Been thinking about selling my Luscombe for a while now. I guess it is time to get serious and figure out what I want. I figure I better go up in some of the planes I might be interested in so if you know anybody in my area that might be willing to take me (probably my dad too as we are partners on the Luscombe) up let me know.

Planes I'm interested in are:

Stinson 108
Pacer
Bearhawk
Highlander
Kitfox 5 and up

There is a couple others I can't think of right now but I'll add them when I remember what they were. My dad is thinking he wants to go LSA which is why I listed the kitfox and Highlander. If we buy a LSA I'll be immediately shopping for a 4 place kitplane.

4 place pretty much only leaves you with a Bearhawk or the Murphy vaiants $$. Go down to Kitfox in Homedale and take up their Super 7. It's a wide 2 place with a big baggage area.

Hey Whee,
Looks like you are after a tail wheel? That's a wide variety of planes you listed, BCP's Strait tail, has a really nice strait tail 172 for sale in the very low $20's. STOL cuff, VG's, climb prop. He upgraded to a 182.

Whee,

I can offer you a flight in the Bearhawk. I'm in IF several times a year to see friends and family. I was just there over Christmas. I'll be due for a return in a few weeks to a month or so. What is the best way to get in touch with you; PM me? Sometimes I just get up in the morning and decide to go on a whim so it could be short notice.

How has the flying weather been there lately? It is normally the strongest weather magnet around based on my experience.

Yeah Terry, I'm just looking at TW planes right now. Strait Tail had his 172 at JC last year didn't he? I think I remember looking at it.

That would be great Blackrock. The flying weather has been great lately but I think it is supposed to start raining/snowing and continue for a while. How long is the baggage area in a bearhawk? Think you could stick a raft frame in there if the longest piece was 6ft? Mine breaks down like a NRS frame.

Thanks for the tip Joey. I forgot that Kitfox was based at Homedale.

whee wrote:Yeah Terry, I'm just looking at TW planes right now. Strait Tail had his 172 at JC last year didn't he? I think I remember looking at it.

Yes, he has had it there the last few years. White with black and grey stripes.

How long is the baggage area in a bearhawk? Think you could stick a raft frame in there if the longest piece was 6ft? Mine breaks down like a NRS frame.

Yes, I believe so, but it wouldn't lay flat unless one end could slide under the front seats. With the back seat removed, I've slept in the back, but I'm only 5'6". It just depends on the frame. I often think about doing just that, but haven't been lucky enough to draw a MF permit in quite a while. The oars could extend behind the cargo area, if an eye was kept on the aft CG so it isn't exceeded.

blackrock wrote:

How long is the baggage area in a bearhawk? Think you could stick a raft frame in there if the longest piece was 6ft? Mine breaks down like a NRS frame.

Yes, I believe so, but it wouldn't lay flat unless one end could slide under the front seats. With the back seat removed, I've slept in the back, but I'm only 5'6". It just depends on the frame. I often think about doing just that, but haven't been lucky enough to draw a MF permit in quite a while. The oars could extend behind the cargo area, if an eye was kept on the aft CG so it isn't exceeded.

Hmmm. I've always wanted a plane I could use to access the MF and Selway when the need arises. I really like the lower canyon of the MF and often think it would be a lot of fun to fly in to Bernard late in the year when it is easy to get a permit and take 2 days to float out.

Yes, a put-in at Bernard would be fun. That is my second favorite section - through Impassable Canyon with a stop at the falls behind Parrot's cabin. I've always wanted to camp at Soldier and fish Big Creek from late July on, too.

Shearer and Moose are great, especially in September when the water levels are low.

Dang this thread is making my cabin fever worse...

I can't resist adding a late season Selway photo taken a mile or two upstream from MC.

Love late season Selway trips. Lookin up Pin Pong Alley



Ever seen the Boundary Creek Ramp look like this:

That is a rare day at Boundary alright. That is my favorite MF stretch, Boundary to Indian Creek. Before it burned, I'd often land and hike from IC upstream and fish, swim or what ever - it was always a great time!

Did a Marsh Creek put-in one year - scary; trip from hell. Everything went wrong and it was cold!!! I won't do that again in early season.

Actually one reason I began flying was to access the rivers after permits became harder to get. It is sure great to camp and explore the Idaho river corridors. I've been spend time on the Snake the past few years, too.

Blackrock took me up in his Bearhawk on Saturday; all I can say is WOW! Performance was fantastic. I'd always wondered if the long nose on the Bearhawk would be hard to see over when taxiing but seeing over it was no big deal. It was rock solid in stalls and didn't seem to want to drop a wing. The only thing I noticed is that you can't be sloppy with the rudder. I struggled with that a little because the rudder was so much heavier than the rudder on my Luscombe and I just couldn't get a feel for it. Was a lot of fun to fly and I love the fact that it has a stick rather than a yoke.

Thanks Blackrock

Next test ride in a Highlander? You and Steve Henry need to hook up. His new plane is unbelievable! I watched him take off in less than 50 feet at Caldwell a couple weeks ago. Did have help with a stiff headwind. But still very impressive and very nice well built plane.

whee wrote:.....
Planes I'm interested in are:
Stinson 108
Pacer
Bearhawk
Highlander
Kitfox 5 and up..........

I think you'll run into quite a price jump between the Pacer & Stinson and the others on your list. I've seen decent examples of the first two in the $20K range. A BH is gonna be a bunch more, with the last two probably somewhere in between.
A Pacer can carry a lot of camping gear with the back seat out, with easy access to the cargo area through the back seat door.

Thanks Blackrock

Your welcome, Whee. Not that I generally need much of an excuse to fly . It was good to meet you and here is hoping we can get together for some flying before long.

Pat, I'd love to see Steve's new plane too; it looks pretty amazing from the build photos Steve has posted. The turbo option is very intriguing. With any luck he'll have it at JC this summer or I'll get to meet up with him earlier. I'll likely just have to hover and watch as his flying skills are beyond my level.

Here is Steve making a down hill approach and landing at Soldier Bar over the top of Bobby's cub and my BH. It was fun to watch.

OK, just an idea Whee...at this time in aviation price land in this economy, u might look at some certified stuff 'goin for cheap. dont think i've seen 170b's and 182's go this cheap in a long time...

a 180 hp 170 or an older 182 are pretty good values right now, and hold a lot of gross. great camping birds and stable and strong to boot...

jomac wrote:OK, just an idea Whee...at this time in aviation price land in this economy, u might look at some certified stuff 'goin for cheap. dont think i've seen 170b's and 182's go this cheap in a long time...

a 180 hp 170 or an older 182 are pretty good values right now, and hold a lot of gross. great camping birds and stable and strong to boot...

Whee, If you were back in the Boise area and interested in a part ownership of a very nice 182, we should talk. Just needs some engine work or new engine. And right now, you would be flying it a lot more than me.

I do have my new Highlander flying and I would be happy to take you up in it Whee. It is pretty amazing! I have over 600 take-offs in it and it still makes me grin every time!
I do plan to be at the BCP and Super Cub fly-ins at JC this June. In case any of might be interested in a Highlander I am a dealer for them. My website is: http://www.wildwestaircraft.com/
Steve

Take a ride with Steve, it's a hell of a good time. His new plane is incredible.



That Highlander rudder is really powerful. Several times I was reprimanded for my heavy foot while on the controls-- He kept saying: "you're kind of a sideways guy, aren't ya?"

Thanks again, Steve. Hopefully I'll be visiting you again before long, with a trailer.

Jo, your right about prices being down but for now I've ruled out Cessna for various reasons.

Thanks for the offer Steve. I planned on giving you a call the next time I head to Boise; figured it wouldn't be tough to convince you to take me up. There is a guy here that is building a Highlander and I plan on going over and taking a look at it tonight.