New Sport Pilots
October 2011
Jonathon Hubbard (right) after passing his Sport Pilot
practical test. Congratulations, Jonathon!
September 2011
Dr. Bill McAfee (right) after passing his Sport Pilot practical test.
Congratulations, Bill!
Chris Gilson (right) after passing his Sport Pilot practical test.
Congratulations, Chris!
Other news from Airborne Alaska:
The 2011 Summer flying season is over and that means only one thing . . . . Ski flying season
is just around the corner. We have training slots available October through April 2012. If you
haven't flown on skis, you don't know what you're missing!
Light Flight Sport Flying under the Midnight Sun is available for purchase.
Get your DVD while supplies last.
Join Sport Pilots Ben Deptula and Ron Larner as they head out
under the Midnight Sun to do a little sport flying. Experience
the thrill of low and slow flight as they perform aerial river
running. Pay a visit to a couple of remote landing strips
located deep within the wild's of Alaska. If this sounds
exciting to you, then sit back and pop open a cold
one . . . . Light Flight is about to take off!
This DVD contains approximately 30 minutes of great video
footage along with an original sound track from Alaskan
recording artisit / musician Dave Peck and his one
man band.
The production is as real as it gets and will give you a
unique perspective on what its really like flying wild
in Alaska. Even if you're not a pilot, this stunning
"newly" re-edited disc is a must see!
To Order:
Send check or money order for $19.95 + $5.00 (USD) Shipping and Handling
payable to Ben Deptula.
Mail to:
Ben Deptula
1428 Gillam Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.
Reviews:
This video really gives you a perspective on what it would be like
to actually go trike flying in Alaska. I can't wait for the sequel.
Ami Accola
Your DVD is a real eye opener on adventure flying in Alaska.
The tight airstrip at Blair Lakes and the take off and landing
sequences were really neat.
Ken Bradshaw
I bought your DVD at a holiday bazaar as a birthday gift for my
husband. He's watched the video at least a hundred times and
it's all he talks about. Thanks for the video and the help in
re-kindling my husband's spirit of adventure.
Jennifer Burgess
To Order:
Send check or money order for $19.95 + $5.00 (USD) Shipping and Handling
payable to Ben Deptula.
Mail to:
Ben Deptula
1428 Gillam Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.
Accelerated Ground School:
Airborne Alaska is now teaching ground school every month. Get your ground school over
and done with in just one weekend . . . . Guaranteed! Our accelerated ground schools are
second to none and cover all subject matter necessary for you to become a Sport Pilot.
Illustrations courtesy Airborne Alaska / Federal Aviation Administration
Adventure Triking Reality Show?
We've sent out numerous "pitch / idea" letters to various television networks / production
companies (worldwide) in hopes of getting one of them to produce a reality program on
trike flying in Alaska. So far, the response has only been in the form of rejection letters.
We sent letters to the Oprah Winfrey Network and Mark Burnett Productions. Their policy
states that they don't accept un-solicited material . . . . . . . Oh well, their loss!
Bradley Sky Ranch is open for business:
Bradley Sky Ranch in North Pole, Alaska is open for business. Tie down spaces and runway
access fees are $50.00 a month or $10.00 by the day. For more information contact Cheryl
Bradley at (907) 488-9797 or (907) 378-9319.
Airplanes and Light Sport Aircraft are welcomed at Bradley Sky Ranch.
Airborne Alaska uses Bradley Sky Ranch's well maintained 4,800 foot runway.
Cool Stuff:
March 2011
Dr. Bill McAfee (front seat) prepares for his first flight lesson with CFI
Ben Deptula (rear seat) in his ski equipped AirBorne Edge X.
Dr. Bill McAfee takes to the skies on his solo flight.
Congratulations to Dr. Bill McAfee (seated in trike)
after completing his solo flight in his AirBorne
Edge X trike. CFI Ben Deptula (left) and Sport
Pilot Ron Larner (right).
July 2010
Congratulations to Ron Larner (left) on passing his Sport Pilot Practical
Test. FAA Examiner Ryan Anderson (right).
Congratulations to Bruno Grunau on passing his Sport Pilot Practical
Test. FAA Examiner Ryan Anderson (left) and Bruno Grunau (right).
Brian Harlan took bush trike flying to a whole new level with his latest
modified AirBorne Edge X trike. The trike stands tall with huge 24 inch
tires and is definitely one of the biggest "monster trikes" that we have
ever seen. Pilots of shorter stature may need a small step ladder to
assist them with boarding the aircraft. Harlan plans on offering a
conversion kit sometime in the near future.
June 2010
June is one of the best month's for trike flying in Alaska.
These photos were taken on a weekend trip to Harding
Lake, Blair Lakes and Clear Creek.
Ben Deptula and Roger Ruess fly under Alaska's Midnight Sun at Harding Lake.
The Alaska Range (left) and Mount Hayes (right).
AirBorne XT-912 at Clear Creek, Alaska.
May 2010
Ron Larner (left) is congratulated by U.S. Army CW - 4 Blackhawk /
trike pilot Tom Fritz (right) after soloing in his AirBorne Edge X
trike. Good job, Ron!
April 2010
Ben Deptula's story "King for a Day" featured in Light Plane World
magazine. Go to EAA.org to check it out. Click on multimedia page
and click on newsletters. Click on April 2010 and scroll down.
March 2010
Ron Larner (front seat) and CFI Ben Deptula (rear seat) prepare
for Ron's first lesson on skis.
On final approach for our make shift Tanana River runway.
The runway from the ground.
Ron Larner and his AirBorne Edge Classic with extra
long skis is all smiles after his flight lesson.
Ben Deptula's story "The Early Days" featured in Light Plane World
magazine. Go to EAA.org to check it out. Click on multimedia page
and click on newsletters. Click on January 2010 and scroll down.
November 2009
Ben Deptula's and Ryan Anderson's aerial trek across Interior Alaska
featured in EAA Sport Pilot magazine. Check out "Into the Wild" in
the November 2009 issue!
September 2008
Ben Deptula, Randy Echols, Roger Ruess and Steve Marquiss fly their trikes from
North Pole, Alaska to Gold King, Alaska. (See "Stories from the Edge" - Story #2)
Gold King dead ahead (left) and on final approach (right).
Roger Ruess (left) and AirBorne Australia trikes at Gold King (right).
Reflections
12 years ago
Featured in Fairbanks Daily Newsminer
July 1999
13 years ago
Featured in Fairbanks Daily Newsminer
June 1998
17 years ago
Featured in Fairbanks Daily Newsminer
June 1994
At Airborne Alaska we don't just teach people how to fly . . . . we get them hooked on flying!
Directory 
Official Dealer
Contact Ben Deptula
Weight Shift Control CFI
(907) 978-1271