I got my Datum wheel skis re-rigged to my new landing gear (by John Roberts, an aftermarket thingie for the Rans S-7). What I thought would be a minor thing turned into a major thing, going to a neighbors Christmas party did not help, in fact it took a day longer because of all that holiday "cheer". Anyway, the skis are now integrated with the new gear and all is well, though making the first ski landing of the season is a tad spooky, it's hard to believe that landing in snow of any depth is OK...... especially with the hockey puck sized (compared to the 29" Airstreaks I usually run) 6:00 tires (required with the wheel skis, no problem as they help make up for the ski weights), once the newness wore off I had a great time and made about a dozen mountainside landings. We need more snow though, I had grass stuck in the ski linkage, it's due any day, and when it comes I'm ready!

Nothing special but sure is a heck of a lot of fun.

Went out on a mission yesterday with the idea of not flying more than 5 miles without finding a new spot to land. Ended up about 45 miles north by Susanville. Made a whole bunch of landings and found some really cool spots. Here are a couple. The lake beds are in superb shape with the cold temps. Guessing this one spot had about 5000 or so Sandhill Cranes. Even finished the day with a good cold boner...

Sweet! More spots for the north curcuit!

Piperpainter flew into Rio Vista today where he will keep his plane for now. I met him at the airport and ran him up to Lincoln in the 170 where his mom picked him up. We were going 80mph ground speed on the way there. The wind was fun on the way back, I took off out of lincoln and left the ground before the end of the numbers and climbed to 1400ft by the end of the runway! I turned crosswind to down wind and accelerated up to 135mph ground speed and went back to Rio Vista.

Bryan on final for 33 at Rio Vista


On the way back I made a landing at a new spot I've been eyeballing for a while

S-12Flyer wrote:Nothing special but sure is a heck of a lot of fun.

Yep that looks like fun... we ride motorcycles out there and have only been chased by powered parachutes so far.

Was that wingman Rhoades???

$100 burger

SixTwoLeemer wrote:

S-12Flyer wrote:Nothing special but sure is a heck of a lot of fun.

Yep that looks like fun... we ride motorcycles out there and have only been chased by powered parachutes so far.

Was that wingman Rhoades???

John and I were on our way back from Mineral canyon and White Sand dunes and took the low road home.
We pretty much try to stay clear of bikers, hunters, riders.. etc. Sure is fun hugging the deck for 30 or 40 miles.
Can't help it, I flew ultralights for a lot of years. Still in the blood.

Annual destruction done, new windshield installed (finally), installed windshield V- brace, pags-pajn-pags Special VFR in and out with no delays...life good.

Gb

gbflyer wrote:Annual destruction done, new windshield installed (finally), installed windshield V- brace, pags-pajn-pags Special VFR in and out with no delays...life good.

Gb

What plane?

robw56 wrote:

gbflyer wrote:Annual destruction done, new windshield installed (finally), installed windshield V- brace, pags-pajn-pags Special VFR in and out with no delays...life good.

Gb

What plane?

C206 Family Dump Truck

gb
Love the "bear" and "snake" pics in your gallery, would love to read the story behind each one.....looks interesting for sure

Flew out to Nehalem Bay yesterday, just beating the fog on the way back. Calm at the surface but reading 28mph tailwind on the way back.

Took a couple buddies out today and found ourselves way up high...



Landed high and low here. Parked down low in this one

Bighorn wrote:gb
Love the "bear" and "snake" pics in your gallery, would love to read the story behind each one.....looks interesting for sure

Neither of them mine, thankfully.

Bear was taken by a guy up in Kenai walking his dog when "attacked" a couple of years ago. The snake was a special picture for DonC our resident ophiophilist.

gb

GroundLooper wrote:

Stayed at the base of Neahkahnie Mountain in the background there at what is locally called Pill Hill for a couple of months in the winter of '04 I think it was. Walked the dog on that beach and around Manzanita International Airport many times. Only time I've ever seen elk in the surf.

Really cool place, thanks for sharing your pic.

gb

Another perfect day for flying in western Colorado.

Troutdale to Madras to check the 2nd home. Over to Chukar for a dirt and gun fix. Back to Hood River to Scotts and finally back to Troutdale. Not bad for the shortest day of the year.

Scott departing.


45/70




Chukar


202MPH


Hood River 3:30PM




Cheers...Rob

Very nice!

Dropped in on a customer on Wednesday