Aussie Group Flights Team - Low & Slow: Glacier Traverse

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:snow_capped_mountain: Briefing Card — Glacier Traverse

Alaska Range Expedition — VFR Adventure

:world_map: Route Overview

A high‑altitude bush‑flying expedition through Alaska’s glacier corridors, performing multiple off‑strip glacier landings before exiting the range at Summit (PAST).

  • Departure: Skwentna (PASW)

  • Break Stop: Don Sheldon Amphitheater — 15 min

  • Arrival: Summit (PAST)

  • Total Distance: ≈ 215 NM

  • Cruise Speed: 120 kts

  • Altitude Band: 9,000–14,500 ft

  • Estimated Duration: ~2 hr 10 min (incl. break)

:national_park: Scenic & Operational Highlights

Segment Landmark Operational Notes
1 Dall Glacier Broad icefield, gentle slope, ideal first landing
2 Surprise Glacier Narrow valley, steep walls, blue crevasse fields
3 Chedotlothna Glacier Rugged channels, careful touchdown alignment
4 Yentna Glacier Wide plain, strong contrast for visual nav
5 Lucuna Glacier Compact basin, good for group staging
6 Kahitna Glacier Long valley descent from Denali flank
7 Eldridge Glacier High‑altitude icefield, thin air performance
8 West Fork Glacier Scenic corridor leading to amphitheater
:star: Don Sheldon Amphitheater 15‑min break, flat snow basin, towering walls
9 Summit (PAST) Exit valley, descend to tundra plains

:airplane: Aircraft Requirements

  • Bush Cub (tundra tyres) — agile, excellent short‑field

  • C185 on Skis — stable, strong climb, glacier‑ready

  • Minimum Cruise: 120 kts (required for event pacing)

:warning: Hazards & Considerations

  • Strong downdrafts near steep glacier walls

  • Whiteout potential in flat‑light conditions

  • Reduced climb performance above 12,000 ft

  • Crevasse fields near Surprise & Chedotlothna

  • Amphitheater winds can funnel unpredictably

:sports_medal: Event Badge — Glacier Traverse Navigator

Awarded for completing all glacier landings and reaching Summit (PAST) with stable terrain‑aware navigation.

:performing_arts: Narrative

A bush‑flying expedition across Alaska’s frozen giants — threading glacier valleys, landing on icefields, and resting at the legendary Don Sheldon Amphitheater before descending out of the range.

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Details to follow. Hope you can join us.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY.

Regards, Paul

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Event: Low & Slow - Glacier Traverse
Sim: MSFS2024
Aircraft: Bush Cub with Tundra Tyres or C185 with Skis
Speed: Min 120 knots
Server: South East Asia
Sim Time: 7:00am
Route: See attached plan below
Alt: 9,500' for avoiding terrain but mostly fly just above the terrain level.
Start: 20:00z
Duration: 2hr 
Distance: 215nm 


Take off from Skwentna(PASW)
Track 308 deg to WP1 34nm
Track 348 deg to WP2 10.3
Track 302 deg to Dall Glacier(WP3) 4nm
Full Stop Landing at Dall Glacier(WP3)
Take Off from Dall Glacier(WP3)
Track 321 deg to WP4 1.8nm
Follow waypoints WP4 thru WP7
Track 318 deg to Surprise Glacier(WP8) 1.4nm
Full Stop Landing at Surprise Glacier(WP8)
Take Off from Surprise Glacier(WP8)
Track 023 deg to WP9 2.2nm
Follow waypoints WP9 thru WP11
Track 102 deg to Dall Glacier(WP12) 2.1nm
Full Stop Landing at Dall Glacier(WP12)
Take Off from Dall Glacier(WP12)
Track 039 deg to WP13 1.3nm
Follow waypoints WP13 thru WP20
Track 114 deg to Chedotlothna Glacier(WP21) 0.7nm
Track 191 deg to WP22 0.8nm
Follow waypoints WP22 thru WP27
Track 154 deg to Yentna Glacier(WP28) 4.9nm
Full Stop Landing at Yentna Glacier(WP28)
Take Off from Yentna Glacier(WP28)
Track 183 deg to WP29 4.6nm
Follow waypoints WP29 thru WP30
Track 017 deg to Lacuna Glacier(WP31) 4.5nm
Full Stop Landing at Lacuna Glacier(WP31)
Take Off from Lacuna Glacier(WP31)
Track 023 deg to WP32 5.3nm
Follow waypoints WP32 thru WP33)
Track 071 deg to Kahiltna Glacier(WP34) 2.8nm
Full Stop Landing at Kahiltna Glacier(WP34)
Take Off from Kahiltna Glacier(WP34)
Track 006 deg to WP35 3.6nm
Follow waypoints WP35 thru WP44
Track 080 deg to Don Sheldon Amphitheater(WP45) 2.7nm +++ 15 min break +++
Full Stop Landing at Don Sheldon Amphitheater(WP45)
Take Off from Don Sheldon Amphitheater(WP45)
Track 008 deg to WP46 3.6nm
Follow waypoints WP46 thru WP49
Track 099 deg to Eldridge Glacier(WP50) 5.6nm
Full Stop Landing at Eldridge Glacier(WP50)
Take Off from Eldridge Glacier(WP50)
Track 115 deg to WP51 6.2nm
Follow waypoints WP51 thru WP56
Track 022 deg to West Fork Glacier(WP57) 3.4nm
Full Stop Landing at West Fork Glacier(WP57)
Take Off from West Fork Glacier(WP57)
Track 083 deg to WP58 4.6nm
Follow waypoints WP58 thru WP65
Track 072 deg to Summit(PAST) 7.8nm
Full Stop Landing at Summit(PAST)


Airport Details:

Skwentna(PASW)
Elev: 162'
RW 10/28 Asphalt 3,400'

Summit(PAST)
Elev: 2,464'
RW 03/21 Concrete 3,998'
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Flight plans to support the event …

Little NavMap:

VFR Skwentna (PASW) to Summit (PAST).lnmpln (11.7 KB)

MSFS2024:

VFR Skwentna (PASW) to Summit (PAST).pln (18.7 KB)

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Event reminder …