Crashes & Close Calls: Tales from Kirk Ellis 40 plus years of bush flying

[@quadcub1223]

Kirk is a living bush pilot legend! I was lucky enough to buy a 4 place cub from him several years ago and after spending a little time with him I made him sign it! After really seeing what is possible with the 4 seat cub we started building another, because what’s better than one cub? 2 cubs! With this new build Kirk has created another masterpiece! These 4 place cubs are just incredible to fly. Thanks for getting this interview and capturing a little bit of the Ellis story.

[@debbiejohnson5610]

Kirk's mom sounds like a legend too. Would love to see pictures. Such great stories and people.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

There are pictures of her online that can be found by searching for their family name

[@bmiller7710]

I was very lucky to fly in for a drop off sheep hunt with Kirk in the hulk several years ago. I could have listened to his stories for weeks! What a legend and it’s very amazing what he is able to do from flying to building aircraft. I will never forget that trip

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

What a privilege. Thanks for sharing.

[@buddysmith1721]

I hadn't heard of your channel until today, and I watched this entire podcast in one sitting. Well done!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Awesome, sorry for the interruption 😁

[@buschpilotsinternational5656]

Kirk is such a gentleman and legend in the bush flying world. I wish he would do an interview like this once a week so we would have more of his knowledge and stories to glean from!!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

I agree. I plan to get him in again at some point. In the mean time we do have some great guests coming up soon as well.

[@davidrohwer4284]

Enjoyed this interview a lot. First, you did the seats in my wife's Cardinal several years ago and they are great. Second. I worked, as a teenager in the late 60's, at Chistochina Lodge for two summers on the Tok Cutoff, a few miles south of Nebesna Road. We had fuel and a 1500' runway that most of the guides came in and fueled up. One of my jobs was fueling aircraft. I met Bill Ellis and one landing in particular I recall. He had lost a wheel on takeoff. We got a phone call that he was going to land at Chistochina so we got ready. He made a low pass and dropped out a heavy tool box. The second pass he landed. I remember how he held that plane up on one wheel until nearly all forward speed was exhausted, dropped the wheel-less axle down (left one?) and then it nosed over. He had a son with him. Wonder which one? They brought in an engine and mechanic and got it back in the air in short order. The lodge was a cool place to work for a 15 year old in 1967 and 1968. At the ripe old age of 72 I'm finally learning to fly our Cardinal. Some days i wish I had a Cub.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

I remember doing those seats. That’s a cool story about Bill. Thanks for sharing

[@rennneilson8552]

Great work! I got my PL at 16 in Red Devil AK. Hunted sheep with the Ellis family many times. Lynn was the one I flew with most. I loved their cubs. Great memories.

[@alexdebruijn2945]

Hugh respect for Kirk Ellis. A gentle low profile man doing actually highly amazing stuff.

[@BarelySqueakinBy]

What a legend Kirk Ellis is thank you for sharing the great knowledge and story’s. It’s wonderful you were able to document this. Thank you both 🙏🏻

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

It’s humbling to be able to sit down with guys like him. Thank you for watching

[@billroberts9182]

In 1970 I worked with the State of Alaska in geology and stayed with the Ellis' (along with a large crew). Bill Ellis (Kirk's father) got an emergency call requiring him to fire up the supercub. He knew I was watching him get ready to takeoff, so while walking to the parked cub he weaved and bobbed (like he was intoxicated)- he jumped in and did a perfect takeoff. Kirk flew my son and I into the mountains a couple of times for unguided sheep hunts. What a blast!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

What a great time you must have had. I’ve enjoyed reading your comments on my interviews. You should call me sometime, I would love to talk to you. You can contact me on my website sportaircraftseats.com. I’m not going to post my number on here.

[@MsThehessian]

These interviews are priceless and are going to help people fly much more safely. This is a really great service to the flying community.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

But these are only for entertainment 😀

[@daedaluscan]

Amazing stories and information. Best KZbin bush flying channel I’ve seen. Genuinely experience being shared.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Thank you we are trying. It’s nice to hear.

[@PostcardsfromAlaska]

Great point on keeping the plane light. It’s not a bad idea to carry your return fuel in cans, so you can ditch them before you go exploring new spots. Shuttling weight to an easy spot is wise.

[@Bearhawk_Life]

Another amazing video/interview. Kirk has built two planes for a buddy of mine here in Utah so it is cool to listen to his stories. I had watched the super cub hardcore before, truly an amazing family. And yes you make GREAT seats! Thanks and keep up the great work

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Hey Jay, good to hear from you. How’s your bearhawk flying?

[@Bearhawk_Life]

@@AirplanesInTheWild Daniel, I hang the wings in about 10 days, so not far from flying. Hope you are well.

[@Kujjiman]

I had a DPE call me a "promising young pilot" on my commercial checkride. I'm still riding that high. Now I'm working on my multi-engine and I'm back to hearing how bad I am, how I'm not progressing, etc. Now I'm riding that low haha

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

That’s funny. Humility is an interesting thing. Like how do you know if you’re being humble? Is it when you feel like crap?

[@coltstowell188]

This is so cool to get to hear from the guys we usually can only read about, you’re killing it!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Thanks. More to come

[@larryvoight5266]

These interviews have been absolutely amazing!!! Great questions, great guests and I love the sit down & chat style format!! Look forward to more in the future!!!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Glad you enjoyed it! We have many more on the way

[@MrPang278]

I’m telling ya, I’m going to buy a cub or a beaver if I keep listening to these amazing stories.

[@williamlazarus4166]

Fantastic interviews!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Thank you

[@davebourdon3258]

Awesome interview! The original 4 place cub.... The Piper Clipper, PA-16.

[@allfurprofit5550]

By far the best podcast I’ve listened too. Legend.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Thanks for the kind words. We plan to have Kirk on again soon

[@martinrice6541]

Outstanding work interviewing these wise and experienced guys. Keep up the good work…my hunch is it will be great for your biz…

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Thanks. Let’s hope so. The more it helps my business the more interviews we will be able to release. There is a significant expense to all of this.

[@Benzvelasquez]

So cool! What a stud!

[@haystax]

Excellent interview! Please keep them coming

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Will do

[@nelchinanoble]

Great conversation, what an incredible story he's lived.

[@pilotmark2861]

Awesome series !

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@FlyBikeCampAK]

You should do an interview with the guys over at Helio Alaska to talk why bringing the Helio Courier back into production is a big deal for Alaska and backcountry flying in general.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

That’s a great idea. I’ve thought about doing a little documentary style piece about what they are doing but haven’t thought about an interview

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Great interview! Have you considered doing an interview with Charley Center while he is still around? I bet he could tell some stories on airplane recovery....

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

I would sit down with him in a heartbeat.

[@1Buckluck]

sounds like paradise hard work but worth it!

[@cameronmolt5649]

Dude get this on Spotify!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

It’s on Spotify

[@frederickking1660]

Those 3 Rangers were lucky to make it out.

[@frederickking1660]

So they graded you on your landing like an LSO on an aircraft carrier.

[@innovativeintelligence4172]

Ron hayes is another pilot you should interview, 95 yr old polar bear guide, kirk ellis rules !!

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

Just release one with Ron. Thanks

[@nicolecharpentier7932]

🔥

[@frederickking1660]

Your mom was a force. Network with pen and paper.

[@nelsondoan8271]

👍

[@smurfsky101]

Friendly word of advice , try not to jump on every word of your guests - you interrupt them a lot

[@frederickking1660]

All you need it 8th grade. You can goggle the rest these days.

[@AirplanesInTheWild]

So true 😃