Winter parka help

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Posted: 10/30/2019 11:48:23 AM EDT

Looks like my son will be heading to Alaska for a winter or two flying for Grant. He needs a real winter coat/Parka and my wife and I would like to buy it for him as a gift.

He will be based in Bethel or most likely Emmonak. Loading and unloading cargo but he shouldn’t be outside more than an hour or so at a time.

So far looking at the Wiggys Alaska Ranger shell and liner or the Kavic Parka sold at Big Rays in Anchorage.

Any advice?

Wiggys

Big Rays Kavic

Posted: 10/30/2019 1:28:53 PM EDT

[#1]

I don’t have any personal experience with either but they would both work fine in my opinion. Just keep in mind the wiggys is only a shell and would need the other layers to go with it.

I know the Canada down jackets are pretty popular as well.

Posted: 10/30/2019 1:35:06 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
I don’t have any personal experience with either but they would both work fine in my opinion. Just keep in mind the wiggys is only a shell and would need the other layers to go with it.

I know the Canada down jackets are pretty popular as well.

View Quote

If we get him the Wiggys we will get the L-12 weight shell too.

If he wants a Canada goose coat he can save and buy it himself.

Thanks, any more input is appreciated.

Posted: 10/30/2019 2:01:27 PM EDT

[#3]

Talk to Mark at Wiggy's. He won't steer you wrong.

Posted: 10/30/2019 5:09:00 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Talk to Mark at Wiggy's. He won't steer you wrong.

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Done, that was a good suggestion.

I think we’re squared away.

Posted: 10/30/2019 7:35:55 PM EDT

[#5]

Those are good choices for parkas.
Some pilots layer and just use carhart winter gear.
Make sure he has warm boots and gloves too.
Ice cleats would be good to have also.

Looks like it will be a warm rainy winter here in SW AK again.

Is he going to fly caravans or airvans?

Posted: 10/30/2019 7:57:11 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Those are good choices for parkas.
Some pilots layer and just use carhart winter gear.
Make sure he has warm boots and gloves too.
Ice cleats would be good to have also.

Looks like it will be a warm rainy winter here in SW AK again.

Is he going to fly caravans or SKYvans?

View Quote

Posted: 10/30/2019 8:09:47 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Those are good choices for parkas.
Some pilots layer and just use carhart winter gear.
Make sure he has warm boots and gloves too.
Ice cleats would be good to have also.

Looks like it will be a warm rainy winter here in SW AK again.

Is he going to fly caravans or SKYvans?

Grunt only flys caravans and airvans out of BET.
Rare times they fly small twins.

Posted: 10/30/2019 8:46:09 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Grunt only flys caravans and airvans out of BET.
Rare times they fly small twins.

View Quote

My mistake, didn’t know these existed.

Attached File

I’d give your left nut for a Quest Kodiak though

Posted: 10/30/2019 11:11:10 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

My mistake, didn't know these existed.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/237639/FB76A5FE-C28D-463B-A5E7-375ACE819311_png-1142988.JPG

I'd give your left nut for a Quest Kodiak though

View Quote

They bought them to replace old 207s.
Plus a owner is a dealer.
The airvans suck in cross winds.

Wish somebody had the money to bring back the twin otter. Plus a couple on floats.

Best Bush plane for out here.

Posted: 10/30/2019 11:43:58 PM EDT

[#10]

Airvan, possibly off to the caravan at 1,200 hours.

@akcaribouhunter Any advice about grant good or bad place?

Posted: 10/30/2019 11:51:33 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Airvan, possibly off to the caravan at 1,200 hours.

@akcaribouhunter Any advice about grant good or bad place?

View Quote

They will most likely station him in BET till he is trained and then move him.

Grant is not bad. They are pretty cautious on flying weather and runways.

Make sure he brings his max baggage loaded with food. Also try and see if he can take advantage of Alaska airs 100 pound freight for around $40.

Posted: 10/31/2019 12:40:31 AM EDT

[#12]

I have a Kavic and it’s ok though I wear my cabelas trans Alaska anorak way more often. Unfortunately they don’t make them anymore.

Wiggys is good gear and would get my vote over Kavic

Posted: 10/31/2019 12:51:49 AM EDT

[#13]

I recommend a lineup from Wild things Tactical, it was once called the Happy suit by the USMC. Anyways its the highest level i believe, big puffy pants and jacket and footsies, Its the only thing that deals with the negative temps and holds up to abuse.

probably cost near a thousand bucks

Posted: 11/2/2019 12:15:08 AM EDT

[#14]

Flying in a big fluffy jacket sucks. Get the least fluffy warm jacket you can get. Also, good quality longjohns go a long way.

Boots; some people like mil surplus bunny boots. I just had a nice pair of insulated Danners.

Gloves; Get good ones. I liked to a have some very heavy mittens and a light pair underneath.

Hat; have him get a seal fur hat ASAP.

I flew for Grant for 10 years. Have questions? Ask away.

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