR)

Yukon Charlie’s (L20) Slaven’s Cabin

Eagle (PAEA)

From Whitehorse (CYXY)

Braeburn (CEK2)

Carmacks (CEX4)

Mc Nabe Creek Mile 142 Klondike Highway

Pelly Crossing (CFQ6)

Mc Questin (CFP4) Scroggie Creek

Dawson City (CYDA)

On Feb7, 2004 you will be flying the entire racecourse on an inspection trip. With you will be seven Race Officials so I would suggest you fly the Twin Otter. They will want to fly low and slow, hence my choice of aircraft. (I flew the Twin Otter mostly at 2500’ AGL)

Feb. 12, 2004 – two days before the start of the race at 0800, along with the other volunteer pilots you arrive at the Flight Dispatch desk where you all scan the flight requirements. So far the list is rather short but will be added to as the excitement of the race builds.

Thursday 12th – D-Day minus 2

1. Hay bales to North Pole and Chena.

2. Hay bales to Central and Circle City.

3. Load of food and equipment for North Pole and Chena.

4. Load of food and equipment for Central and Circle City.

5. Load of food and equipment for Yukon Charlie’s and Eagle.

Looking over the list and the load requirements, you pick a flight that you can ably handle with your aircraft. Upon your return and after a sandwich you make your next flight selection keeping on with this until the coming darkness will preclude your flying.

Friday 13^th – D-Day minus 1

1. Spend the morning flying the Officials and the Veterinarians and their equipment to Scott’s, Chena and Central.

2. Hay bales for Circle City, Yukon Charlie’s (Slaven’s) and Eagle.

3. Load of food and equipment for Yukon Charlie’s and Eagle.

4. Fly some photographers over the first part of the race trail to Circle City.

Another day and you will be continuing the flying as you did yesterday and will continue until the race is over and everyone and thing has been returned to Fairbanks.

Saturday 14^th – D-Day The Race begins!!

1. Fly photographers over the start of the race, extreme caution do not get too low that you disturb the dogs!! You may circle the start and follow the leaders but respect their concentration!!

2. Fly race officials and Veterinarians to Circle City and Yukon Charlie’s, this might take several trips.

3. More hay and supplies to Eagle.

Sunday15^th

1. Medivac flight to Mile 101 – pickup William Kleedehn, a musher with a broken leg and transport to Fairbanks. Requires a DHC-6 Twin Otter on skis to land alongside the road at Mile 101 – several are available at Barry Blaisdell’s site.

http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/premaircraft/

2. Fly to Mile 101 and pickup 2 mushers, their dogs and equipment and return to Fairbanks. This flight requires a wheel/ski-equipped aircraft to land alongside the road at Mile 101.

3. Fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required. Use the right tool (aka aircraft) for the job.

Monday 16^th

1. Fly cleanup crew to Angel Creek (Chena), pickup race officials and Veterinarians transport to Eagle, return to Mile 101 – pickup dropped dogs and mushers and transport to PAFE. This flight requires a wheel/ski-equipped aircraft to land alongside the road at Mile 101.

2. Fly to Mile 101 and pickup 1 musher, his dogs and equipment and return to PASFA. This flight requires a wheel/ski- equipped aircraft to land alongside the road at Mile 101.

3. Fly to Central and pickup 2 mushers their dogs and equipment and return to Fairbanks.

4. Fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at Checkpoints and Dog Drops as required. Use the right tool (aka aircraft) for the job.

Tuesday 17^th

1. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians at Central – transport to Dawson City – return to Angel Creek – pickup cleaning crew and transport to PAFA. Clear customs at Dawson City and Fairbanks.

2. Fly to Circle City and pickup 2 mushers, their dogs and equipment and return to Fairbanks.

3. Fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required. Use the right tool (aka aircraft) for the job.

Wednesday 18^th

1. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians at Circle City – transport to Dawson City – return to Coal Creek (L20) at Yukon Charley Rivers and pickup the Vet and dogs from the Dog Drop at Slaven’s Cabin. Runway L20 is a dredged creek bottom with high dredge tailings full length on both sides and slopes uphill from north to south. In addition, it has a rough surface with rocks to 2” – suggest Tundra tire equipped aircraft. Clear customs at Dawson City and Fairbanks.

2. Fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required. Use the right tool (aka aircraft) for the job.

Thursday 19^th

1. Fly cleanup crew to Coal Creek (L20) at Yukon Charley Rivers, then pickup the Vet and dogs at Slaven’s Cabin and return to PAFA.

2. Fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required.

Friday 20^th

Fly a load of food and equipment to Eagle, on the way back to Fairbanks stop in at Coal Creek (L20) at Yukon Charley Rivers and pickup the cleanup crew.

Saturday 21^st

1. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians at Eagle-transport to Dawson City, return to Fairbanks.

2. From Whitehorse CYXY – fly a load of food and equipment to Mc Questin airfield (CFP4) for the Scroggie Creek Dog Drop; continue on to Dawson City (CYDA), pickup race officials and Veterinarians from Eagle and transport back to Mc Questin – return to Whitehorse.

3. From CYXY – fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required.

Sunday 22^nd

1. CYXY - Fly a load of food and equipment to the Mc Cabe Creek Dog Drop at Mile 142 of the Klondike Highway continue on to Dawson City (CYDA) picking up any dogs at the Mc Questin airfield (CFP4) from the Scroggie Creek Dog Drop for transport to Dawson City. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians in Dawson City and transport back to Pelly Crossing (CFQ6) – return to Whitehorse. This flight requires a wheel/ski-equipped aircraft to land alongside the road at Mile 142.

2. CYXY - fly a load of food and equipment to the Mc Cabe Creek Dog Drop at Mile 142 on the Klondike Highway continue on to Dawson City (CYDA) picking up any dogs at the Mc Questin airfield (CFP4) form the Scroggie Creek Dog Drop for transport into Dawson City. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians in Dawson City and transport back to the Mc Cabe Creek Dog Drop- return to Whitehorse. This flight requires a wheel/ski-equipped aircraft to land alongside the road at Mile 142.

Monday 23^rd

1. CYXY - fly a load of food and equipment to the Mc Cabe Creek Dog Drop at Mile 142 on the Klondike Highway – continue on to Dawson City (CYDA) picking up any dogs at the Mc Questin Airfield from the Scroggie Creek Dog Drop for transport to Dawson City. Pickup race officials and Veterinarians in Dawson City and transport back to Carmacks (CEX4) – return to Whitehorse. This flight requires wheel/ski-equipped aircraft.

2. CYXY - fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and Dog Drops as required.

Tuesday 24^th

1. CYXY - fly to Mc Questin airfield (CFP4), pickup race officials and Veterinarians and transport to Braeburn (CEK2) – return to Whitehorse. This being your first stop at Braeburn, I should mention that the checkpoint is at the famous Braeburn Lodge. What are they famous for? Those sensational LARGE “Cinnamon Buns” and you better find the time to get one. Don’t think Trev Knew that I know about them.

2. CYXY – fly a load of food and equipment to the Mc Cabe Creek Dog Drop at Mile 142 of the Klondike Highway, pickup any dogs and return with them to Cousins Airfield (CFP8). Cousins Airfield is 7 miles NW of Whitehorse at the junction of the Alaska and Klondike highways; it provides easy access to the Vet station. This flight requires wheel/ski-equipped aircraft to land along side the road at Mile 142.

3. CYXY – fly Reporters and Photographers to the action. Land at checkpoints and dog drops as required. Use the right tool for the job.

Note: Each of the following three flights are a 5 day paid vacation for Bluegrass Crews stationed in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks courtesy of Capt. Bill Von Sennet, CEO of Bluegrass Airlines. In the spirit of the Yukon Quest Capt. Bill has generously donated the use of his BGA DC-3 aircraft and will reimburse the crews for their time and out of pocket expenses in BGA dollars.

PAFA – fly Yukon Quest Organizers, Sponsors and Volunteers to Whitehorse to welcome the mushers as they cross the finish line and attend the banquet and award presentation on Saturday night. The flight will return the passengers to Fairbanks on Sunday 29^th.

PANC – fly Yukon Quest Organizers, Sponsors and Volunteers to Whitehorse to welcome the mushers as they cross the finish line and attend the banquet and award presentation on Saturday night. The flight will return the passengers to Anchorage on Sunday 29^th.

PAJN – fly Government officials and Sponsors to Whitehorse to welcome the mushers as they cross the finish line and attend the banquet and award presentation on Saturday night. The flight will return to Juneau on Sunday 29^th.

Wednesday 25^th

1. CYXY - Fly a load of food to Braeburn then continue to Pelly Crossing, pickup race officials and Veterinarians and return them to Whitehorse.

2. CYXY - Fly to Mc Questin, pickup the cleanup crew and drop them off at Mc Nabe Creek and return to Whitehorse. Don’t forget you need a wheel/ski-equipped aircraft for this flight as you land alongside the highway.

3. CYXY - Fly to Mc Cabe Creek, pickup dogs and return them to Cousins Airfield (CFP8). You need that wheel/ski-equipped aircraft here again.

Thursday 26^th

CYXY – Fly to Mc Cabe Creek, pickup the cleanup crew and return them to Whitehorse. The wheel/ski-equipped aircraft is needed again.

Friday 27^th

CYXY – Fly a load of food to Braeburn then continue to Carmacks, pickup the race officials and Veterinarians and return them to Whitehorse.

Saturday 28^th

CYXY – Fly to Braeburn, pickup everyone there and return them to Whitehorse.

Flash! The race leader Hans Gatt has just crossed the finish line at 06:45 – Feb. 25, 2004 as the winner of the 2004 Yukon Quest and I might add, in record time. His time was 10 days, 18 hours and 48 minutes. The old record held for a long time when you consider Lavone Barue 10 days, 22 hours and 44 minutes set it in 1994. Gatt is the only three-time winner of the Yukon Quest. He also finished with 11 of his 14 dogs.

Of all the adventures and stories that I have written this has been the most fun, I actually felt that I was there. That without a doubt was because of working with Trev Palmer. He and I put this together as the race was being run and the events are as they happened real time. I found myself checking the stats board every three hours or so, I got so I knew all the mushers. There is one in particular, David Dalton, who upon leaving Braeburn, still has all of his 14 dogs, whom I have been rooting for and he is going to finish third unless some misfortune hits him. I also was really surprised with the number of women in the race and how well they performed. Trev had a close friend, Trevor Braun, in the race and he was consistently in 22^nd place until he had to turn around and head back to Dawson City and withdraw.

Another Flash!!!! Dave Dalton did arrive in third and with all of his dogs still pulling the sled. Amazing!

One of the things that make this race so great over such treacherous terrain is the work of the volunteers and I might add Northwest-Tel who provided satellite communications equipment, which resulted in almost immediate communication from the checkpoints and dog drops. There was one time; this is for Bill Von Sennet, where the communication equipment had problems due to the strong “auroras” interference.

Speaking for Trev and myself, I sure hope you enjoy this as much as we did putting it together, even if it is only ¼ of the enjoyment we had, we will feel rewarded.

Don’t go away, the Iditarod is coming up next. Then you can say as they do up there; “I did – I did – the Iditarod”.

Best,

Bill Odell Trev Palmer