Where I Fly ... Work ... Live ... and Play

[SkySteve]

Here's a short video from an early morning flight today. It was just to darn nice to not fly!

http://youtu.be/8ejBKXOdx1I

[jrevens]

That was nice, Steve!

[SkySteve]

A short vid of an overnight trip to Smiley Creek, ID last summer that Kris and I took:
http://http://youtu.be/lHijESNABxE (http://youtu.be/lHijESNABxE)

[DesertFox4]

What an exciting life your Kitfox lives Steve.
Every Kitfox should be so lucky.

[Kurt.A]

Very nice, almost looks like home in the summer time that is.

[Kitfox Guy]

A short vid of an overnight trip to Smiley Creek, ID last summer that Kris and I took:
http://http://youtu.be/lHijESNABxE (http://youtu.be/lHijESNABxE)

Sweet! What video camera are you using and how is it mounted?

Michael Meyers
KF IV
N598BM
Las Vegas, NV

[SkySteve]

Michael,
I use a Contour, sometimes mounted on the wing strut, at the jury strut, and sometimes mounted inside in the upper port side of the cabin (where I can turn it on and off). However, on this flight, as I sometimes seem to do, I forgot to turn it on!!! So all these shots were taken by my wife on her iPhone. My opinion is the GoPro is a much better camera than the Contour. I just happen to have a Contour. I own part of a high end drone manufacturing company that makes helicopters and quads for agricultural and military applications. We use GoPro blacks on most of those aircraft. The GoPro does an outstanding job. That would be my first choice.

[cap01]

steve , I'm just about to do some flying with a go pro . have a mount made for the outbd strut spreader tube . wonder if you might have any tips on what filters that a person needs to use . so far i barely know how to turn it on so its a new ball game to me .

[SkySteve]

Chuck,
DF4 has a thread that has excellent GoPro info. I am not a camera guy. About all I do at the drone business anymore is flight training.

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=5049&highlight=GoPro

[cap01]

thanks steve I'll give that a try. I guess the new rule that your teaching is never fly upur drone at 0300 hr and especially not when you've been drinking .

[SkySteve]

Chuck,
I've found that when one drinks, the flying is very smooth .... but the flights are very short! :eek:

[SkySteve]

Tomorrow, about noon, 4 of us, in 3 planes, will head out for a 3 day, 2 night airplane camping trip. First stop is Huntington, UT (69V) for fuel. Then on to the San Rafel Swell Wilderness Area to set up camp at Mexican Mountain airstrip. The plan is to unload and set up camp, relax a little, then return to Huntington via Cedar Mountain airstrip for dinner in town. Then fly back to Mexican Mountain for a bonfire, drinks and sleep.
Tues morning we will head towards Hubbard airstrip (9CO3) stopping at some more backcountry airstrips along the way. We will spend Tues night camping at Hubbard airstrip.
Wed morning we plan to land at several other backcountry airstrips as we work our way back home to Morgan, UT (42U) and Ogden, UT (KOGD). It should be a great backcountry trip. Follow along if you have interest. My SPOT link is in my signature line.

[Paul Z]

Steve,

Sounds like your headed for a great camping trip.
I keep track of y'all on Spot.

Paul Z

[Paul Z]

Chuck,
I've found that when one drinks, the flying is very smooth .... but the flights are very short! :eek:

And the landings could be a little rough!

[Paul Z]

Man you are flying, .mexican Mountain Airstrip, Cedar Mountain Airstrip, and I'm laid up in bed. :(.

[Flybyjim]

What are the temps in that area this time of the year?

[SkySteve]

Quick update: SPOT batteries died today. All OK. 2 hard days of flying so far. Last night temp was 21 F. Will give a good report and pics after we return.

[SkySteve]

Home safe and sound. Shower taken. I have lots of photos and video which I will work thru in the next few days. In the meantime here is one to wet your interest. This was taken at one of my favorite backcountry/wilderness airstrips, Mexican Mountain, Utah. We camped there the first night. More to follow.http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/DSC05194.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/DSC05194.jpg.html)

[DesertFox4]

Looking forward to the photos/videos Steve. 85DD looks great in that photo. Oh, and so do you. ;)

[Paul Z]

Looking good, sounds like a fun adventure.

[SkySteve]

Here's a video taken by one of the other members of Back Country Pilot who was at Mineral Canyon when we arrived. It shows our group at the end. It turns out that my video camera was not on during the arrival so thought this might be interesting. It shows the approach/landing at Mineral Canyon and our departures.
https://youtu.be/M1lqbkacSIg

[avidflyer]

Don't know how each plane was loaded, but you were off the ground way faster than the other two planes you were with. Yea Kitfox! Jim Chuk

[SkySteve]

You are right sir. The first plane to depart is a Bearhawk. 4 place with a IO540. The second one is a Super Cub. They both look like freight trains next to the Kitfox.

[SkySteve]

Another photo until I can get organized:
Camping at Mexican Mountain, UT wilderness

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/DSC05223.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/DSC05223.jpg.html)

[Paul Z]

The photos of the planes by the ridge is Awsome.

[Esser]

They sound like freight trains too Looks like you are having fun

[AirFox]

This post may be the inspiration needed to plan a trip down there. Thanks for sharing the pics and video Steve.

[SkySteve]

In order to keep the video of reasonable length, I've decided to make a video of each day. There were three days. Here is Episode One, Day One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd6qWT5Un7U&list=UUrVEqQiTyebJpz9vL_5VhEQ

[Paul Z]

Excellent video, had y'all taken much more time you would have not been able to land!

[SkySteve]

Here is an album of a landing sequence at Mexican Mountain in the Utah backcountry (somehow these are not exactly in order as something went amuck during uploading):
http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/album.php?albumid=430

[SkySteve]

Some unabashed photos of my plane, 85DD in the Utah backcountry during our camping trip:
http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/album.php?albumid=429

[AVDOC]

I have had several builders stop by my hanger to see the progress on my Model 4 Speedster. It was suggested I post some information for those who might be interested in visiting.

My hanger is on the Carlin Airstrip on Lake Coeur dAlene.(Idaho) The strip is approx 2750' X 42' grass and gravel, about 2700 MSL. The Airport is identified as ID43, and is about 14 miles south southeast of the Coeur dAlene airport VOR.

Carlin Bay is a private airstrip, but welcome invited guests. (should you visit if I am not there, please leave a note on the hanger entry door of your visit and tail # in case anyone asks.

Airstrip is oriented northeast and southwest. Most landings are to the northeast and take off to the southwest. The "lake end", or southwest end of the airstrip falls of steeply. I try to monitor 122.9; and can always meet someone with a little advance notice. During the summer I am there most weekends. Now that I am "aging" I hope I can spend more time on my hobbies than work. My hanger is the second one past the house. Lake view is the take off view. Overnighters welcome (have shower, elect, water available).
Tom Stuart
N290TS

[jrevens]

Steve - you got some wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing them. I can't wait to be able to do some flying with my Kitfox in your beautiful state!

Tom - thank you for sharing also. Coeur dAlene has always been one of my favorite places since the days when I lived in Montana. I really love Idaho & Utah!

[Esser]

Beautiful place Tom! I'd love to visit. Maybe next year?

[SkySteve]

Tom,
I agree. You have a great area to fly.

[Slyfox]

Tom,
that is a fun strip to go into. I really like taking off and doing the drop into the lake. way fun:D

[mscotter]

Skysteve: man those are some BIIIIG rocks you guys play around! That's really an eye opener for this east coast boy. I hope someday I can finish my own 'Fox and see that part of the country up close. That is really something. Thanks for sharing.

[SkySteve]

Mscotter,
Yes, the rocks are big here. And the canyons are deep, and sometimes narrow. But that's where the agility and climbing power of the Kitfox shine.

[SkySteve]

Here's the YouTube video of day 2 of our Utah airplane camping trip: https://youtu.be/KiQ9G83ZiFk

[SkySteve]

Just because:
http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/picture.php?albumid=430&pictureid=5207

[DesertFox4]

Great video Steve. Love the scenery. You're gonna have people from all over the country wanting to fly those canyons if you keep showing them off like this. :)

[SkySteve]

DF4,
I have been told, Utah is second only to Idaho, which is second only to Alaska for backcountry flying, and I believe it. Those of us who live here or fly here are definitely lucky to have such a wonderful playground.

[Paul Z]

I think Texas beats out Kansas, Oklahoma, and a pancake!
Steve's just rubbing our noses in it. I can see him :D ear to ear.

Now tell me this doesn't look like Steve, he's all decked out for flying!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSTOHa4Im4

Those videos were amazing, and to think he's going to torture us with a third video.

[SkySteve]

Paul,
Yep, you are right, my friend! You are right. Bahahahahaha :D

[Paul Z]

Considering I had been under the weather, that HeeHeeHeeHeeHeeHee! laugh made my day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSTOHa4Im4

That is some beautiful Flying!

[SkySteve]

Paul,
Sorry to hear you're under the weather. But I have to say, Muttley, that's a fine laugh you have there ol' boy. One fine laugh.

[SkySteve]

OK, kids. Last Episode of the mini series, "Airplane Camping in Utah". Day 3 starts here:
https://youtu.be/d3HYAf5ijAk?list=UUrVEqQiTyebJpz9vL_5VhEQ

[DesertFox4]

That little airplane sure gets around. Thanks Steve.
Hey that Cub put you in IMC for a few moments there. ;)
Sorry about the 46 mph winds. Been there my friend.:eek:

[SkySteve]

DF4,
Yeah, the winds weren't fun. I had leg cramps that night from working the rudder. I think if the stick had been in a bucket of milk I would have made butter!

[DesertFox4]

I think if the stick had been in a bucket of milk I would have made butter!

:D:D That's kind of funny.:D

[SkySteve]

This weekend we visited a new place:
No Runway Required (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv7YZkhXpeo)

[KFfan]

I am very jealous

Guess I'll have to consider "Go West young man, Go West"!

[t j]

Thata a good one Steve. I like trying to figure out where you're going to land as I watch these videos. I picked several wrong spots on this one.

[SkySteve]

Tom, LOL!! That's the fun part. Scouting an area to determine if it's safe to land, which direction, prevailing winds, etc.

[Slyfox]

we need to go flying together. looks like a lot of fun. my kind of flying:D

[Paul Z]

Tom, LOL!! That's the fun part. Scouting an area to determine if it's safe to land, which direction, prevailing winds, etc.

It's pretty easy to know where to land when there is another plane ahead of you! I paused it and saw the Airplane sitting in the field on the right side of the screen. Now I must admit, I have followed SkySteve into a strip in Idaho, I would have never found it because it's not on the sectionals, I had never flown over the area, much less flown in Idaho before, and at the time I would not have had the nerve landing there by myself. Hell in Tejas, if I'd land on a field that nice, I'd have a farmer or rancher come out and explain to me I shouldn't be landing on his field. I'd be picking bird shot or Rock Salt out of my ass for a week, and I'd be trying to figure out how long it was going to take me to patch all those little holes in my fabric. There are not many areas in Texas that are public lands. If you don't know the owner, you are Trespassing.

I must admit landing a Tri-Gear in some of the places you have landed would take flying over before trying to land. Steve, I'm looking forward to seeing you later this year.

I forgot to Gig you. Your just showing off again, rubbing our noses in it with all of the nice places you have to fly. Man that is a beautiful area!

[Slyfox]

that's where you go in on a touch and go and do it once:D

[SkySteve]

Slyfox, if you come to the Kitfox Fly-In I'm hoping we will get some backcountry flying time.

Paul, you know just too darn much information!;) And, yes, I had flown over that spot before to survey the area. It is a private ranch and we did have the ranch manager's permission to land there. In fact, we took him with us on this flight! (Always a good way to get future landing rights) The other plane (my current flying buddy) landed about 30 minutes prior to my arrival as we were coming from different airports.

I suppose many of us have landed someplace, jumped out and taken a few photos real quick, then taken off in a hurry just to make certain someone doesn't come up and start asking questions. :D:cool: One of the keys to "stealth flight" is 3" tail numbers, located right above the horizontal stab.

[Paul Z]

3" Letters another reason to go from an SLSA to an ELSA.

I did a take off and landing at a private strip on the way to Dirty SA area. I could do some off airport work on my Cousins place, 300 miles to the South. He's got 300 acres, I'm not sure if there is a flat spot big enough, smooth enough, or no covered with scrub cedar, and oak trees, or being gravel mined. Humm the Gravel quarry does have a big flat area. I need to call him.

I have actually found 3 grass strips I'm planning on terrorizing in a couple of weeks. One is at Fort Parker near Mexia, Texas. It is a really nice unattended grass strip. They ask that you call in for permission. As soon as I get my Advanced Flight System back that is my destination.

[Slyfox]

Slyfox, if you come to the Kitfox Fly-In I'm hoping we will get some backcountry flying time.

Paul, you know just too darn much information!;) And, yes, I had flown over that spot before to survey the area. It is a private ranch and we did have the ranch manager's permission to land there. In fact, we took him with us on this flight! (Always a good way to get future landing rights) The other plane (my current flying buddy) landed about 30 minutes prior to my arrival as we were coming from different airports.

I suppose many of us have landed someplace, jumped out and taken a few photos real quick, then taken off in a hurry just to make certain someone doesn't come up and start asking questions. :D:cool: One of the keys to "stealth flight" is 3" tail numbers, located right above the horizontal stab.

and being white:cool:

[Paul Z]

SkySteve,

Taking the owner of the property Flying is cheating, your suppose to just fly in land, hope the owner is too far away to take the buckshot, and run. Eddy my cousin, doesn't shoot a shot gun, 30-06, .308, but not a shot gun. Humm, taking Eddy flying won't work he hates flying, ever since Vietnam. I guess I'll have to take him for a cold beer.

I'm looking forward to the Kitfox Flyin, I'll have a new Advanced Flight AF-5600, and a lot more practice trying to put the tail in front of the mains by then.

[SkySteve]

My Bearhawk flying buddy and I spent the past three days in the Frank Church Wilderness of the Idaho backcountry. We flew 11.4 hours and landed at 8 airstrips. Here are a few of them:

Smiley Creek:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/A24E351D-571F-48A1-914C-792A29F79D6C.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/A24E351D-571F-48A1-914C-792A29F79D6C.jpg.html)

Of course, Sulphur Creek Ranch, for their famous breakfast:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/5C42EA74-65CF-4608-BFE5-438DA6C0321A.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/5C42EA74-65CF-4608-BFE5-438DA6C0321A.jpg.html)

And Johnson Creek:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/2AD1B8C5-BFF1-4B34-BB24-70CD08EED098.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/2AD1B8C5-BFF1-4B34-BB24-70CD08EED098.jpg.html)

[DesertFox4]

Nice time of year to be in Idaho. Beautiful photos Steve.

[Paul Z]

Looks like fun! That breakfast is making me hungry.

[SkySteve]

Steve,
It was great. The weather was a little iffy, but still a great time.

Paul,
The best breakfast in the west. The menu is: Yes, or No? In other words, you don't order, you just eat what they bring, but it's all good.

[mscotter]

Man that is some beautiful country. I have got to get out to Idaho sometime to see it firsthand. I see all these picks of you guys flying and landing in these mountain strips and it is just awesome. I am more than a little jealous.

[Paul Z]

I've spent 2 weeks Flyin in Idaho, with Stick & Rudder. I got tail wheel endorsement with Paul, and then I flew my plane up to get it converted to a tail dragger about 6 months later. When John & Company completed the conversion I went flying with Preston for a few days in my plane as a tail dragger. It is definitely worth the time & money, and getting to fly to many of the back country airports was the icing on the cake.

[SkySteve]

Date night: Great Salt Lake, Utah
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/23A9B630-A941-4B55-A0F2-671879BF2DFC.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/23A9B630-A941-4B55-A0F2-671879BF2DFC.jpg.html)

[jrevens]

Beautiful picture, Steve!

[DesertFox4]

A beautiful vantage point to bid farewell to the day.

[DanB]

Nice shot Steve W.

[kitfox2009]

G'morning guys
Yesterday I went over to Grand Forks to look at a Skybolt that is for sale.
Most of the route is right along the Canada USA border! I was careful to stay on the north side and didn't see any Blackhawks!
Beautiful day for flying. Fall colors just starting. A couple of pics show some of this summer's fire damage..
The Skybolt is beautiful. Only 140 hours. On Barnstormers. 31000 US. Too bad I'm so Damn old.
Cheers
Don

[SkySteve]

When my flying buddy and I found out Father Allen of the Huntsville, UT Monastery had been a Naval Aviator before he was a Monk, we just had to take him flying....The Monastery is at 5,000 ft, the mountain top meadow is 8,200 ft.
The Flying Monk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoD0_i3fXk)

[DanB]

Nice video Steve! All you need to finish the series is to find the Flying Nun.;)

[SkySteve]

Dan,
I have a feeling (just a feeling) that Father Allen might know where she is, but he's not saying and I'm not asking!!!

[SkySteve]

I wanted to fly this morning but it was 16 degrees and I had things to do. I finished up about noon, so after lunch I just had to take a quick flight along Utah's Great Salt Lake:
https://youtu.be/XA4FddX8IKA

[LSaupe]

A few pics and video for an Ice Fly In at Great Sacandaga Lake (lunch at the Sport Island Pub) and Lake Desolation, NY (outhouse races). The Turbine Beaver (on the end of the 1st pic) was one amazing machine to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQGo_Hcp_wU


http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/LSaupe/Kitfox/DSCN4354_zpsh3pesebb.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/LSaupe/Kitfox/DSCN4360_zpss20xnqrm.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/LSaupe/Kitfox/IMG_1228_zpsqbdarvs6.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/LSaupe/Kitfox/IMG_1184%202_zps0n4wnxbx.jpg

[DesertFox4]

Your model 3 looks great Larry. Enjoyed the video. Airplanes on the ice is the best use of a frozen lake.;)
Brings back memories of my J-3 Cub days on the frozen lakes of southern Minnesota.:)

[SkySteve]

Looks like a great place. I thought the "outhouse race" looked interesting. Nice video editing. What are you using for your editing? I've never landed on ice.

[LSaupe]

Looks like a great place. I thought the "outhouse race" looked interesting. Nice video editing. What are you using for your editing? I've never landed on ice.

Actually one of our EAA members made the video. I will try to find out what he was using.

[Av8r3400]

I can't say for sure, but it looks like iMovie.

[LSaupe]

Turns out it is Google photo. Movie was taken with an iPhone.

http://www.google.com/photos/

[jdmcbean]

OK.. So had to get ready to go skiing.. :D

Lunch at Smiley Creek and simply some fun flying in the Idaho back country.

Snow was about 4' at Smiley.. Needless to say, it was an interesting walk to the Lodge..

[AirFox]

Awesome John!

[LSaupe]

Thats Impressive!

[Flybyjim]

Your having way too much fun, wish we were there!

[SkyPirate]

no snow,,just me and a buddy playing..

[t j]

Where's your snowshoes?
http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10611&stc=1&d=1455317967

[jdmcbean]

In the back of the Kitfox!

[jrevens]

That looks like such fun, John! When my fox is complete I'm gonna' make your neck of the woods one of my first priorities, but think I'll start out in the summer!

[jdmcbean]

OK.. finally got this uploaded... :D

Kitfox Ski Flying - Idaho Winter (https://youtu.be/CAeOGKULggE)

[Flybyjim]

Great video John. looks like Brandon was having a good time as were all of you.

[Av8r_Sed]

That looks like it was a really good time. Thanks for the video, John.

[Av8r3400]

Looks like lots of fun…

[SkySteve]

Good flight today to an island in the Great Salt Lake, Utah.
Maybe the last snowless day this year. Bearhawk, Super Cub and Kitfox:http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/Freemont%20Is%2011_26_2016.jpeg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/Freemont%20Is%2011_26_2016.jpeg.html)

[Paul Z]

Steve,

Looks like a fun place to land! We've flown over the Fremont Island, I didn't know you could land on the Island. How are things going with you and your more than patient & loving wife? Hope you both have a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Paul Z.

[SkySteve]

Paul,
My very patient and loving wife (Kris) is still that ... loving and very patient. She loves to fly with me but not so much on windy, cold days. Today was just that, windy and cold, but still fun.

The Fremont now has 3 strips on it, but none of them is an actual "airstrip". The one in the photo is the upper strip, along the top ridge line. It was originally just a 4 wheeler track, and then backcountry pilots started landing there. It has a knob on both ends (you can see the north knob in the photo). We call it The Hammock, due to its shape. In the photo, the tail of my Kitfox is hanging over the cliff. The lower strip has historically had lots of sagebrush on it so you had to pick your landing spot carefully, then dodge sage as you slowed down. This summer my neighbor and I (the Bearhawk) built a 3rd strip on an outcropping on the south end of the island. It is 603 feet long leading to a drop off, and earned the name The 600.

Next time you come through we won't just fly over the island, we'll land ON it! (I think the warning John McBean gave you about flying with me has now expired).

[Paul Z]

I didn't want to use her name, some of the people on the forum try to avoid using names. I would have misspelled her name. I use to date a lady named Chris when I was going to College, she was killed in an accident heading to class. I'll never have problems remembering you wife's name. Did you finish your building project? Tell Kris hello for me.

I'd really have to get my nerves up to try that. I live in Texas, unless I fly 200 mikes South, or 400 mikes West of Dallas the biggest cliff I'm going to fall off of is maybe 20 feet. I've got 4 grass strips I've been flying to, but they are all over 1500 ft, with lots of room for mistakes.

I'm working on my Annual Inspection hope to have it done next week some time next week.

Paul Z.

[SkySteve]

Yes on the building. We were granted occupancy 3 weeks ago!!

Looks like you've got some great strips to fly into there in the borderland. Enjoy! I was in Dallas a couple weeks ago and forgot to call.

[SkySteve]

Some Utah springtime fun Kitfox flying:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/85DD%20Landing%20Mex%20Mt10.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/85DD%20Landing%20Mex%20Mt10.jpg.html)

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/IMG_2042.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/IMG_2042.jpg.html)

[N213RV]

Ok Steve, I must ask.... what heli is that? What camera, and what type of stabilizing system? Thanks!

[SkySteve]

Mike,
Ha! You noticed! Long story short, I used to be a partner in a company called Leptron, started by a fellow Kitfoxer. We designed and manufactured mil spec drones for mostly government work. Our specialty was the drones themselves, not the payloads. There were multiple cameras, sensors and other cool government payloads our drones carried. That is one of them, dressed out with a Sony box HD camera in a 360 degree turret, and yes, fully stabilized. It's great for reading license plates from enough distance that you would have no idea a drone was anywhere around. Our specialty was to design and build the drones, then modify in multiple ways to carry whatever our clients needed transported. We sold the company. I've got some very cool photos of stuff that can't be posted and it was a lot of fun doing what we did. We also got to go to a lot of very secure locations. It really was a blast. This was all before drones became popular like they are today. That particular one will fly at 12,000 ft and travel 75 mph. It's a beast.

[efwd]

Hey Mike, I am glad you asked that question. I just wrote it up as pretty cool toy Steve had.
That was a cool background story Steve. One question, You mean that all the guys out flying their RC helicopters over the past two decades have been flying "Drones" the entire time? Im not being cynical here at all, I am genuinely interested. Why would you call that a drone? I was thinking just RC helicopter.
maybe I would have the answer if I just looked in Websters for Drone. But I bet your explanation would be more interesting.
Eddie

[SkySteve]

Eddie,
That is not a RC aircraft. Yes, you can hand fly it, but you don't need to. It is programed to fly a mission on it's own. It will start, lift off, fly a mission, return, and shut down all by itself. Also, when you "hand fly it", it is programed to follow a gps signal so all you are really doing when hand flying the controls is moving a gps "dot" around the sky. The ship will fly itself and follow the dot. I could teach you to fly it like an ace in about 5 minutes. The cost of that one set up the way most of our customers wanted it was about the same price as purchasing a brand new fully equipped glass everything with the biggest engine, big tired LSA Kitfox from Kitfox Aircraft (well over $100,000). And yes, it is full auto pilot, mode S transponder, ADSB in and out, etc, etc, etc.

[Paul Z]

I can remember being at work at Raytheon and my wife was always asking, "Honey, what did you do today?" My response work on a Missile, or worked on a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) and that remained the answer. Too many things I'm still not allowed to talk about. Then the dreaded question, "Where are you traveling too." That was the dreaded question. I'd tell her I'd give her a call every night. The good things it paid well, I got to work on some fun toys, and I was able to retire early. One of the Missiles I was worked on I had a young female engineer that I had to travel to places undesclosed, we were discussing the inability to talk about anything we worked on. She told me her husband asked her how fast the Missile flew, and she told him "it witless s@@k, f@@k, and did the mambo." She said he never asked again. :)

[efwd]

Very interesting, thanks Steve.
Eddie

[SkySteve]

Paul,
That's what I like about you. You're like Schultz, you don't know notin' and you didn't see notin', but the job got done. And, hey, we used to hang with a few Raytheon guys. Weird dudes... Love you, man.

[Paul Z]

Paul,
That's what I like about you. You're like Schultz, you don't know notin' and you didn't see notin', but the job got done. And, hey, we used to hang with a few Raytheon guys. Weird dudes... Love you, man.

Weird Dudes, I resemble that remark!

All I know it that watching video's of the Iraq War & the recent Syria Strike was actually somewhat entertaining & educational for me & my Job. However, some of the Military Footage was definitely a reality check. I wouldn't want to be on the Receiving end of some of our Missiles! Some of the equipment I've seen on National TV in the hands of ISIS is not good! I remember watching an ISIS video, and I saw them standing next to a US made HummVee with an FLIR System on top, we should have destroyed the systems we left behind!

[SkySteve]

Landing a new unimproved off-airport airstrip? The Snake Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywm2mRHHRwk)

[DesertFox4]

Liked the video and the new gear. ;)

[SkySteve]

In Utah, we have been busy making new off-airport airstrips. Here is a short video of the one we made today. We call it "The Ramp". It is 6 feet wide and 450 feet long. You can't see either end from the other. Land uphill and take off downhill. It is by an old log cabin that has a tractor and a truck. No one that we know of has seen any life there for years and years:
Flying The Ramp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDHQ-_dNLO0&t=4s)

[DesertFox4]

Love it Steve. :)

[Paul Z]

Very cool, I'm sure you will
Keep the grass short.

[SkySteve]

Very cool, I'm sure you will
Keep the grass short.

Paul,
That's why we landed there, to "mow the grass" with two weed wackers. We found if you swing it just right, you can get a 6 foot wide mow path. It's perfect size and keeps the rip-rap away.

[efwd]

thanks for posting that Steve. Looks to be a great place to escape and spend a night.
Eddie