N6232DCessna 172N · 1979

Registered to Jav Air Services LLC. Registrant based in Anchorage, AK.

I made my northern push finding the easiest way to cross the Rockies, a grueling 8 hours of flying. I spent 2 days in St John due to weather but finally I arrived in Watson lake. I planned to spend a bit of time exploring the history of this airport before making my way to Whitehorse. This time of year provided what seemed like a perpetual Yukon sunset. It was beautiful snow covered mountains a partially frozen lake and an airport that seemed frozen in time. The old terminal building from WW2 still stood and the inside was turned into a museum dedicated to the men and woman responsible for ferrying bombers to the Soviet Union, even the barracks were still preserved. I ventured into town and stopped at the signpost forest that had license plates from all over the country. It was truly an amazing experience and arguably the most rewarding part of my journey thus far. Tonight I rest up and tomorrow I will head to Whitehorse. The last stop before I cross into Alaska and alas after flying 2,000 miles I’ll be back on American soil.

Watson Lake Airport (CYQH/YQH) has a much bigger place in aviation history than its size today suggests. It was one of the key northern airfields that helped open the Yukon to modern aviation and later became an important World War II staging base. After the United States entered the war, aircraft supplied to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program were flown northwest through Canada and Alaska before being handed over for the Alaska-Siberia route. Watson Lake was an important fuel and maintenance stop, particularly because many wartime aircraft didn't have the range to bypass intermediate bases. Thousands of military aircraft passed through the broader staging system. Today CYQH is a quiet Yukon airport with a 5,504-foot paved runway, but the old terminal and hangar make it almost a living piece of 1940s northern aviation infrastructure.

Today I reached the halfway point of my journey to Alaska. Over the last 3 days I built up more confidence as a pilot and logged memories that would stay with me for my entire career. Now I gas up 32D and continue my journey. One obstacle remains and it’s the northern Rocky Mountain range. The plan? I’ll head north towards the Yukon and cross near Whitehorse. But before that I plan on making a stop at Lake Watson. Which has rich WW2 History.

Last night I slept in the FBO lounge chair because my hotel had bed bugs!. on a brighter note i'm technically an international pilot now. Three weeks ago I was still a student. This is crazy.

What the heck am i doing? Are you really going to fly to Fairbanks, Alaska it's 3,000nm! How are you going to do this? ... One leg at a time - sincerely, Jamal's brain

How does that John Denver song go? “So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you’ll wait for me Hold me like you’ll never let me go ’Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane Well, not quite a jet plane—but so long, Iowa. With a full tank of gas, a duffel bag strapped into the front seat, and one final scratch behind Wrigley’s ears, I set off on the most challenging cross-country flight of my career. I departed for Alaska with a commercial pilot certificate in my pocket. But when I left Alaska, I was a professional pilot—with a logbook full of hours, a mind full of lessons, and a world of experience that no classroom could have given me.

I spent several weeks finishing up a survey project in Spencer, IA. While based there i became fairly acquainted with the FBO's only 4-legged employee Wrigley. I was convinced Wrigley had to be the happiest dog in America. She greeted every pilot, on the ramp helped mow the grass and found the best place in the lounge to sleep. Needless to say it was a sad day departing Iowa for Alaska.

Amazing opportunities often come when you least expect them—and sometimes, they completely change the trajectory of your career. While attending an airline cadet orientation, I happened to meet an aerial survey pilot. Honestly, I didn’t even know what a survey pilot did. But after a 15-minute conversation, I knew it sounded like the perfect job to launch my career. She encouraged me to apply, so I took a shot in the dark. A few days later, I received the email I had been hoping for: “I’d like to officially offer you a position—if you’d like to spend the summer in Fairbanks!” I said yes, packed my bags, and headed to Iowa. where i met N6232D for the first time That unexpected conversation became the beginning of an amazing career in aviation. It’s a reminder that one conversation, one opportunity, and the courage to take a chance can change everything

Manufacturer: Cessna. Model 172N. Serial 17272650.