So here's the first video of most likely 3 from my first trip flying into the backcountry of Idaho in a C182/P. This one is leaving Smiley Creek for Moose Creek. Some great scenery and some fun around the clouds! Videos 2 and 3 are in the works.

Enjoy!



[Edit Sep 23, 16:30 MDT]

VIDEO #2 IS NOW LIVE!

Hiking down from the Moose Creek airstrip (1U1) to the Selway River and Moose Creek junction for some fishing and fetch with my dog Maverick. Take off from Upper Loon Creek (U72), Landing Johnson Creek (3U2), Landing and Take off Big Creek (U60), Take off Johnson CreeK (3U2), Heading home with some beautiful clouds.

(the flight footage starts @2:52 fyi)

Enjoy!

really cool video, wel done. what are you using for camera mounts on the wing and stab?

scottf wrote:really cool video, wel done. what are you using for camera mounts on the wing and stab?

I'm using the 3M adhesive mount that comes with the GoPro's. I place both of the mounts as close to the internal spars (where the riveting is) to minimize the "jello" effect.

I was going to send a PM. But it said I wasn't authorized to do so.

But anyway. Great video and footage! I like the video locations, but I would edit out the N# if your going to play around clouds. You never know who's lurking here.

I know I would never play around clouds myself

Looking forward to your other videos.

scud running the Idaho back country..... good luck with that....

58Skylane wrote:I was going to send a PM. But it said I wasn't authorized to do so.

But anyway. Great video and footage! I like the video locations, but I would edit out the N# if your going to play around clouds. You never know who's lurking here.

I know I would never play around clouds myself

Looking forward to your other videos.

No worries on the clouds.... Class G airspace is a wonderful thing below 1200 AGL

wasn't talking about the legality of it... glad you got away with it ...... this time....

Cool video, looks like y'all had fun

Awesome video!

leloup, I thought it was a great video and great flight. I did feel concerned about the scud running also, but isn't that the way Alaskans fly?? Enjoy, just be careful!

Eduardo

PatínLoco wrote:leloup, I thought it was a great video and great flight. I did feel concerned about the scud running also, but isn't that the way Alaskans fly?? Enjoy, just be careful!

Eduardo

Thanks!

While I understand and appreciate everyones concern about the "scud running", I would like to give a little more detail on the flight.

The cloud layer above me in the canyon was only about 30-50 feet thick, winds were dead calm. I always had the option of going up into the clear if I needed it at any time. I had terrain awareness on the Garmin 430 as well as my iPad. My route into Moose Creek was very carefully planned, to ensure no surprise walls of mountain and the terrain was descending (heading down river). I had also talked to a pilot who had just left (35 minutes prior) the area using the same route I used to come in. I had the most up to date information possible. I knew all of my ways out at any given point as well as the confidence and ability to execute a tight canyon turn if needed. I even did a simulated run down that canyon on google earth the night before

Again I understand and appreciate everyones concern. This flight was extensively planned. And besides how can you grow your skills and knowledge with out the experience?

And besides how can you grow your skills and knowledge with out the experience?

I have often wondered about this too.

Cool video. Thanks for sharing.


P.S. My view on experience is summed up by my signature line. By that standard, I've had more experience than I care to admit in some areas!

leloup6989 wrote:And besides how can you grow your skills and knowledge with out the experience?

How about getting some dual from a knowledgeable local instructor skilled in flying those canyons? You can fly the canyons together in good weather and learn the gotchas. If nothing else, dual will help you work out just how low and tight you can turn around, and how to do it.

It sounds like you had good info on what the clouds were doing and things obviously worked out. Many times, the ceiling over a canyon descends along with the river. Then, you can get squeezed down to the point where a 180 is no longer possible. You might come around a corner and find white all of the way down to the water. A rain dog in the wrong place can mess you up in a tight turn. The canyon behind may have closed down. There might be wires, a cable crossing or a pack bridge that rule out that last 100' above the water. BTDT on several of these, and I'm not proud of it. Punching up out of a canyon relying on terrain awareness isn't the same as shooting an approach and going missed. Say you turn up Moose Creek and there's nothing but yellow and red ahead. How do you know which red is the lowest? What if the gps loses a couple of satellites and is slow in updating your position and direction? It's pretty disconcerting seeing the HSI on my gps spin when when I'm looking out the window and I know I'm not in a turn.

Ordinarily, I'd keep my mouth shut and figure everyone has their own minimums and judgment. There are things I see on BCP that strike me as absolutely nuts, but the fact that some folks have a higher tolerance for risk is none of my business, as long as they don't splat me or innocents and don't bring on more regulations. But you did say this was your first trip, so there's a chance that your tolerance for risk is closer to my own, which I think is pretty normal. So I'm offering this in the hope that it may be helpful. There are some great instructors up there, and flying with them is a blast.

My $.02. And I did enjoy the scenery.

CAVU

CAVU wrote:

leloup6989 wrote:And besides how can you grow your skills and knowledge with out the experience?

How about getting some dual from a knowledgeable local instructor skilled in flying those canyons? You can fly the canyons together in good weather and learn the gotchas. If nothing else, dual will help you work out just how low and tight you can turn around, and how to do it.

It sounds like you had good info on what the clouds were doing and things obviously worked out. Many times, the ceiling over a canyon descends along with the river. Then, you can get squeezed down to the point where a 180 is no longer possible. You might come around a corner and find white all of the way down to the water. A rain dog in the wrong place can mess you up in a tight turn. The canyon behind may have closed down. There might be wires, a cable crossing or a pack bridge that rule out that last 100' above the water. BTDT on several of these, and I'm not proud of it. Punching up out of a canyon relying on terrain awareness isn't the same as shooting an approach and going missed. Say you turn up Moose Creek and there's nothing but yellow and red ahead. How do you know which red is the lowest? What if the gps loses a couple of satellites and is slow in updating your position and direction? It's pretty disconcerting seeing the HSI on my gps spin when when I'm looking out the window and I know I'm not in a turn.

Ordinarily, I'd keep my mouth shut and figure everyone has their own minimums and judgment. There are things I see on BCP that strike me as absolutely nuts, but the fact that some folks have a higher tolerance for risk is none of my business, as long as they don't splat me or innocents and don't bring on more regulations. But you did say this was your first trip, so there's a chance that your tolerance for risk is closer to my own, which I think is pretty normal. So I'm offering this in the hope that it may be helpful. There are some great instructors up there, and flying with them is a blast.

My $.02. And I did enjoy the scenery.

CAVU

X2, CAVU is giving very sound and sincere council. Besides, learning from someone with local knowledge and who knows location reporting procedures and lingo goes a long way and is just a smart thing to do. You may be surprised at how much there is to learn about that type of flying and how to minimize risk while doing it; I know I was. After all isn't that one of the main reasons we enjoy participating in this forum? There is a lot to be gained by sharing information.

Please forgive me for this observation but it is an important one - also think about the other traffic (us) in those canyons. We normally stay on the right side to minimize traffic conflicts and to have more room for a 180 if needed. Other safety concerns such as visibility, winds, downdrafts, etc may override that practice just as in other situations, however.

Please keep making and posting your video's - they are really good!

Blackrock

X3. Good words of wisdom. I'd also add that the up option is a great one...until the fan stops. Any deadstick landing in that environment is going to be challenging. Low altitude with reduced ability (G also requires 1 SM) to see options just adds unneeded complications.

That being said, the vid was an enjoyable watch. Hope to see more from you!

[Deleted]

Thanks for the words of wisdom everyone! I do appreciate it! (Well noted now on staying to the right of the canyon, thanks.)

VIDEO #2 IS NOW LIVE!

Hiking down from the Moose Creek airstrip (1U1) to the Selway River and Moose Creek junction for some fishing and fetch with my dog Maverick. Take off from Upper Loon Creek (U72), Landing Johnson Creek (3U2), Landing and Take off Big Creek (U60), Take off Johnson CreeK (3U2), Heading home with some beautiful clouds.

(the flight footage starts @2:52 fyi)

Enjoy!