Landing on an island in the Columbia River

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 12:05 PM

I got out of work with enough sunlight left for a short flight with an airport buddy, Mark.

We took the Maule out for a ride over the Mighty Columbia River. What a great evening to fly! Perfectly calm winds and cold clear stable air. Airplanes like it cold, the colder the better. It was maybe 35 degrees for this flight.

The pic of the island was a final low slow observation pass before circling back to land. During the landing I was too busy to take pictures, but this pic gives you the idea ;-)

We also saw Mt. Rainier clear as a bell. Beautiful evening. We never got high enough to see any other volcanos, most of our flying was at altitudes less than 50 feet off the deck.

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 12:27 PM

This area of the Columbia is called the Hanford Reach. I believe it is the longest most pristine stretch of the Columbia River.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanford_Reach

Wild_Alaskan · 11-21-2013, 12:54 PM

Looks like a neat flight! I have been wanting to get my my pilots license but haven't had the time yet. I have gone through some of the maneuvers and flying the pattern with my dad who is a pilot, but not an instructor.

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 12:58 PM

Let me know if/when you are in my area and I'll put you in the left seat and you'll have a great time.

SpudRider · 11-21-2013, 01:22 PM

Cold air is dense air.

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 01:37 PM

Planes love that low density altitude!

Plus I can run leaner mixtures with higher EGT's and still keep cool CHT's due to the low OAT's.

I took off out of Sandpoint one day a couple of winters ago with an OAT of 15 below zero (F) and the density altitude was much less than sea level. My humble 180 HP 360 cubic inch Lycoming pulled like a monster 6 cylinder. I loved it.

SpudRider · 11-21-2013, 01:57 PM

Airplanes hate high temperatures, especially combined with airports at high elevations. The airport at Laramie, Wyoming is 7,284 feet above sea level. General aviation aircraft don't climb very well from that airport on a hot summer day.

SpudRider · 11-21-2013, 02:06 PM

Do you remember the idiots who killed the 7-year-old 'pilot' trying to take off in a storm from the Cheyenne airport?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Dubroff

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 02:44 PM

That was a long time ago but I remember it well. Stupid hurts, and stupid pilots kill :-(

The highest/hottest I've ever taken off was Albuquerque, New Mexico, elevation
5,312 feet at 100 degrees. Density altitude was 9,400, but even with 2 aboard and 73 gallons the Maule did fine. BUT, it was a 10,000 foot runway with clear approach and departures. Still, my little wheels were spinning real fast when they finally left the pavement, and rate of climb was anemic, maybe 350 FPM.

It's easy to see how poor judgement can exceed the mercy of the laws of physics when it gets high and hot like that...

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 02:46 PM

"The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the accident was Reid's "improper decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions (including turbulence, gusty winds, and an advancing thunderstorm and associated precipitation) when the airplane was overweight and when the density altitude was higher than he was accustomed to, resulting in a stall caused by failure to maintain airspeed." The NTSB further determined that "contributing to the pilot in command’s decision to take off was a desire to adhere to an overly ambitious itinerary, in part, because of media commitments."

Terrible judgement, leadership, airmanship, and character.

SpudRider · 11-21-2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

...Terrible judgement, leadership, airmanship, and character.

Amen!

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 03:07 PM

The 177B is a decent performer, and could have safely completed a cross country flight countless times if piloted wisely. The plane was innocent in this crash.

IMHO (and I do investigations of medical factors for the FAA as a consultant), the hardware is rarely the problem in an accident.

SpudRider · 11-21-2013, 03:23 PM

Indeed, I imagine 'pilot error' is usually the cause for most crashes.

Did you see the Denzel Washington movie, Flight? If not, I must warn you. This movie is replete with foul language, nudity, and drug abuse.

I should have checked the reviews before I watched it, but it was an 'impulse rental.'

Nevertheless, the acting, and the strong, anti-drug message are compelling.

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 04:05 PM

I borrowed it form the library last year and found it very interesting.

It was panned on the pilot forums for it's unrealistic portrayal of aerodynamics and the air transport industry/pilot, and the fact that very little of the movie involves flying. The language was indeed bad, but that doesn't bother me per se.

The acting was amazing, indeed I think a few rewards were garnered. The message regarding the effects of drugs on the human being was accurate and profound.

FastDoc · 11-21-2013, 04:11 PM

Of course in that movie the pilot's superior skills saved the lives of almost all aboard the airpliner, DESPITE his impairment. This fact, combined with the consequences of his action, make an interesting study in law and consequences. Although he was, for all intents and purposes, a hero, he still lost because he was also a loser at the same time.

11-21-2013, 12:05 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Landing on an island in the Columbia River I got out of work with enough sunlight left for a short flight with an airport buddy, Mark. We took the Maule out for a ride over the Mighty Columbia River. What a great evening to fly! Perfectly calm winds and cold clear stable air. Airplanes like it cold, the colder the better. It was maybe 35 degrees for this flight. The pic of the island was a final low slow observation pass before circling back to land. During the landing I was too busy to take pictures, but this pic gives you the idea ;-) We also saw Mt. Rainier clear as a bell. Beautiful evening. We never got high enough to see any other volcanos, most of our flying was at altitudes less than 50 feet off the deck. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 12:27 PM	#2
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	This area of the Columbia is called the Hanford Reach. I believe it is the longest most pristine stretch of the Columbia River. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanford_Reach __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 12:54 PM	#3
Wild_Alaskan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Alaska Posts: 914	Looks like a neat flight! I have been wanting to get my my pilots license but haven't had the time yet. I have gone through some of the maneuvers and flying the pattern with my dad who is a pilot, but not an instructor. __________________ Dune buggy build http://chinariders.net/modules.php?n...wtopic&t=14470 400cc lifan build vid: http://youtu.be/20HoU8OK_Y0 other fun: http://tinyurl.com/wildalaskan
	0

11-21-2013, 12:58 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Let me know if/when you are in my area and I'll put you in the left seat and you'll have a great time. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 01:22 PM	#5
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Cold air is dense air. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-21-2013, 01:37 PM	#6
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Planes love that low density altitude! Plus I can run leaner mixtures with higher EGT's and still keep cool CHT's due to the low OAT's. I took off out of Sandpoint one day a couple of winters ago with an OAT of 15 below zero (F) and the density altitude was much less than sea level. My humble 180 HP 360 cubic inch Lycoming pulled like a monster 6 cylinder. I loved it. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 01:57 PM	#7
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Airplanes hate high temperatures, especially combined with airports at high elevations. The airport at Laramie, Wyoming is 7,284 feet above sea level. General aviation aircraft don't climb very well from that airport on a hot summer day. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-21-2013, 02:06 PM	#8
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Do you remember the idiots who killed the 7-year-old 'pilot' trying to take off in a storm from the Cheyenne airport? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Dubroff __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-21-2013, 02:44 PM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	That was a long time ago but I remember it well. Stupid hurts, and stupid pilots kill :-( The highest/hottest I've ever taken off was Albuquerque, New Mexico, elevation 5,312 feet at 100 degrees. Density altitude was 9,400, but even with 2 aboard and 73 gallons the Maule did fine. BUT, it was a 10,000 foot runway with clear approach and departures. Still, my little wheels were spinning real fast when they finally left the pavement, and rate of climb was anemic, maybe 350 FPM. It's easy to see how poor judgement can exceed the mercy of the laws of physics when it gets high and hot like that... __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 02:46 PM	#10
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	"The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the accident was Reid's "improper decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions (including turbulence, gusty winds, and an advancing thunderstorm and associated precipitation) when the airplane was overweight and when the density altitude was higher than he was accustomed to, resulting in a stall caused by failure to maintain airspeed." The NTSB further determined that "contributing to the pilot in command’s decision to take off was a desire to adhere to an overly ambitious itinerary, in part, because of media commitments." Terrible judgement, leadership, airmanship, and character. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 03:07 PM	#12
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The 177B is a decent performer, and could have safely completed a cross country flight countless times if piloted wisely. The plane was innocent in this crash. IMHO (and I do investigations of medical factors for the FAA as a consultant), the hardware is rarely the problem in an accident. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 03:23 PM	#13
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Indeed, I imagine 'pilot error' is usually the cause for most crashes. Did you see the Denzel Washington movie, Flight? If not, I must warn you. This movie is replete with foul language, nudity, and drug abuse. I should have checked the reviews before I watched it, but it was an 'impulse rental.' Nevertheless, the acting, and the strong, anti-drug message are compelling. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-21-2013, 04:05 PM	#14
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I borrowed it form the library last year and found it very interesting. It was panned on the pilot forums for it's unrealistic portrayal of aerodynamics and the air transport industry/pilot, and the fact that very little of the movie involves flying. The language was indeed bad, but that doesn't bother me per se. The acting was amazing, indeed I think a few rewards were garnered. The message regarding the effects of drugs on the human being was accurate and profound. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-21-2013, 04:11 PM	#15
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Of course in that movie the pilot's superior skills saved the lives of almost all aboard the airpliner, DESPITE his impairment. This fact, combined with the consequences of his action, make an interesting study in law and consequences. Although he was, for all intents and purposes, a hero, he still lost because he was also a loser at the same time. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0