If I taken the roughly $100,000 I put into every conceivable STC on my old piece of shit 170-B and just simply flew it, I might be a fairly good pilot these days, instead I have a beautiful airplane, but am still a piece of shit pilot.

I see this thought from time to time, and am pretty much guilty of doing the same. But have a different feeling about the results.

At the time of getting into backcountry flyng,6-7 years ago, I got severely bitten by the "bug, to fly backcontry". I read everything I could find about it. Talked to anyone I could that I thought had an abundance of knowledge about the subject. Had a pretty good income at the time(luckily, but that's gone now ), so I bought most every mod out there that I thought would make my plane a better performing, safer to fly, backcountry plane. Then got some good instruction.

Now I am well aware of the fact that it doesn't matter what you fly, or how much you spend modding it, it doesn't make you a good pilot, but there sure is nothing wrong with having a good platform to learn from.

Now, did I need to do this? No. My plane would go into most of the places I go without the mods, but now it can do easier, with a larger margin of safety. So, if you can afford it, why not have a well maintained, better performing, safer plane.

Experience is the only thing that will make you a good pilot, and the more the better. Everything else is tools, hopefully to make the learning experience easier/safer. I have been flying as much as I can afford since then, practicing what I have been taught, and learning new skills.

I also felt that I was getting older, and didn't want to spend 10 years(?), hopefully learning to do this. And who knows how many costly mistakes I would have made$$$$

I know that that I still have a lot to learn, and I am looking forward to it. That is why am here. But, I am happy that I can go into most any strip out there, and be comfortable and safe doing it. There is nothing I would rather be doing. Just wish my income would come back so that I could do it more .

That's my story, and I'm stickin to it
Gary

I also have a 57, fun plane to fly, my backseat was the first thing to go,just had my prop retrofits,really helped didn't lose touch in cruise well worth it , been to j.c. Twice , flying with a buddy helps learn the ropes ,find some short strips in your area and practice as much as possible ,also last year I took out my pass.seat just to make it alittle lighter,keeping it light as possible helps you relax just a bit.....bigger tires are also on my list....cya in j.c

We had a 1965 172 with an O300D-145 hp. We just had a stock prop, stock 600 tires, went all over Idaho. One of thee most important things is to get some "Back Country Dual Instruction". Most instructors, such as Lori, Mountain Canyon Flying School in McCall, or the outfit in Challis, Middle Fork Aviation ? Bob Plummer's old school. They all want you to have a 100 hrs in your plane before you take back country lessons. Even if you don't take the schooling, go fly with one of the instructors that flies 135 in the back country. I didn't see anybody mention it, but at the high elevation strips, you want to be sure to have the plane leaned out properly! It won't run good at full rich. I remember many times, being at JC with wife and camping gear and maybe 12-15 gals of fuel and getting up very early to get out while the temperature is still cool. You will learn to fly the wing because the 145 hp is not going to save your butt! We had the Chicken Hawk in the following strips. JC, Smiley Ck, Indian Ck, Mahoney, Sulphur Ck, Moose Ck, Stanley, Thomas Ck, Upper Loon Ck, Warren, Dixie (Forest Service), Cold Meadows, Big Ck, and Chamberlain. I wouldn't go into any of these without getting some instruction first. Their knowledge, of how to fly the pattern, what to look for, where's the abort-decision point is, where you are committed to land is extremely valuable. Once they show you the ropes, it's a hoot! It only cost me $125,000 to upgrade to a bigger plane. We had just as much fun in the 172 as in the Maule now we just take more gear we probably don't need any way!

I saw this 172 at Arlington a few years ago.

I have a 1967 172H with the 0-300D. In 1993 I had my prop re-pitched from 51" to 47"! As I recall at that time I gained at least 200 rpm on full power static run-up and had to be mindful to keep the RPM in the green during take-off run. I'm sure it helped on take-off performance, but I have no real data to back that up. If you take your prop off, be prepared to buy new prop bolts. The shop rejected 4 of the 6 of mine.
I have been flying this plane in the Idaho backcountry for 20+ years. I have removed my back seat and NEVER take but one other person with me and always fly in the morning or evening. It will do just fine to all but the shortest strips if kept light. I rode with a friend of mine in his '56 172 and climbing out of Johnson Creek his plane would do better with both of us in it, than mine would do solo. We made landings in his airplane at Soldier Bar no problem. Those older 172's are good performers.
My 172 has been to: Johnson Creek, Landmark, Deadwood, Stanley, Bruce Meadows, Indian Creek, Thomas Creek, Mahoney, Upper Loon, Bernard, Cabin Creek, Big Creek, Chamberlain, Cold Meadows, Mackay Bar, Rodgersburg, Reed Ranch and Stibnite.

As others have stated, the best money spent is on gas. Practice slow flight and short field landings. You don't want to be floating into these places. Learn to fly it slow, go early and keep it light. Don't go without first getting checked out at these strips.

You folks are great. Lots of great advice. Truly appreciated. I have quite a few more hours before I get into the backcountry, but now I feel I have a platform than can get there. I received the names of several great instructors, and have some good tips for the plane. I didn't know you could pitch those props all the way to 47, Wow! The ol' 172 is a good performer when its just me. I've had several folks act surprised when I tell them it still has the O-300 in it.

Just had mine repitched to a 76-51 from a 55 here in troutdale they told me that was as far as they could go for a 0-300 on a 172.....but it made a big difference on climb out...

I was just offered hangar at an airport just two miles from my home. Beats the 40 minute drive I currently have!

Question: I have a 1964 172E with the Cont 300-D 145 hp. The new place is a 2700 ft turf strip with fifty ft trees at both ends. The strip is nicely mowed turf (no dirt rocks or stones) and somewhat crowned so it drains fairly well. I've flown into it with my previous 160 hp 172m but not the 145 hp 172e. I'm planning on flying in later in the week to see how it feels. Any thoughts on the capability of the 172e here?

Thanks!

Depends on the density altitude. A 2700' strip at 3000' MSL in the winter is one thing; a 2700' strip at 6000' MSL on a warm summer day is something entirely different. Details?

Cary

This airport is at 550 msl in the northeast.

I fly a '56 C172-TD with O-300 based here in Nevada at 4,500 MSL. Prop is pitched for climb

Back seat is always out, with aircraft W&B paperwork showing the change ("A" in, "B" out) and gas kept way down so I can load specifically for the trip. Some days I can do two people and full fuel just fine. Other days I don't even bother dragging it out of the hangar. It won't climb.

You just have to learn what yours will do, and plan for departures that allow for the anemic rate of climb with the high DA's. There's a LOT of the Idaho strips you can do just fine.

Gump

Probably going to depend on your prop pitch. I have flown my 1960 172 (O300) in and out of an 1800' strip with trees on the end. But my Prop is pitched for climb. This was with two souls on board. Field elevation was around 1500 MSL.

I do have a climb prop. Also, during the summer time DA doesn't get much above 3500 ft so it shouldn't be too bad. I wouldn't think!

Been raining here for the past two days. Went over to the new prospective field and walked the strip in the rain to see how it was handling it. Man, that place was manicured like a golf course! The ground was firm everywhere and no water anywhere. Was quite impressed.