Yellowknife (Nov 19/04) - A pair of American floatplane enthusiasts say they're running out of places to dock in Yellowknife.

John Eckert, from Salt Lake City, Utah, said he considers Yellowknife the "prettiest spot as there ever was on Earth." Each summer for the past several years, he has flown his Cessna 185 here to dock and gather supplies before heading out to explore the Northern wilderness.

He said 10 years ago he had little trouble finding a place to park his plane -- usually at the Prospector dock in Old Town -- gas up, and find a bed and breakfast to spend a couple of nights.

"Each progressive year it has become more difficult," the retired airline pilot said.

There are few places left that allow non-commercial planes to dock in what is Yellowknife's principle tourism zone, said Eckert.

The Prospector bed and breakfast no longer exists, and the dock is apparently in disrepair, said Eckert.

The owners could not be reached for comment.

And other docks either don't have adequate services or try to gouge the flyers, he said.

"The community needs a docking system for airplanes, and they need to have fuel, provisions, whether it's trucked in or sitting there."

Eckert said some of his float plane friends who also frequent Yellowknife have told him they will be flying elsewhere while vacationing next summer.

He said the once dedicated group used to spend thousands of dollars per visit, but with no place to fuel up or park their planes, they're giving up.

"My perspective is, why wouldn't you want every tourist you can get? Particularly somebody affluent enough who can afford a floatplane to start with," said Eckert.

Dr. David Adams, who has been flying his plane to Yellowknife for 15 years, said he was disappointed with the reception he received upon arrival this summer.

Unable to tie up at the Prospector dock, he headed across the causeway where the proprietor told him he could park overnight for $50.

"He said it was $50 to park there or $25 if you get some fuel," said the Knoxville, Tennessee resident.

"I said, 'yeah, I'll get some fuel.' But he said, 'well, we don't have any.'"

Out of necessity, Adams paid the man his $50, but wasn't very happy about it.

"The whole business was just a little bit unpleasant," said Adams.

"It's just not what I'm use to in Yellowknife. It's usually a pretty friendly place."

Adams said he is surprised, considering the city's long and cherished historical connection to bush pilots, that more isn't being done to encourage floatplane flyers to visit.

"It's sort of a float flyer's paradise. Yellowknife is covered up with (Cessna) 185s."

City needs to help

Paul Laserich, who is a member of the relatively new NWT Floatplane Association, said City Hall needs to get its act together, and find a way to accommodate this particular group of tourists.

"The city should get off their ass and do something," said Laserich. "If it wasn't for the generosity of Max Ward, they probably wouldn't even have a Floatplane Fly-in because there's nowhere to park down there."

The biennial event is scheduled to resume next summer.

Laserich said the association is pondering a proposal to build a dock on the west side of Latham Island, where the city has pushed for the construction of a boardwalk and park. "It could co-exist, a park and aircraft," said Laserich.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he'd like to hear what the association has to say.

"Once the association has held their meeting and come up with their specific recommendations, the city will have the ability to take a look at what is requested," said Van Tighem.