Island Wings DHC-2 Beaver - Ketchikan to the Misty Fjords

Video of my Misty Fjords flightseeing tour aboard the Island Wings DHC-2 Beaver "Lady Esther" and the photos captured along the way
Flown from Ketchikan, Alaska on July 7, 2016 while cruising the Holland America Nieuw Amasterdam
The scenery of the Misty Fjords National Monument was truly majestic. It's incredible to think mountains rising 3000ft high were once buried and ground smooth under massive ice sheets. Nothing quite captures this unless you are 3000ft up, looking across the horizon and can judge the height of the mountains by their pointed or rounded peaks. Michelle's knowledge of the geology and ecology made for a very educational flight.
The Lady Esther started life as a military plane built by DeHavilland Canada and delivered to the US Army Air Corps on July 23, 1959.
[source: www.dhc-2.com/id383.htm]
She was named after Michelle's grandmother, whom she credits as her inspiration. [www.islandwings.com/about-your...]
The DHC-2 Beaver is legendary in this part of the world and was designed to be perfectly suited to the harsh conditions in which many have operated for over 60 years. The distinctive rumble of the Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine is a familiar sound to Alaskans - many of whom live in remote areas only accessible by plane or boat.
My apologies if the video is long by YT standards. The 2 hour flight itself seemed to go by far too quickly and this video was a way for me to preserve the memories of the sights and sounds, both outside and inside the cockpit. To me, they were equally thrilling.

Пікірлер: 60

  • @Asta-wl8jz
    @Asta-wl8jz2 жыл бұрын

    I was on this very plane with Michelle probably 10 years ago or more. We had the time of our lives. I hope Michelle is still doing this.

  • @e-rj8984
    @e-rj89843 жыл бұрын

    Skilled Lady pilot and sooo Beautiful Nature 👍🌷

  • @frankeimer3906
    @frankeimer39062 жыл бұрын

    My favorite aircraft .I was a AME and worked on CFFHB #1 beaver. Thanks for tour. From this canuck

  • @Adventure494
    @Adventure494 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing! Great scenery

  • @dnciz
    @dnciz4 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much for this great video. I totaly enjoyed it!

  • @pacerodi
    @pacerodi3 жыл бұрын

    The most art-deco flying machine all around!

  • @coldlakealta4043
    @coldlakealta404311 ай бұрын

    we took the duplicate of this flight in 2018. Your videography captured our memories beautifully. Thank you for posting. Long live the DHC-2 Beaver!

  • @lorriefequet7680
    @lorriefequet76805 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing. Love these old float planes...flew in many like these and otters in northern quebec in the 70's. Beautiful scenery.

  • @xinvolume
    @xinvolume5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for a beautiful view of the country side, great video.

  • @wagonmaster1974
    @wagonmaster19744 жыл бұрын

    With over 20K hours, it is no wonder Michelle has such a touch. That was as smooth a landing as I've seen recorded on video. Just kissed the water. Definitely one with her DeHavilland. Great video. If I ever get up to AK, would love to fly with her. Only hiccup I see is the reg for the plane shows it to be a '58, not a '59. Paperwork...yeesh!

  • @noenthusiasts
    @noenthusiasts5 жыл бұрын

    I noticed once she was airborne she really backed out of the throttle. The ability to climb in these seems effortless. I gotta find a ride in one.

  • @danwaldie4661

    @danwaldie4661

    4 жыл бұрын

    noenthusiasts Go to Tofino or VIctoria.

  • @HuskyDude58
    @HuskyDude587 жыл бұрын

    Great times in Alaska! It was very well done! will be watching it a few more times for sure!!! Thx for sharing. Husky

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Dave (Husky)!

  • @greggb3079
    @greggb30794 жыл бұрын

    Sorry. I am a little late to viewing this video. The scenery is just amazing, but I am sure is doesn't compare to flying right above it. The bonus for me would be flying in one those awesome Beaver's... Thank you for putting this up.

  • @urdooinitrong7753
    @urdooinitrong77533 жыл бұрын

    fantastic landing! one of my favorite rc models. Actually hangs in my bedroom...

  • @hbunnie1120
    @hbunnie11207 жыл бұрын

    Thank You for letting us hear the Beaver..

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    7 жыл бұрын

    The sound of that big radial is what makes the experience special.

  • @jetho69

    @jetho69

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@propgator5107 like a flying Harley

  • @Aero360Aviation
    @Aero360Aviation6 жыл бұрын

    Stunningly beautiful. This is my dream...

  • @robfraley4210
    @robfraley42106 жыл бұрын

    W O W ... That was a Great Trip... Thanks.

  • @attilahorvath9452
    @attilahorvath94527 жыл бұрын

    It's my dream! Amazing!!!

  • @MrTimman85
    @MrTimman857 жыл бұрын

    great video of our company thank you for sharing

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tim. Keep living the dream and keep an eye on those bears!

  • @alanbstard4
    @alanbstard46 жыл бұрын

    Lady Esther looks lovely in her colourful livery. Popular place going on those cruise ships at 3.26

  • @randymxer65
    @randymxer655 жыл бұрын

    Will be going on that tour this Sunday. Can't wait. Weathers looking good. hope its as awesome as seen in your video.

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    5 жыл бұрын

    Hope you had a great time. Glad it was Sunday and not Monday. Sad news about the crash.

  • @randymxer65

    @randymxer65

    5 жыл бұрын

    Had an Awesome tour. Michelle was great. crash was sad and scary that something like that could happen.@@propgator5107

  • @kerenchadwick9697
    @kerenchadwick96974 жыл бұрын

    Lovely views...

  • @maureenmurphy
    @maureenmurphy Жыл бұрын

    I just booked to fly with Michelle in June!

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    Жыл бұрын

    That's great! You will not be disappointed. Michelle does an excellent job and the Lady Esther is the prettiest float plane you'll see in Alaska.

  • @juemuri5448
    @juemuri54483 ай бұрын

    traumhaft schön...

  • @shanemcdonald3191
    @shanemcdonald31912 жыл бұрын

    That P&L sounds so sweet 🎶

  • @kennietravelmemories4619
    @kennietravelmemories46197 жыл бұрын

    super beautiful clear images ! what brand of camera you used ? thanks sharing.appreciate.

  • @mothmagic1
    @mothmagic1 Жыл бұрын

    Love the Beaver. Especially with R985 power

  • @valeriitomashevskyi5548
    @valeriitomashevskyi55484 жыл бұрын

    Первое видео , где Ди Хевиленд , динамичен и манёвреный . На остальных видео он статичен , не динамичен , летит низко и только прямо , как приклееный ! Вы прекрассный пилот , и самолёт отменный , спасибо , что показали его краму и силу . И спасибо за море удовольствия и позитива !

  • @PaulGrc
    @PaulGrc7 жыл бұрын

    Lucky guy, I love every second of your video :^)

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Paul

  • @edwardmiller6353
    @edwardmiller63534 жыл бұрын

    Very Nice!

  • @arturasstatkus8613
    @arturasstatkus8613 Жыл бұрын

    So nice:)

  • @Hockeyfan9884
    @Hockeyfan98846 жыл бұрын

    When and where do I book ? Are there fly in / fly out trout fishing tours available ?

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    5 жыл бұрын

    Hi Steve. www.islandwings.com/index.html Contact info is on the home page as well as links to the various tours. Hope you have fun!! (BTW, I'm not affiliated)

  • @billkrause4585
    @billkrause45852 жыл бұрын

    Gave a thumbs up, but the tinker bell music has to go. What control adjustment are made overhead at the headliner?

  • @benyessin7424
    @benyessin74246 жыл бұрын

    nice Beaver...

  • @tombrennan3973
    @tombrennan3973 Жыл бұрын

    I have several scale models of this very plane and dream of that left seat one day :-) or right seat tbh ...

  • @quikstop4347
    @quikstop43476 жыл бұрын

    Great video... did you ask the pilot about the Koala (seen cuddling the compass!)?

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    6 жыл бұрын

    QuikStop I actually did ask her. I believe she said she gave a tour to a group from Australia and they gave it to her as a gift.

  • @quikstop4347

    @quikstop4347

    6 жыл бұрын

    I thought that may have been the case! It came from my neck of the woods, would love to do that tour... Cheers!

  • @truenorth5711
    @truenorth57116 жыл бұрын

    Nice shots! What camera/ gear setup did you use?

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Video was shot on my phone - which at the time I believe was my LG G3. Stills were shot with my Nikon D5000 with Sigma 18-200 lens. All aerials were shot through the plexi windows. Good thing Tim keeps them clean!

  • @GMC6523
    @GMC65234 жыл бұрын

    wide open take off

  • @stoneblue1795
    @stoneblue17956 жыл бұрын

    What serial number is this one?

  • @propgator5107

    @propgator5107

    6 жыл бұрын

    Hi JP. It's 1369. There's a link in the description to some info on her history.

  • @martinharceg1868
    @martinharceg18684 жыл бұрын

    Via Google maps it is 1,5 miles. Taking an airplane for this distance.......but coooooool because of Beaver. Very strange:((((

  • @ghdbx4289
    @ghdbx4289 Жыл бұрын

    บรรทุกได้กี่ตัน

  • @tanisherman5633
    @tanisherman56334 жыл бұрын

    that pilot has a nice beaver

  • @kookamunga2458
    @kookamunga24584 жыл бұрын

    The video is tops but the music sucks . It's trite childish music akin to elevator music and Muzac and it ruins the atmosphere of the whole video.

  • @clayz1
    @clayz15 жыл бұрын

    Another bored video editor makes a music video. There should be a youtube class for these so we wont mistake them for airplane videos

  • @Desjardins50

    @Desjardins50

    2 жыл бұрын

    The video might suck but I have flown there with Michelle and it was a lifetime experience. I fly often. You don’t know what you missed.