Baja Dirt Strip Landing and Group Flying in Mexico

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

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[@OmarKnowCars]

Im praying to the gods of algorithms. May this video gets the views it deserves 🙏

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

thank you so much. I really appreciate that!

[@gregorygeorge7065]

Great job telling the story of your first dirt strip landing! Whales, airplanes & Baja! What a wonderful combo!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

We missed you! 🥲

[@jeffreybryner1196]

Amazing...great soft field landing too. Passed my private checkride today. What a great video I was lucky to catch just as it came out. Thanks Eric!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks!

[@chriszeitler4613]

Congratulations and let the real learning begin!

[@AirSafetyInstitute]

Awesome video! Thanks for taking us along 😃

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adrianronquillo4880]

I started flying late November of 2021. I got my PPL and Instrument rating. Currently working towards my commercial certificate. This video really inspired me and I hope I can have a similar experience with my wife soon. Thank you for sharing!

[@selfmade1521]

Your content is awesome! It’s inspirational and sets such a good example for a family. Thanks for sharing!

[@wallymurray620]

Wow, amazing! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@danielreuter2565]

I was literally just mentioning to a friend that I wanted to go see whales in Baja after your last Mexico trip inspired me!

[@Fiftyx60]

What an excellent video! That is why we fly, isn’t it? It takes us places to which we would likely never drive. Nice work!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

absolutely! Just a great excuse to visit new out of the way places. :)

[@stevelampert]

Great video! We made this exact trip in 2019 with Baja Bush Pilots. Brought back great memories. Thank you for sharing.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jameshcox]

This was lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@chriszeitler4613]

Boy, that raised pad on the runway would make me gun shy of a prop strikes. Can't imagine that nightmare in Mexico! Good job and awesome video as always!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Yeah that’s why I went very slowly and was stressing about taxiing over and around it. I debated turning around before it as you saw in the video. But a Pilatus pilot that morning told us he taxied over it and I think that plane’s prop clearance is worse so I figured it would be ok…especially with the 6 loaded with pretty aft CG. Lots to consider which is what makes it extra fun!!

[@mdaven428]

On my Lance, 3 bladed prop helps( shorter prop blades) and I have them put in extra Nitrogen into nose strut to bring it up an extra 3-4 inches.

[@Officialflymedia]

Just amazing I watch this video once a month, great content and storytelling

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

thank you so much! i really appreciate that

[@Officialflymedia]

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey honestly story telling is an art and you do a great job! Thanks for making content, and sharing! Please keep it up I’m inspired and enjoy every moment!

[@eyesupaviation]

How cool to be able to fly down for a whale encounter!

[@AV8OR51]

Sounds like a great trip! Thank you for sharing. As usual, beautiful storytelling!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you!

[@mavrick561]

Great video! I was cheering inside when you nailed that landing. 👏

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you!

[@wolfhound1979]

Enjoying your video’s so much. Keep them coming. Beautiful trip with the family! Regards from a Dutch Archer pilot.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you very much for the encouragement!

[@jorgetrodriguez7669]

from Santa Ana California!! Very interesting Videos and thanks for promoting through it is an interesting Videos to promote and invite to explore in these beautiful places of what is Baja California and Baja California Sur!!.. Mexico thanks you!!

[@six_twentythree]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing the journey!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jrulison]

I would love to see a ground video breaking down the expenses. I am down the path of potentially buying my own plane. I know the video where you bought the plane but what about a recap that goes over the plane cost, the instrument panel costs, why you selected what you did, and any costs to refinish the inside. Love the videos keep them coming.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

stay tuned!

[@FlyingEyesWorld]

Thank you for sharing this unforgettable experience!

[@WheezinGeezerTV]

Thanks for taking us along!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

thanks for watching!

[@alexrcastillo1977]

Awesome video. One day I’ll fly to Mexico.

[@osayandeaikhionbare1636]

As always strong work. Your videos are awesome, and the story telling is on point.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you so much 😀

[@CascadiaAviation]

You have inspired me to plan my own flight south of the border!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

awesome! Hope you enjoy it!!!

[@bajamedic]

I’m driving down in 10 days. We leave so cal or San Felipe early stop in Guerrero Negro for shrimp tacos and have dinner in Loreto. If you haven’t I highly recommend the drive down.

[@GregHopp]

Bucket list item. I've done Monument Valley & Sedona and Baja whale watching is high on my list.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

youll love it!

[@mykalhenry]

Probably your best video yet.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Tha k you!

[@gustavodurazodnp]

Great video Eric, nice landing !!! hope to see more videos.

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day from Sydney Australia. Fantastic episode of the oceans creatures of the deep, at the surface. The soft field land: perfect on the main wheels with the airspeed stall warning just at touchdown. 🌏🇭🇲

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you! the whales were amazing. :)

[@glennwatson]

I have been in a aircraft with a prop imbalance due to previous renter taxing with the excess power. So good work thinking about it.

[@jonconner3019]

Nice. Saw you on FastPass too. Taking my Arrow to our house near XPPC in May.

[@davewilliams639]

Another awesome video Eric. Thank you!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@mckane2]

Awesome! You guys flew over my hometown, Mexicali, the best Chinese food in the world outside China.

[@siriceman64]

Awesome flight! Flew into this airport when I was in medical school. There's a medical clinic at the end of the runway that the Flying Samaritan's fly to from the Phoenix area.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

They were actually there doing the clinic when we landed!

[@fredericfogg8784]

Take a guess at what part of your video I really liked?

[@tannerb55]

Wow hell of a story I love this channel

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you so much!

[@npc_retired]

Two days ago, I was sitting in my car at night, and looked up through the window to see a plane flying above me. At that moment I realized I'll be turning 21 next month, and can actually get my license to fly! It never occurred to me that I can actually do it. Well, I'm starting ground school tomorrow. Will hopefully have my license by the end of the year. It's weird how fast life can change. Two days ago, I never even thought about flying. But it's a good skill to have. And will only help me in the future. So I'm doing it

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Awesome. Hope you enjoy the process! If you’re looking for an online ground school I highly recommend the Finer Points Ground School App. They give our subscribers 10% off too…. www.learnthefinerpoints.com/ground-school/p/monkey

[@mattg1967]

NICE landing!!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks!

[@sei5050]

Greased it!

[@stephbli1337]

I wanna go whale watching in Mexico!!!

[@mikeboulant8911]

Great video. Best one yet!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Awesome flying with you!

[@mikeboulant8911]

This trip was one of the highlights of my flying “career”. So fun to meet and fly with others. Flying is often pretty solitary. So rewarding to challenge myself and have it all work out. Thanks again for making it possible.

[@janekrubes]

Great stuff!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks!!

[@jormoria]

que bonito es Mexico

[@kantemirovskaya1lightninga30]

A great episode!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

thanks!

[@CaptainCAVU]

Always enjoy your videos but have a couple questions...What guidebooks were your flying buddies referencing at 3:20 ? The one I have is the 1974 Airports of Baja California by Arnold Senterfitt that my family used in our PA-32-260 trip south. The airport pictures for Lopez Mateos look just a little bit different! Secondly, with a limp windsock and light and variable winds, why not takeoff on RWY 10? That would have eliminated concerns about the raised markings pad and taxiing over soft sand in the 28 turnaround.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It's the Baja Bish Pilots book. There is a raised pad also at the other end but I suppose it would have been one less to taxi over departing Rwy 10. Part of the reason for 28 departure was to get a view of the bay and see if we could spot whales. I didn't really consider the whole turning around thing!

[@johnjones7270]

It was nice seeing the Flying Monkeys in person at Brown after you got back to the US. Too bad it was a bit hazy for your "bay tour" on your leg back home though.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

very nice meeting you!

[@kodyamos]

Dude, seriously… every one of your videos make me cry. I’m a dad, 35, with three kidlets. 6, 5and 1. They watch with me because they know I dream of flying them someday. Came from dirt floor poor and working hard to make “Day 1” a possibility. Should I look at one of these online ground schools? I’ve seen a few options.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

I hope you can make it happen It’s worth the effort! I’m a big fan of The Finer Points who are a sponsor of the channel. Here’s a link with a discount: www.learnthefinerpoints.com/monkey.

[@Ragtime456]

Great job as always with your videos. But I would be interested in your opinion on the cleanup necessary after your return. I just got back from the Buckeye airfair where they have you park in the dirt. I have officially sworn off any dirt fields (parking only in their case). Airplane was just a mess given all the fans blowing a constant stream dust in/out and around the whole airplane. I know it sounds petty, but it just doesn't seem worth going into dirt strips after you get back.🤔

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It wasn’t bad at all. Probably because it’s not a dusty airstrip. Compacted seashells mostly. I cleaned the belly yesterday and it wasn’t much more work than normal. The rest of the plane isn’t even really dirty.

[@brockbenjamin-vn6ot]

Next time you need to try Mulege and the hotel with the dirt strip there

[@mdaven428]

Love El Gallito( Mulege), Alfonsina's and Punta San Francisquito( one of the most beautiful beaches in Baja). Great stops in the Baja

[@mattanders7617]

Where is the patron link? I’m flying into Mexico for the first and like to see your experience

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

it's patreon.com/socalflyingmonkey. Let me know through Patreon DM or on our Discord ifyou need any help!

[@jbcaptain11]

There’s people in the billfish and tuna tournaments out of ci harbor that will pay you to spot fish

[@nicolaskarlezi6751]

Amazing video!! How do you put those subtitles ?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

type them out manually in Davinci Resolve and animate the text with an effect. I'm sure there are easier ways!! Haha

[@outabeat]

Was that your stall horn starting to beep over the houses on approach?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It’s an angle of attack indicator. Starts warning much earlier than a stall horn.

[@mdaven428]

If runway is long enough, I do rolling runup during taxiback

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Very good idea! I skipped the runup that time since it was second flight of the day but will do rolling runup from now on.

[@aggibson74]

Looks like you had a whale of a time!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

haha we did

[@ko5040]

Quality as usual! My patreon account is all messed up and won't let me switch payment methods -Kyle

[@Clayly_1]

Howdy 🤠 👋

[@bwro66]

Hey Eric, can you do a tutorial on how you drain your fuel sumps for your pre-flight routine? I know that with the PA32 it's a bit different than most other airframes.

[@justinjohnson2501]

take your fuel sumper to both sumps on each week and push up on the valve and drain about 2 cups of gas if no water or sediment, your golden. There you go cheers!!

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It’s the same as other planes with a couple differences. My plane has 4 tanks. So I sump each tank. There is also a belly drain. The lever is behind the copilot seat on the floor. You’re supposed to activate it for something like 10 seconds and flip the selector to each tank for that duration. Most people put a bucket under there. It’s not super practical so my tendency is to do it if the plane has been out in the rain or if I find water or sediment in any of the tanks. That sump drain has a filter and it is opened and cleaned during annual. There is also an AD that can be performed by the pilot every 50 hours to test that the valve stays closed when activating the drain with selector in off position. I had to have my selector valve rebuilt because it was cross feeding. (Webco did it)

[@TomCook1993]

Is it normal to hear the stall horn on final?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It’s the angle of attack indicator so the initial beeps are way earlier than a regular stall horn would be. The final solid tone is more like a stall horn. And this is what you want right before touchdown.

[@slo6026]

Did you land with the prop pulled back?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

I don’t think so. Should I have??

[@slo6026]

@SoCal Flying Monkey no you shouldn't have but I swear in the video on short final it's still pulled back..

[@slo6026]

Yea i just watched it again, on short final its still way back and after landing you have the prop and the mixture pulled back.. look at 8:42

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It’s possible I didn’t fully execute the GUMPS check.

[@slo6026]

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey the stuff we learn....its amazing what happens to our normal operations when we are being challenged with new situations.

[@DavidFahrney]

What are the limitations by the Mexican government for landing on the various dirt strips in Baja?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

You have to file a paper flight plan in Mexico if departing from an airport with an AFAC office. You need paper flight plans for all the flights although sometimes they are just retroactive if you’ve been flying to unattended strips. You also need to make sure the strip has a current license. We have a complete guide at Patreon.com/socalflyingmonkey.

[@nicholaskida]

Interesting chapter title. Does it actually impact you when people skip the sponsored segment? For whatever reason I assumed they measured success purely on the use your code.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

skipping those segments makes KZbin not serve it up to more people so ultimately really effects the bottom line. KZbin adrev is abysmal so sponsors and Patreon are the only way to keep a creative project like this going where the aim is for very high quality.

[@glennwatson]

My programmer brain kicked in there for a bit. I imagine KZbin could make a api for sponsors to get anonymised data about their time slice of videos. Charge some money for it. At the moment I don’t think the video stats go that deep and wouldn’t be automated.

[@tomsamuelson767]

Ok, that was very cool. Was that also your first time across the border? I'd love to fly all the way down to Central America (or even further) but am a little leary of the tales of unscrupulous actors along the way. Any advice?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

It was my third time flying to Mexico. The Baja Bush Pilots org has good information on flying to Central America. Probably your best resource for that. Our tutorial covers Mexico very thoroughly.

[@tomsamuelson767]

Ok, great. Thanks for that. I'll check it out.

[@Captndarty]

Ah yes, the people have to pay to be your friend via Patreon…

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

it's $3 bro. Just to weed out the riff raff or entitled people that think all creative content should be free.....

[@Captndarty]

Bro, hanging with people should be free and not exclusively for a group who pays you a fee regardless if it’s $3 or not. There’s plenty of riffraff on patreon as there are decent upstanding folks off of patreon. I pay $15 a month not to watch garbage commercials on KZbin. If I payed just $3 to every Tom duck and harry on KZbin it amounts to a bit more…. Source your funds from me through KZbin. I refuse to pay anyone anything for the arduous task of them playing with their toys just so they can panhandle financial support to continue to play with their toys. Many artists start off just wanting to share. Once they realize they’ve been noticed human greed takes over… KZbin was created as a free place to post and a free place to watch.

[@tmusky1134]

​@Captndarty stop whining

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

First of all it’s not about paying to be anyone’s friend. I provide loads of content on Patreon. Full go pro camera and post production tutorial series, IFR approach video series, maintenance video series, and more. Everyone tells me my Patreon has way more content than any other they support. You are absolutely kidding yourself if you think most creators can support what they do from KZbin adrev. I will level with you. It’s $3-$5 per thousand views. A typical aviation video May get 20-30k views so that’s $60-$150. I try to create high quality content with story and good production value. I spend dozens of hours editing each video. So the hourly rate may be about $4-$5 per hour of labor if that. The adrev would barely even cover hard drive space (typically 1TB per video) If it were up to me I would create only videos for Patreon and not have to try to edit and program for the algorithm to serve up the content wider to get more views and more adrev. As an artist in both my regular career and KZbin hobby i find your entitled attitude to consuming creative work pretty gross. My guess is you don’t support the arts in any way but take full advantage of having them in your life. I think we’d both be happier if you unsubscribed from my channel (if you’re even subbed). You wouldn’t have to listen to me “panhandle” and I wouldn’t have to listen to you complain. Deal?