Landing Strips

The Willow airport lies in the shadows of the Alaska Range. On takeoff you will see Mount Foraker leading you down the runway to your adventures. After liftoff you will have a grand view of the Alaska Range with Denali peaking out at 20,320 MSL. 

The practice strip is the next stage in our training, it sits in the middle of the Knik River braids. Its a little longer than Palmer but a little skinnier and a few more bumps with a very small obstacle on the west end to clear.

The Rifle Strip is similar to the Practice strip and is close by, we use these two strips to start our off airport practice.

Gravel Bar Bend is a nice sweeping part of the Knik that tends to leave some very smooth and long gravel bars to practice on. 

The Grass Strip is a long straight smooth strip with some great views that makes it a pretty good spot for a picnic lunch sitting on a bushwheel.

Picnic Table Strip is a long rough strip that has a dog leg in the middle, is some what narrow and has some very large "ski jump" type bumps in it, pilots must be vigilant about putting the airplane down in the right spot. 

The Beaver Pond Strip has a very fun approach, its a low dog leg from the north over the trees into a tight short runway this strip is for more advanced students. 

The Mud Strip is just what its sounds like, its just a flat section of mud that sits between upper and lower Lake George. There is a very nice trail from this strip with a canoe on the lake to paddle around the icebergs in the lake that has seen better days but doesn't leak too bad.

This is a medium skill level strip, it mostly depends if its been raining or if there's a good cross wind.

Sandy Beach is a spot that I just came across after passing over another spot I was trying to land on and it was just so pretty I had to land and take a look. And it turns out that its a very nice soft area to practice in.

Grasshopper Strip is situated in Grasshopper Canyon, the Marcus Baker Glacier feeds the river that has carved out this beautiful canyon. 

The strip is narrow and very rough, only very proficient pilots should go into this strip. 

Depending on water levels of the Sustina River it can provide many fun beaches to play on while flying in the shadows of the "Sleeping Lady".

Flying up the Yetna you will find many sandy beaches to practice on, depending on the water levels. Where it meets the Skwentena there is a roadhouse to get a burger.

This one is not for the faint of heart. It is an awesome spot but, pilots must be on the top of their game to use this strip safely. 

This is a very tight strip that requires you to follow the river and the make a sharp turn with the river while staying low and slow for the approach and BAMM there's the strip.

This is a short narrow gravel strip that works pretty good if the conditions are right. And when they are the views are breath taking. 

Small gravel bars on the Matanuska River can provide some challenging landings that pay off with great views as you make your way up to Tahneta Pass.  

The start of the Knik is in this area and can be a great place to pioneer your own strip. Nothing better than making your very own Alaskan view. 

The Knik River valley is full of gravel, rocky, tundra covered ground to practice your skills on.