fiftynineSC wrote:I don't know Lori, but she has a good reputation. My experience (mostly sea level, flat land) was that I needed a tune up from a high DA standpoint, different deal than "flying in a canyon" deal. Both are important. I learned to fly in New Mexico, but it had been years though. I killed two birds with getting a flight review from a high time 185 guy that lives near the mountains (Sierras). He charged 75/hr. That got me current operating again at 8k plus DA. Then, when I went to Idaho I just had to focus on the canyon flying issues. Covered that with a combo of ground and good friends with experience. Also, start slow.
I'm sure you could find a guy in Afton on your way West. It's a good gas/overnight stop too. The reason why Lori can charge that price though is because she's a one stop shop. She's there, she's an authority, and she's a known commodity. With a lot of instrucors it's a crap shoot. I'd also call the fbo in afton and ask the manager who is giving the husky customers their checkouts. Probably a good place to spend a day.
Bill
Mark Heiner is the airport manager at Afton. He also used to be the production and experimental test pilot for Aviat, flying Husky and Pitts airplanes. Mark is a great instructor, with a LOT of mountain flying experience, and is an all around good guy. I'm not sure how many really challenging strips there are around there, but Afton certainly exhibits high density altitudes at times.
Mark would be high on my list of guys to fly with for this task. And, yes, I have flown with both Mark and his brother Verdean, who also would be a good instructor for this. I don't know if Verdean is instructing much anymore. Verdean gave me my initial Husky checkout back in 90 or 91. Both great guys, and they both have some stories as well....
As others have noted, however, Lori is based right in the middle of the country you want to explore......
MTV
