180driver wrote:Just flew home from an overnighter at Cabin Creek with the family for fathers day. Great trip. Strong winds up high on the way home but it was surprisingly calm down in the canyons at 10:30am. If anyone is looking for some time to "kill" please fly over to Cabin Creek with a scoped .22 or .17 cal rifle and snipe the infestation of ground squirrels that are tearing up the runway. I filled in 5 fresh squirrel holes this morning that were right on the runway. Not a problem for bushwheels, but if the destruction continues, it could get interesting! They seem to be most active in the morning near the bottom half of the strip, in the parking area, and near the outhouse.

Fishing report: big creek is still running a little high for my fishing taste. Definitely not wadable and the bank fishing was a little slow. I would save the hike down to the river and fish the pond the beavers made 100 yards west of the parking area. Its fast action and surprisingly big trout! Just put a few back for me to catch next time. Have fun guys!

Heard Sulphur Creek was having the same issue. I was there on Tuesday and saw a few ground squirrels running from the strip as we back taxied.

I have a seat in my Wilga and space for some gear if anyone from the SLC area wants to join me for JC next weekend. My schedule is flexible.


Cory

robw56 wrote:Flaming jerimiah weed shots!?

Oh dear god! I can't wait [sarcasm]...see you Tues afternoon!

mountainmatt wrote:Good news, the President of the RAF, John McKenna, will be attending as a guest speaker during the Saturday night pot-luck. Please welcome him as he updates us with all the current RAF happenings and answers our questions.

Matt

and answers our questions.

Hey Matt. You may already know I will not be in attendance. But the one question I would ask is (and maybe it's not a question for the RAF?? I don't know). But..........

"How can the FAA AFD be updated to include using a modified approach/take off to avoid flying over the white house on the south end of runway 35?"

We all know you can safely stay east of the house if you need to land 35 or take off 17. I would think that if the AFD was updated with the proper wording and approach details, one would think that there should be lot less issues with JC. Then all of the other publications that use the FAA database can update their own database, then hopefully most all pilots going into/out of JC will know the correct operating procedures for that airport. I don't know. Does this make sense?

And as I'm typing this, I kind of remember that isn't there a BCP member or members here that work for the FAA and that would know how to get this info to the right department for consideration for updating to help JC be a safer airstrip for everybody? Or is it easier to sit and bitch and complain on the BCP.org and SC forum that maybe 75% of the other backcountry pilots don't even read? Or is it typical of some (not all) of these government workers with the attitude of "Not my dept, not going to worry about it!"

Sheesh...... Anyway. I was starting to go out into left field towards the end there.

I will address this as a concern during the questions with the IAA/RAF guest speakers. Thanks for you input Pat, wish you could make it this year.

mountainmatt wrote:I will address this as a concern during the questions with the IAA/RAF guest speakers. Thanks for you input Pat, wish you could make it this year.

Thanks Matt.

I could call in sick. But I don't want anybody else driving my rig. I'm kinda stubborn and I need the overtime

Oh, my company already has a plane ticket to fly to and from my rig. It's already been changed twice, too.

I really hope everyone has a great time! I know some of the other threads have been getting pretty heated. But man, let's just get along, be safe, and have fun! I know there's got to some of you using your 1-2 weeks vacation you get from work a year, coming long distances and spending some big bucks just on fuel. So, I think you all deserve to come to Idaho and have some fun flying in the best backcountry in the lower 48!!

I'll be patiently waiting for all the cool pictures and video's, too!!

OK. I'll shut up and move along..............

JC bound, made it to Three Rivers yesterday.
Smokin tailwinds!

Some folks who were definitely going to BCP @ JC are having thoughts on the traffic issues and have made plans with their families this weekend a bit to the north. 5-7 planes so far. I'd still like to drop by JC but I'm not sure if I'll still be lost in the Bighorns this weekend.

58Skylane wrote:We all know you can safely stay east of the house if you need to land 35 or take off 17. I would think that if the AFD was updated with the proper wording and approach details, one would think that there should be lot less issues with JC. Then all of the other publications that use the FAA database can update their own database, then hopefully most all pilots going into/out of JC will know the correct operating procedures for that airport. I don't know. Does this make sense?

Excellent idea. I believe that member notes can be added to the AOPA site, which is one that anyone can do. Also ought to make sure it is on shortfielder.com. The more places it is posted, the more likely someone will read it. But I agree, it would be best to have it in the official publications.

Great to hear that John McKenna will be there. Should be good!

We will be leaving Friday morning to be there by late morning. I hate to be getting there so late and have to scrounge for a camping place, but Dee wasn't sure about 3+ nights with the little one. Plus, to aid others there to play, I'll be donating my flying credits to others to help offset the motorcross weekend . I guess I should have ran a bid for them!

Fly safe everyone and we'll see you in a few days.

Looks like another very windy day, at least here on the east side. Looking good for the weekend though.

Good day here at JC. No planes bent. Little rain and sun too.

Cheers

aw heck...dont let a few airplanes scare u at JC...get used to it on the big weekends. turn on every light u got, slow down to canyon speed, 50-60 flaps 20 for me, and watch and listen..last yr was busy when i got there sat aft. and plenty safe...last year we used a l.h. traffic with short approach for 17 in the canyon and worked nifty...gave u time to look and fall into order...i had to do a go around the first shot due to slower traffic in front of me, but simply no problem...turn up the power, leave the flaps alone and get right a long ways from the house, and do it again...didnt get in a hurry, worked out great...comes with the territory...i have a feeling guys like corey,grassstrippilot, could give us a lesson about traffic from flying the big iron...this is nuthin'!

True, but then again, I have TCAS and Fifi "Traffic! Climb! Climb Now! Clear of Conflict." to keep track of the knuckleheads, not to mention the New Yorker controllers to slap said knuckleheads on the hands if they get out of line and not doing what they are supposed to! I never knew how much traffic I wasn't seeing until I got the electronic toys to see them all. Scary!

Fly safe everyone. See you in a few days. The stars are aligning and, if all goes well, I'll have my regular ride back for the fly-in!!!

Looking like I will make it for the first time. I'v been told to bring something to eat and share and beer. Lots of beer.

For the veterans: what time is the best to arrive for winds etc? Is it normally calmer in the mornings or in the evenings? How about traffic? I'm assuming it can get rather busy at times. Also, my plane is pretty big - will I run into trouble parking her tail out at the sides? I don't want to cramp anyone taking off or otherwise blob anything up.

stratobee wrote:Looking like I will make it for the first time. I'v been told to bring something to eat and share and beer. Lots of beer.

For the veterans: what time is the best to arrive for winds etc? Is it normally calmer in the mornings or in the evenings? How about traffic? I'm assuming it can get rather busy at times. Also, my plane is pretty big - will I run into trouble parking her tail out at the sides? I don't want to cramp anyone taking off or otherwise blob anything up.

Before 10:00 in the morning and usually after 6:00 in the evening will give you the calmest winds. Around 9:00 pm the canyon starts to look a little dark.
If you monitor 122.9 as you get close you will get a feel for what is going on. Take your time, look the field over and make your intentions known on the radio, and if you feel you need to make a longer final do it. If anyone is in the air, they can let you know the wind situation. Most are glad to help.

Thanks.

I have some mountain flying experience, but not very much in narrow canyons, to be honest. I've mostly landed Big Bear and strips in the Rockies etc, with lots of room on the sides. I'll probably extend my downwind quite a bit and fly it a little higher to give me room to turn. The old Commander doesn't turn on a dime.

I think I will try to arrive early evening then, when it's calmed down a bit.

/Adam

Good morning from JC, coffees on camps fire hot and whiskeys cold. FROST.

20 mph west winds here already, third day now. Unusual, (afternoons, sure, not often all night and right into morning)nd if I wanted to go ridge soaring deadstick for 12 hours or so, today would be the day. Hope this pattern changes, low pressure also,a bit odd.

Good morning from JC, coffees on camps fire hot and whiskeys cold. FROST.

Damn!
A WEEK? Why do I read this stuff and torture myself?
Someday-I'll retire and do what I damn well please!!

Have a great time, fellas, and may both the weather gods and safety gods smile upon you......
lc

Here we go, sulfur creek breakfast then bag some shit