So....I met Ray (Arnold) at Yellow Pine Bar on the Main Salmon. Nice guy. Went to look at his C-185 to see what mods he was running. He chuckled and just said "Keys are in it." I said no I can't afford the repairs (still trying to overhaul my 0-300A ouch). Ray repeated "Keys are in it, just bring it back." I was honored to actually see him on his mail run.

We floated the main Salmon.

That's awesome! I saw some PBS footage of him a while back, history in the making!

On my first cross country solo, I stopped at Cascade for fuel and borrowed the car to go to town for lunch. Came back and hung out for a very short period. At the time, I had no idea I was talking to one of the legendary pilots of the Idaho backcountry

I read from someone here I think that you can catch a right seat ride him on his mail run for a small fee. If I ever make it to Idaho by myself, I'm going to try to take him up on that.

Zzz wrote:I read from someone here I think that you can catch a right seat ride him on his mail run for a small fee. If I ever make it to Idaho by myself, I'm going to try to take him up on that.

You can also use him as a charter, too. Last time I was at Sulphur Creek a few months ago. The caretakers parents were waiting for Arnold to take them to Boise Airport to catch a commercial flight to the east coast.

I'd also like to ride right seat on one of his routes.

When I flew 2 solar panels into Warren last summer, (clear across the Frank from my place, strapped on the lift struts) customer Cliff said he'd tell his mailman. He said he flew the mail in once a week, I guess this is who he meant? Cool.....

Two years ago my wife and I were lucky enough to share a table with Ray at Sulpher Creek while he wasted an hour having breakfast waiting for his next appointment.

Cool guy that has been there and done that.

UtahMaule wrote:Two years ago my wife and I were lucky enough to share a table with Ray at Sulpher Creek while he wasted an hour having breakfast waiting for his next appointment.

Cool guy that has been there and done that.

And another good reason to stop at Cascade for fuel at Arnold Aviation instead of high priced McCall.

There is a grocery store in Cascade, too. (not walking distance, though)

A few of us BCPers met Ray at Sulphur Creek during the fly-in and helped him unload the 206. He was very appreciative and so were we (to shake his hand). What a guy!

Man now I really feel spoiled, I can walk into the hanger and talk to Ray just about any time I feel like it. Yes you can hitch a ride on the mail route, I don't remember how much it runs, but I believe it includes breakfast at one of the lodges too. I need to get a ride while I still can.

When my now famous "ropes and come along" event took place years ago now, Ray was the only one that looked at my "fix it" job and said "that looks pretty damn good. I would fly it but be careful".

He was a true gentleman.

AKT

He ran a nice grocery delivery service too...handy for those who are staying a while and don't want to be loaded to the gills with food that will go green and fuzzy in a week anyways. It's really not the super expensive if it's on the Air Star route. I hope they still do that.