A Wild Ride to the Edge of Alaska



There are work trips... and then there are adventures in disguise. Our recent journey from sunny Orlando to the frosty edge of Nome, Alaska was definitely the latter.


I had the pleasure of tackling this mission with none other than my trusted teammate, co-worker, and practically-brother, Azat. If you ever want to get a simulator installed in record time—and maybe also philosophize about life, eat questionable airport food, and spot wild animals in the snow—Azat’s your guy.


The Mission: NACTEC

We flew to Nome for a project with a school called NACTEC. Installation took about 4 days—but between time zone shifts, jet lag, and just the sheer otherworldly vibe of Alaska, it felt more like we spent a whole week up there.


But we stayed focused. Well, Azat stayed laser focused. The man didn’t stop working—even while flying home! I don’t know if it’s caffeine or just raw simulator passion, but watching him work is like watching a machine with a heart.


Wildlife, Weather & Whiplash

We didn’t get much time to explore, but the bits we did see were unforgettable. Let’s just say... we had to slow the truck down for creatures crossing the road. Moose? Caribou? Sasquatch? You’ll have to scroll to see.


A Few Visuals from the Edge of the World

Insert photo gallery here of wildlife, landscapes, and maybe a sleep-deprived Azat with a laptop on the plane.


Aircraft on tarmac with teal-tinted sky and hangar buildings in background.
Alaska Airlines hangar and maintenance facility with Disney character artwork visible.
Aircraft cockpit displays and navigation screens showing flight instruments.
View of Earth's horizon and blue atmosphere through airplane window during flight.
Panoramic landscape of turquoise ocean meeting yellow coastline under bright blue sky.
Long dirt road stretching through vast green tundra landscape under blue sky.
Rustic wooden buildings with horizontal siding in remote northern settlement.
Abandoned rusty shipwreck on beach stretching across panoramic view.
Alaska Airlines aircraft tail visible against bright blue sky.
Panoramic view of empty streets and buildings with mountains in background.
Commercial aircraft on tarmac with mountains visible in background.
Row of benches in dimly lit indoor space with purple ambient lighting.
Alaska Airlines plane tail and fuselage on airport tarmac under blue sky.
Surfboards strapped to the roof of a parked van against a bright blue sky.
White exterior of the Aurora hotel building with blue signage visible.
Panoramic view of white coastal houses with pitched roofs along the shoreline.
Wooden carved totems stand against a bright blue sky overlooking the ocean.
Rustic wooden sign reading 'The Dexter' mounted on a brick wall.
Panoramic view of a small town's main street with buildings under bright blue sky.
White wooden church with tall spire and clock tower against vibrant blue sky.
Three dogs sitting in the back of an all-terrain vehicle in a parking lot.
Row of yellow buildings with blue trim under dramatic sky in rural setting.
Panoramic view of flooded landscape with small aircraft visible in the distance.
A flooded landscape with wetlands and water reflections under a dramatic sky in Nome, Alaska.
Power lines and utility poles stretch across a rural landscape with green vegetation.
Bering Air facility and signage in Nome, Alaska against a cloudy sky.
Interior view of vehicles with passengers showing peace signs through car windows.
Large cargo vessels and boats docked at a coastal port facility.
Row of pickup trucks parked in front of colorful buildings in a small town.
Rustic red buildings and equipment against a bright blue sky in an industrial setting.
White church steeples and buildings against a bright blue sky in Nome, Alaska.
Wooden Iditarod trail marker sign with church steeple visible in the background.
Welcome to Nome sign painted in yellow and white on a blue wall dated 1901.
A small aircraft sits on a grassy airfield during sunset with dramatic golden lighting.
Large yellow 'Welcome to Nome' sign carved into a hillside with blue sky background.
Bronze statues of gold miners stand near a white church building in Nome, Alaska.
Small private aircraft parked on grass airfield during golden hour.
Orange and white small aircraft parked on remote Alaskan tundra landscape.
Exterior view of Bering Sea Restaurant with stone facade and wooden trim.
Person working on laptop computer while seated in airplane cabin.
Panoramic view of vast golden tundra landscape stretching to the horizon.
Pickup truck parked against blue sky and tundra landscape backdrop.
Musical instruments and artwork visible in cozy interior room setting.
Row of informational plaques mounted on wooden posts against a scenic natural backdrop.
Welcome sign for Nome city illuminated at dusk with golden lettering against a dark sky.

Final Thoughts

Was it long? Oh yeah.

Was it cold? You bet.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.


Here’s to successful installs, wild places, and coworkers who turn into family. Thanks, Nome. You were epic.



Until next time,

—KP