I don't know how much money and time is put into this plane but wow! I've honestly never looked at the Chinook planes and considered them as a possibility for the future but after reading up on some of these "Yukon Chinooks" and what they are doing with them is pretty eye opening to me. They really do look like a small workhorse with some of the right mods and honestly fit the bill pretty well (stock that is) along with having a good useful load.

I have yet to find a spot anywhere on the web which really discuses these Chinooks, they don't seem to popular. haha

What I know so far about his plane (I think):

Chinook WT11
Rotax 582 (which I'm sure is not stock)
DR Gear System
8.50 x 6 Tires
Fuel Tanks in Wing
Slats
Flaps
Adjustable Horizontal Stabilizer
Balanced Control Surfaces

I see on Aeroplane Manufactory website that they carry the DR Gear as an available option but that is it.
Sure would like to learn more about their mods, maybe find a build log or something.

There use to be one of these in a hanger a few doors down which I know hadn't flown in years. If it's still there I may hit up the owner and see what I can do about getting it maybe. My flying conditions aren't as harsh as the Yukon here in west Texas.

Here is the YouTube video of his 2018 Valdez STOL landing:

That is a VERY light plane; so much so that you would hate the flight characteristics in West Texas wind and turbulence. I say keep your current flyer and get one of these for occasional fun.

I am as impressed by this guys mount like you are. He’s got it flying very well with the Mods. I have some Chinook time and they do fly like all the light stuff, More flex in the controls as well as airframe, But are well designed and well proven.
I am amazed with where he goes with that 2 stroke. He demonstrates that he not only flys well , But is also a man who knows his equipment!

DeltaRomeo wrote:That is a VERY light plane; so much so that you would hate the flight characteristics in West Texas wind and turbulence. I say keep your current flyer and get one of these for occasional fun.

I'm bummed to read that I will hate the flight characteristics of the plane around here. I know a few guys flying light planes in the area and haven't heard them say too much, maybe they have gotten used to the weather in their small planes? - I'll have to ask them their thoughts on this subject.

My Cherokee is now gone so I'm pretty much grounded right now. haha Occasional fun is all I'm looking for now though. I'm looking for a 100 mile radius plane with enough useful load to carry me, a friend and some hunting gear or camping gear. Adding floats and taking fishing gear and some float tubes would make for some fun fishing trips also.

Flyrite wrote:I am as impressed by this guys mount like you are. He’s got it flying very well with the Mods. I have some Chinook time and they do fly like all the light stuff, More flex in the controls as well as airframe, But are well designed and well proven.
I am amazed with where he goes with that 2 stroke. He demonstrates that he not only flys well , But is also a man who knows his equipment!

Agreed, I'm naturally a little hesitant about the 2 stroke but some of the pilots around here have no issues with them as long as you maintain them (so I'm told). Now I do know of one guy who has a powered parachute who has gone down several times due to engine failures. However, I wouldn't trust going up with him and I doubt he looked after the rotax like he should. The Chinook I know of which I can pick up has the 912 on it but there may be a good chance that I swap the 912 for the 582 if I were to buy it.

So I thought I would update this with what information I got.

I got to emailing John Couch back and forth of Gloster Aerodrome & Aeroplane Manufactory about Dan's Chinook.
These emails have been great as I'm learning more and more about the plane before deciding on my next purchase. I really don't want to debate my personal "what will I purchase" here, not because I don't want to but because I want to keep this topic on track to Dan's plane.

So, here we go: "Zach, many thanks for your email. You are correct, we cannot share with you what specifically was done for Dan's aircraft but I can tell you we do not supply the modifications he built into his record-breaking Chinook, he made those modifications himself."

The DR Gear which I'm seeing on these "Yukon Chinooks" are sold by AM though. I was told the cost and that it included: "the major modification to the airframe, 22" tundra tires, hydraulic brake system, toe brakes, beefed up Matco tailwheel and more" He also filled me in on their kit to relocate the flap handle to the floor and the aluminum in-wing tanks that they are about to offer (he said the ASAP in-wing tanks are all sold out).

Toward the end of our first email, he noted, "Please understand, we do not support Dan's wing modifications, and they are not needed for the average bush pilot as the original Chinook wing and flaperons are plenty effective."

His response to my email inquiring about Dan's modifications were on par with what I expected. No hard feelings, I understand.

So, I guess if I really want to know what modifications have been done, they will have to come from Dan himself. However, I don't think the odds are in my favor on that one.

On a side note, if you haven't seen George Balmer on Youtube, check it out. There are some fun videos of them flying in the Yukon (I don't know if he is on here or not?)
Link to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbJHRM ... LkORfAyh-Q

Also while trying to find something on the web about his plane, I also came across: https://yukonflying.com/
It's worth a visit IMO if you haven't seen the site before. Looks to be the same group of "Yukon Chinook" guys but there are some great reads (stories) on the site if you have a little time.

Looks like someone is currently making kits: http://aeroplanemanufactory.com/ChinookPlus2.html

Strut braced, seems solid. Most ultralights of the 80's used a kingpost and cables, which is fine too. many designs were later updated to use struts though. Maybe the streamlined aluminum became available, or maybe it's just marketing.

I wouldn't sweat the warnings of flying in the winds of Texas. Dudes have been doing it in ultralights in TX since the 80s and having a good old time.

It's a valid point that lower wing loading can be a bouncier ride, but it's all relative; a Super Cub can be a rough ride too. Paragliders exist to ride thermals and get their asses bounced to higher altitudes. Turbulence can be a way of life. Aircraft and pilots all have limits though.

I say do it. Go in with your eyes open about airworthiness and 2-stroke engines, and have fun. Rotax 582 is a solid powerplant. I learned to fly in Quicksilver MXLs. Some days there's nothing I'd rather fly.

Hey Zzz,

Yeah, John Couch of the Aeroplane Manufactory is who I have been speaking with about them Chinook. He has been really helpful with a lot of my questions so far and has extended a couple of invites to me already to come see him. They are located in Texas, as I am, so I may have to take him up on the offers at some point. (Not 100% sold on the Chinook)

I'm not too worried about the "I'll hate it" comment but it is something that I do need to be aware of and he does make a valid argument. I'm glad he brought it up, I just don't think I would truly hate it. But again, definitely food for thought.

I may end up posting up a new topic in this section for some questions I still have, I just don't know how many people in this forum mess with planes in this category, so it may be pretty slow moving along.

Did you ever pull the trigger on one of these, TX_Pilot?

flyincajun wrote:Did you ever pull the trigger on one of these, TX_Pilot?

Seems like they're becoming popular based on social media. I find myself admiring them.