Aleutian Islands Tour

The Aleutian Islands are a chain of 14 large volcanic islands and 55 smaller islands. Most of the Aleutian Islands belong to the U.S. state of Alaska, but some belong to the Russian federal subject of Kamchatka Krai. They form part of the Aleutian Arc in the Northern Pacific Ocean, occupying a land area of 6,821 sq mi  

In June 1942, during World War II, Japanese troops invaded and occupied Attu and Kiska islands. Preparations by U.S. forces to oust the Japanese began shortly thereafter. Attu was retaken after a short but bloody battle in May 1943. However, the Japanese evacuated Kiska before U.S. troops could land there in August.

The islands, with their 57 volcanoes, form the northernmost part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The islands are considered to be among the most geographically isolated areas in the North Pacific.

These volcanic islands reach heights of 6,200 feet (1,900 m). In 1906, a new volcanic cone rose between the islets of Bogoslof and Grewingk, near Unalaska, followed by another in 1907. These cones were nearly demolished by an explosive eruption on September 1, 1907. In 2017, the volcanic cone erupted sending ash and ice particles 30,000 feet into the air.

The tour starts in Katchikan after departing your cruise ship and follows the southern coast with it's beautiful mountains inlets and bays to Anchorage. From there you'll head south to Kodiak Island and Cold Bay and then onto the Aleution islands.

From Cold Bay you'll be flying over frigid waters so a twin engine like the DHC-6 will provide safety and peace of mind. Be sure and check your fuel before each flight as there several long legs over 200 miles. Do yourself a favor and check out some of the islands you'll be flying past and take in the beauty of the snow covered volcanoes along the way. You won't be sorry you detoured.

The final destination is Attu Island and supports a Coast Guard station on the notheast tip. The ICAO is recognized differently by the major flight sims. Depending on what you fly you'll need to use the correct ICAO to complete your flight plan.

MSFS2020=PAAT

FSX/P3D==PATU

X-PLANE==ATU

This tour was created by MEC031 Tom, thank you Tom.