Thanks David, I'll give Tapatalk a try.

You know, an over width permit and a couple WIDE LOAD banners don't really cost that much. Neither do the required red flags of the appropriate size and number, those weren't. I haul a lot of over width stuff, and there is enough things to go wrong even after jumping through all the DOT/State/Federal hoops. That hor stab is up at a dangerous height and skinny so hard to see, hope they didn't take out anybody on the trip to wherever. Not too surprising as I guess that is just how that guy rolls. I could care less what his name is or his N number, he drug himself through the mud by being such a dumb ass. Glad you got the guy out of your hair James. You showed amazing restraint from where I'm sitting (a private strip owner in Idaho). One more thing: I'd guess the pilot's age had nothing to do with it, he's probably been showing judgment like this for decades, this probably isn't his first rodeo.

Wow Courier Guy
I thought you had more class than that. I live in the area and I've never met James, but I look forward to it meeting him someday. I no George and he is no dumbass. He is a very nice Guy that would help any one in need. That being said. He has probably done as much back country flying as anyone on this site . And he did it in a 1956 172 with a 0300. He just bought the 182 and that might of been part of the problem, along with trying to land without permission. He feels terrible and he knows he screwed up. And he's the one paying for it.
I think it should be mandatory to at least have liability insurance to own a airplane . As far as the hull coverage goes I don't care.
I have a hard time understanding why a pilot would badmouth a fellow pilot.
John

Hello Backcountry Pilots,

Very impressed with this thread, over 4000 views and over 121 replies so far. Glad to see the interest in this topic. My intent wasn't to smear the pilot but merely to describe the event and it's effect on me as a land owner. Aviation is a small community. Maybe the word will get out that landings at private airstrips require prior permission. Additionally, Clear Creek requires advanced skills and aircraft performance to avoid an accident.

This incident has made me think about the way I do things at Clear Creek too. I do enjoy having guest but I really don't want to get anyone hurt. If you ask any of the ten other pilots that have successfully landed at my Clear Creek Airstrip, (one unsuccessful) it is very challenging. I did the best with the property/runway that I have but it does have a very difficult approach, and requires real performance for the departure too.

Last October, I had a fly-in at my place. Most of the pilots landed on my neighbor's nearby hay-strip. Maybe I'll make it a second annual event, but right now I'm on the fence. Might just keep it real small. Anyway headed to Alliance, Texas this morning for two weeks of "marginal helicopter training". Not a fan of the Dallas/Ft.Worth area due to two years stationed at Ft. Hood in the 80s. I was a navigator/systems operator on the Army's OV1D Mohawk back then. The Army can suck the fun out of paradise too as I was also stationed at Wheeler AAF, Hawaii ("Cold War Warrior").



James

Good morning everyone.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Bill, aka Mountain Doctor from the Maule forum where I been a regular contributor for many years. I have been lurking here for some time but registered so as to comment on this excellent thread.

I have had the privilege of an invitation by James to CCI. Great guy, BTW.

I fly a Maule and have a fair degree of competency and experience. What I lack in those areas I strive to make up for in caution and caution.

When I was invited to CCI, I spoke to people on the forum, and James personally to see if CCI was a safe and prudent choice for my Maule and me. I was uncertain so I decided to overfly and do a checkout before committing to landing there. I was given the option of the hayfield if I didn’t feel my skills were up to the strip.

The pictures don’t give justice to just how difficult a strip this is. It’s not just the length (pretty short) but the obstructed approach and departure, and the off centerline angles required for each. It is a strip, IMHO, for advanced pilots in higher performance bush planes.

Just before CCI, I landed Kooskie and Kamiah. They are cakewalks, hardly a buildup to CCI. I could easily get my buddie’s Beech in and out of those two just about any day.

I am guilty of landing off airport a few times with what I call ‘implied’ permission. I know the owner and I know he lets people with the needed skill go in and out, for example. But to land without knowing the owner or even having friends in common I would not do.

I am familiar with property rights and respect them. I ride dirt bikes off road a lot. I try to stay off private property but sometimes you just can’t tell. I’ve run into owners a few times over the years. I apologize and shake hands then leave. Most of the time they let me continue to ride once they determine I’m a decent guy who respects them and the land.

Hello all, Have been to CCI, Tested the Zipline so all you skinny folks would be safe!! I thank James for the INVITE!

Sorry James had someone drop in and bend his baby!!
Glad it is finally out of your hair!!

OK, I'm going to say this to all the folks here on BCP!
(Happens to be where James' Super Maule made it's first home when it was brand shiny new!!)
82WN, my strip in NE Washington, 2100 of grass, down the middle of an alfalfa field, Private!, No x's, good approach from North or South, wind if there is any usually from the south. Usually some equipment or aircraft parked on the North end, Please land over them if you come in from the north!!
Your welcome anytime, as long as you understand that when you land it is your ass that is doing the flying and landing, and it is the PIC that has the responsibility's!
The power lines that used to go across the middle are buried! The only thing I would ask is that if I am not at home, shut your engine down when you taxi to the north end where the Hangar and everything else is as my greeting committee some times does not wait for the fan to quit turning!! None of them bite usually??
It's a little rough but have had lots of aircraft in here, B18,Baron,Bo, 210,337,rv6,cardinal,and a bunch of stuff that like grass!
Watch out for the deer, DO MAKE A LOW PASS! not @ 300' should be around 20-30' as the deer are kinda used to the noise!
If you have one of those noisy dam 208-185-180 with a long prop, please make it as flat as you can and run it as fast as you can turn it as I LOVE THE NOISE!!
Have a set of wheels if you want to go cool your heels in the Lake or run over to a nice little restaurant and resort (HARTMAN'S Log Cabin Resort) on the other side of the river, (have to ride the free ferry)
Sincerely GT
Z, if this is out of line, please put it where it should be or delete! And when are U going to make it up this way?

George & his Wilga at Clear Creek:

M6RV6,

What's the ATIS and tower frequency's when we come up to visit.

Only 85NM from W20, we'll be out shortly...

Rod

Brilliant thread James, thanks.

I have a newfound admiration for folks that build their own strip. It definitely has me thinking.

Cervelorod wrote:M6RV6,

What's the ATIS and tower frequency's when we come up to visit.

Only 85NM from W20, we'll be out shortly...

Rod

I'll tell ya when ya get here?
Look forward to seeing you!

About 115 miles from RLD.

Doc would like to take you up on this invitation as well.

Hey lookie there… she's for sale on Barnstormers. Probably a great candidate for a conversion or ????

I started spraying without hull insurance because I couldn't afford to pay the insurance company a third of the price of the plane each year. When things happen, we take our knocks.

It's a shame he's selling it. Not a lot of damage apparent in this photo other than the prop. No insurance maybe? Insurance is the biggest waste of money in the world......until you need it. Then its priceless. If the price (which for me isn't bad- about $1150 for a $65K hull) puts you off, think of it as paying for a repair job or replacement on the installment plan.

listed at 11000 engine teardown and overhaul and new prop on top of that

I quit buying planes when they got to $10,000.

The add says the firewall is in good shape. My understanding is that it is vulnerable even from hard landings on the nose wheel. Is it really possible to shear off the nose gear and not damage the firewall? I'm not a Cessna expert, just curious.

Mountain Doctor wrote:About 115 miles from RLD.

Doc would like to take you up on this invitation as well.

Come on up!
Call ahead to make sure I'll be around.

scottf wrote: Is it really possible to shear off the nose gear and not damage the firewall?

Nope.

Customer of mine is looking at it... Said he is going to ask for pictures of firewall and tunnel... Will see how much damage is there, I am sure that there is going to be some...

Brian