Backcountry Pilot

[lownslow79 offline]

Good call! Defintly have tie downs right! I have been airport camping here in SC and just assumed I would find an unused tiedown at this very rural county airport. I was wrong...luckily the weather was exceptional, so no problems.

Is there a such thing as lightweight airplane tiedowns, maybe made from aluminum?

BTW, how in the world do you post pictures in your post? I tried to click the img button, then paste picture url......WTF?

[kevbert offline]

Camping gear keeps you comfortable. Survival gear keeps you alive.

It's one thing to survive after the incident. It's another thing to survive the incident itself! I've been contemplating getting a lightweight helmet to wear when I'm landing or taking off from backcountry strips. I was thinking about maybe using a bicycle helmet, which is just styrofoam encased in an extremely thin plastic shell.

What would even be better is if there was a helmet that could be used for keeping your head dry or warm after the incident. But it would have to be well enough ventilated that you would be willing to wear it in the summer during the takeoff or landing. The idea is to have something that will do double duty: Protect your noggin from blunt force trauma, can also be used to protect it from cold. Maybe a well ventilated bicycle helmet with some kind of a removable waterproof cover.

Suggestions?

[lownslow79 offline]

For helmets, I know ive seen one on oregon Aero web page. It is more of a tactical helmet.
I guess if your going to wear one, you should wear it more than just landing/take-offs.
I am quite confident when in the vicinity of a designated landing area. Its the areas beneath me with no suitable landing area's like forest.

Here where I fly in SC, There is a ton of national forest areas that stretch for miles and miles. When headed that way its kinda of a concern if I should need a place to set down.

I have demonstrated that I can land the 150 very slow and short, so even a small field or road will do for me, but flying over mountains and rocky rivers and such for long distances sounds real interesting.

[kevbert offline]

I figured a helmet would just be part of my landing or takeoff checklist, and that I don't need it above a certain altitude. I agree with what you're saying about flying over forest and mountains with no roads. The Frank Church wilderness in Idaho is the biggest roadless area in the lower 48, and outside of the existing airstrips, there are damned few places where you could safely land (depending on the airplane). I would just have a threshold like 2500 AGL or something and always wear it below that.

I hit a bad downdraft on takeoff in the Idaho backcountry last year, and since then I have begun to think a helmet would be good insurance. Even better if I can find one that could serve other useful purposes when I'm not crashing. (WWII steel helmet / cook pot? )

[lownslow79 offline]

Here's a real skookum saw, that comes with a crosscut blade and a metal blade: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0006390514310a.shtml

I have been doing landscape and tree work for years, actually even worked at Cabela's in Dundee,Michigan. I love Cabela's think the world of them, but admitadly they have a lot of things that are overpriced and outdated.

I would buy a good folding pruning saw. I have several that I use when climbing through a tree to selective prune. It will rip through just about anything and it cost me between $15 and $25 bucks depending on where I buy it from.
Check out a local Stihl or tree service supply for a professional model, or harbor freight and lowes have a few that are decent too.

[Green Hornet offline]

FYI -Johnson Creek, ID the walls of the canyon are approx 8000ft ft. You stated that 6500 ft was a ceiling for your aircraft??? That would limit you to the places you can go in the west and many in the east.

[lownslow79 offline]

The Cessna 150L tha I fly, actually loves to CRUISE at around 6,000-10,000ft.....what I mean though is that the climb performance is a totally different beast. its around 200-300 FPM if that on a hot day. Even at close to sea level on a hot, humid day with 1000ft density altitude it is poor.

Theres no question I could climb, then cruise and land to an airstrip, but getting out is another.

I live out east, dont own an airplane but have access to a few. I have yet to take any mountain flying courses. I do know that hen I do go out west to fly, I probably will end up buying something like a cessna 150 or 140. I will probably seek out one with an upgraded engine. Who knows. We shall see

[Green Hornet offline]

The Cessna 150L tha I fly, actually loves to CRUISE at around 6,000-10,000ft.....what I mean though is that the climb performance is a totally different beast. its around 200-300 FPM if that on a hot day. Even at close to sea level on a hot, humid day with 1000ft density altitude it is poor.

Theres no question I could climb, then cruise and land to an airstrip, but getting out is another.

I live out east, dont own an airplane but have access to a few. I have yet to take any mountain flying courses. I do know that hen I do go out west to fly, I probably will end up buying something like a cessna 150 or 140. I will probably seek out one with an upgraded engine. Who knows. We shall see

Before you buy anything take a mountain, canyon course and get a tailwheel endorsement if you don't have one. This is just one of the schools out west and they rent airplanes.

http://www.mountaincanyonflying.com/browser_help.html

[Baddog offline]

Somebody posted info about this awhile back and I got this for Xmas. It qualifies as compact and light weight and it fits perfectly in the back of a husky. Weighs about 15 #'s. Consider it a necessary luxury item.



Coleman Packaway Table Set for 2 Includes:

One table (31.5" x 23.75" x 25.5")
Two benches (12" x 10" x 16")
Two table heights for versatility:14 1/2" and 25.5"

$54.88 at Walmart.com

[hotrod180 offline]

When talking about camping and survival gear, don't forget the shovel. In fact, a good lghtweight folding shovel (army surplus model is perfect) may be the only piece of survival gear you need.
If you're out on your own, crashed or even just lost, all you gotta do is start shoveling.... and some damn fool will be along in about 5 minutes to tell you that you're digging in the wrong place. Then just have him haul you out or call for help on his cell/sat phone.

Eric

[spacer offline]

As bicycle helmets were mentioned, there used to be quite a few riders and racers, back in the '70s and early '80s who wore low-profile leather helmets. They ended up not being adequate for the purpose, but it seems they'd be fine to protect your noggin inside an airplane, with being nearly as bulky as the foam helmets we use now.

Also, the adventure motorcyclist gear was a good idea, and I'd go a bit further and suggest that you check out some self-supported bicycle touring websites. We don't like to carry a lot of heavy stuff on our bikes, as we're providing the power to haul all that stuff around, kinda like the hikers.

[Savannah-Tom offline]

When talking about camping and survival gear, don't forget the shovel. In fact, a good lghtweight folding shovel (army surplus model is perfect) may be the only piece of survival gear you need.
If you're out on your own, crashed or even just lost, all you gotta do is start shoveling.... and some damn fool will be along in about 5 minutes to tell you that you're digging in the wrong place. Then just have him haul you out or call for help on his cell/sat phone.

Eric

I second the idea about a shovel. I've got a folding surplus shovel that I modified so it can be used as a jack stand for changing tires, and sharpened one edge so it can be used as a light duty axe. The most important feature is a little edge that will open those pesky beer bottles with non twist-off caps.

tom

[lownslow79 offline]

(1)- The helemet idea is plausable as mythbusters says, I would wear a padded bike or ski/snoboard type helmet to protect my head. A few crashes around here, Its hard to believe but they survived, but then died in the ER. Blunt force trauma to the head and chest. Also spine compression in one crash from verticle impact. So what do you do to protect your chest, while your busy flying this bird in?

(2)-The Shovel, defintly an invaluble tool, that fits a lightweight description. I dont know about using it as a beer opener. I have always used a ahrd plastic lighter bottom to "pop" off the cap using a my hand as a lever and the lighter as my tool.Or a regular tin can universal pocket opener.

(3) Since were talking carrying kitchen tables, beer, and all this luxury......I noticed this morning it was a chilly 30F here in SC, and -30F in the lower 48 Northern states. I am from Michigan, and admit that my blood has become thin. I hate jumping out of my warm bag, to dress with a damp chilly air and go start to break the camp down. (gotta start early when hiking and covering good ground).
Are there any lightweight battery operated engine preheaters/blankets? I would imagine you could bring a lightweight battery along. I have seen these camp stove modified preheaters, but I have plenty expereince with my MSR and they can be a pain in the ass to keep pressurized, etc

[TrevDog offline]

...Here is my 35lb pack that I would have with me in my plane: MSR Whisperlite multi-fuel stove, MSR sweetwater mirco water filtration pump,Nageline bottle's,Gregory pack, western mountainering 3-season down sleeping bag, a lightweight breathable fabric rain jacket, a two person, three season backpacking tent or bi-vy hammock....

Those MSR stoves you are talking about are cool they'll burn any type of fuel. I may take forever to cook anything because it burns so low. When I go backpacking I use a Coleman Powermax. It's like a jet engine at any elevation. I've used it at 8000ft. and sea level burns the same and it's just as light as that MSR. Also I don't know if you've used the sweat water water pump. I seems to fall apart with me and I am all ways trying to hold the hose in the bottle because it like to fall out. I would suggest the MSR MiniWorks EX, thats what I have and it's great. Very simple design and the best part it screws on to a nalgene bottle so you don't lose a drop of what you are pumping.

I also have a REI half-dome, two person, light, works great. You can't go wrong with a hammock light and super comfortable. Also "...lightweight breathable fabric rain jacket..." think Gore-Tex it's well worth the money. I have a very light one I got at cabela's.

I don't have a backcountry plane yet but I think I would take most of my backpacking gear up too, just for all the reasons you were saying.

Just my $0.02.

[gpope offline]

I spend a quite a bit of time thinking about this as I regularly fly over some pretty inhospitable terrain. Here's a few ideas that I use.

Full shoulder harnesses. Obvious maybe, but a lot of planes don't have 'em.

Natural fiber clothing. Synthetics will burn readily and then stick to your skin. Cotton, wool, etc. has some natural fire resistance. Good boots. A leather jacket is good for the same reason - fire resistant and pretty good protection against abrasions. Leather is still the best material for motorcycle gear.

Survival essentials in a vest that goes on top. Fire starting materials, signaling stuff, basic first aid. A GPS personal locator.

Bigger better survival gear in a small pack in the back seat. Extra clothing and shelter. The shovel idea is a good one.

Both my planes will be getting the new 406Mhz ELT's soon.

I've been thinking about a helmet for some time now. Haven't made the jump yet but the argument for one is strong. I think there are some out there that aren't too bulky.

[hotrod180 offline]

There was an article in the 120/140 Club newsletter years ago about a member's O-290D2 powered "mountain 140". Among other things, it suggested that we think of ouselves as flying packbackers when selecting gear to bring along-- good comparison.
Helmets: where do pilots usually get banged up in a crash? Seems like a face plant into the panel is the most likely scenario, shoulder harnesses or not. A helmet (motorcycle,bicycle,roller derby,or ?) on top of your head won't help with that, while a full face motorcycle helmet would. What do the serious off-airport guys ( & aerobatic dudes) who wear helmets choose? The ones I've seen are not full face. I remember from my high school dirt bike days (early 70's) that football face guards were popular additions for guys who couldn't afford the full face models.
( My old Bell 500 complete with face guard just might be in my mom's garage somewhere.......)

Eric

[TrevDog offline]

oh speaking of helmets here another topic about it:

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2983

[Scolopax offline]

I saw this little cot in a motorcycle gear catalog and thought it looked pretty cool. Looks like it might be a nice alternative to the roll-up inflatable sleeping pads, which aren't very comfortable, though they do insulate you from the ground nicely. Anyone ever used one of these cots? It's pretty spendy. Aerostitch has a lot of nice lightweight gear that my be useful for airplane camping.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Hig ... 18894.html

[Oregon180 offline]

Here's another option for camping cots that cost a lot less:

http://www.campingcot.com/

I've heard good things about these as well. A cot like that, a nice Big Agnes insulated pad and a comfy sleeping bag... I'd never want to go home!

[AKGrouch offline]

Here's another option for camping cots that cost a lot less:

http://www.campingcot.com/

I've heard good things about these as well. A cot like that, a nice Big Agnes insulated pad and a comfy sleeping bag... I'd never want to go home!

You're correct. I've been using go-kots for 20 years..,....still have the first one I ever bought with heavy steel tubing and single W shaped legs. Only thing to watch for is, when you go to roll out, you are already on the floor.....lol. Anyway, a go-kot with a good pad or good air mattress and a thin closed cell roll to keep the cold out and you will sleep like a baby. If you can't get a good night's sleep, the rest isn't worth it.

Oh, and never forget the plastic milk crates to carry all the stuff in....they stack up quite nicely in a bird.