Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
No Words
This morning was my last day of instruction. I wish I had a Go Pro
camera strapped to my forehead to share the experience of flying into
these back country strips, words aren't enough. However, I am working so
hard to nail my approach numbers, and altitudes that there isn't much
more I can handle. Gary was my instructor this AM. Our first
stop was Johnson Creek
which I flew into in 1995, I thought it would be the easiest but the rising sun angle was so blinding I couldn't tell where the canyon wall was on the east side, so circling down in a canyon that gets more narrow as you get lower and then you can't use a third of it because you can't see where it really is, made it challenging. That is one disadvantage of flying early. Johnson Creek is wide, 4933 elevation and 3400 ft long. Then it's off to Big Creek, 5743 elevation, 3500 ft long,
Cold Meadows 7030 elevation, 4500 ft long,
and a full stop at Chamberlain 5765 elevation, 4100 ft.
A few campers at Chamberlain, an out house, a Jack Russell terrier and a bunch of ground squirrels and holes. We got out and walked around, looked at our take off path, filled a dozen holes, watched Nick and Paul come in, then left with it now 80 degrees and density altitude of 8000 feet. Even though the length of these runways sounds long and forgiving, there are still a lot of ways to mess up, rodents, DA, non standard approaches, how to get out, make it a busy brain.
The plane has been running great and all instructors have been very complimentary about 2TB. The 180 HP is great, and I have had take off rolls 300 to 500 ft here but still like that long runway for that long roll out on landing and much slower climb than at sea level Troutdale.
Off to Dixie Forest,
pretty place in a canyon, and to Warren,
probably the least scenic, old mine with lots of tailings. Now the wind is up and Warren is at 5900 ft ant 2700 ft long, trees on one side, non standard approach. Those who know how I like to sleep in and end up flying late in the day out of Troutdale, know that wind is a standard part of that. Gusty winds on final to Warren, no big deal.
I have yet to abort a landing so we decide to do a low approach, abort to Krassel
on the way back to McCall. 3982 ft, 1500 ft long , tall trees all sides, another narrow canyon. I circle down from 8000 ft. and "shop" the field, do another non standard approach and nail my numbers the whole way. Gave up the tempt to land and full powered out of there.
Even though the strips today were maybe not as short and technical as yesterday, Gary had me do all the navigation and work through my shopping list. We tweaked the numbers a bit as they change with the weight of the plane getting lighter as I burn fuel and can do my final approach at 55 mph, but use 60 at the beginning of the flight.
which I flew into in 1995, I thought it would be the easiest but the rising sun angle was so blinding I couldn't tell where the canyon wall was on the east side, so circling down in a canyon that gets more narrow as you get lower and then you can't use a third of it because you can't see where it really is, made it challenging. That is one disadvantage of flying early. Johnson Creek is wide, 4933 elevation and 3400 ft long. Then it's off to Big Creek, 5743 elevation, 3500 ft long,
Cold Meadows 7030 elevation, 4500 ft long,
and a full stop at Chamberlain 5765 elevation, 4100 ft.
A few campers at Chamberlain, an out house, a Jack Russell terrier and a bunch of ground squirrels and holes. We got out and walked around, looked at our take off path, filled a dozen holes, watched Nick and Paul come in, then left with it now 80 degrees and density altitude of 8000 feet. Even though the length of these runways sounds long and forgiving, there are still a lot of ways to mess up, rodents, DA, non standard approaches, how to get out, make it a busy brain.
The plane has been running great and all instructors have been very complimentary about 2TB. The 180 HP is great, and I have had take off rolls 300 to 500 ft here but still like that long runway for that long roll out on landing and much slower climb than at sea level Troutdale.
Off to Dixie Forest,
pretty place in a canyon, and to Warren,
probably the least scenic, old mine with lots of tailings. Now the wind is up and Warren is at 5900 ft ant 2700 ft long, trees on one side, non standard approach. Those who know how I like to sleep in and end up flying late in the day out of Troutdale, know that wind is a standard part of that. Gusty winds on final to Warren, no big deal.
I have yet to abort a landing so we decide to do a low approach, abort to Krassel
on the way back to McCall. 3982 ft, 1500 ft long , tall trees all sides, another narrow canyon. I circle down from 8000 ft. and "shop" the field, do another non standard approach and nail my numbers the whole way. Gave up the tempt to land and full powered out of there.
Even though the strips today were maybe not as short and technical as yesterday, Gary had me do all the navigation and work through my shopping list. We tweaked the numbers a bit as they change with the weight of the plane getting lighter as I burn fuel and can do my final approach at 55 mph, but use 60 at the beginning of the flight.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
4.5 Million Acres of Wilderness
Fantastic day!!! I went into places I've dreamed about going, over
rocky ridges and 6000 ft valleys. I will add links later, but today
stated with Reed, a few landings at Landmark, then beautiful Bruce
meadows and a stop at the infamous Sulphur Creek. Pilots gather for
breakfast, coffee and the amazing atmosphere of a back country lodge.
View across strip to south, Lalo's C185
Sam, me and Lalo, Team Oregon at Sulfur Creek
Sulfur Creek looking at eastern approach end
This area is 4+ million acres of wilderness where there are no roads and no motorized traffic allowed. Airports are designated trail heads so aviation maintains access to them, At Indian Creek I was first on approach with 4 faster airplanes behind me. One advised "that Cessna 172 better get off the runway quick" after I landed. Apparently the river rafting operators are a bit pushy and had a schedule to meet with his rafting passengers, the fact that I had right of way didn't seem to enter into his plan.
Nelson and his instructor Bart were stranded with a dead battery. We stopped to help, but it was Art who made the commitment and hand propped the Cub to get it going. I contributed the gloves (prop blades are sharp when you are pulling on them) and the video.
Then we followed the middle fork of the Salmon River downstream to Thomas Creek and the one that impressed me most was Mahoney Creek, on a bluff at 4618 (density altitude about 6000), 2100 feet long. I wish I could film this while it's happening, find it on you tube and it will blow you away.
View across strip to south, Lalo's C185
This area is 4+ million acres of wilderness where there are no roads and no motorized traffic allowed. Airports are designated trail heads so aviation maintains access to them, At Indian Creek I was first on approach with 4 faster airplanes behind me. One advised "that Cessna 172 better get off the runway quick" after I landed. Apparently the river rafting operators are a bit pushy and had a schedule to meet with his rafting passengers, the fact that I had right of way didn't seem to enter into his plan.
Nelson and his instructor Bart were stranded with a dead battery. We stopped to help, but it was Art who made the commitment and hand propped the Cub to get it going. I contributed the gloves (prop blades are sharp when you are pulling on them) and the video.
Then we followed the middle fork of the Salmon River downstream to Thomas Creek and the one that impressed me most was Mahoney Creek, on a bluff at 4618 (density altitude about 6000), 2100 feet long. I wish I could film this while it's happening, find it on you tube and it will blow you away.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
And We're Off
Landed in McCall 1pm Monday after a nice 2hr flight, 15knot tailwind
from Troutdale, convective Sigmet line just pass McCall with a line of
building cumulus, causing 14knot winds gust to 20, just like Troutdale!
View of the Wallowas
Ox Bow, Snake River Canyon
Tuesday the class officially starts. I met Lori and the other students form CA, AZ, NV, WA, 8 total. Cessna 185s, Husky, all tail draggers besides me. 2 of the students have no tail dragger time and are trying to get their endorsement in 3 days! The day continues with lecture until 5pm then we all meet for dinner and meet all the instructors. We will have a different instructor each day.
My instructor will be Woody. He tells me get ready to work!!
Weds. up at 5, wheels up at 6am. Woody and are are the first ones up from our group (can you believe it!) Our first task is to fly the plane in multiple configurations to fine the "numbers" for my plane, not necessarily the same as in the POH. Flaps up flaps down, stall open, stall power on power off, cruise, approach, etc. Then we are off to New Meadows, bump in the middle, no line of site and a dog leg. How's that for a warm up? The landings actually go well, we are playing cat and mouse with Rich, another student. Then it's off to Ski Valley. Cute grass strip , standard approach one way, cazy S turn approach the other way. We do a few landings then get out and stretch. We had heard an ELT in the distance, it was us. My sensitive ELT like to alarm itself every once in a while....not that my landing were hard or any thing, he, he. I turn it off, and we are off to Donnelly, next to the lake south of McCall. We do a few landings there, then stop to chat with Rich and his instructor.
Woody and Rich at Northern approach end of Donnelly
Me at Donnelly looking south
View of the Wallowas
Ox Bow, Snake River Canyon
Tuesday the class officially starts. I met Lori and the other students form CA, AZ, NV, WA, 8 total. Cessna 185s, Husky, all tail draggers besides me. 2 of the students have no tail dragger time and are trying to get their endorsement in 3 days! The day continues with lecture until 5pm then we all meet for dinner and meet all the instructors. We will have a different instructor each day.
My instructor will be Woody. He tells me get ready to work!!
Weds. up at 5, wheels up at 6am. Woody and are are the first ones up from our group (can you believe it!) Our first task is to fly the plane in multiple configurations to fine the "numbers" for my plane, not necessarily the same as in the POH. Flaps up flaps down, stall open, stall power on power off, cruise, approach, etc. Then we are off to New Meadows, bump in the middle, no line of site and a dog leg. How's that for a warm up? The landings actually go well, we are playing cat and mouse with Rich, another student. Then it's off to Ski Valley. Cute grass strip , standard approach one way, cazy S turn approach the other way. We do a few landings then get out and stretch. We had heard an ELT in the distance, it was us. My sensitive ELT like to alarm itself every once in a while....not that my landing were hard or any thing, he, he. I turn it off, and we are off to Donnelly, next to the lake south of McCall. We do a few landings there, then stop to chat with Rich and his instructor.
Woody and Rich at Northern approach end of Donnelly
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Flying to McCall, Idaho
I am off to McCall!! I was one of the fortunate women awarded an Amelia Earhart scholarship through the 99s this year. I am using it to attend a Mountain Flying Seminar in McCall, Idaho. I leave tomorrow AM to participate with approx. 6 other pilots for some 1 on1 instructions in the mountains. We start on Tuesday so I'm bringing my MTB to ride to the lake and around the town.
Here's my direct route to McCall (KMYL) from Troutdale (KTTD).
No, Burt is not going on this mission!
Here's my direct route to McCall (KMYL) from Troutdale (KTTD).
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