Whitehorse Tour

Yukon Territory

VFR #4

We're off to the Yukon, in Northwest Canada occupying a land mass 474,700 sq km (183,282 sq mi) making it larger than California, smaller than Texas but with a fraction of the population (29,000).

Aviation in the Yukon goes back to the 1920's when DH-4 biplanes where introduced and quickly established themselves as the workhorses of the north...the bush pilot was born.

In celebration of its long heritage with aviation, this remarkable DC-3 sits proudly at the Whitehorse airport. This gem only requires a 5 knot wind to move her on her pedestal.

This flight will take you from Whitehorse north, northwest then back to CYXY.

Unfortunately, Flight Simulator doesn't do this part of the world justice, so for those who haven't been in the Yukon we've provided some photos in the hope you can grasp its very raw beauty.

ROUTE :

Whitehorse CYXY - Braeburn CEK2 - Carmacks CEX4 - Burwash CYDB - Haines Junction CYHT - Whitehorse CYXY

Cumulative distance as the crow fly's is about 305 NM with stops this flight should take about 2.25 hours to complete.

NAV AIDS :

Whitehorse VOR (166.60) 195 nm

Laberge NDB (236.0 JB 38 NM)

Burwash NDB (341.0 DB 50 NM)

FLIGHT PLAN :

Depart Whitehorse and head for the Laberge NDB. When passing Laberge set you OBS on the Whitehorse VOR too 310 turn left too intercept. Braeburn will be 55.1 NM.

Landing at Braeburn (Cinnamon Bun Strip) runways 26 and 14 are abutted to higher terrain so best to do a flyby and check the windsock. Runways are 8/26 (2,700' grass) and 14/32 (3,000' oil treated).

While at Braeburn you just have to stop in at the Braeburn Lodge for a Cinnamon Bun...10 pounds of artery infestation but one of the top destinations for the $100 Hamburger Club. Don't forget to take this massive slab into account as you get ready to depart for Carmacks...weight and balance is so important.

Departing Breaburn set the OBS on your Nav Radio too 311 intersect the VOR and fly north to Carmacks which 98.4 NM from the VOR (40 NM from Braeburn).

Carmacks runways 9/27 (5,000' oil treated) are easily accessible with 27 offering a slight challenge and slightly higher approach elevation. You can see why in the picture on the left which is adjacent to the runway. You have about a 200' elevation to deal with and yes this is about the same in Flight Simulator 2002.

From Carmacks you're going to head west too Burwash. Another nothing place but very popular with the GA community because of its sheer beauty and ever changing VFR conditions.

Depart Carmacks passing over the Carmacks aerodrome at 94.5 DME from the YXY VOR, set your heading and follow a heading of 212 degrees. Then set your NDB to Burwash 341.0. Burwash is about 92 NM from Carmacks, about halfway you can pickup the Burwash NDB and adjust your heading. Depending on weather (visibility) the Burwash airport is 2.5 NM NW of the NDB.

Burwash runways 10/28 (4,987' oil treated). No landing impediments here except for the mountains to the west. As stated the weather is always iffy, as you can see by this approach (right) about 10 NM from Burwash.

From Burwash you're going to head southeast to Haines Junction, one of the prettiest spots in the Yukon amidst the shadow of the Kluane range where the Alaska Highway rumbles by.

Depart Burwash via the Burwash NDB and set your heading for 99 degrees. To be sure of your destination also set the OBS on your VOR too 68 degrees. When you arrive at Haines Junction your DME from the YXY VOR will be 71.4 NM.

So for those who may trouble understanding this, you will be using your VOR as a bearing point to establish your position at Haines Junction. Haines Junction is 53.3 NM so for the last 3.3 NM you will need to rely on your bearing point from YXY.

The runways at Haines Junction are 4/22 (5,000' and oil treated), no airport aids here so pray for nice weather on your arrival.

When you arrive at Haines Junction walk west on the tarmac where you can take this photo (left), of the Kluane range in the distance. Now just to show you it's not all ice and snow in the Yukon here's a picture of downtown Haines Junction...stink'n hot during the 7 week summer and of course a couple of local mosquitoes.

After your tour of downtown Haines Junction your going to depart on your final leg back too Whitehorse. An easy 60 NM jaunt yes, but there are mountains ahead and the YXY VOR is sitting at a 5,000' elevation.

So depart Haines Junction setting your OBS too 68 degrees, climb immediately too 7-9,000' (depending on your skill level), pray your gear is up and stowed so not to catch any tree limbs on your climb and head for home.

Upon your arrival at the YXY VOR you have 13L/31R (3,900' asphalt), 13R ILS/BC (109.50/130) or 9,400' asphalt 31L ILS/GS (109.50/310) and then for the foolish...runways 1/19 (2,000' oil treated). The first photo (top), is on final 13R so you can see how the mountains get in your way if you're thinking of a long leisurely ILS/GS approach on 31L. There are two other Nav Aids to assist you on your approach into Whitehorse. NDB XY 302.0 is 3.4 NM from 13L and NDB PJ 329.0 is 16.5 NM on the 31L ILS/GS.

Finally, we'll leave you with this...if you've ever imagined what living in Whitehorse is really like...check out the Whitehorse Web Cam of downtown then the links on the left. Who knows maybe someday you could be standing on the street waving to all your fellow Altairians here.

Enjoy...

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