Geez, You'd think an operation whose business is to pour fuel into outboard cans every day all summer long would
have some better system. Even back in the 50's we had a hand-crank pump that fit and screwed into the bung hole of
the drum. The intake was adjustable to keep it off the bottom where the water and rusty stuff was.

By the way, does it look like they take the empty drums back, or do they just stack them up in the wilderness?

I only saw two empty drums there and those were from the previous week's party, so they must send them out, (or sink
them in the lake).

Also, what was your opinion of the care taken with weight and balance? We had a Cessna 208 with 10 fatal on Lake
Erie a year and a half ago (hunters), with over-gross suspected as one of the main causes. Hopefully that
smartened up anyone that didn't get the message, but some of those Northern operators can be under great pressure
to make their trips in dubious conditions.

They had a huge set of scales at the floatplane base at Red Lake and they weighed all of our gear while on a baggage
cart. They filled out a form and weighed us as well. However, I picked up the clipboard and looked at it and there
was no moment / arm information or calculations other than total weight. The pilots load and unload the gear and did
seem picky about where they placed items according to weight. He also asked us to sit in certain seats, obviously
judging our size. I think they use the calibrated eye ball & "feel the heft" method for the balance part of the
equation. They were working on one plane the day we flew out, right there at the dock. The day we came back, they
had a cylinder pulled on the radial engine of that same plane. That's why the late pickup on Saturday. Curly said
they had other air services help them fly their routes that day. He said our airplane also was down for awhile but
they repaired it. IIRC, the Otter hauled 2200#, the Beech 18 2000#, and the Norseman 1800#. The Norseman reminded
me of a one ton dually pickup truck in its utility. BTW, on our trip back in to Red Lake we had 4 passengers instead
of 2 and much more gear. The pilot still filled out a manifest form. However, there were no scales available in the
bush, so it must have been an educated guess. Before I left home, just for kicks I did a cursory Google search for
accidents and didn't come up with any for the company we flew with.

I don't think you ever state specifically *why*? Or did you mean, because of the extra time to add ingredients
for
the hangover? ;-)

Oh yeah, that reminds me! We did sample some Canadian beer and whiskey. In one of my previous posts I'd promised
to
report on it. I liked the Northern brand ale the best of what we tried. We wanted to bootleg some home, but we
messed around and the liquor store closed before we got there. That caused a trip to the bar to drown our
disappointment, where upon we sampled a few more kinds. Northern was still the best. : '

I don't recognize the brand, I looked it up. A regional company, just two breweries in Northern Ontario. I'll have
to look for it here in the city stores.

Yeah, I'm going to have to see if we can order it through one of the local liquor stores, here. We specifically
asked the clerk at the store in Red Lake what she recommended and that we didn't want anything we could get at home.
Northern was one that she suggested.

Every private pilot who flys into the USA gotta have *this*:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...20flyers_1.doc

....

Actually, the Customs part went very well, all things considered. I did phone AOPA and asked their advice after
reading everything I could find on their web site. If anything, there is almost too much info out there. Just
make
sure those phone numbers are direct to the airport of entry customs office instead of the main office. All the
customs people were very helpful and friendly.

For your next out-of-country trip anywhere, you will want to have that "official" Customs guide, link above. It
has all the USA POE airports and their local Customs numbers.


Gonna do it again?

If that's an invitation, yes. : ' ) Seriously, probably not for a few years. I'm glad I did it. It was quite an
experience! I'd be tempted to go again with some family or close friends. I have brothers and nephews who'd love
to go. On the other hand, it was expensive and a long, risky trip. I'll try and find some new adventure, unless
someone else talks me into it. Or if that new airplane comes into the picture.

I guess one way to mitigate the risk somewhat, is to have the outfitters pick you up from Kenora or from Thunder
Bay. You could even get to Thunder Bay commercial .... but what's the fun in that ;-)

Well, even if it turns out to be a one-in-a-lifetime, thanks for sharing the story.

And Thanks for your help with the planning, Icebound.



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