Land of a Midnight Sim

One of simulations greatest strengths is flying parts of the world where you might never make it in person. Alaska calls to the hearts of many a pilot, so well take you there today. Nothing too strenuous: Just a jaunt from Anchorage (PANC) down south to Seward (PAWD) on the ocean and then over to Kenai (PAEN) on Cook Inlet. Yeah, ICAO Alaskan airports start with a P not a K. Hmm... if you put the I-meaning you-in PANC you get Panic. Coincidence?

jwanwest

Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The article details a challenging simulated IFR flight in Alaska, leading pilots from Anchorage to Seward and then to Kenai, designed to test advanced navigation and procedural skills.
It emphasizes practicing complex instrument approaches with high Minimum Descent Altitudes (MDAs), navigating mountainous terrain, and handling in-flight equipment failures like partial panel flying.
The simulation encourages meticulous chart study, strategic flight planning, and adaptability, highlighting the importance of preparing for demanding scenarios in rugged environments, informed by veteran Alaskan pilot insights.

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One of simulation’s greatest strengths is flying parts of the world where you might never make it in person. Alaska calls to the hearts of many a pilot, so we’ll take you there today. Nothing too strenuous: Just a jaunt from Anchorage (PANC) down south to Seward (PAWD) on the ocean and then over to Kenai (PAEN) on Cook Inlet. Yeah, ICAO Alaskan airports start with a “P” not a “K.” Hmm… if you put the “I”—meaning you—in PANC you get “Panic.” Coincidence?

You might need to install some missing scenery if you excluded Alaska to save space. You’ll also want a plane with IFR GPS for this one. If you don’t have that on your sim, don’t back out now. Use your tablet for GPS location. You’ve probably told yourself you would do that in the event of navigator failure in your airplane. How much practice do you have at actually doing it? Right.