On Approach into Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Only a handful of Pilots can do it. Magical.

Flying into Dutch Harbor/ Unalaska. It's WWII and you have no instruments, would you want to let down in this? During the war, If pilots did find their way under the deck, they would often be forced to fly just above the sea level, seemingly skimming the waves or the opposite, trapped above the cloud layer searching or circling the airstrip until they ran out of gas and never seen again. The difficulties flying in and out of any island along the chain, even with instruments, still plague the area today. Earlier in June, our first expedition tour group out to Dutch Harbor felt the full effects of this making it to Sand Point only to turn back becasue the ceilings were too low in Dutch Harbor to land, much to the dismay of our passengers. The fact that they just experienced an authentic Aleutian experience did not console them. This had been happening all week and it happened again towards the end of the month when friends tried to get in. One never knows until the moment, not even the weatherman. The conditions (fog and clouds) change quickly there. Wartime pilots used to say that they could take off in clear skies and by the time they got to the end of the runway they were in the fog and that there was only a 50% chance they'd find the strip when they got back. This video is from our successful flight in with our second tour group mid June. No problem. But take a look at what is around you and how frightening it must have been to go into the clouds not knowing what is on the other side or amidst. Alternatively, when you have visbility, the Aleutians are gorgeous and hard to beat. Totally worth the effort getting to them. Thank God for instruments! Enjoy. If you have not been to the Aleutian Islands yet, you should. If you need help getting there- contact me and I'll guide you.