Ray Blaszak

Flew two friends down to Kenai today to go eat dinner. Had Moderate turbulence on the way there and pretty smooth on the way back until..... we got over the water coming back into Anchorage and we starting hitting bad turbulence. I've never been in anything that bad before he had his camera around his neck we were at 1200 ft for the VFR arrival we were flying. Well, were flying along and we go up to about 1500 ft and back down to about 900 feet. His camera flew off his neck and everything in my lap flew off hit the ceiling including my body. That happened like four times. Thankfully, the controller helped me out and let me get away from the mountains a little bit but, holy cow that was bad. I also had 35 knot winds at altitude and about a 25 knot wind over in Kenai. Definately, made for some fun flying and the oppurtunity to get some much needed training in. Chief pilot said I did a good job filing PIREPS to the controller. Luckily, I stayed calm and didn't over correct the controls during the turbulence. Ill have pictures for you once he sends them to me. I've never been freaked out like that before but, I think I still made the right decision by going and thats what matters. Ill take AIRMET's a little bit more serious next time!

TheGreatChecko

Where exactly "over the back into Anchorage" were you? That area near Fire Island is notorious for pretty bad turbulence when the wind picks up and especially when its blowing down the Turnagain Arm.

I've been on final behind a FedEx heavy that has reported Severe on final in that area, not something to be messed with in any kind of aircraft.

I'm glad to hear you guys made it out okay.

Ray Blaszak

Turnagain arm about 15 south from Potter's Marsh. Well, no one really reported turbulence until I was out there.

TheGreatChecko

I don't know what it is about that thing, but when the wind picks up that arm gets wicked....

Its just another one of those, chalk it up to experience, situations.