There seems to be quite a few new members introducing themselves lately so I might as well throw my name in the hat too!

I moved out to Los Angeles from Jackson, Wy 15 years ago. 15 years in the film industry is enough to burn anyone out and make them want to move back up to the mountains. Since I've got no wife or kids, I can still do that at the drop of a hat. The house if all packed up and I'm outta here this Saturday (1/21/05)!

Besides starting a new business up there this year, I look forward to all the recreational activities Jackson provides. I especially look forward to a tailwheel endorsement and mountain training.

Well, that's sort of as far as I've planned ahead though. Anyone here flown in/around the Tetons, Idaho, Yellowstone? Where do I even start? Ha ha!

I suppose I will have to visit KJAC's only FBO and ask around. But maybe someone here on the board knows someone up there in that area that can get me checked out.

Finally, while surfing around researching F.E. Pott's book, I came across this guy Sparky Imeson with "Mountain Flying, LLC". http://www.mountainflying.com/ Seems he wrote a book on the same subject called the "Mountain Flying Bible". He's even based out of Jackson. Just wondering if any of you heard of him and if he'd be someone reputable.

DFXXX,

Welcome! Three words of advice on mountain flying in and around Idaho. First, buy Sparky Imeson's book. It is, as advertised, the mountain flying bible. Second, take Lori McNicoles (McCall Idaho) Mountain Flying Course. Dropping down between the towering mountain peaks of the Frank Churck River of No Return Wilderness Area to the little tiny dirt strip at the bottom of the canyon can be a bit disconcerting the first couple of times. As anyone will tell you, many fly in, all fly out...some suspended from a helicopter. Third, buy Galen Hanselman's "Fly Idaho" book. His book lists all the wonderful backcountry strips, what to do when there, and a little history about the place.

DEGJR

Looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks for the book recomendations.

Is there any other way to make money is Jackson other than real estate, JM? Not unless you like working at a resteraunt or being on "ski patrol" .

My pop is a real estate attorney and we're going to partner up and do some commercial real estate development before he retires. Other than that, sky's wide open as they say. Film production is on a rise in the area as well. I might keep my foot in the door.

DFXXX,

Sparky is the real McCoy. In addition to Sparky's Mountain Flying Bible, he has written a book on Taildragger Technique. I haven't read it, so can't comment on its content. He also wrote a Mountain Flying training course for the Civil Air Patrol. He has given Mountain Flying seminars at EAA'S Oshkosh, and other various locations. I don't know him personalLY, but I have read that he has given mountain flying lessons right out of Jackson hole. If you can hook up with him, you couldn't do any better than that!

DEGJR

I'll contact Sparky next week sometime and see what's available. Keep you posted.

Well I did move here. Right in time for -25F and upto 24" of snow/day too! I've been slinging snow as fast as it's been coming down. Well mostly. The John Deere has been doing most of the work. Thank God for little tractors with big snow blowers on them!

I did have lunch with Sparky Imeson. Real nice guy. Very well respected here in Jackson and elsewhere. We'll be going up together as soon as the weather and my schedule clear up. I did get checked out in the local 172 that's for rent here. I did fly myself from JAC to U25 in conditions that were bordering on the "intertesting" side. I've also joined up with the local Civil Air Patrol who fly a 182Q.

I have two observations about flying in Jackson. One, it's real weird to see the altermeter read 12,000 and only be a few hundred feet above the treetops. Two, it's weird to be able to make a left or right turn, or climb or descend without worrying about if I'll be running into someones class B or C airspace.

So far, I'm having a great time. Anyone else fly in this area? Maybe we can get together and fly sometime.

I flew into Driggs, ID last fall, that was a pretty cool place. Nice, new FBO, good food. That should be a nice senic $100 burger run from your place. Welcome to the neighborhood. It was -15 this morning, AGAIN.

JOhn

DFXXX,

The Jackson area is my stomping ground and is one of the most spectacular places there is to fly. This time of year the weather changes pretty quick. If you fly out of the valley the weather has a tendency to close in behind you making it tough to get back in. With low overcast it was always interesting flying in the area with the Tetons totally obscured.

Are you actually living in Jackson? The summer tourist season is worse than ever with hoards of people. Living in Moose, Alpine, Wilson, Kelly or Buffalo Creek Valley isolated a person a little from the mobs.

If your dealing real estate try to get the Lucas family to turn loose of some of that Spring Creek property bordering the Park, N.E. of Gros Ventre Buttes.

You'll get used to the booming howitzer every morning, blasting avalance control.

I'll buy you lunch sometime and let you get acquainted with a Super Cub.

I live up in Moran, actually Grand Teton National Park. 3 miles up Pacific Creek.

The summer traffic getting into the park can be a little long. They should have a "resident" lane over here at the gate so that I could just zip on through. Oh well. It's not even remotely as troubling as sitting through 3 hours of Friday traffic to just get home in SoCal.

I now know what you're talking about when you mention weather in the area. When I flew over to Dubois weather was closing in on Jackson. I told myself it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to go up and immediately turn around to JAC or continue ahead and wait it out in Dubois.

Another option would be to fly on to Riverton or wherever if things got worse. I was spending a lot of time looking over my shoulder at the Grand to see if I could still see it above the clouds as I left the valley. Just a new experience for me. A lot of fun and not as nerve racking in the air as it was preflighting on the ground.

I just can't let myself be drawn into IMC, especially in the mountains at these altitudes. It can't end well for someone that does.

And as for Driggs, Sparky's talking about heading up Death Canyon to pratice maneuvers and then going through it to Driggs. Excuse me? Practice circling to climb IN Death Canyon? Well, I guess that's what I'm here to do so I'm game! And I hear Driggs has high performance and complex aircraft to rent for training. I've still got to get endorsements on those.

Driggs is a great airport, i fly in and out of there a good bit. You can get some silent time there as well.

There are much easier ways to get around the big brest if you wish.

Dane

Cool.

I know Moran pretty well also. Have extensive experience hunting and flying the Pacific Creek region....Gravel Creek, Gravel Ridge, Two Ocean Lake, Whetstone Mountain, Schoolhouse, Big Game Ridge, Rosy Ridge, Wolverine etc. Have a Forest Service friend that lives real close to you that you'll bump into sooner or later.

At least when your flying Jackson to Dubois or vice versa you can follow the highway through the pass if things get iffy.

There are a lot of canyons that can trap you in that country if you find yourself scud running and your unfamiliar with the terrain.

Best advice I can give you is never ever fly up the middle of a canyon, pick one side or the other and try to pick the side that allows you a turn into the wind if you have to retreat. The other is if you find yourself in a tight place don't be afraid to pull flaps to tighten your turn.

DFXXX wrote:Well I did move here. Right in time for -25F and upto 24" of snow/day too! I've been slinging snow as fast as it's been coming down. Well mostly. The John Deere has been doing most of the work. Thank God for little tractors with big snow blowers on them!

I did have lunch with Sparky Imeson. Real nice guy. Very well respected here in Jackson and elsewhere. We'll be going up together as soon as the weather and my schedule clear up. I did get checked out in the local 172 that's for rent here. I did fly myself from JAC to U25 in conditions that were bordering on the "intertesting" side. I've also joined up with the local Civil Air Patrol who fly a 182Q.

I have two observations about flying in Jackson. One, it's real weird to see the altermeter read 12,000 and only be a few hundred feet above the treetops. Two, it's weird to be able to make a left or right turn, or climb or descend without worrying about if I'll be running into someones class B or C airspace.

So far, I'm having a great time. Anyone else fly in this area? Maybe we can get together and fly sometime.

Look me up. My plane is parked in Hangar 2 right next to the 172, N62463, you rented at JHA.

Ben N801BH

Stol -

I recognize your plane. Who can miss it?!!