Backcountry Pilot • The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Did you fly somewhere cool, take photos, and feel like telling the tale to make us drool from the confines of our offices? Post them up!
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Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:18 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Went out and killed some bugs last night.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:01 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

CFOT wrote:Later that afternoon I was over by the fuel pumps wiping bugs off the Champ, and waiting for a friend to show up who I'd promised to take flying, when some nice people in a minivan pulled in and started asking if anyone had a 182 they could take a look at. When I asked why they wanted to look at a 182 the lady who was driving explained that her husband was getting older, and it was difficult for him to get in and out of their current plane. She was hoping to find one and see if he could get into it without too much trouble.

They seemed like nice enough people, so I offered to take them over to the hanger and let them check out the 182. As I climbed in the van with them Victoria introduced herself and her much older husband Chuck...

We hoisted Chuck into the front seat without too much trouble and Victoria asked me questions about the various characteristics of the 182. She flies a Husky now and was interested in what the transition would be like to the 182. Chuck didn't say a whole lot, but his eyes sure lit up around the airplane. He had those sharp, steely eyes that reminded me of my fighter pilot grandfather. Victoria asked if I would take them up but I declined and explained that I was heading back out in the Champ shortly. So they took me back out to the ramp and we said our good bye's and they told me to keep in touch.

As they were leaving, Victoria leaned over and whispered to me "You know my husband is Chuck Yaeger right?" :shock:


Was this at the Lincoln Airport? I think the General lives over in Grass Valley. Here is a couple of pictures from 4 years ago (at age 89), did he age that much that you didn't recognize him?

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Photos USA Today
Last edited by deckofficer on Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:23 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

deckofficer wrote: Was this at the Lincoln Airport? I think the General lives over in Grass Valley. Here is a couple of pictures from 4 years ago (at age 89), did he age that much that you didn't recognize him?

Yes, Lincoln. I recognized him right away when she said his name...but before that it was just so unexpected that it never occurred to me.

Great pics. He has aged a bit more, but that is pretty much what he looks like now. He had that same look in his eyes as the top picture. Should have been a dead give away.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:29 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

I agree with Crzyivan13, offer your friend a rain check on a ride in the Champ so that you could take General Chuck Yeager up in the 182.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:35 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

deckofficer wrote:I agree with Crzyivan13, offer your friend a rain check on a ride in the Champ so that you could take General Chuck Yeager up in the 182.

Yep I agree, and my friend said the same thing! Fact is I was speechless and still trying to process it as they drove off.
Last edited by CFOT on Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:43 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

CFOT wrote:
deckofficer wrote:I agree with Crzyivan13, offer your friend a rain check on a ride in the Champ so that you could take General Chuck Yeager up in the 182.

Yep I agree, and my friend said the same thing! Fact is I was speechless and still to process it as they drove off.


Well, you exchanged contact information, offer a ride at a later date. Flying with the first pilot to break the sound barrier is something that shouldn't be missed.
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Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:58 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Just sent them an e-mail.
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Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:50 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Came across this old plane crash while cruising around last week. Made me think of Bigrenna's "Death Flies Faster" t-shirts.
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Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:07 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

A large thunderstorm parked itself over the airport yesterday evening about the time I arrived. I decided to wait it out knowing it would be some beautiful flying if it dissipated before sunset. It was well worth the wait, watched a great show with lightning all around, winds gusting from every direction, and intense rainfall that backed up four inches deep on the ramp at one point. The drains were not able to keep up. Had about 45 minutes of flying time after it passed, so I made the most of it. I was welcomed into the air by a rainbow forming up over the ranch as I took off.
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Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:51 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

CFOT wrote:Came across this old plane crash while cruising around last week. ....


What kind of airplane is that?
Surprised to see it, unless it's deep into the wilderness it seems that (in the US anyways) airplane wreckage is usually policed up. And even then, the tree-huggers don't want the wreckage disturbing the spotted owls and such so it's often policed up there also.
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Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:14 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

I couldn't identify the type from the air, but it was obvious it had been there for years. When I asked around I was told it is a Bonanza that crashed back in the 70's. I have come across a couple others over the years. Probably wasn't a big deal to just leave it there back then.

I wanted to get a better picture, but I was getting beat up on the downwind side of that ridge and didn't want to join him....next time.
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Sun May 01, 2016 9:14 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

I'm in Bandon Oregon on a perfect day without an airplane... Can somebody bring me one...please? [-o<
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Tue May 17, 2016 6:59 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

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Wed May 18, 2016 12:32 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Awesome photo. Where is it taken?

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Wed May 18, 2016 12:42 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Looks like the Castle Crags in Northern California near Dunsmuir.
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Thu May 19, 2016 8:57 am

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Yep, Castle Crags. Offers some pretty spectacular hiking and climbing. Also some great fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. Here is another shot I took of it over the winter:
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Trinity Alps in the background.
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Fri May 27, 2016 1:12 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Update over the last few weeks:
Made some nice evening flights with Pokey Joe;
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Played at one of the ag strips;
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Flew this nice 120;
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Pokey Joe had his own windows;
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Fri May 27, 2016 1:18 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Nice shot my uncle took from his office the other day:
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Fri May 27, 2016 2:03 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

Looks like Valley Air Service. Who's your uncle? Mike
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Fri May 27, 2016 2:37 pm

Re: The Adventures of CFOT and Pokey Joe

RoughAir wrote:Looks like Valley Air Service. Who's your uncle? Mike

This guy:
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