The following is in response to a question asked by a user which is no longer in the database:
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I took the 210 in there once my buddy had the seat sucked up his %$$, he thought I was going to wipe the gear off on the approach end. I may have been a little shorter than I needed to be

I have taken a 172 in there several times. It was a 180hp 172.
Flown my own 170 in and out a couple of times.

182 should be a very STABLE plane to roll slightlly right on short final.

Only strange thing I have noticed there is that the altimeter setting never seems to match with either McCall or either of the Dixie strips. A freind of mine, in his Maule, was using hils altimeter to judge his approach height and almost made a right turn into the river bank.

As usual, it helps to have someone show it to ya the first time.

Chris

Three years ago I took a Mtn Flying class at Chalis, ID. Bob Plumber put it on. He died in his plane the following August. He taught me so getting into a plane with me is scetchy.

Non the less, I flew my 182B into Wilson Bar and Makay Bar. Also did most of the strips in that area. Did them all but Mile high. The 182B had 600x6 on the nose and 600's on the mains. The plane was stock O-470L.

Very easy strip if the approach is done correctly. I had Steve Cope who at that time worked for Middle fork aviation out of Challis in the right seat so the approach was done as he told me.

The plane is not the problem or seldom is.

Tim

No problem in a '62 with standard tires (6.00 mains; 5.00 nose), 2 people, camping gear and half tanks. The low elevation makes for ample takeoff performance unless it's really hot.

Tim's right that it doesn't take heroics if you do it right. Doing it right, though, requires precise flying and familiarity with landmarks (like a specific saddle on a finger ridge, a couple different snags, a shale field and the riffles on the river). It's not a do-it-yourself project. I've taken dual in there both the first time and for refreshers in later years. It's a rush.

The strip is long enough and plenty smooth, but the touchdown needs to be precise. Needless to say, it's strictly one way. I wouldn't try it if there was anything more than a slight breeze.

It's a great spot. We have Bill Miller to thank for fighting and winning the battle to preserve this gem.


CAVU

Has anyone fished there? This is one of my go to's this year and I hope the fishing is good. Probably spend a day there and fish till 6 or so.

iceman wrote:Has anyone fished there? This is one of my go to's this year and I hope the fishing is good. Probably spend a day there and fish till 6 or so.

Hi Ice,

I've caught some cutts on caddis nymphs along the side of the riffle near the approach end of the airstrip. My fantasies of tying into a steelhead were unfulfilled. It's big water. I've done better on the Middle Fork, but Wilson Bar is still a really fun place to fly and camp.

CAVU

I've done my best at Upper Loon as far as Catching a bunch . But then everyone says forget about fishing Johnson creek next to the camp ground, but one year I fished the 100 yards below the bridge and caught trout on about every other cast. I guess it depends on when you try as to how successful you are. Anyway I'm hitting Wilson bar this year and will fish the day away.

Sparky has a good step by step photo approach in the back of his Flying Bible book, as well as on line at http://www.mountainflying.com/wilson3.htm. You can see the visual check points that have been referred to here. You can see in the pics that they took a 172 into there.

iceman wrote:I've done my best at Upper Loon as far as Catching a bunch . But then everyone says forget about fishing Johnson creek next to the camp ground, but one year I fished the 100 yards below the bridge and caught trout on about every other cast. I guess it depends on when you try as to how successful you are. Anyway I'm hitting Wilson bar this year and will fish the day away.

You were probably catching all of the fish that got spooked downstream from the swimming hole. A little walking does wonders for the fishing.

Wilson Bar is great, even if you get skunked. There was sure a lot of fire all around that area last year. Does anyone know if Wilson Bar burned over or if it escaped? I'd hate not to have shade for camping there. Thanks.

CAVU

John, your 182 is plenty strong for Wilson Bay . When you make your right turn over the gravel bar don,t be to low and slow if it's warm there'll be sink over the river and the little bank on the approch can begin to look like a very large bank, there's plenty of room and a big hill at the end of the strip. Reagon can give you a pretty good account of the potntial for a problem.
Bruce

John, sorry I forgot there are some large rocks in the parking area across the strip from the remains of the old house. May be a good idea with the nose wheel to walk it before you taxi in.
Bruce

Not long ago I remember a thread about flying into Idaho and someone posted some U tube video's of landings at Wilson Bar.

Yeah, there are a few on there. A couple are pretty good.

OK I found it... Go to www.youtube.com and type in Moody aviation Idaho flying in the search box... There's one video of a couple guys scaring themselves landing at Wilson bar and approach and landings to a bunch of the Idaho strips. For those of you that have never been to JC the approach video's to JC may be of help in familiarizing you with it.

You can search "Wilson Bar" too and it will bring up some others. Between two different vids, you can see the difference of doing the approach on the left vs the right side of the river.

What is the difference of doing the approach from the left or right? I would think you would want to be on the left so you can see the runway a few seconds sooner .

deleted

I've only flown over it several times but In looking at the video's and in what I remember a left turn would be more than 90 degrees. Flying down the river like the video's show is a much less severe turn to final. I could be wrong and I defer to the Idaho boys to solve this one.
'

Left or right is referring to which bank of the river to do the approach over, not which direction (East/West). You are right, coming from the other direction would make that approach "sporty" to say the least.

What is the difference of doing the approach from the left or right? I would think you would want to be on the left so you can see the runway a few seconds sooner [quote]

Sorry guys ! I was referring to what side of the river to be on for the final approach. I'll try to be more clear on future post's. Pat