Flying to Levelock

Yesterday I flew to Levelock, Alaska. The airport identifier for Levelock is 9Z8. This small village is nestled right next to the Kvichak (Kweejack) River. The river runs between Bristol Bay and Lake Illiamna. Levelock is located about ten miles north of where the Kvichak River feeds into Bristol Bay. The population of Levelock is about 50 year-round residents.

 

Levelock is located 42 miles east of Dillingham. The route is basically at sea level across tundra, lakes, and rivers. The highest spot is about 500 feet, which is a few miles northwest of Levelock near New Stuyahok.

Last year in a snow storm, one new pilot flew into what we call the "milk bottle," and crashed into the ground at five hundred feet near this area. The "milk bottle" is when the ground is white, the sky is white, and well, everything looks white. He survived by the grace of God. It is tricky flying out here.

One of the lessons a bush pilot learns about gravel runways is how well they hold up when the snow and ice starts to melt. Some runways get muddier than others, for example, the Portage Creek runway gets muddy in the spring. Some runways stay firm even in the spring. Levelock is a runway that seems to be built on good soil. I have never landed on it when it was soft, even during spring thaw, but don't take the chance. Always try to get a runway condition report.

Click here to read more and to see specifically labeled photos of the Levelock airport.

Father Scott Garrett is the Pastor of the Holy Rosary Mission in Dillingham. His unique mode of transportation is a 160 Cherokee Warrior which he uses to fly to the many remote areas within his parish. With the unpredictable weather of southwest Alaska, Father Scott's schedule is always written lightly in pencil.