Not the Smartest Thing I've Ever Done

Low level through river valleys:
Legal? Yes.
Fun? Yes!
Safe? Mostly.
Smart? Probably not!
The risks are a lot lower than they appear in this case though as there is plenty of land that I could safely land on if the engine quit.
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Aircraft: Zenith CH 701 STOL
Engine: ZD C100 - Rotax 912ULS clone (100hp)
Cruise speed: 80 mph
Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons
Range: 300 miles
Payload: 500 lbs
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Here's the link for anyone who'd like to help support the channel.
paypal.me/ytmmatt
Thanks to all! :-)
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Get all your awesome headset and helmet needs met here!
qhaviation.com...?aff=2
Use coupon code "MMATT" for $25 off your next order!
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UPAC.ca is a great resource for ultralight pilots in Canada. I highly recommend joining to help support the work that they do for us.
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Cameras:
DJI Osmo Action (with JJC Mic Adapter for intercom audio)
Insta360 One X
DJI Mavic Mini
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All drone flights are conducted in accordance with CARS 901.47 and 901.73
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Navigation and Weather apps that we use:
Polaris Ride Command
GPS Essentials
WindFinder
ForeFlight
FltPlanGo
Windy

[@VroodenTheGreat]

The flight sim is looking amazingly realistic these days.

[@williamdougan3530]

Matt, I think this is one or your best videos. Telling everything you are doing was really nice. Thank You for all the videos you put on KZbin. I have not missed a one, because they are so good. Take Care.. Bill, from Kentucky.

[@mmatt]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy them! :-)

[@jeffbetts2]

New Brunswick's mach loop

[@johnhohenadel3099]

Yes! I love that you have a horn! That is such a great idea Matt! A simple and cheap thing to add to everyone’s enjoyment!

[@dandog7653]

Yes, that was fun, and I'm also glad you took us along for the ride. Thanks. I liked the ride, especially the flight up the canyon.

[@chrischain_]

That was an impressive wheelie on landing! Always fun watching you fly around knowing and following the (Canadian) regs but still showing how to really take advantage of your aircraft for some fun low and slow(ish) flying. Say bye Matt! (I was waiting for that at the end of the video)

[@FLY--wy2yi]

Hey Matt, good job getting out and flying in the super cold weather! It’s 1-20-24 and woke up to some very low temperatures here on Long Island. Both me and my airplane staying inside and riding out the crap weather. The wind has been kind of relentless…..can’t wait for spring! Thanks for the great video this morning…….stay safe!

[@GolfRomeoIndia]

Man, what you say about the snow changing the landscape is so true. Made that exact comment yesterday when i flew over our airstrip and didn't’ even know it (it is closed for the winter). Have over 75 hrs at this spot but never seen it snow covered.

[@mmatt]

On the plus side, you get to see a new and exciting landscape twice a year! lol

[@markwebb8013]

Need an update on your clone rotax,it looks very appealing.

[@mmatt]

It's working just like a Rotax would! So far I am very happy with it.

[@markwebb8013]

@@mmatt Thanks for the information.

[@ar15gator]

Great Day in the sky!

[@kylewoodfill9875]

What are you seeing for airspeed with the 100hp engine. Looks like you don't have leading edge slats.

[@mmatt]

70 knots or 80 mph at 4800 RPM. I don't have the leading edge slats and I'm planning on switching the tubular wingstruts for streamlined ones. Hopefully that'll give me an extra 5 MPH or so.

[@Tryagain205]

Thanks for the video, Matt. It’s cool seeing the aircraft go into a slip from the tail camera view! I’d that a tablet that you were using to watch the weather radar images? If so, what apps do you have on it for flying?

[@mmatt]

I thought it looked cool too! :-) Yes, it's an iPad mini. I primarily use ForeFlight on it.

[@doncatchpole]

Still watching.

[@frankenstol]

Very nice. Thanks

[@lukkas913]

Nice vids man, where are you flyin from? BC, AB..

[@mmatt]

Woodstock, NB (CCD3)

[@chetmyers7041]

13:10 "Not the smartest operation," like a T Palmer maneuver.

[@mmatt]

Are you talking about the low pass he made to check to see if a potential landing spot was suitable? If so, that was a very smart move on his part and it's either only ignorance or maliciousness on the part of the prosecutors that's landed him in trouble. I, on the other hand, would never claim to be as smart as him, but I too was using this low pass to evaluate the potential landing spots along the river or on islands for some potential off field operations come summer. Along with making a fun video that is. :-)

[@donc9751]

Beautiful views!!! That little plane climbs very well!!! How many FPM can it usually get? Keep an eye out for those pesky power lines!!! Don't get caught up in any of those or anything else! I sure enjoy flying along with your videos!

[@mmatt]

I can usually get between 1200-1500 fpm but that's not what I really care about, it's the steep angle that I like. I don't care how fast I get to altitude, I care about clearing obstacles like those pesky powerlines you mentioned! lol I recon every site several times before I fly low through it. I've been scouting out this valley for a few months now.

[@donc9751]

@mmatt Thank you for replying and answering my question! I understand about the obstacle clearing angle of attack is important too. I watch all your videos so I know you know the area you're flying extremely well. I'm just wishing you safe flying and like you pointed out, things happen so much faster in the Zenith than they did in your Beaver. I'd love flying either plane but really like the enclosed canopy in the Zenith. Hopefully it can be warmed up a little in the cockpit but it probably has no heater. Still much better than open cockpit in anything else in cold weather.

[@mmatt]

@@donc9751 The 701 certainly has a heater and it's WAY more comfortable to fly in the winter! 🙂

[@buellrod]

I'm loving at zenith's brother

[@mmatt]

Me too! :-)

[@josephhaack5711]

Should out a Maple leaf inside the star on the fuselage! 🇨🇦

[@BruceWyder-xw9ir]

what do you have for heaters, i have two in mine an exhaust heat and a coolant heater

[@mmatt]

I just have the exhaust heater. Which do you find to be more effective?

[@jdmforever5583]

Just be mindful when your sightseeing under 400 ft you're in unmanned aircraft territory

[@TrustJesus100]

Dirt bike of the skies! Love it! lol...kinda cool when a guy can see where you are on google maps, at about 12:06 youre right at the end of carpenter road, on your way to Middle Pitch Falls. lol

[@superbill9066]

Hows the search for skiis going?

[@mmatt]

The build is underway. I'll be sure to post a video on them once they are complete. :-)

[@quantumac]

Hey, some days getting out of bed is probably inadvisable, but most of us do it anyways!

[@williammccarthy9360]

Great footage, well done Matt!!! Keep um coming sir!!!

[@danlibby8366]

Ok what do you carry on the plane in case you have to ditch. Cold weather and off field landing under bad conditions. Phone is damaged, radio is out.

[@mmatt]

Lighter, knife, multi-tool are all carried on my person. There's a small first aid kit with matches in case the lighter gets wet. The iPad has its own SIM card so it can be used for backup coms if I have a cell signal, if not, it can still be used for navigation if I decide to walk out. Two of the cameras have external battery packs that can be brought along to keep it going for days. While all that is nice to have of course, I have plenty of minimal gear camping experience. I can start a fire with some wood and a shoelace, I know how to build shelter without using tools, and most importantly of all, I always tell someone where I'm going. 🙂

[@danlibby8366]

My bag is an ever evolving game of what to carry vs weight/space. It’s always good to hear what others are doing. Maybe a subject for a future video? Maybe show your emergency supplies and ask some of the others to do the same on your video. It may help create some awareness in the flying community. I’m sure the other pilots have some form of “survival” equipment.

[@GhostRider50918]

Nice plane and thank you for sharing sounds like fun

[@BruceWyder-xw9ir]

yes its a hoot

[@mmatt]

Indeed! :-)

[@frankenstol]

Well done. It's a calculated risk flight with everyone on board knowing the circumstances. What is your tail camera? Very stable. Is that still the all-flying rudder? Thanks. Cheers !!!

[@mmatt]

Yes, it is the all-flying rudder, very effective. The tailcam is a DJI Osmo Action 3.

[@russcorbett3923]

Ta-da !!! Awesome flight !!!!

[@josephhaack5711]

Nice landing 9.5! Lol

[@georgehunter4023]

I really would love a Zenith but I think I would have to go to a 750SD with bubble doors with my size at 6'2" and 300 pounds.

[@mmatt]

The 750s are really cool too!

[@josephhaack5711]

If I built a 701 I would ask the FAA for a registration number of… T1993R (tigger) because they bounce up into the air ! Lol

[@mmatt]

Haha! That's clever!

[@josephhaack5711]

Who cleared the Woodstock runway so well? Also, nice nap of the earth practice, F-16s lost you in the ground clutter! PS. How was the Cabin heat working?

[@mmatt]

A couple of guys have taken it upon themselves to keep the runway clear and we're all very thankful for it. The cabin heat works well enough. It's not blazing hot but it keeps the chill out of the air.

[@OldRX550Pilot]

“Just flying around straight and level is, how do you say, boring.” Truer words were never spoken by a Flight Instructor who’s NOT doing flight instruction 😊 Great IFR (“Rivers” in this case) flying !! Missing Vicky though 😢 Your frequent spoken “Matt-isms” should not go unpunished !!

[@mmatt]

Lol, my new words should be in the dictionary! Hahaha!

[@GlensHangar]

I need a horn...

[@mmatt]

Yes you do! :-)

[@raytoews9872]

Cool video. I used to do the Meduxnekeag run with Billie's kitfox. I see you are in Lavenders hanger, so I assume he is no longer "with us"? Pity.

[@mmatt]

Jack is still alive but I haven't seen him in ages. I keep trying to get Mitch to come up with me in the Kitfox but he's pretty busy these days.

[@unlikelyimager547]

I realize its cold out, and snow clothes make sense this time of year, but how good is the cabin heat in your 701? The CD100 engine seems to be purring along well too.

[@mmatt]

It's adequate. It won't roast you out of the plane but you still need to dress warmly. It definitely takes the chill out of the air and makes the flight much more enjoyable.

[@bgardam9347]

excellent landing

[@BruceWyder-xw9ir]

what kind of covering do you have on the floor of your 701

[@mmatt]

Not entirely sure what it's called but it's a sort of rubberized mat about a quarter inch thick.

[@doncatchpole]

Cool flight.

[@alkempton1512]

Nice footage

[@ibstryder4736]

Hey

[@philryder966]

Thanks, Matt! Real nice trip! And again great photography! Looks nice and cold though!! Here In SC we got down to 25F last night. This is the south! I'm complaining to the chamber of commerce!😂😂😂 Too bad you can't just hop over to the states for a bit. We have too many regulations sometimes. Anyway, thanks for the trip! 😎👍👍👍

[@mmatt]

I'll probably complete the process to cross the border someday, but I'll have to have lots of free time first, lol Sorry to hear about your cold temps, it's crazy to imagine SC that cold!

[@kenfawcett4006]

In the past ten days we've been down to 9 and ten (F) several times with highs in the teens and low 20's here in Texas. This morning it was 16. The 701 looks very nimble and your confidence in the Chinese engine for me is amazing with nothing but trees, snow and water below.

[@CrayonboxAviationAdventures]

Hi Matt. Getting really snowy there hey. How's the new not-rotax doing?

[@mmatt]

No complaints so far, it does everything a Rotax does except rip you off when you buy it. lol

[@CrayonboxAviationAdventures]

@@mmatt thats great to hear. I wonder how many others have tried that option.

[@blinkybagger8342]

Should we look forward to a companion video called "The smartest thing I've ever done", or will Mmatt leave us hanging? Perhaps a re-editing the video and less-than-transparently inserting sim-flying under all the bridges mentioned, could be good silly-video to get over the content-hump during the less-than-flyable, deepest parts of winter?

[@mmatt]

Hahaha! That's a great idea!

[@df3yt]

Smartest thing...becoming a pilot.

[@johnhohenadel3099]

Hey Matt, love your videos! I have been watching you for years now. I like how you are so open and real unlike many other KZbin videos. I am going to reach out and get in touch. I would like to pop out to Woodstock and see the local area. So beautiful! Keep it up….you’ve got a good thing going!

[@mmatt]

Come on for a visit anytime, I'll show you around the airport and maybe we can even go up for a flight. :)

[@johnhohenadel3099]

@mmatt You bet man! That would be awesome!

[@ozarklanding]

How many hours on the new engine?

[@mmatt]

Almost 50. Just about time for its second oil change.