Neat video, Choss. I'm impressed--if I was facing cloud cover like that, I'd be on the ground having a hot toddy instead. I suppose an IFR ticket is probably mandatory if you want to fly 12 months a year in Oregon. As for me, I'm not smart enough to know how to fly when I can't see the ground (it's like trying to count when I can't see my fingers). Thus, I have no choice but to live in a place where we get 300 days of sunshine a year (although a number of those days may be spent at -40).

Keep those videos coming!

Bridal Veil falls and Mt Index? Nice shots. Most beautiful country in the world, in my opinion.

Not really sure of the names. I know I was just west of Skykomish along highway 2 though. I agree - beautiful country!

Alex

RanchPilot wrote:Neat video, Choss. I'm impressed--if I was facing cloud cover like that, I'd be on the ground having a hot toddy instead. I suppose an IFR ticket is probably mandatory if you want to fly 12 months a year in Oregon. As for me, I'm not smart enough to know how to fly when I can't see the ground (it's like trying to count when I can't see my fingers). Thus, I have no choice but to live in a place where we get 300 days of sunshine a year (although a number of those days may be spent at -40).

Keep those videos coming!

Thanks! We actually wanted it to be worse on the coast so we could shoot the approach at minimums... the ceiling in Newport when we left was 200' but by the time we got there it was broken at 800'... ohhhh how I love Western Oregon! Great training ground though with lots of 'real' weather.

The hot toddy doesn't sound like a bad choice either though

Yesterday we(as in Rob, Stacy and I) ditched them big o' boobs on Robs plane and took the Red Rocket speedster to Half Moon bay for some "nature walks" along the waters edge and good food at the Brewery. Gave Rob a chance to partake in the drinking (Stacy went as well, but she always gets to partake!) as well since he wasn't flying! The pups had a great time as well! Then Rob got a great shot of me taking off from Rio....it was a strong 15+kts crosswind that was sporty!!

The girls (Tieton & Jess) having a really rough day!!

chosstronaut wrote:....since I don't really know any pilots I have no one to show my videos to ..........

Funny, about everyone I know is a pilot. Maybe you need to spend more time hanging at the airport.

RanchPilot wrote:

Here's a picture of the seam itself, which runs for miles and miles.

It would be pretty cool to see if you could find a landing on that ledge half way down the coal seem... Would make for a really visual landing...I wonder if it would be legal...who owns the land? How about landing in the bottom?

aktahoe1 wrote:
It would be pretty cool to see if you could find a landing on that ledge half way down the coal seem... Would make for a really visual landing...I wonder if it would be legal...who owns the land? How about landing in the bottom?

Believe me, the thought occurred to me. The mid ledge probably doesn't give enough wing clearance from the wall. I believe the bottom of the seam is wide enough to land in, but probably not by much. I had a passenger in the back seat, which helped to keep me from trying anything stupid.

I assume, but am not positive, that the land is BLM ground upon which Bridger has the federal coal lease. Theoretically, it shouldn't be any different than landing on any other patch of BLM ground out in the desert, although you would probably want to factor in the price of the helicopter rental to recover your airplane if you screwed up.

I also didn't fly deep enough into the seam to really check out how smooth the floor is. May have to do that the next time I pass by...

If nothing else, I could make my own private Star Wars movie.

RanchPilot wrote:

aktahoe1 wrote:
It would be pretty cool to see if you could find a landing on that ledge half way down the coal seem... Would make for a really visual landing...I wonder if it would be legal...who owns the land? How about landing in the bottom?

How about NOT. Look at the ledge nearest the plane in the last photo. Very roughly cut, then re-read the caption at the bottom. Something about if it looks rough? Unless you have tires the size of a Euclid surface mine truck, don't try it.

dirtstrip wrote:

RanchPilot wrote:

aktahoe1 wrote:
It would be pretty cool to see if you could find a landing on that ledge half way down the coal seem... Would make for a really visual landing...I wonder if it would be legal...who owns the land? How about landing in the bottom?

How about NOT. Look at the ledge nearest the plane in the last photo. Very roughly cut, then re-read the caption at the bottom. Something about if it looks rough? Unless you have tires the size of a Euclid surface mine truck, don't try it.

Easy Tiger....We can jump to conclusions on the actual roughness of the strip once we are 3-5 ft off the deck getting a better look. Yes, I stand by my slogan (if it looks rough etc)., however, you just never know until your down low and slow with a lot of passes. Even then you can be left wondering.

Personally, I would probably make it my mission to find a landing in there, but thats just me. Thats why I am fixing my airplane now... I enjoy the challenge or better yet, landing somewhere that leaves most scratching their head why, if I believe I can honestly do it safely. I am certainly not interested if I have any doubts at all. Sometimes those slow passes turn into days and then years before an attempt is made. Heck I places I still look at everyday and think one of these days...Sometimes the attempt may never be made but for me, just trying to piece the whole puzzle together is part of it.

Good luck

AKT

Ok so not too exciting but it was nice to get back into the swing of dodging CB's here In the Northeast!

hotrod150 wrote:

chosstronaut wrote:....since I don't really know any pilots I have no one to show my videos to ..........

Funny, about everyone I know is a pilot. Maybe you need to spend more time hanging at the airport.

I must be hanging out at the wrong airport then. That or I must not be the social butterfly my mom always thought I was

A friend was thinking of buying a Sky Raider Frontier kit so I took him Cauldwell, ID to look at them and see if he would fit in it. Turned out it was a bit cramped. On the way home we stopped at a great spot on Hwy 95 in Oregon. Dirt strip out back.


That is not a whitewall tire on the right main. Stip was bit muddy.

Really good home made pie.

Tim

Ranch Pilot, the video is great. Wounderful country and great flying pics.
Keep them coming , fly safe.

Ken

Thanks Ken. Really glad to know others are enjoying the ride with me.

So much beautiful country, so little time!

qmdv wrote:..That is not a whitewall tire on the right main. Stip was bit muddy..........

So it's still muddy even over on the dry side, eh? Maybe it's not just western WA that's got this "june-uary" weather going on.

hotrod150 wrote:

qmdv wrote:..That is not a whitewall tire on the right main. Stip was bit muddy..........

So it's still muddy even over on the dry side, eh? Maybe it's not just western WA that's got this "june-uary" weather going on.

Most of the strip is dry and hard. Just a few puddles from the last rain. Strip is no sweat even with my trike.

Tim

Got checked out in a 152 this week and it was my first flight in one. Not an airplane I would buy but it was fun. Also racked up my 94th hour.

100hr is a mile stone, right on.

G'Day

Flew to Douglas, WY for a funeral yesterday, then back home early this morning. Got a free plane wash on the way there.







Glad for the rain. A lot of Wyoming looks like this right now:



Landed at the Backcountry Super Cubs factory in Douglas.


Coming back this morning, haze from a fire on Laramie Peak combined with fog on the North Platte made for some otherworldly photos.







Flew past Oregon Buttes on the way home and some pretty rock formations.








More photos, if anyone is interested: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... b5dccc4e1c

I know that Strip well Darin, but it had no grass on it yet when I was there. You seen/heard from Shawn at all? Hasn't replied to a few emails.