Fraser River Sandbars

Getting to be sandbar season with the water levels in the Fraser dropping.  Flying by one and got invited down on "Sesame Street" (that's what pilots call 123.45 radio frequency used for chat - despite what the AIP advises).

A couple of really big-tired airplanes were already there, making my 8:50x6 look like skateboard wheels.  One was a Carbon Cub, the other a trick looking Murphy Rebel that had  already had a flight on the end of a helicopter long-line after landing where he shouldn't have.

I  asked if they were the fabled "Sandbar Cowboys".  They sneered and said those are the cougar hunters on Granville Island, and that I probably meant the "Gravel Bar Cowboys" out of Langley and no they weren't those guys either, (greenhorn).

Then the three of us squirrel-caged around landing on different sandbars, what a hoot!

On the way back I checked out this year's corn maze near Cloverdale.  Must be a soccer fan.

Grand Forks Fly in

Don't put your camping gear away yet! The Grand Forks Fly-In is on Aug 24th - with overnight camping welcome on the 23rd. Hosted potluck (5pm) for anyone camping under the wing. Breakfast, Farmers Market and a whole lot more (from 7am - 11am). The weather (so far) looks real good. Full description in the August COPA paper, or, contact James Traynor at 250-442-5646 Anyone interested in coming with us?

Nimpkish River Sandbar

Spent a couple days kiteboarding at Nimpkish Lake on Vancouver Island, and had a good opportunity to carefully walk the sandbars at the nearby mouth of the Nimpkish River.  Came back with the Citabria  a few days later and landed - reliable  headwind made it easy (that's why it is a kiteboarding/windsurfing mecca).  Took the tires (8:50x6) down to 12 psi for the landing, also dumped all my gear and passenger at Woss airstrip to get as light as possible.  Landable length was about 500'.

Close to the water seemed better...

Going past Victoria Peak on the way home

My SPOT track showing the location of Nimpkish River (near the highway, between Campbell River and Port Hardy)

Trip to Vernon

Hi Pacfic Pilots,

I was thinking of doing a day trip to Vernon and doing a Rotax parts pickup run. (Any excuse to fly).  If anyone one else is interested in joining me in this trip letme know and we'll figure out a good date to go.  David :-)

Joel and Mel final leg landing

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5pham64unhqihgb/GP020026.MP4


this is a link to my drop box video I took of Joel final landing back at king George.   ***WARNING***   Very large file.  It will use up a big portion of your data plan.

Quesnel Flying Club 's hospitality July 26th ...THANK YOU!!

Powell River Sea Fair - July 26-27

Powell River Sea Fair July 26-27
Fun time in Powell River this weekend. Fly-in hosted by the Westview Flying Club, combined with a show and shine auto meet.  Saw Werner Giesbrecht and his wife there with their Fairchild 24 (saw them last at nearby Cortes Island last summer), Brent McKenzie with his 1948 Fleet Canuck still enduring the rigors of aerobatics, a trick looking ACA Scout with Alaskan Bushwheels that calls a little strip up by Lund home.

Can't complain about the price of fuel there anymore -there isn't any!

Wrap up was a couple of Boundary Bay ringers putting on an airshow both at the airport on Saturday, and then at the beach on Sunday.  Harvard and a Pitts, you figure it out.

Here's Brent in his Fleet.

And the dust-ups:

Abbotsford AIRSHOW 2014 VIP Chalet Passes ...now only have for Sunday some left...

No more Passes for  Saturday (ANJ Supply) and Only Sunday Passes available - limited supply.

Your Abbotsford Air show VIP Chalet Tickets are ready!   Saturday August 09 and Sunday August 10, 2014 $125.00 each Pass   VIP Chalet Passes include: Breakfast Lunch Snacks Beverages Patio Style Seating VIP Entrance and VIP Parking   Chose from the two options and include your Name and Mailing address. Limited Quantities! ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Thank you! TEAM ANJ

Melanie has to work on August 10th, and we will definitely be back from Yellowknife by then. Is there a group of Pacific Pilots planning on going to the Abbotsford airshow? I am thinking of buying one of Elke's $125 VIP tickets. I think sitting under an umbrella with breakfast, lunch, and refreshments would make the airshow very comfortable.

Rugged Point - near Kyuquot

July 11, 2014

I'd better squeeze this in before the Yellowknife trip takes all the laurels.

Took a sunny day trip to Nootka Island - landed at the usual haunt by Calvin Falls.  A few kayakers around, checked out the "clubhouse" just inside the bush near the falls.

From there I had a close look at Catala Island, heard you could land on the beach on the south side.  Maybe, did a couple of dummy runs but gave it a pass this time.

From there to Rugged Point, passed Port Eliza airstrip - looks like they had some equipment on it widening it out, still a little cramped but you short-wing Piper guys might be ok.  Landed at Rugged Point and had a look around, ventured up the little trail to the inside campground.  Then took off and saw what looked like someone putting in a serious campground at the very east end.

Ok, back on the road, swung past Zeballos, memories of logging and fighting fire in Amai Inlet

And finally dropped into Woss for lunch.  Some white trash toothless reprobate burned a couch in the middle of the far (west) end of the strip, but there was still lots of room to land.