This flight came about as we wanted to see Yellowknife from the air.
Tried Air Tindi etc, even made enquiries to First Air to fly to Hay River and back on an ATR-42, but that was way too expensive.
We were talking about the Buffalo Airways DC-3 flight but that wasn’t going to be practical as it is an evening flight and would have meant an overnight stay and means of getting to and from the airport.
Had Buffalo done a daytime flight we would have gone on that.
That idea was ruled out before we even got here.
Eventually we found Open Water Air Charter. Had to wait awhile for the plane to get back from another flight.
Price was $300 Canadian dollars for 30 minutes.
Aircraft for the flight is Cessna 185F C-GYXY.
Getting in was bit of a challenge as there less steps than in a Beaver and bit of a squeeze in the back.
Took off from Houseboat Bay, did an orbit of the town of Yellowknife before a low level pass along the runway at Yellowknife Airport before heading out over the lakes and forest.
All you can see is forest dotted with lakes stretching to the horizon.
Turned back towards Yellowknife and landed back at Houseboat Bay.
The landing was quite rough and noisy with a loud bang every time we hit a wave.
Taxiing back to the dock we passed two Air Tindi Twin Otters and a Cessna Caravan.
Since the dock is a public dock, had to wait for a boat to go before we could get in.