Yesterday Sept 26 at approx. 10 am I was first of 3 Super Cubs inbound to Mineral Canyon (Identifier UT75). I announced our pending arrival on the radio on 122.90 three separate times. Once at 5 miles W; once at 3 miles W and the last time “Left Base to Final Downstream Landing.” (Landing runway 14).

As I turned final I noticed a number of what appeared to be people on the runway—as in 10+. There was also a parachute almost touching down on the upstream end of the runway (the end of runway 32).

At no time was there any acknowledgement to my radio calls from anyone on the ground of any runway conflict. Apparently no one on the ground had a handheld radio—or they were on 122.8 (the KCNY frequency).

I notified the other Super Cubs in our flight of 3 “Do not land.” We climbed out downriver.

I changed frequency to 122.8 and heard a jump plane in the pattern at KCNY. I asked him if he had just dropped off jumpers at Mineral Canyon. “Yes.” I informed him that no one on the ground apparently has a handheld as there was no reply to any of my radio calls on 122.9. He replied, “That’s because we operate on 122.8.” I informed him that the backcountry frequency, and that of Mineral Canyon, is 122.9. There was no acknowledgement from the pilot.

Be aware! There were no NOTAMS. No way to know of this potentially very hazardous situation!

Sounds like someone needs to talk to Redtail and find out who it is. I’ve seen jumpers being dropped there before. They need to realize it’s an airstrip first, not a drop zone...especially where the UBCP has the lease on the land. And that they need to be on the backcountry freq.


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I think it is “Skydive Moab.” I posted this on their “Contact Us” page. I’m going to call them tomorrow and ask to speak to the owner. I’ll report back what they say.

No NoTAM surprises me. They were obviously in the wrong. I hope y’all can find a cooperative way to make their operation better. I’ve flown at a boogie there, and dropped jumpers into mineral bottom. Was working for a different company and they just leased the plane. Definitely had a NoTAM and broadcast on both freq’s. Sounds like a polite nudging is in order to get their pilots on the right page.

MO9, Kingsley Field has both Ag without radio and skydive and the Hanger Kafe. I told Kiman I didn't think it was a good mix, but anyone who knows Kiman knows how that went. I stay well below the altitude even the scary ones open to be able to see and avoid. Yes, they notam and use the radio. You're still going to hit one if he's there and is still a fast moving dot. The parachute is slower and easier to see.