Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:32 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
is there a link to 'current or live' google maps (like for Fossett) that the rest of us can search from for that area?
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...remember, life is uncertain, eat desert first!
... and, those that pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.
... and, those that pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.
Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:14 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Where ere current or live Goosle earth found ?
If I look at my place, there is water instead of ice on the lake, last summer.
If I went down out there, I would want his help,
A prayer for him won't hurt, He seems to be the guy who could make the best of it. Good Luck Sparky.
If I look at my place, there is water instead of ice on the lake, last summer.
If I went down out there, I would want his help,
A prayer for him won't hurt, He seems to be the guy who could make the best of it. Good Luck Sparky.
Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:29 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
As Bill says, assistance in the search is a great idea. I would suggest, however, that if you are going to assist in the search effort, you get in touch with Montana Aeronautics for suggestions, and to let them know you're in the area. They are great folks to work with, and are NOTHING like the CAP in these deals. If you are part of the "official" effort, they generally pay for your fuel as well.
Great idea to get involved, but please be careful out there--lots of airplanes in a relatively confined part of the world can be dangerous as well. Your assistance I'm sure will be welcomed.
Coordinate and communicate, and fly safe.
MTV
Great idea to get involved, but please be careful out there--lots of airplanes in a relatively confined part of the world can be dangerous as well. Your assistance I'm sure will be welcomed.
Coordinate and communicate, and fly safe.
MTV
Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:21 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
mtv wrote:As Bill says, assistance in the search is a great idea. I would suggest, however, that if you are going to assist in the search effort, you get in touch with Montana Aeronautics for suggestions, and to let them know you're in the area. They are great folks to work with, and are NOTHING like the CAP in these deals. If you are part of the "official" effort, they generally pay for your fuel as well.
Great idea to get involved, but please be careful out there--lots of airplanes in a relatively confined part of the world can be dangerous as well. Your assistance I'm sure will be welcomed.
Coordinate and communicate, and fly safe.
MTV
I've been trying to contact Jeanne from the Montana Aeronautics -she's the search coordinator . Her phone call to me just 15min. ago indicated they had a confirmed sighting either late yesterday or overnight -possible wreckage .Understand there are 2 helicopters and one fixed wing there now. I've heard from about 8 airplane owner/pilots who are ready to launch within min. to assist in finding Sparky and his plane. To all of you "Thank You" -at present we are on mission hold -further details when it breaks .
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:28 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
I am up for being a spotter! I have a headset, great set of Nikon binoculars and am willing to go now. I also have a Cessna 150 if any skinny CFI's want to go with me (I'm 240, Payload 491). I haven't done my checkride or I would be on my way now. I am in Provo, Utah PVU and can be ready in an hour if someone wants to pick me up on the way. Jerry 801 358-3419 or [email protected]
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:40 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
The weather that day was not that bad but the country he was flying over is pretty rough with deep canyons and very little habitation. Hope he is OK I'll go out this after noon to look for him./
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:21 am
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Early this morning I talked to Jim Greil at Montana Aeronautics. He said that they have 3 federal aircraft they will be using today including a Huey and Black Hawk helicopter as well as 6 to 8 other fixed wing aircraft. They also have about 40 other people (many of which with airplanes) that have volunteered. He said that as of right now they have more people than they can safely utilize but that they are keeping a list of names and phone numbers of others that would like to volunteer. They are most interested in volunteers that are already very familiar with the local area. Pilots that already know the names of the local landmarks and drainages get moved to the top of the volunteer list. If you are interested in helping, the department of Aeronautics requests that you contact them at 406-444-2506 so that you can be integrated into the existing search efforts. If too many people start showing up an wandering around the sky it can disrupt the search patterns and hinder their efforts. If that happens they would be forced to issue a NOTAM or TFR to limit the disruptions.
Jeanne MacPherson is the Montana Department of Aeronautics search coordinator and is also a personal friend of Sparky's. Sparky speaks very highly of her. You can rest assured she is doing everything possible to find Sparky.
I also talked to Gary McDonald who is a pilot on the ground there. He is one of Sparky's closest friends and they have had many flying adventures together. He reports that Jeanne and the Department of Aeronautics are doing a fantastic job.
It is interesting that the location where a "rancher described seeing a white plane with blue striping disappear in Beaver Creek on Tuesday afternoon" is the same area where Sparky and JC had their accident in 2007.
Jeanne MacPherson is the Montana Department of Aeronautics search coordinator and is also a personal friend of Sparky's. Sparky speaks very highly of her. You can rest assured she is doing everything possible to find Sparky.
I also talked to Gary McDonald who is a pilot on the ground there. He is one of Sparky's closest friends and they have had many flying adventures together. He reports that Jeanne and the Department of Aeronautics are doing a fantastic job.
It is interesting that the location where a "rancher described seeing a white plane with blue striping disappear in Beaver Creek on Tuesday afternoon" is the same area where Sparky and JC had their accident in 2007.
Last edited by Prepared Pilot on Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:49 am
Re: Sad News
Just received email from a friend of the family. Confirmed dead. Hoping against hope...
Damn!
Damn!
Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:38 pm
Re: Sad News
CRitter wrote:Just received email from a friend of the family. Confirmed dead. Hoping against hope...
Damn!
That's not the news I wanted to hear. Deepest condolences to Sparky's family.
I met him a few years back at our '06 fly-in at JC. He was a cool dude and I enjoyed talking with him, however brief.
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:45 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
This is so sad ,
He's one of those rare guys, you see His face
and hear a story, and you'd fly a thousand miles to be
around a campfire with him.
fair Winds Sparky
He's one of those rare guys, you see His face
and hear a story, and you'd fly a thousand miles to be
around a campfire with him.
fair Winds Sparky
Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:22 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
A kind man with a generous nature; an exceptional pilot and teacher; a man with a soft spot for bad puns and a silly joke. He was exceedingly patient and helpful to an aspiring writer with a passion for aviation and a habit of putting her semi-colon's in the wrong places and mis-using hyphens.
Blue Skies always for you Sparky Imeson; the world was a better place with you here ~ but the wild blue is now all yours and I personally won't look up at it again without having a thought of you .....
Blue Skies always for you Sparky Imeson; the world was a better place with you here ~ but the wild blue is now all yours and I personally won't look up at it again without having a thought of you .....
Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:43 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Flywriter wrote:A kind man with a generous nature; an exceptional pilot and teacher; a man with a soft spot for bad puns and a silly joke. He was exceedingly patient and helpful to an aspiring writer with a passion for aviation and a habit of putting her semi-colon's in the wrong places and mis-using hyphens.
Blue Skies always for you Sparky Imeson; the world was a better place with you here ~ but the wild blue is now all yours and I personally won't look up at it again without having a thought of you .....
Well said....
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:46 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Apparently he is no longer missing.....see this site for what news there is on his fatality.....
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/0 ... _plane.txt
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/0 ... _plane.txt
1966 C182J
1960 C172 TD
1960 C172 TD
Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:12 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
That is sad. I wonder if effects from the previous hypoxia had any relationship to this?
While on vacation and as an almost virgin new pilot, Sparky rented me a Cessna 150 (or 152?) in Jackson Hole in 1972. I ask him how come they don't teach spins any more. On my check-out ride we did a couple, my first. pg
While on vacation and as an almost virgin new pilot, Sparky rented me a Cessna 150 (or 152?) in Jackson Hole in 1972. I ask him how come they don't teach spins any more. On my check-out ride we did a couple, my first. pg
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...remember, life is uncertain, eat desert first!
... and, those that pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.
... and, those that pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.
Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:40 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
I never knew the man....
.....never met him. But his name was familiar for years. I read his books and obsorbed all that was offered. He was an inspirition to me and thousands of others. His writings and experience made me a safer pilot. Today ....my life is deminished by the loss of his. Somehow flying in the mountians will never again be the same for me.
We are all mortal...our airplanes subject to failure. God bless his family. Everyone be careful out there!
Bob
.....never met him. But his name was familiar for years. I read his books and obsorbed all that was offered. He was an inspirition to me and thousands of others. His writings and experience made me a safer pilot. Today ....my life is deminished by the loss of his. Somehow flying in the mountians will never again be the same for me.
We are all mortal...our airplanes subject to failure. God bless his family. Everyone be careful out there!
Bob
Living the Dream
Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:13 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
I'm brand new around here, but can express my deepest condolences to his family. Obviously a guy that loved the same things about flight that I love, that has a way of touching everyone.
Blue skies, tailwinds, and beautiful mountain passes to you Sparky.....
Blue skies, tailwinds, and beautiful mountain passes to you Sparky.....
Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:18 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Damn!
My sincere condolences to Sparky's family and close friends.
I've read everything he has published about mountain flying and
he surely has made me and others safer pilots.
His was a life not wasted as he shared his knowledge and wit with so many
pilots and friends.
The aviation community has lost a true friend.
Chuck
My sincere condolences to Sparky's family and close friends.
I've read everything he has published about mountain flying and
he surely has made me and others safer pilots.
His was a life not wasted as he shared his knowledge and wit with so many
pilots and friends.
The aviation community has lost a true friend.
Chuck
Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:15 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
His book was directly responsible for one of the best flights I ever took when I was a relatively new pilot, probably almost 20 years ago, and I never got around to telling him that story. I finally met him at a seminar a couple of years ago and even got his autograph in the new edition of his book. We exchanged emails several times, and I came within a hair's breadth of flying with him from Jackson to Salida once. I was hoping to visit this summer. I am really bummed.
Someone on another forum suggested setting up a fund for his wife. Any ideas here?
CAVU forever, Sparky.
Judy
Someone on another forum suggested setting up a fund for his wife. Any ideas here?
CAVU forever, Sparky.
Judy
Judy Parrish
Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:39 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
judypilot wrote:His book was directly responsible for one of the best flights I ever took when I was a relatively new pilot, probably almost 20 years ago, and I never got around to telling him that story. I finally met him at a seminar a couple of years ago and even got his autograph in the new edition of his book. We exchanged emails several times, and I came within a hair's breadth of flying with him from Jackson to Salida once. I was hoping to visit this summer. I am really bummed.
Someone on another forum suggested setting up a fund for his wife. Any ideas here?
CAVU forever, Sparky.
Judy
Judy -I'll be responding in a few days when the shock wears down. Sparky left his wife and Mother with almost everything they'll ever need . I'm checking on a Memorial service and let everyone know asap. I talked to them last evening and they were expecting this outcome. Only wish I was there a week ago to see him one last time. Great friend and aviator teacher .
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:00 pm
Re: Looks Like Sparky is Missing
Never had the priviledge of meeting him in person. But what a nice man. He personally e-mailed me back and forth several times re questions about t/o and landings when the manual was absent any decent data. Full of knowledge and very willing to freely share. Have found his books extremely helpful. What a sad day and huge loss for all of us.
Steve
Steve
Fly Safe
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