The RAF and the NPS will have representatives there on the week end of OCT 15 we need to be there then, FOR SURE!! we may need to sign in with the NPS as volunteers to legally work on the strip. I don’t make the rules, but if we don’t follow them we don’t’ get to repair the strip or use it. That I’m sure of. As far as future repairs, I'm not certain how that will work. But I will check and find out.

We will need 4X4 with empty seats at lone pine to bring in pilots that fly in.
Tool of mass destruction, shovels, picks, maybe cargo net to wrap large rocks so they can be dragged off, a water truck and a dosser would be handy. Any suggestions are welcome. Lets coordinate through Rick.

alright one of you military guys pony up a heavy lift helo so we can get a grader in there

Glidergeek wrote:alright one of you military guys pony up a heavy lift helo so we can get a grader in there

I like the way you think!

pilotgetaways wrote:

Blu wrote:This may be a silly question but can we fly in to the work day?

but without a sat phone, we won't be able to tell you when the strip has been officially opened.

Bishop (BIH) is more convenient.

If your cell phone won't work there the Ranger or Lee will have one that works. Mine works O.K.

Bishop is closer unless anyone wants to try the South Pass. Good luck with that.

I just got off the phone with Ranger Pennington. The NPS has approved Saturday, October 15 as a work day. Ranger Pennington will get back to me with the name of the NPS contact (it won't be Pennington; it'll be one of his employees). The NPS rep will bring Volunteer-in-Park agreements with him that all volunteers need to sign before work commences.

I understand that people's schedules can change, but Ranger Pennington has requested that I give him a rough count of the number of volunteers that will be working by October 7. If you can confirm with Rick Lach (760-378-3870) prior to then, it will help us get an accurate count.

According to Desert Rat, Bishop seems like the most convenient airport to pick up fly-in volunteers, so we'll have to coordinate getting transportation. I'll be driving up in my Nissan Pathfinder, so I'll have a few spare seats.

Not to be anymore of a pain in the ass. But, does anybody know if my travel expenses can be tax deductible for my volunteering on this work party at a government owned site?

I've been thinking about this last night. For one, in my tax bracket (barely blue collar hard working folk) I'm already being taxed to death. Plus, my own budget is tighter than a virgin nun. I'm figuring this trip from SoCal to the airstrip and back is going to cost me about $300-$400 bucks (mostly fuel, and little bit of food). For some, that's chump change. To me, that's about 1/3 of month's mortgage.

I was just figuring that since we all have to sign in to work, we will have documentation that we were there to volunteer and donate our services.

Thanks!

58Skylane wrote:Not to be anymore of a pain in the ass. But, does anybody know if my travel expenses can be tax deductible for my volunteering on this work party at a government owned site?

I've been thinking about this last night. For one, in my tax bracket (barely blue collar hard working folk) I'm already being taxed to death. Plus, my own budget is tighter than a virgin nun. I'm figuring this trip from SoCal to the airstrip and back is going to cost me about $300-$400 bucks (mostly fuel, and little bit of food). For some, that's chump change. To me, that's about 1/3 of month's mortgage.

I was just figuring that since we all have to sign in to work, we will have documentation that we were there to volunteer and donate our services.

Thanks!

Pat
That's a good point joining the RAF should be a tax deduction and let's get a clarification or opinion from the RAF. Also see if you can find an open seat down to KBIH from Idaho and I or somebody else should be able to get you to the CS.

Glidergeek wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Not to be anymore of a pain in the ass. But, does anybody know if my travel expenses can be tax deductible for my volunteering on this work party at a government owned site?

I've been thinking about this last night. For one, in my tax bracket (barely blue collar hard working folk) I'm already being taxed to death. Plus, my own budget is tighter than a virgin nun. I'm figuring this trip from SoCal to the airstrip and back is going to cost me about $300-$400 bucks (mostly fuel, and little bit of food). For some, that's chump change. To me, that's about 1/3 of month's mortgage.

I was just figuring that since we all have to sign in to work, we will have documentation that we were there to volunteer and donate our services.

Thanks!

Pat
That's a good point joining the RAF should be a tax deduction and let's get a clarification or opinion from the RAF. Also see if you can find an open seat down to KBIH from Idaho and I or somebody else should be able to get you to the CS.

I'll be down in SoCal (driving from Idaho) the week of Oct. 11th. I don't have a problem paying for fuel and expenses. I'd drive up from LA Friday night. Either camp out or get a room in Bishop. I can drive in 1 or 2 people (or if you don't mind cramped quarters, I can bring in 5 passengers. I have an extra cab Ford F250 4x4) in my pick up from Bishop Sat morning if somebody needs a ride.

Getting there and paying for the expenses is not a problem for me. Just wanted to know if I can right the expenses off. I guess my tax guy can figure that out, too. Just thought somebody here would be able to give a short answer instead of me being stuck on the phone with my tax guy for an hour telling me about all his issues with divorce, dang kids, wanna go fishing next week, how about a round of golf, etc, etc.........

So far so good, but we need more. I have 16 offers to work at the chicken strip. But, everyone knows if 20 signup we will be doing god if we really get 10 to show up. Don’t get me wrong, I have been a no show more then once myself. What I want it to show up there with at least 20 people (all ladies are more then welcome) to show the park service and anyone else that is now watching this event unfold, that we are serious and not a group to take lightly.

I am also putting together a list of equipment to bring. I’ll get that posted soon. Need to do some home work first.

Rick

I'm sure planning on coming, maybe i could fly into either Lone Pine or Bishop and meet up with Pat or someone and ride in, or could drive in with my 4X4 Dodge pickup and bring others too. I've got a kinda beater truck that the dirt road wouldn't hurt a bit. Also wondered if it would be possible to get temporary permission to land the old strip closer to the spring. Maybe an exception for construction?? Don't want to stir up anything, just thinking of saving the drive... ha ha.. I'm kinda figuring probably not.

I have some feelers out for a roller, I think it's one that you fill with water for use, and drain to haul.

I like your idea Joe! Maybe a plane or two could fly in the work party? Make a few trips from Lone Pine? Just an idea. Guessing the answer already but, you just never know. I know for certain the 29's could find a place very close to the strip to land. Maybe a special exemption for this cause for a pilot with ratings, time and a signed liability waiver? Just an idea? No need to make this complicated but it could make it much easier as well.

I would be more than happy to voulanteer the 180 for the job... ...Seriously.

That happens to be my birthday so it seems like a good flying mission!

Kevin

How about this idea

Any pilots out there with access to helicopters?? Fixed wing pilots can fly into Bishop or Lone Pine, then jump into a helicopter and up and over the hill to Chicken Strip

Of course we would be looking volunteer helicopters and pilots

And maybe a local rental company in Bishop would be interested in loaning (volunteer/sponsor/demo) any necessary equipment (Rollers, water truck, dozer, etc.)???

Pops, I'll call or text you in the next few days. Heck, I'll stop by Austin on my way down to SoCal on Oct 10.

Good on you folks, sounds like a group who can get things done. Wish I could come but a little far away for me.
HC

pilotgetaways wrote:

Blu wrote:This may be a silly question but can we fly in to the work day?

The Chicken Strip is still officially closed until the RAF rep (most likely me) and the NPS rep (assigned by Ranger Pennington) agree that it is safe to be open. I anticipate that will occur onsite once the work has been completed. So you might be able to fly in later in the day, but without a sat phone, we won't be able to tell you when the strip has been officially opened.

Rick Lach is collecting names of volunteers. Once we determine the closest airport with road access, we can arrange rides for those who want to fly in to a nearby airport (nearby being relative of course, since nothing is really close to the Chicken Strip). Lone Pine (O26) is the closest airport to the Chicken Strip, but I haven't figured out if it is closest by road, or maybe Bishop (BIH) is more convenient.

I'm planning on FLYING -can we Land and camp out there at Chicken Strip ? And we need to get this date settled -Tim you going to bring Crapes ?

I'm planning on FLYING -can we Land and camp out there at Chicken Strip ? And we need to get this date settled -Tim you going to bring Crapes ?

The airstrip is closed That's why we are driving in, to repair it to usable condition and it appears we will be working under the supervision of the NPS. I'm guessing that by flying in and landing on it or by it will not be productive for this cause. I'll be coming from the south through Lone Pine O26 and Independence 2O7 I might have up to 2 seats open. Lone Pine has fuel and good tie downs Independence does not have fuel but is paved. The turn off for the North Pass is in Big Pine about 20 miles south of Bishop of 20 miles north of Independence.

3XA8 Chicken Strip Airport
Cresson, Texas, USA

Airport use: Private use. Permission required prior to landing
32.5141667 / -97.5952778

Owner: LOUIS PRESLEY
13000 N. HWY 171
CRESSON, TX 76035
Phone 817-249-1414

182 STOL driver wrote:

pilotgetaways wrote:

Blu wrote:This may be a silly question but can we fly in to the work day?

The Chicken Strip is still officially closed until the RAF rep (most likely me) and the NPS rep (assigned by Ranger Pennington) agree that it is safe to be open. I anticipate that will occur onsite once the work has been completed. So you might be able to fly in later in the day, but without a sat phone, we won't be able to tell you when the strip has been officially opened.

Rick Lach is collecting names of volunteers. Once we determine the closest airport with road access, we can arrange rides for those who want to fly in to a nearby airport (nearby being relative of course, since nothing is really close to the Chicken Strip). Lone Pine (O26) is the closest airport to the Chicken Strip, but I haven't figured out if it is closest by road, or maybe Bishop (BIH) is more convenient.

I'm planning on FLYING -can we Land and camp out there at Chicken Strip ? And we need to get this date settled -Tim you going to bring Crapes ?

Come on Bill. You can not possibly tell us you've been napping underneath a tall saguaro cactus tree in the Arizona desert the last couple of weeks while this and other threads about the Chicken Strip has been getting bounced around like I beach ball???

I'm sure you read Glidergeeks post above???

I spoke with Brent Pennington the park ranger yesterday, about some other details for the Oct 15th weekend and I asked him about using the old strip. The answer was No way, No how. We are on thin ice here. We put a lot of pressure from the top down on both Brent and Sara his boss, to get the OK to get in there and put the strip back in service. It was made very clear that that is what we have been authorized and only that. As I’ve said before we need to make as big a showing as possible, and do things right, to keep a relationship with the park service and anyone else that is watching us.

I’m trying to get vehicles that will haul more than two people so we can pick up fly-in folks at Lone pine and Bishop. So anyone that can provide transportation into the Chicken strip from either of those two locations please let me know. If you want to help but the drive is to long but, you can fly in, let me know so I can get a head count and help to put drivers with fly-in people.

Like Glidergeek said, the chicken strip is closed so no fly ins only drive ins.

Rick

701driver wrote:Like Glidergeek said, the chicken strip is closed so no fly ins only drive ins.

Rick

I'll help you out here, Rick.


The Chicken Strip is CLOSED. NO Fly ins! Drive ins Only, for this work party!!!!