Off Airport Flying - things to consider | Part1

Just some things to consider that I didn't necessarily see mentioned from other resources.... Much of this is commend sense type info, but I feel it's worth mentioning. Please learn from as many sources as you can, and work up to this type of flying in small bites! Always better to be on the "safer than sorry" side of the fence!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

I appreciate the comments folks! Good feedback and some great ideas to incorporate in the next part! Thanks for that! There is so much to cover in this type of flying, I can't stress enough to seek out info everywhere you can. Of course official training would be best - but at the least, soaking up all the info you can really helps! But anyway, thank you for the positive feedback, that motivates me to get started on the next part!! -Todd

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Always a good evening when a GKF video comes out.

[@AV8R_1]

A great channel to get some basics that is often overlooked is “Fly Oz”

[@halvanhercke3321]

Some very valuable stuff that I haven’t found elsewhere.

[@theworshiptraveler6709]

I enjoy your flying videos. Was not sure I would enjoy this but it turns out, it was really informative and enjoyable. Great job brother Todd. 👍

[@GATOROC1]

Excellent, insightful video! I will be standing by for part 2!

[@toddrader1698]

No apology needed for the length of the video. Every point of discussion you hit was very valuable info! The TW vs NW discussion was especially interesting. Since my preference is TW, I had not thought about all the NW considerations, but they validate my TW choice even more. As far as “Is this kind of flying worth the risk?” That’s like asking Sir Edmund Hillary if climbing Mount Everest was worth the risk?

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Todd!! appreciate this man. and lol.. good point!

[@montytaxara4328]

You might think you’re not getting your point across as well as you’d like sometimes, but to me you are coming across exceptionally...keep ‘em comin’

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Monty, appreciate that 👍

[@stevewilliams904]

Amazing Content. So many videos show the glory but none of the risks. Thank You!

[@relkins44]

I would like to see a section in part 2 about "Who you call for help when something goes wrong".. Like a busted tailwheel.... Great video!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

This is a great idea. I'll incorporate some thoughts on this in part2!

[@AviationAstro]

@@GravityKnightFlying Along the same lines, I'd love to see what you keep onboard in terms of emergency/survival equipment.

[@janetcrosby9274]

Another AWESOME video ! Great tips and information on the decision process of landing off airport. I've been flying for 40+ years but this is a whole new world.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thank you Janet!!

[@kcpumpguy]

Todd, sometimes it seems like you are making videos just for me. This is one of those times. Spot of for where I am as I transition from a certified nose-dragger to an off-airport taildragger. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Thanks my friend. Glad it helps out some!!

[@prof.heinous191]

Great video Todd - very useful! Re your next one, I've always admired the restraint in your decision making when scoping out new sites, especially seeing you're always on the lookout for new spots, and usually on your own - looking forward!

[@randymohr1881]

Another excellent video Todd! A lot of good things for all of us to think about! You may also want to consider a topic I’ve heard you talk about before but is extremely important in off airport work. That is a specific thought about where you are legally able to land or not. Years ago we landed our C180 at the north end of Pyramid Lake not far out of Reno (probably before Trent Palmer was even born, ha ha!) thinking we were in BLM land. Unfortunately, it turns out we had inadvertently strayed into the Paiute Nation where we had no landing rights. Upon returning to the airplane after a beautiful afternoon hike, we found it surrounded by Tribal Police and Nevada Highway Patrol. Everything in the airplane (including the seats) was laying on the ground while they tested for a certain white powder that was commonly flown into that area during the late 80s and early 90s…. We were completely innocent and ended up flying out a couple of hours later with nothing more than a stern admonishment but it was certainly a lesson has stuck with me till this day! Thanks again for your well thought out and extremely relevant video sir!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

GREAT idea Randy!!!! thank you for this, I'll include a section in part 2. Thanks also for sharing the story! Now days with all these apps, it's much easier to know exactly where you are (is that a good thing!!?? not sure 😂). I've had a few runins over the years, and learned some things.... I'll share what I know. Thank you for this though.

[@kcpumpguy]

I agree. As a guy who has only ever landed at an airport that's on the sectional, all the legalities of the off-airport landing seem like a byzantine mess. I've pretty much resigned myself that I'll occasionally get scolded and might even have to pay a fine sometime. I just don't see where you can tell what's 100% legal all the time. And then the LEOs probably don't know either. Anything you can add about this topic is much appreciated.

[@DIYPackraft]

Thanks! I’m looking forward to Part 2!

[@cliffy2107]

Thank you sir. Like watching your videos since I live in your area and building a CH750. Stay safe.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

right on!!! what engine?!

[@cliffy2107]

@@GravityKnightFlying Wish I knew. Keep revisiting that decision.

[@equaltothetaskaviation6440]

Hi thare mate, just wanted to say thanks for the content. I only recently found your channel & as an aviation nut, I really enjoy and find it very informative as you show some things not really discussed on other channels. I really thought you explained these topics really well, so thank you for all you do.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thank you for this comment, appreciate that!

[@gregson99]

love your videos man! they are addicting for us arm chair wannabe bush pilots! keep em coming!

[@HookedOnUtah]

Excellent video Tod!

[@scotth985]

As was your last one. I'm telling you that thing looks lighter every time I see it.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Brother!

[@LetsGoAviate]

Very good info here! Thanks

[@wadestoelting5942]

The "Mountain Flying Bible" by Sparky Imeson is a great resource read which covers these same subjects. Good effort in sharing your experiences. Thanks.

[@jimandcynthia6630]

great info Professor! Sure thankful you took the time to present this- we learned a ton!

[@Captndarty]

Great video. I would also argue tho that an aircraft at a high angle of attack for take off has the wing nearly instantly producing lift to some degree relieving the wheels and landing gear and reducing some rolling friction to a small degree probably the same as having the center of thrust parallel to the ground. Probably all a wash in the end.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

A point worth considering! Probably comes down to the individual aircraft, wing shape/size, how much AoA, tire size and pressure etc. Real good point though. I have to admit, when testing taking off in the 3pt, I was impressed as it was shorter than I would have guessed.

[@aciagriculturalconstructio2264]

Great thoughts. You brought up things I've never considered. Once the snow leaves and the ground firms up I'm going to attemp my first off airport landing. My goal is to land at the Minam lodge this summer.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Glad to help! That sure is an amazing place. If you land over a Red's, there was a ditch on the northern end of the runway to lookout for, and the grass can be kind of tall from what I've seen. Otherwise a nice strip! 1 way, but nice! Enjoy!

[@bennietipton2820]

Glad you are doing this series awsome and you might save someone's life

[@Stpilot]

Nice job Todd. Spot on!

[@michaelguy7168]

Great information, thank you for the info. Very helpful.

[@ajggg]

Well worth the time, very good info! Looking forward to the next one!

[@markperkins5664]

That was a nicely organized and informative video. Very well done! 👍

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Mark!

[@EricSimoneau]

Sooo useful and interesting! Thanks.

[@DanielJonesranchomaranatha]

Thanks for taking the time and for some great insights :)

[@OneKoolDude]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@leeadams5941]

Enjoyed the video very much...especially the Nose Wheel vs. Tail wheel discussion. Im a TW guy but back in my youth I use to take a C150 and a Piper 140 into some pretty short off airport places...probably would not today as age tends to mellow things. However, when Carbon Cub came out with their Nose Wheel Cub lots of folks were saying how great it was and that it would go most of the same places a tail wheel would and stop shorter..Now Ive never flown either Carbon Cub but I kinda doubt the Nose Wheel one will do that without damage to the gear even though its a trailing link gear. would love to hear your opinion and experience or that of instances you know of...Thanks again, great video looking fwd to part2

[@thomasmurray1807]

Looking forward to the next. Great stuff. Trying to get pilots to talk about the trim factor on take offs and landing and how they position there trim on both. The Kitfox is critical on take off if you do not have the trim set right. The horizontal stab. is the trim on the Kitfox and has positions for both landing and take off. Maybe you could talk about that. Thanks

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Hey good topic. In the 7, I don't change it much (set for cruise). I could easily, as it's electric on the stick, but just haven't noticed it much (I do have to hold some back pressure when coming in to land with it trimmed for cruise of course). I'll pay a little more attention to it though and maybe I can touch on this. I have flown some things where trim position made more difference for both TO/Landing. The 7 just has a trim tab though. I can see where on a Kitfox, if you are trimming the whole horizontal, that could have an effect on how much air hits the elevator and such. Very interesting....

[@stevenflattum156]

Very helpful thanks!

[@Bearhawk_Life]

Great stuff!!

[@kurtisarnold2788]

Appreciate the thoughts and perspective experience has helped you develop

[@ShadowAviator]

That's an excellent point on how ground speed affects the roughness of the landing. Also, at 22:38, you drew what the airstrip at Angel Point, Utah looks like. XD

[@GravityKnightFlying]

🤣 thats funny, haven't landed there, but I'll visit next time I'm out there!! thx buddy

[@portnuefflyer]

Yep, knowing how slow your plane can really fly is the #1 thing in my book, landing slow as possible makes everything easier/better. Knocking of even 2 or 3 mph on short final is a huge deal.

[@jimhuskyflying]

It was an excellent video. Thank you

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Jim!

[@KGFlyer55]

Outstanding!

[@Watson1]

You and Flight Chops are about the only ones that explain what and why. Just on a other point, how many of the places you go, could you land and take off two up? I think a lot of us are keen to hear what you say. Thank you Wiz

[@chrisjamison376]

Hey Todd, great video, as you know I fly a zenith 701, you may mention this in your next session, whether you fly a TW or NW is something I practice all the time is hitting the spot as close as you can on touchdown. Some of these guys and gals that want to do this flying it’s very important to practice! Thanks again!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

excellent point Chris! It is paramount to be able to hit your mark in a variety of conditions!!

[@earthrootshealing2666]

Awesome Video !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Brother!!

[@mitchelljackman4727]

Good Stuff! Some more talk on approach speeds would be great....

[@gapster46]

I started flying in 1995 and I don’t think I’ve ever heard the term “nose dragger” before.

[@robertparadis6840]

👌 👍👍👍 😃

[@Watson1]

Had to stop the video around the 30 minute mark to write this comment, I can’t help but notice you have a lump on the left side of your neck, I remember nearly a year ago it was brought to your attention. I say this because I have to go to my doctor for the very same reason, he will be cutting it out. He went crook at me for not mentioning earlier. I do hope you have seen or will see your doctor. Sorry I had to say that.😬Wiz

[@konaboyz1690]

A Surfers dream is an off-airport Landing

[@gregboon9273]

Wisdom

[@renevelez9444]

Just a thought but..... wouldn’t nitrogen filled tires expand slightly less at higher altitudes?

[@DIYPackraft]

Good thought, but no. The relative pressure doesn’t depend on what type of gas is in the tires.

[@plantpower3048]

what are the top 5 off airport experimentals for u?

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Not in any particular order: I'll lump the Cub variants into one (CarbonCub, Legend cub etc.) Badlands Traveller, RANS S7, Just SuperStol/Highlander, and I want to say the 2 seat, fore and aft Bearhawk Patrol is pretty good. The larger 4 seat versions with big motors don't impress when it comes to stall speed etc. but the tandem version seems real good. Those are some of the first that come to mind. There are other less well known things out there that perform well too. All around for the money, I think the Badlands that my buddy builds is probably the best. It's a highly modified cub... the cub variants are always solid...tried a true design with the upgrades and tweaks you get going modern/experimental is hard to beat.

[@plantpower3048]

@@GravityKnightFlying So you mostly like tandems.. I like the Companion, but never seen one flying. The stall speed is not as impressive though. The kitfox Sti has a 32mph stall speed, the Supersol xl is really cool, but its made of very thin tubing, I dont know how really tough it is compared to the Patrol or Companion...

[@GravityKnightFlying]

@@plantpower3048 I do prefer a tandem for off airport, the visibility is hard to beat. Really prefer the center sight picture. Not a mandatory requirement of course, but does offer a bit better vis when it counts. Nice to look out either side and see your wheels at what you are rolling over when trying to maneuver around rocks etc. I haven't been around a lot of newer/heavier kitfoxes but they seem to land faster than my 7. Not a lot, maybe 3-5mph faster. Depends on config of course. That big sti wing and a light motor (carb 912) probably stalls pretty low. That Patrol does seem like a solid airplane, never flown one. Been around a few of the 4 seat versions in person is all.

[@stevenmorefield8154]

Lots of good info, Thanks