Remote Wilderness Drop-Offs
Leave the road system behind and experience Southeast Alaska on your own with a remote wilderness drop-off by floatplane. Family Air provides air taxi transportation for hunters, anglers, campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking to access remote lakes and saltwater destinations throughout the region.
Our Cessna 185 can carry up to four passengers along with your gear and supplies. We provide the transportation—you choose the destination and plan the adventure.
Your Trip, Your Destination
Remote wilderness drop-offs are designed for guests who want to explore Southeast Alaska independently. Whether you're planning a hunting trip, fishing a remote lake, setting up a backcountry camp, or simply spending a few days away from civilization, we can help get you and your equipment there.
Because Family Air operates as an air taxi/transporter, customers are responsible for selecting their own hunting or fishing destination. We cannot recommend specific locations based on where fish or game may be found.
If you already have a destination in mind, contact us and we can determine whether it is suitable for our aircraft and provide charter pricing.
Cessna 185 Capacity
Our Cessna 185 floatplane has seating for up to four passengers. Available payload depends on the type of destination:
Large Lakes & Saltwater Destinations: Up to 900 lbs total for passengers, baggage, gear, and supplies.
Small Lakes: Up to 750 lbs total for passengers, baggage, gear, and supplies.
Final allowable payload is determined by the pilot based on the destination, conditions, and aircraft weight and balance requirements.
Groups with heavier loads may require multiple flights.
Packing for Your Flight
Space is just as important as weight when traveling in a small floatplane. We strongly recommend packing in soft-sided duffel bags and backpacks rather than hard-sided luggage or large plastic totes.
Our aircraft has several cargo areas:
Belly Pod: 35" × 18" × 108", with a 25" × 15" door opening and up to 300 lbs of cargo capacity.
Float Compartments: Two compartments with approximately 12.5" × 20.5" openings and up to 100 lbs capacity each.
Gear placed in the float compartments should be water-resistant, as small amounts of bilge water may be present.
If you're bringing large coolers, firearms in cases, fishing equipment, inflatable boats, motors, or other bulky equipment, let us know before your trip so we can make sure it will fit.
Getting Here from the Ketchikan Airport
Flying into Ketchikan and heading directly into the backcountry? We can help make the connection easy.
We provide van pickup from the Ketchikan Airport Ferry Terminal on the Ketchikan side and transportation to our facility.
Depending on the charter and scheduling, we can also arrange to have your floatplane depart directly from the Ketchikan International Airport dock.
Provide your commercial flight information when booking so we can coordinate the best option for your trip.
Weather & Scheduling
Weather is part of traveling in Southeast Alaska, especially when accessing remote locations by floatplane. Low ceilings, poor visibility, wind, and other conditions can delay your departure or pickup.
For multi-day wilderness trips, we strongly recommend leaving one or two extra days in Ketchikan after your scheduled pickup before an important commercial flight or other time-sensitive connection.
Your pilot makes the final decision regarding whether conditions are suitable for the flight and destination.
Hunting & Fishing Trips
Family Air provides transportation only for unguided wilderness hunting and fishing drop-offs. You are responsible for researching your destination and obtaining all necessary licenses, tags, permits, and understanding the regulations that apply to your trip.
Hunters should also consider the potential weight of harvested game when planning their return flight. Your outbound load may fit in one flight while your return trip could require additional flights due to the added weight of meat, antlers, hides, and equipment.
Anglers should plan for all necessary fishing equipment and check current Alaska fishing regulations before departure.
Plan to Be Self-Sufficient
Remote means remote. Many of the destinations we service have no cell service, facilities, stores, or immediate access to assistance.
You should arrive prepared with appropriate clothing, food, water treatment, emergency equipment, first-aid supplies, navigation equipment, and a reliable method of emergency communication.
Weather can delay our ability to reach you, so we recommend carrying additional food and essential supplies beyond your planned pickup date.
Booking Your Wilderness Drop-Off
To request a charter, send us:
Your desired destination
Drop-off and pickup dates
Number of passengers
Individual passenger weights
Estimated gear and supply weight
Any large or unusually sized equipment
We will review the destination, aircraft requirements, schedule, and expected payload before confirming your charter.
For overnight and multi-day trips, both a drop-off and pickup flight must be arranged—we don't leave you out there!
Once everything is confirmed, pack light, prepare for changing Southeast Alaska weather, and get ready to experience some of the most remote country Alaska has to offer.
