Spectacular Johnson Creek Idaho

[@ZeusFace101]

Hi George! You’re making some fine content! What’re the stats of your kitfox? What engine are you running? Year? I’m really enjoying watching your adventures while I inch towards my own kitfox!

[@GeorgeHardin]

Hi Jeff, thanks!! The Kitfox was completed in 2012 and when I bought it in 2018 it had only 110 hours. It fits in Light-Sport category with a 1,320 pound gross weight. Airplane empty is 734 pounds, so can carry about 586 pounds of fuel, people and baggage. It has the 100hp 912ULS Rotax which gives it very good performance, about 1,500 foot per minute climb at sea level and about 900 FPM climb at 8,000 feet. It has 28 gallon fuel capacity and burns about 4 gallons per hour with about a 700 mile range. I try to stop about every 2-3 hours for a break. I would really recommend finding a Kitfox with the 912ULS as the performance is excellent. I had no problems recently climbing out of the canyons of Idaho recently, unlike some of the other airplanes I saw.

[@davidboyle3032]

@@GeorgeHardin Very informative. So if fuel is topped off (28 x 6= 156 pounds) you have 430 pounds available for people and baggage ! What is you normal cruise speed ?

[@davidboyle3032]

@@GeorgeHardin If you could pin the stats it would be greatly appreciated.

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@davidboyle3032 Normal cruise is about 90-95mph at 4,800 RPM, 4 gallons per hour fuel. At 95% power I can do 115-120mph in level flight.

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@davidboyle3032 Not sure what you mean by "Pin the Stats"

[@davidrobins4025]

Beautiful country. Thanks for sharing.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks David! I wish the Idaho back country was closer to my house.

[@MichaelBurke-f2p]

Cool little plane wish I would have learned to fly when I was young and had the chance. Back in the late 70's when I was stationed at BAFB could have learned for about $1,500.00 at the base aero club.

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@MichaelBurke-f2p I obtained my license at 61. So, never too late buddy!

[@gregwatruba4541]

Im 61 and thinking really hard about getting mine. ​@@GeorgeHardin

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@gregwatruba4541 Just do it. Time for new challenges, right? Flying up in the air gives you freedom and thrills like you have never had before. You will never regret it!!

[@KitfoxPilot]

Thanks for posting this flight. I'd love to fly to those places someday.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks! Hope you make it there someday.

[@rdc008]

Greetings George ! Beautiful country, Idaho. Understand there is a published backcountry guide for fly in strips for Idaho backcountry.

[@GeorgeHardin]

I knew almost nothing about the Tahoe Backcountry till I plan this trip to Johnson Creek. Idaho is a great backcountry airplane destination.

[@АлександрЦыбин-л3к]

Great video, Beautiful places. I fly in the mountains myself.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks! Which mountains do you fly in?

[@p1aym_vlog]

amazing videos! You literally live the life I dream about. Footage is incredible

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks P1aym! Got my Kitfox and license in retirement and have totally enjoyed the adventure!

[@michaelblume6411]

You are living the dream. HOPEFULLY next year I can get my LSA certificate. We visit friends in Grass Valley several times a year and I always think about how cool it would be to fly up instead of drive. Keep up the great content!

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks Michael! What kind of airplane are you thinking of buying?

[@michaelblume6411]

George Hardin I’ve developed a crush on the Zenith STOL CH750. It seems to be a good plane for the mission I’d want to use it for, flying around with my son, camping and fishing. But honestly the Kitfox is awesome. Another factor is the side by side seats. My wife said she’d never climb into the back of a tandem seater....so you know, that decision is solid haha

[@doncatchpole7370]

Love the Trike.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks! So easy to land right now.

[@filmi112]

Hello George - what a great video! Thank you very much for sharing and respect for your flying skills. One question: What kind of camera are you using on your left wing? How do you adjust the angle while flying? Thanks and Cheers from Germany

[@GeorgeHardin]

Hello Max! Danke schon! Ich habe in Deutschland 2 jahre gewohnen in Ansbach in 1983-1985. Deutschland gefahlt mir! I use the Insta360 OneX on a selfie stick attached to my wing strut. It shoots in 360, then you use the software afterwards to adjust the point of view. I connect an external battery to the camera and turn it on before I fly. Ich will urlaub machen in Deutschland 2023.✈️

[@filmi112]

@@GeorgeHardin Fabulous! Looks like a very handy camera. I assume you have been to Ansbach during your army time? Actually I have been to Ansbach and Grafenwöhr when I was in the Bundeswehr (when I was 18 it was still compusory). Let me know when you come to Germany - happy to help in case you want to go flying or need any advice.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Yes, I was in an Artillery Battalion and spent a lot of time in Grafenwohr! Our Unit formed an association to remember our unit. I built the website our association at www.28fara.org. I will contact you when I come there. Schuss!

[@david1965]

Great video ... what's the song playing 2 mins in?

[@GeorgeHardin]

Song is: I'm Not That Girl (Instrumental Version) - The Devil's Sway from Epidemic Sound

[@CaptMoo]

Beautiful videos. What is the name of your 360 cam? (sorry if you answered that question before).

[@GeorgeHardin]

Hi Marloncito, thanks! I use the Insta360 OneX. Nice camera.

[@gilbertfranklin1537]

George, don't convert it to a tail-dragger. Watching your plane is so satisfying just as it is. Plus you really don't want to lose that visibility when landing... and I've seen many nose-over and ground loop problems with the 'conventional' gear. Ah, well - you will probably do what you want to do, but at least think about it a little longer.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Hi Gilbert, the Kitfox is so easy to land right now that I have given the conversion to taildragger a lot of thought regarding pros/cons. The stock nose gear looks so flimsy that I am afraid that one rough off field landing would snap it off.

[@gilbertfranklin1537]

@@GeorgeHardin - Google "kitfox nose wheel upgrade". 😏

[@СергейАринушкин-х5т]

Как же афигенно, тоже хочу самолетик

[@GeorgeHardin]

Можно ли покупать самолеты Kitfox в России? Они очень веселые.

[@СергейАринушкин-х5т]

@@GeorgeHardin Не видел ни одного предложения, а если и появились бы то будут стоить очень дорого, у нас в стране малая авиация задушена, единственный вариант построить самому в гараже, мне нравится простота конструкции китфокс

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@СергейАринушкин-х5т У вас есть аэроклубы в России? Это отличный способ разделить расходы.

[@СергейАринушкин-х5т]

@@GeorgeHardin Hi my friend! Yes, there are flying clubs, but it is very expensive for me, as for many in our country. Please help me, I need the dimensions of the fuselage and the thickness of the pipes, I want to weld made it myself in the garage, I will be very grateful to you and happy

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@СергейАринушкин-х5т Вы должны купить набор планов, чтобы построить свой самолет. У него будут спецификации на все, и конструкция самолета будет испытана в полете. Удачи в твоей мечте!

[@innocentbystander3798]

Nice. Make a note to yourself to not have any engine failures while flying in over that terrain.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Watch my other video engine problem at 12,000 feet over Yosemite. Yes, I was nervous.

[@AVMamfortas]

You American chaps just do not know how lucky you are. In Tasmania, Johnson Creek is world famous. Hahahahaha