Pretty hardcore Skywagon flying in the jungles of the Philippines

Bushwagon, NICE! You and the lovely young Mrs. Wagon takin' the OWL down to the P.I. anytime soon?

Thanks. cubscout

Nice!
Philipphines is close to my heart. I am married to a Filipina and since I live and work as an ex-pat in Singapore, I often visit. I usually reant a Cessna 172 with an instructor to stay current and feed my appetite for flying. It's the only flying i get to do right now. Until I go back stateside and buy me my very own beauty of the sky.

Great footage of some challenging jungle strips, looks like a hoot.

What's the political situation in the Phillipines nowadays? Seems that I recall hearing the Phllipines are heavily islamic. Is that something to worry about there? Backcountry flying can be hazardous enough without worrying about getting kidnapped or ambushed. Ditto for most any foreign country in any state of political/racial/religious turmoil.

The third strip looks pretty fun!

hotrod150 wrote:What's the political situation in the Phillipines nowadays? Seems that I recall hearing the Phllipines are heavily islamic. Is that something to worry about there? Backcountry flying can be hazardous enough without worrying about getting kidnapped or ambushed. Ditto for most any foreign country in any state of political/racial/religious turmoil.

@Hotrod150,
I am one of the hundreds of thousands of American ex-pat's that have found the Philippines one of the most livable and welcoming countries in Asia! It is my experience that as a foreigner you get treated very well by the govt, and the occasional political rift is mostly local in nature and is not something to be concerned. In fact 80% of the people are Catholic, and "other" religions. The Muslim Extremist/terrorist are mostly down south in Mindanao Province, near Malaysia.

The city's can be a dangerous place if you are alone and in the wrong place, wrong time. I never go un-escorted in Manila. Just like in our Big City's they have violent crimes.
The rural area's, you feel like celebrity. The children run to see you and adults welcome you with open hearts, food and drink.

One fascinating note. I found myself in East Samar on the Leyte Gulf. Lots of military history. In Guiuan, East Samar is where my wife's family resides. It didnt occur to me that this is the same Guiuan that McAurthur returned to the shores of to push the Japaneses back, and also the 7,000ft runway was the TOP secret loading base for the Atomic bomb, into the Enola Gay.

Flying as a pilot, one can easily get a checkout in a number of city's offering rental Cessna 152/172 aircraft and can even convert licence easily, since FAA is the system they base thier regs on! If you ever get the chance, come on over..i'd be happy to show you around!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6060010&l=5131d1f068&id=512038870
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=102631023096565&set=t.512038870

If the above URL's dont work, I uploaded about 5 new pictures in my photo gallery, if anyone is interested.

LnS, do you live in the PI full time? I notice that the specs under your pic sez south carolina.

Well I have many "homes" dear to my heart. Grew up in Michigan, then lived in SC for 10+ years during my time of service in the Air Force. I currently reside and work full time on the British Held island of Diego Garcia, that the U.S. Navy occupies. I am a Contractor for the Air force, handling transient Aircraft operations.
My wife and her family live in the P.I., I routinely spend my time off in the P.I. and maintain a partial presence there for the last 2 years on/off.

Hey Brian, I own and fly a plane in the Philippines. I and my wife and kids live on the island of Palawan. What part of the PI do you guys live at?

Also, that airstrip no.3 in the video is awesome. Great footage, great piloting. That plane is one of New Tribes' missionary planes.

Ridge Runner wrote:Hey Brian, I own and fly a plane in the Philippines. I and my wife and kids live on the island of Palawan. What part of the PI do you guys live at?

Also, that airstrip no.3 in the video is awesome. Great footage, great piloting. That plane is one of New Tribes' missionary planes.

Hey Ridge,
Great to hear ya on here. My wifes famliy resides in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and davao City. I often fly into clark and grab an instructor and rent one of the C-172's just to stay current. Actually not worried about my skills fading away, more of just to satisfy my aviation hunger.
I meant to check out the Angeles flying club. I was there ( angeles) last Thanksgiving for a few days. I not really into ultralights, but would like to see the planes anyways and do some hangar flying.

Its been my experience that the used aircraft i have seen are way over priced. I dream of importing a cheap Cessna 150 or something like that to keep in Guiuan. The city has a 7,000 ft runway, and I know the mayor real good. Only 1.5 hours from Cebu from what I am told. Better yet a sea rey amphibian would be awesome!
Just dreaming right now.

There happen to be two SeaRey amphibs at the Angeles Flying Club. The owner of the new one lives on Leyte somewhere, and the other, older model needs some tlc..hasn't flown in years. Maybe they're interested to sell? There are a few Cessnas parked at the ACFC hangar, but for the most part it's bunch of LSA and ELSA type aircraft. Enjoy your visit and hangar flying when you get up that way. There's a pool and restaurant there too for the family to enjoy.

What have you paid for renting a 172?