Mountain Flying in Idaho

In 1992 after a 25-year absence from flying I revisited the Hamilton Flying Club, found my logbook (54 hours dual and solo) and decided to re-acquire my private license. 1993 came and I realized that to have real freedom meant a plane of my own. C-GRFC was a 1974 PA28-151 (Cherokee Warrior) which I flew on many adventures and accumulated about 800 hours in less than six years. On a trip to Wyoming with my father I realized that my dream to explore all parts of North America could not be done in a Warrior and still fly "with power to spare". My wife confessed that she would not be heart broken if I did not ask her to fly with me so my search began for a FUN airplane. In November 1998 I flew RFC to Nebraska and traded my Warrior. In December (a couple of days after I turned 50) my 1998 slightly used Husky A-1 with 32 hours on the tachometer came to live in my hangar at CYFD. After about six weeks of the usual red tape C-GMLT (my little toy) and I began to get acquainted. Since January we have been to BC, Florida, Hilton Head SC to golf, miscellaneous side trips and now this adventure. My log now shows 1200+ hours with 200 on conventional gear. This is my first attempt at writing an article and I hope you enjoy it at much as I like to read about others who travel in their planes.

I had read "The Mountain Flying Bible" by Sparky Emerson, several magazine articles and my "Fly Idaho" reference book - I was ready. Awake early on July 25, 1999 to call customs in Port Huron and filed a flight plan with London FSS. The weather forecast was great to Chicago and beyond so I departed CYFD at 7:50am for a stop at Port Huron MI-KPHN to clear customs and top up fuel.

The leg southwest has a few terminal areas like Kalamazoo and South Bend. Always check in and squawk the code and they will give you flight following. There was an air show practice and the five P51s at my 12 o'clock appreciated that I was getting out of their way. After talking to Gary IN I flew directly westward at 2,500' to avoid Midway and O'Hare. For music I tuned in a Sony Walkman - the stations are mostly country and western.

I have been corresponding with other Husky owners on the Internet and planned to stop in Iowa City KIOW to meet Charles. I forgot that I would be an hour earlier as this was Central Time zone. On arrival I used the extra time to clean off the bugs and then stayed inside the air-conditioned FBO - outside temperature was near 100oF. We looked over each other's planes and traded ideas, had a cold drink and then it was back up to 6,500' where temperature was under 70oF. Lesson One: I often fly with the door and window open to keep cool - lost a hat and a pillow somewhere over Iowa.

I usually fly legs of about four hours even though the Husky can go a couple of hours longer. I Picked McCook NE as my next stop but the connective activity in my path looked ugly. About an hour from destination I turned 90o right and headed for North Platte NE - KLBF. Putting the Husky in a hangar in case of hail cost almost as much as putting me in a motel. The hail never came but I slept better and on the movie channel that night I watched "Jeremeah Johnson" the mountain man. Was this of preview of things to come?

NORTHWEST OF LAKE COUNTY - LEADVILLE CO

Morning dawned cool and clear. Cleaned off the bugs again (it's much easier when they are fresh) and then flew low and slow across Nebraska in the early morning. Puebleo CO-KPUB is 50 miles east of the Rocky Mountains where I stopped to visit another Husky owner. Jim is a freelance aerial photographer who flies over 300 hours a year. He had many stories to tell and some good advice.

Early Tuesday morning I left and headed west to KLXV Leadville CO, which is the highest public airstrip in North America at 9,900 feet. Air was a smooth 35oF and the landing and take-off was no problem for the Husky. Received the certificate and bought the T-shirt.

Flying northwest over some desolate country I covered Colorado and then north into Wyoming. I do not worry too much about a place to land with the Husky - it needs less that 150 yards and will take off in about 50 yards. I wanted to stop in Afton WY-KAFO. Coming over the 10,000' ridge from the southeast the town lies in a valley at 6,200 feet. At the Aviat Aircraft factory in Afton they build the Husky, Pitts aerobatics plane, a Swift Monocoupe, a kit plane and will do total refurbishing of you aircraft. Met a pilot cleaning his Piper Cub who offered his car so that another pilot and I could go to town for pizza. We put in some gas as a thank-you.

Jim had given me a list of interesting strips in Idaho so my next stop was - Copper Basin ID-U02. The stubby grass and the large cow patty/meadow muffin/horse hockey puck deposits on the runway made it a bumpy landing. I was going to have to clean more than bugs off the plane that night. This strip was desolate and hot even at 7,920 feet so I decided to move on.

SMILEY CREEK ID

Smiley Creek ID-U87, I wish my lawn were this lush. 4000 x 200 feet and very flat. I met the custodian and complimented him on the strip and it's amenities. Toilets, showers and a picnic area but I was the only one there, although there were over 60 aircraft on the last weekend. Bought a loaf of bread at the store but could not find my knife to spread the peanut butter and jam. Thank goodness for cookies, raisins and granola bars. Set up tent under the wing and the temperature dropped from 80oF to 60oF in fifteen minutes when the sun went over the mountains. The full moon rose over the peaks in the east and the fire of the sunset painted the sky behind. I woke up to 30oF. I understand that it was slightly warmer for those of you at Oshkosh that week.

WEATHERBY

Weatherby ID-52U was a bit of a challenge but well worth the adrenaline rush. I don't fish or hunt but the creek looked like it held some secrets and a couple of deer dropped by to say hello. This was the view from immediately behind where I parked the plane. Most of the runways on these strips have a suggested landing and takeoff direction. When you are approaching these strips on short final you can see why you don't want to abort or attempt a go around. Land the best you can or you may end up on the side of a mountain.

When flying the mountain valleys remember these three things. Slow flight - slow flight - slow flight. Never go beyond the point of no return, approach a ridge at 45o and never leave yourself without an escape plan. (Sparky Emerson). I usually flew in the morning before the winds developed and it is too rough for my enjoyment or safety.

At Warm Springs ID-OU1 I met a couple from Los Angeles. We hiked down the trail to where a HOT spring cascaded into the cold river. The water from the spring is at least 80o warmer than the 45oF of the river. Other hikers have damned off pools and diverted water from the stream in order to enjoy a relaxing hot bath (No soap allowed). Back at the strip I stayed under my wing that afternoon with a wet towel over my head. Thank goodness for the breeze, it was 90 o +.

I had read about the BIG BREAKFAST at Sulfur Creek ID. On approach to land there was a deer on the runway. The strip slopes off quickly to each side and I almost got out of shape with the distraction. They weren't kidding - I was still trying to finish the meal an hour later. Well worth the stop. Cabins, fishing in a pond and an old cowpoke to take you horse back riding. But remember to bring your credit card (except for tips).

Most of these trips are desolate and I wanted to call my wife each day. My Cell phone was no good and neither was the AM/FM radio. I really liked the peace and quiet. After breakfast I decided to stop at McCall ID-KMYL for fuel and a call home. Another reminder of lesson one: Do not take off with open door and window unless everything is secure. I almost lost it on take off while trying to grab my jacket + shirt.

Thomas Creek ID-2U8 Airstrip is made for a Husky. Only 2000' tucked into a narrow valley, mountain at one end with few options if you make a mistake. A fellow stopped in with a Super Cub on 31" tires to drop off and pick up a passenger. He said hello but I felt like he was looking down his nose at my Husky.

Johnson Creek ID-3U2, now this is camping. Met another Jim, his wife and some kleptomaniac chipmunks. They could jump and climb up on the picnic tables to steal your food. This Jim was 78 years old and took me for a 10KM trip on his Honda scooter. On the way we met a friend of Jim's - Keith. We stopped in at an old mining town and went into the saloon for a beer. Later Jim showed me how to pan for gold. Found some flakes but I can't retire.

JOHNSON CREEK ID - THERE IS A PLANE ON FINAL

The following week Johnson Creek expected dozens of planes in for the annual harmonica contest in the old mining town. I want to come back next year just for fun. Two young fellows in a Cessna 180 returned late in the afternoon. They were unable to go fishing because of turbulence. Next morning at 7am they watched me leave and climb out at 1000 feet per minute over the mountains on the end of the runway. That's why I bought the Husky.

Heading east at 11,500feet+ I was approaching ground speeds of close to 150 knots. Talked to Flight Service and was told of a cold front ahead. Belle Forche SD-KEFC for fuel and I could see the backside of the front. I finally caught it and turned back 15KM to Onida SD-98D. Spent an hour talking with a crop duster and his son.

I left and flew about ten KMs into the rain and stopped at Huron SD-KHON in the mid-afternoon. I have stayed there twice before. There is a FSS on the field and the Prime Time Restaurant at the south end of town has the best prime rib. Next day was clear but I had decided to forget about Oshkosh. A fuel stop at School Craft Co MI-KISQ allowed me to file a flight plan across the border. Canadian customs gave me a clearance number that meant I did not need to be met or inspected. I wonder what would have happened if I had not stopped?

I was into the rain at Gore Bay ON-CYZE so I waited a while but I was hungry and it was only fifteen minutes to the east to Killarney Mountain ON-CPT2. The best fish and chips you will find anywhere. Another hour and a half for the front to move southeast before I headed south. I could see the convective activity was east of Georgian Bay so I flew south under the 1200-foot ceiling. CYFD and Home - glad to be here but I am dreaming of the next time. I think it's going to be Utah in the spring.

Total time 37.25 hours, average ground speed 101 knots, distance covered 3794 nautical miles, fuel burn about 8US gals per hour and oil used was 2.5 liters.

Paul Nopper

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