Page 16 - Volume 15 Number 12

merged with ValueJet after expanding to 13 Boeing 737s; it’s now a part of Southwest Airlines.These days, Swenson alternates between Merrill Field in Anchorage, where he has a hangar leasing business, and his winter quarters on the Florida Gulf Coast. “I always flew Barons for good, fast transportation until I bought the Duke three years ago,” he said. “I enjoy the ability to fly at 25,000 feet and appreciate the airplane’s greater range.” When flying southeast to go “outside”, he generally stops at Sitka, then jumps over to Ketchikan to add a little more fuel before heading across Canada. Even though the B60 carries 232 gallons, Swenson believes in taking the conservative Alaska view that you can’t ever have too much fuel. Bellingham or Seattle will be his arrival point into the Lower 48.Swenson flew 200 hours last year, some of it on skis with his Cessna185. With his mix of planes, he can take advantage of about any opportunity to stay current. “I like flying the Duke to keep current on IFR procedures and multi-engine proficiency. I enjoy flying in the system, working with the ATC controllers, and watching everything from FL250.“But still, I remember flying newCessnas up the AlCan highway onthe Inland Route, and that’s a real funtrip as well. And now I have the T-6to keep history alive.” Whether flyinghigh in the B60, touching down a lakein the Cub, making snow tracks in theSwenson is still all business. T&T •185, or doing a flyover in the Texan,14 • TWIN & TURBINEDECEMBER 2011