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| "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo Da Vinci |
| New airstrip coming to the Lewis and Clark National Forest |
Four years spent cooperating with the U.S. Forest Service, planning, building trust and credibility has resulted in a new site for a recreational airstrip in the beautiful Russian Flat of central Montana, a short walk from the south fork of the Judith River where anglers enjoy catch-and-release fishing.
Dan Prill of Sand Coulee took the lead for the non-profit Recreational Aviation Foundation throughout the comprehensive planning process, which included the requisite public comment input, an EIS and public appeals period. The Forest Service, responding to the wide-ranging concerns of the public, has authorized the establishment of the airstrip at Russian Flat in their Record of Decision.
The site, located near the east end of the Little Belt Mountains, 38 nautical miles on the 202 degree radial from the LWT VOR, was selected by the Forest Service because it met environmental, wildlife and aesthetic criteria with minimum disturbance to the landscape.
It is ideal for recreational purposes, because it is adjacent to an established campground with picnic tables, a vault toilet and an existing unpaved road. |
Photo courtesy Dan Prill—Flying southeast towards Russian Flat. The
approximate location for the airstrip is shown in dark brown and the
blue line is the proposed taxiway to the existing campground. Pig Eye
Rd. is this side of the proposed taxiway and following it east leads to Utica.
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The plan is to construct a 4,000-foot long grass airstrip, plus a 1000-foot taxiway to the existing campground in the 6,300-foot elevation meadow located at: Latitude 46 43.3 'N; Longitude 110 24.3' W.
Prill commented, “This decision is significant because until this location was selected at Russian Flat, there were no public airstrips on Forest Service lands east of the Rocky Mountain Front.”
The RAF approved an $8,000 grant to be awarded to the Montana Pilots' Association Recreational Airstrip Committee for grounds preparation and rolling of the landing surface. To allow for adequate revegetation, it is anticipated that the public will not be allowed to use the airstrip for landing and takeoffs until fall 2009. |
posted 04/11/08 |
| Post-crash care |
A small plane crashes in a remote area, with no hope of rescue for several days. The survivors know basic survival techniques but have only rudimentary first-aid skills. How does the pilot-in-command sort, assess and treat injuries when the first-aid kit just went up in smoke? What kind of leadership qualities will that person need? What ethical dilemmas will the leader likely face during the ordeal? A pilot who crashes in a remote area must be prepared to provide pre-hospital care without support from or contact with a physician.
There are many books and training programs about survival after a small-plane crash landing ... how to find water, how to prepare a shelter, build a fire or signal for rescue. But one aspect of survival frequently overlooked is first aid in a remote and hostile environment. This type of first aid involves assessing and treating injuries to you and your passengers -- possibly for an extended period -- while awaiting rescue. While this article alone won't accomplish that goal, it will at least demonstrate the need for training and provide some ideas on how pilots can prepare and equip themselves.
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posted 03/11/08 |
Deal means Alaska-made planes could take to the skies
'NO-BRAINER': United companies are to build a Super Cub spinoff, the Super 18 |
A pair of Southcentral Alaska businesses with ties to small aircraft are coming together to manufacture airplanes for use in rural parts of the state.
Northern Airframes LLC plans to manufacture a Federal Aviation Administration-certified aircraft it will call the Super 18. Production is expected to begin later this year. The Super 18 is based on the Piper Super Cub.
The company was created when Anchorage-based Northern Piper Aircraft Inc. purchased Airframes Inc. of Big Lake. The combined business will be located in Birchwood Airport in Chugiak.
"The combination of these two businesses -- one that refinishes and rebuilds with another that has 10 years experience manufacturing aftermarket parts for the Piper PA-18 Super Cub -- is a no-brainer," said Richard Roberts, general manager and one of the owners.
Roberts bought Airframes Inc. from Lee Budde for an undisclosed amount. Airframes' four employees and its equipment will move from the Big Lake area.
The purchase and expansion was made possible by a silent investor. Roberts had previously looked for investors after meeting with the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Alaska InvestNET and the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.
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posted 01/21/08 |
Tailwheel airplanes qualify for hefty load |
The race is on to see which tailwheel aircraft can carry the most. CubCrafters in Yakima, Wash., has received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for a modification that will increase the weight of any PA-18 Super Cub series of aircraft to 2,300 pounds. And Aviat Aircraft in Afton, Wyo., has rolled out its Husky A-1C, which features a 200-pound useful load increase to 2,200 pounds.
Previously the Super Cub was limited to 1,500 pounds or 1,750 pounds maximum gross weight, depending on the certification limitations. (An existing STC allows modification for a 2,000-pound gross weight.) When modified, the new STC allows for a useful load of 1,100 pounds, or 800 pounds on Super Cubs equipped with Wipline 2100 amphibious floats.
The Husky useful load upgrade applies to those models with the 180- and 200-horsepower engines. The upgrade was accomplished by beefing up the two main and tailwheel gear components.
AOPAePilot 12/7
posted 12/07/07 |
RAF continues efforts to create and enhance recreational destinations
News Release |
The non-profit Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), headquartered in Bozeman with national membership, has had a very productive year. The totally-volunteer group was integral to the completion of the beautiful and full-service pilot camping facility at the Bozeman airport (BZN). RAF President John McKenna commented, “It couldn’t have happened without a lot of cooperation between the RAF and the Bozeman Airport Authority, but it took the RAF with its mission to expand recreational opportunities to get it done.”
Columbus also boasts of an attractive, comfortable pilot shelter, done by RAF supporters led by Alan Drain of Columbus.
Near West Glacier, a small group of area RAF volunteers is turning a lot of sweat, many picnic lunches and some chain saw gas into a rustic pilot shelter in the beautiful setting at Ryan Field. Completion of this facility is expected in the spring. Marv Hessler, RAF supporter from Great Falls, donated a 1992 Grand Voyager van for a courtesy car and Mr. Hessler donated architectural services for the concrete foundation. By 2009 the RAF expects to open Ryan Field to public use pending the resolution of a safety issue on adjoining Forest Service property.
RAF support was instrumental in securing approval for the Russian Flats airstrip on the Lewis & Clark National Forest travel plan. “There is much more to be done there,” stated McKenna, “but with approval, we look forward to cooperating with the appropriate folks to make it a feasible recreational destination.”
An essential project that was completed was the 49-page “Recreational Airstrips on Public Lands”, a comprehensive reference guide for land managers. Montana Director Chuck Jarecki researched the history, issues and solutions and included examples, photos and precedent-setting agreements that will be a valuable aid in future decisions regarding the feasibility of recreational airstrips.
Part of the necessary research in producing this Guide was provided by the Wolf Aviation Fund grant, which enabled the RAF to contract with legal aide Burt Hurwitz of Missoula. His task was to research the recreational-use statues in 12 western states. The primary outcome of this comprehensive research was the drafting and eventual passage of Montana Senate Bill 318, during the 2007 session, clarifying the limits of the liability of private land owners with airstrips on their property. This landmark statute, favorable to land owners, should provide important precedent to the remaining states with no aviation use in their current recreational use statues.
RAF is working with the folks in New Mexico and Maine on recreational aviation projects in their respective states.
If you are concerned about the increasing pressures that reduce recreational aviation opportunities around the country, we encourage your membership in this dynamic non-profit organization. See www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org for details and contact information. |
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posted 11/1/07 |
A cowboy & his Husky |
With sometimes hundreds of thousands of acres to oversee, the horse gives way to the airplane.
His coffee cup in hand, Beau Bradley gazes through luminescent Montana morning mist toward an old log building, an adz-hewn shelter built by the homesteaders who settled this ranchland. It was 1867 when work started on that cabin.
"Such a lovely place," he says. "This ranch is my dream. But if it didn't make economic sense, I wouldn't be here. It has to pencil out. This isn't a hobby."
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posted 10/20/07 |
| Idaho recreational airport - no longer public use by court order |
By Court order, the Lava Hot Springs Airport will no longer be designated as a "public use" airport by the FAA. You might find the history interesting:
In 1991, Bannock County Planning Department granted a conditional use permit for a *public use* commercial airport at Lava Hot Springs. The runway was finished in 1993, and since that time the airport has been freely used by local residents and visitors who vacation in Lava. In
1995, the County approved plans for a Planned Unit Development at the same site -- the Lava Hot Springs Airpark. The project included the existing Lava airport surrounded by residences and airport commercial businesses.
As posted on the airport's web site (www.lava-airport.com), the developer's objective for the project was, "To provide the most interesting, quality recreational airpark to visit within 500 miles." The airport was the developer's dream, designed primarily for the betterment of general aviation.
Residential lots were put on the market in 2000. Individuals from Utah, Washington, and California purchased lots between 2000 and 2004. In 2005, the purchasers objected to the airport's "public use" status. They also objected to the developer's tentative offer to gift
the airport to the City of Lava Hot Springs (with the understanding that the airport would remain open to the public forever). Since then, the developer has struggled to keep the airport available as a resource for Idaho and Bannock County, in keeping with the original County plan.
The legal difficulties initially developed when a charismatic airline captain began doing everything he could to gain control of the airport for his own needs. Among other things, the perpetrator vandalized and stole airport safety equipment as a means to annoy the manager. This led to a law suit. As a second tactic, the airline captain rallied non-flying residents to fight the public use aspect of the airport.
As with most courts, the Court was ignorant of aviation safety issues. Tragically, the airport was unable to obtain individuals from the FAA, Idaho Aeronautics, or any of the pilot's organizations as expert witness. However, two highly respected Idaho airport managers
graciously gave a day of their time to be expert witnesses. They gave powerful testimony. Unfortunately, this was not enough.
On Aug. 15, Bannock County Judge Bush ruled that the FAA usage designation be changed from "public use" to "restricted." Curiously, the Court had little concern for a primary reason for the law suit – the destruction and theft of airport property, and the resulting risk
to visiting pilots. The destructive violations have continued through the three-year law suit, and will probably continue. The law suit has cost the airport nearly $100K. While the Court's decision seems absurd and worthy of appeal, it is unlikely that the airport can endure further legal expenses.
Reed White, AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) representative for Lava Hot Springs (00E)
posted 8/22/07 |
Hard water
by Sparky Imeson |
I froze my patootie off. Anybody know where I can get a new one? I even tried eBay to no avail. You might think this is a difficult proposition or even preposterous statement, but let me explain.
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posted 1/17/07 |
Advice for the novice
by Sparky Imeson |
“An expert is someone who brings confusion to simplicity.” Often, certainly in aviation, this is true. Talking with some experts can be frustrating as heck because of their “opinionated ignorance.” They develop a “tunnel vision” that blocks their common sense approach to a subject.
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posted 11/9/06 |
Backcountry landings
by Sparky Imeson |
Living in Jackson, Wyo. provides the impetus and the opportunity to jump in a plane and escape the troubles of everyday life at a backcountry airstrip. An overnight get away can work wonders in restoring your desire to get back to the rigors of your lifestyle. But just because an airstrip is close and somewhat familiar, you can’t neglect planning and research.
posted 8/25/06
More |
Mountain Flying
by Sparky Imeson |
Sometimes being fooled is fun, but when you are fooled by Mother Nature the fun usually ceases. Suppose you're flying along in an area of anticipated updraft, yet all you can find is downdrafts.
posted 7/16/06
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| Watch out for the woes of high density altitude |
When the temperatures start pushing 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, that 2,500-foot runway you typically have no trouble flying out of suddenly might not be long enough for your takeoff roll. Hot summer days equal high density altitude, which means aircraft performance will decrease with the less dense air, the takeoff roll will eat up more runway, and the rate of climb won't be so hot. The propeller can't get as big of a "bite" out of less dense air because the air molecules are spaced farther apart, and that results in lowered aircraft performance. Remember to run weight-and-balance calculations and check your aircraft's performance charts before each flight.
posted 6/25/06 |
What is CFIT? |
CFIT, which stands for controlled flight into terrain, is defined by the FAA as an airworthy aircraft that is under the control of a qualified pilot and is flown into terrain, like water or obstacles, with inadequate awareness on the part of the pilot of the impending collision. From 1995 to 2004, there were 267 fatal accidents as a result of CFIT in night VFR conditions, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness. One way a pilot can help reduce the risk of CFIT is by having a terrain avoidance plan. For additional information, review Advisory Circular 61-134. Also, review information provided by the Air Safety Foundation.
posted 6/25/06 |
| Coyotes, Cubs and Skywagons |
Sometimes it seems, airplanes are just another machine that takes us from here to there. Maybe it’s speed, and its gift of freedom to ignore the roads and fly straight across the land that is the reason we spend our money to have the machine there in the hangar… ready when we are… but to me at least, it’s more than that.
posted 5/7/06
More |
Veteran pilot donates backcountry strip in the shadow of Glacier Park
By Mike Sidders |
Ben Ryan’s P-38 Lightning was out of control. The P-38 following him had just taken evasive action to avoid a collision and, in doing so, had peeled the right-vertical stabilizer from Ben’s twin fighter.
To view Galen and Judy Hanselman's geographic layout of the RAF/Ryan airstrip click here.
posted 4/21/06
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