Just Plane Nuts
Aviation is an important part of life for Northern residents, because it’s either too far to drive anywhere, or there are no roads. But for a large percentage of Northerners, aircraft are much more than a necessity.
That was proven again tonight when word spread that the world’s largest helicopter, the Russian-built MI-26T, would be landing in Whitehorse en route to the Northwest Territories where it has been contracted to do some freight hauls for a diamond mine.
When I heard that it was due in at 5:30, I quit the Web site work I was doing and drove the 50 miles into Whitehorse, getting to the airport 3-4 minutes before the chopper arrived. I joined about 150 people already there, and at least that many again arrived in the next half-hour. After having dinner with Cathy, I returned to the airport at about 8:00 and there was a steady stream of people of all ages coming and going – on foot, on bikes and in cars and trucks. The total for the night must have neared 600 – pretty impressive for an un-promoted event in a town of 22,000.
I like what that says about folks here. They aren’t stuck in a rut, they do what they enjoy when the opportunity arises. A cab driver friend was sent to an address to pick somebody up, heard about the chopper coming in and went to the airport with his camera instead. The person waiting for him wouldn’t be impressed, but I say “good for you.”
To read more about this remarkable aircraft and to see a few of the 50+ pictures I shot, click here.
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