9 minute read

Editorial: Let’s Get Out of Town

from In Flight USA July 2020

by Anne Dobbins

from In Flight USA July 2020, page 49

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Editorial By Ed Downs

LET’S GET OUT OF

TOWN

Several thoughts blend together as this old pilot ponders the month of July. First, we continue to fight the effects of COVID-19, in terms of illness, interference with normal life and a growing sense of depression, wondering if life will ever return to normal. Fortunately, we aviators with light aircraft have an advantage over our more common earthbound companions, otherwise known as “earthlings.” We can “kick the tires and light the fires” to head out for distant adventures without risking social contact at airline terminals or automotive gathering places. Coupled with this desire to “get out of town,” come recent flight experiences through giving flight reviews and insurance check-outs in aircraft (modified Cessna 182, Kitfox, Super Cub, Cessna 140, Zenith 601A) that are well known for their ability to operate from rural airports.

All of this activity conjures up happy memories of backwoods flying across the U.S. and several foraging locations, visiting secluded airports in beautiful country. Certainly, a cure for the blues, but in some cases requiring aircraft with Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities coupled with special pilot skills. Just for a break in this column’s usual emphasis on current events, rules, regs and safety issues, let’s play with the fun idea of flying to places that are secluded, challenging, beautiful and demanding of a plane and pilot skilled in STOL operations.

First, what is “Short Take Off and Landing” (STOL)? To the average pilot, this CFI flies with for flight reviews, it is often any hard-surface runway shorter than 3,000 feet. Yep, I often see sweat beginning to roll down the foreheads of pilots when asked to demonstrate a normal landing at a nice local airport, having a 3,000-foot runway with trees at one end and power lines at the other. With approaches often flown at 10 to 15 knots above POH recommendations, the pilot will simply drive their typical four-place tri-gear onto the runway with little flare and then jam on the brakes to stop a machine that has probably touched down 20 kts faster than recommended. The funny thing is… most of these very typical tri-gear planes can offer near STOL performance if properly flown. There are, of course, aircraft designed for STOL performance, with this writer having considerable experience in the Kitfox Super 7, a plane that offers both remarkable short-field operation (very comfortable There are aircraft designed for STOL performance, with this writer having considerable experience in the Kitfox Super 7, a plane that offers both remarkable short-field operation (very comfortable with a 1,000-foot reasonably flat surface) and excellent cruise performance, especially with the turbocharged Rotax 914. (Courtesy Kitfox Aircraft)

with a 1,000-foot reasonably flat surface) and excellent cruise performance, especially with the turbocharged Rotax 914.

Recent Zenith experience also points out that specialized STOL aircraft can be great fun, and permit flight to idyllic “get out of town” locations that are hard to reach by any other means. We all know of such spots, sometimes just to hang out under the wing, eat a picnic lunch and down a few frosty beverages (non-alcoholic, of course). Some locations offer “nature walks,” while others have signs warning of bears… take them seriously! This writer once attended a “bear safety class,” wherein we were taught how to tell if a bear wanted to just scare you or eat you… yep, some landing areas (not quite runways) are truly in the “wilds!”

Let’s take a look at some STOL considerations, pulling up short of going into the specific details included in several excellent books on the subject. The goal here is to encourage readers to consider a style of flying, and flying proficiencies, which can add a lot of fun to your catalog of flying experiences.

So, you know just the place, but it is remote, the runway may not be well maintained, and it has obstructions at both ends, probably FAA approved 50-foot trees or stupidly placed power lines. As a freshly minted pilot, you have met the standards defined by the FAA Airman Certification Standard (ACS) and demonstrated both short- and soft-field landings and take offs, or did you? Sure, the ACS (Area of Operation IV, Tasks C, D, E and F) define the knowledge, risk and skill you are required to talk about and demonstrate, but the realism of this testing is questionable.

Continued on Page 9

Calendar of Events

Continued from Page 3

8 — 9 Q Salem, OR: Warbirds over the West, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., McNary Field, b17alliance.com. Q Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com. 9 Q Waterford, MI: OCIA Air Show & Open House. CANCELED 12 Q Whiterock, BC: Snowbirds Fly for CH.I.L.D. CANCELED 14-16 Q Arlington, WA: Arlington Fly-In. CANCELED 15 Q Dalhart, TX: Thunder over Dalhart Airshow. CANCELED Q Louisville, KY: Thunder over Louisville. CANCELED Q Petaluma, CA: Historic Airplane Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404. 15 — 16 Q Chicago, IL: Chicago Air & Water Show. CANCELED Q Brunswick, ME: Great State of Maine Air Show. CANCELED Q Camarillo, CA: Wings over Camarillo. CANCELED Q Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton Airshow, Villeneuve Airport, edmontonairshow.com. CHECK STATUS BEFORE ATTENDING Q Akron, OH: Props & Pistons Festival. CANCELED 16 Q San Diego, CA: Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., Montgomery Field, (619) 301-2530. 20 — 22 Q Conneaut, OH: D-Day Reenactment. CANCELED 22 Q Dubuque, IA: Fireworks & Air Show Spectacular, Lock and Dam #11, fireworks.radiodubuque.com. 22 — 23 Q Avoca, PA: Northeastern Pennsylvania Air Show. CANCELED Q Bellevue, NE: Offutt AFB Air Show. CANCELED 26 Q Atlantic City, NJ: Thunder over the Boardwalk. CANCELED 28 — 29 Q Madras, OR: Airshow of the Cascades. CANCELED 28 — 30 Q Toughkenamon, PA: Summerfest, day & night air shows, New Garden Flying Field, newgardenflyingfield.com. 29 Q Mattoon, IL: Wings over Mattoon. CANCELED Q San Jose, CA: Reid-Hillview Airport Day, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, Reid Hillview-Airport, (408) 615-1454, hotsanjosenights.com. 29 — 30 Q Newburgh, NY: New York Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Stewart Int’l. Airport, airshowny.com. Q Ypsilanti, MI: Thunder over Michigan, open 9 a.m., Willow Run Airport, (734) 483-4030, yankeeairmuseum.org. Q Debert, Nova Scotia: Atlantic Canada Int’l. Air Show. CANCELED Q Nampa, ID: Warhawk Air Museum Warbird Roundup, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nampa Municipal Airport, (208) 465-6446, warhawkairmuseum.org.