Tight Landings, Take Offs, and Close Calls!

[@Spgonahan]

Amazing flying, especially with that crackpipe on the dash, seen at 4:21.

[@FreeWilly24]

😄

[@CyberSystemOverload]

😅 I cant

[@TireSlayer55]

ummm wow lol

[@justtl5885]

😮

[@troy17981]

Is that a “makeshift” turn coordinator? I think I see a ball in there. Would love an explanation.

[@XRP747E]

Some very impressive flying skills are on display here. Certainly not for novices or nervous pilots. In my past, I was a crop sprayer, firebomber and Bush pilot on DC 3s. I found your video quite nostalgic. Thank you. I'm 76 now.

[@hotrodray6802]

Impressive yes. But unsafe controls useage.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

@@hotrodray6802 How is it unsafe?

[@trenthall1427]

i have always had a ton of respect for crop sprayers - sluree bombers - bush pilots -ETC they are some crazy skilled pilots..

[@mothmagic1]

Considering how dangerous fire bombing and crop spraying is you are lucky you lived to tell the tale.

[@carlgulbransen4852]

I don't think these people will live to your ripe old age. Don't encourage others to take chances.

[@Bill3558]

I fly an LSA out of a grass strip in NC. That’s enough challenge for me. Flirting with disaster does not appeal to me.

[@gilkennedy7638]

Keep in mind that a lot of people will consider your situation as ( flirting with disaster ) so everthing is relative :)

[@toddalligood5891]

I fly lsa outta NC too! KRUQ

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

@@derheeheehee6941how is flying an LSA off a grass air strip flirting with disaster in any way?

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

@@derheeheehee6941 oh I must have read your comment wrong then lol

[@ajdogcurr1]

I have flown LSA off grass many times even off very short grass strips I never thought it was flirting with disaster. If at any time I thought it was to risky I would not have done it.

[@leokimvideo]

Incredible flying, those low speed low altitude turns are so great to watch

[@kh40yr]

Neat. Pops had a 1976-ish Bellanca Citabria at one time in his 40+ years of flying. It was used for towing gliders and for surveying his multiple timber falling jobs in Wa State. We made several landings at washed out road sections up by the Mt St Helens Volcano after it exploded. One landing on the old washed-out highway required some brush removal by both of us at the departure end, because space was at a minimum for take off. We cleared the end by a good bit, but it was still tight. After that Dad upgraded to a fresh Lycoming 235hp, instead of the 160hp that it came with, installed covertly by a very good mechanic and friend. No more short field takeoff worries. It jumped up then. Snap rolls were a definite improvement, just had to keep positive G's on the oil pan, or it made a HUGE mess under the cowl. The Skagit river has the Pink Salmon runs. Tried that once upon a time, We caught 2. Beautiful up that way. Gods Country.

[@CyberSystemOverload]

What memories those must be, fantastic. I particularly like the secret squirrel engine upgrade!

[@twmba65]

Really incredible compilation of backcountry flying. The drone shots of the landings and takes are super impressive!

[@Mightiflier]

That Mooney at the beginning was awesome, he brought it in and hung it right over the ground til it settled in for a smooth landing.

[@dougdarby3564]

Not at all easy in a Mooney Theyll really float on you

[@paigejohnson2908]

idk how the heck he gonna get out of there

[@Mightiflier]

@@paigejohnson2908 😀 I’ll let HIM figure that out.

[@paigejohnson2908]

@@Mightiflier would be embarrassing getting your plane stuck somewhere

[@Mightiflier]

@@paigejohnson2908 and expensive!

[@johnwood551]

When I first started flying in Alaska ,I flew a Taylorcraft (65 hp) and it had no flaps .So you had to slip it to get into tight places. Really made a better pilot out of me . I love landing in off airport strips, sand or gravel bars, mtn sides etc. So much more fun that an airport.

[@Mike_PSU_MSW]

Agreed @johnwood551 when I went from 180HP with flaps (PA-18) to 85HP without flaps (Champ on tundra tires) my energy management and slipping skills improved exponentially. A climb prop really helps too!

[@eugeneanderson7984]

As a man who grew up in Alaska more flight time than driving time by 18 we learned early on there are bold pilots but no old BOLD pilots. Witnessed my Brothers Father in law Crash killing himself. All his kids were present -1 who was in jail.

[@peterroy2349]

I think some people are confusing impressive with proper planning, training, currency and familiarity with their aircraft. All of this is straightforward with that in mind.

[@freeflymonkey]

the drone and cockpit footage is awesome to watch. great job!

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Damn! I hope the risk was worth the reward. Those were some pretty tight landing spots with zero margin for error. The Mooney pilot looked like he just stomped on the rudder pedal, was not really a forward slip, the wings remained level. Had it been he could have held all the way down to the last 6 inches of flare. You can see he floats for a good couple hundred feet which means excessive airspeed as he let off the rudder to get the airplane lined back up. Despite the technique he still shoved it into a tight strip successfully so kudos to him. Those other landings/takeoffs definitely put the pilot's skills on display there is no denying that.

[@rickr530]

Yes, that looked like a lame attempt at a slip.

[@CyberSystemOverload]

Now this is flying, no airways, SIDs, STARS, FMS button pushing, MCDU button bashing and #55 in line for departure. Just incredible footage. I'm off to be a wannabe bush pilot in MSFS. Subbed!

[@bigfish7493]

thank you, I have been following you for some time, years maybe. I really feel that I'm in that left seat. I began flying at age 6-7, 1947. Never completed my licence so I ride with pilots like you. My certified Cessna 205-7 Captain friend of decades in Haiti just passed. He was my chat flyer. There are many of us around this planet/world. We fly in our minds and dreams. Thank you.

[@AirSafetyInstitute]

Pure skill. Fly safe and keep up the great work!

[@matthewrichardson828]

Great work. Let know if you are even in Edmonds

[@WayneMeador]

One of the best STOL review videos. Great work and excellent explanations!

[@THELIFEOFPRICE]

Great video man

[@tripple3473]

brother, you have mad skills. I really respect you

[@mustangsandwich]

Fantastic video! I used to fly a Piper Cub into all kinds of tight spaces. All comes down to proper energy management...

[@chrisatkins7959]

This is way more technical than any carrier landing. Much respect to you and your friends. Glad I found your channel.

[@Roybwatchin]

3:53 he about bout the farm on that one. Wow. Thanks for posting, some really good videos.

[@craig7350]

I haven't flown in years, but I've got time on Super Cub wheels and floats. These are some of the best videos I've seen, like being there. Really enjoyed that.

[@ernestoherreralegorreta137]

Impressive. I used to fly my father's C185F all along the Mexican Gulf Coast, him usually landing on bare grass strips (we were cattle ranchers), plus a couple of times along the narrow sand bars along the coast. I would say he was close to your level of expertise (though not me, certainly). Usually no room for error too. Huge respect to you all. Hats off.

[@RockymountainRobert]

Nice Mooney, I use to paint these, I now lots about them, great airplanes.

[@kmg501]

Those drone shots are stellar.

[@jimgaul67]

This is the epitome of “stick and rudder” flying. Impressive

[@ellonysman]

What airstrip is this anyways? Might have to "drop in" myself!

[@johnguenet7115]

Thanks Larry,your passengers enthusiam inCosta Rico mirrors my admiration.

[@hotprop92]

Kudos to the mooney pilot. No flaps not an easy plane to land, they can start to pogo real easy.

[@kjackles]

His flaps were down on the approach, he just retracted them in the flare.

[@hotprop92]

​@@kjacklesit appears you're right about the flaps but it makes no sense retracting flaps on short short final. I've never been in a Mooney much less flown one but it's strange to take out the flaps then in any plane you will get that sinking feeling real fast if you do so nose down to increase speed and all makes no sense to do that.

[@angelaford7461]

A Mooney will float in ground effect more than just about any other plane. If you need to get one stopped in a hurry, you can retract flaps in the flare and it will touch down immediately. I've won a few spot landing competitions that way. ;-)

[@kjackles]

@@hotprop92 those flaps are hydraulic and bleed up gently in about 4-6 secs under the air loads at low speed (if set correctly). He raised them in the flare so as to have them gently retract as the plane transitioned from ground effect to touchdown. This makes it possible to begin braking almost immediately. I’ve 20yrs and 1000+ in vintage Mooneys. Pretty typical technique.

[@GroovesAndLands]

Pilot used a LOT of slip to sink down after clearing the trees.

[@boxlessthinker1973]

Wow! Extraordinary skills on display in this video.

[@priayief]

Great airmanship! I used to fly ultra lights in southwestern BC, Canada and I flew several different, landing on gravel bars.

[@jordanhubbard]

What IS that instrument on the dash? It looks like a mini-HUD (yes, never mind the "crack pipe" behind it, I'm more curious about the device itself!)

[@coldsamon]

Here's your answer one month late. That's a HUD Angle of Attack Indicator (AOA). Very useful. "AOA indicators measure the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind. Since an airplane's wing always stalls at the same “critical” angle, the AOA indicator warns pilots when they're approaching an aerodynamic stall." Source: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

[@jordanhubbard]

@@coldsamon Um, OK. I always figured if one were to buy a HUD it would display slightly more helpful information like traffic, altitude, and maybe distance + course to next waypoint if that wasn't too crowded. AOA is pretty clear already just by looking out the window and, if you absolutely must, listening to the stall warning horn. :-)

[@mylifeisdope916]

What is the instrument on the left side of the dash. Looks like a mirror with some sort of lights?

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Alpha Systems Angle of Attack Indicator

[@secretsquirrel6308]

Heading north over the Sauk, thence west over the Skagit, under the wires, sharp left, a beautiful gravel bar. That tree trunk has been laying there for a long time.

[@alexshmalex]

I enjoyed playing "spot the landing strip" in this video... I'm still looking! Incredible flying.

[@briansutphin4180]

Nice flying, I tip my hat to you sir!

[@rawmilkmike]

Thank you so much. These were unbelievable. I'm so jealous.

[@elevvfr800]

Even on video, these landings and take-offs are thrilling! Thanks!

[@reltney20]

Red Mooney did perfect. I fly my T-28 off grass. No challenge.. know your limits just because you cannot do what others cannot do doesn’t mean they are crazy…

[@jamesrutherford9597]

Now that's precision flying.

[@lonzo61]

The Cessna 170 is among my fave airplanes.

[@matthewchapman2494]

Just an outstanding display of aircraft control! I've seen the guys in Alaska with the STOL planes. Excellent Pilots and aircraft!

[@johnwrycza]

reminds me of seaplane flying - lots of fun, no airports needed - great videoes!

[@christopherpeters5916]

Right pattern

[@myrskylintu1]

Great video. In Finland we a small airport called Jämi. It is fine airport and has a long new runway, but the old runway that was in use in the past is challenging. There is a steep uphill (or downhill) right in the middle of the runway. If you come against the uphill you can land before it but you have to keep up the speed that you can climb on top. If you take off on downhill direction, you have to make sure you don't get airborne too early when the runway suddenly disappears from under you. We landed on that old runway with my father during the eighties with Cherokee 160.

[@mikestone9129]

That's what I call some really fun flying.

[@ReGab31]

2:12 what is this equipment for what you have on dashboard?

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Alpha Systems Angle of Attack Indicator

[@timothyrabourn8906]

Watching these brings back memories of my dad flying like that, fun stuff even as a passenger.

[@colinferrell4954]

Great video... was sitting on the edge of my seat due the trees...

[@richardspencer7725]

Thank you Impressive Flying !! some almost unbelieveable. All the best!

[@JamesBach-hz1pc]

SMILES AND RESPECT The water assist landing to lose speed Is really something 😃❤️💎

[@joemarchinski914]

veey skilled and experienced pilots and beautiful backcountry...nuce video...nice to see some different parts of my state Washington 👍

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

first one did well to side slip that mooney in.

[@spambedam]

That WAS a sweet sideslip. Who said Mooney is hard to land.

[@GroovesAndLands]

@@spambedam Who said that? Anybody that's just starting to fly a Mooney after getting used to flying 182s or Cubs!

[@stevesjurset4880]

That is a great opening.

[@chrisc161]

I would have loved to see the Money taking off on that short runway and the trees on both sides😬

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

amazing to hone your skills this good. Truly amazed

[@nagaviper1169]

Some nice flying. Subbed

[@MrWave58]

Danke!

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Thank you

[@MichelSimracer]

That's beyond my comfort zone but very cool to have such places close by.

[@bramesque]

I did really enjoy these take offs and landings! Fixed wing bush flying is much more interesting than the helicopter thing. Have never understood why i like it so much, maybe it is that all decisions are final, no room for error when flying on the edge of stalling.

[@hefeibao]

Also live in WA state. These are wonderful to see - thanks for sharing!

[@MrWave58]

10:34 All this information about the position of the plane (with)in the envelope tells me the joystick (+rudder). As it is a command instrument, it is also an instrument to "listen" to.

[@MichaelGrommet]

Larry You are killing it. Nice flying. See you when you come back to “The Frank”.

[@mothmagic1]

That Mooney in the opening clip was not helped by a hefty dose of crosswind to add to the tight approach.

[@liliaflyingmomMD]

this is soo cool and crazy. I have a cessna 182, can't imagine doing anything like this. Amazing.

[@kevina8172]

As a Alaskan Bonanza pilot i was impressed with the Mooney, Hope he got out

[@caiolinnertel8777]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve never done that kind of flying, looks like fun. Makes most of my commercial flying look like nothing.

[@gebord]

Thank you for these landings learning .

[@noonehere1793]

Well thats some pretty sporty stuff!

[@CRFHONDARIDER100]

Almost looked like that 180 had a little buffet or started a stall before the turn away from the trees they are hard to push forward with full flaps if you trim for airspeed .

[@MachTuck]

Great "operation"!! , love bush flying!

[@86BBUB]

Cool - what is that panel in the windshield?

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Alpha Systems Angle of Attack Indicator

[@86BBUB]

@@motoadveBackcountry182 Thank you !

[@kimskislalom]

Very experienced and good pilots. Amazing to see the airmanship.

[@collinreesejones5525]

Great video, I am a highly talented Mooney pilot, that first one I wouldn't attempt!!!! 😉

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

That approach @2:00 was so beautiful.

[@stevendegiorgio3143]

That is some incredible flying!!

[@jimpinkowski3394]

All good, but I'm surprised the Mooney landed without speed brakes of flaps!

[@bryan.meijer]

Thats some seriously good flying!

[@tegknox2694]

Just found your channel. This is some great footage of some very impressive piloting.

[@johnbrett1575]

The Cessna 170 with modified main gear is a good aircraft for those tight landing areas!! 😊😎

[@olympiashorts]

How many times did you have to fly above those trees at Log Jam Gravel Bar before you went below the tops of them?

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Flew it low and slow a couple of times before committing to a landing.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Love to be flying with you and your 170 with the 180 hp constant speed prop that makes this amazing

[@engineerernest]

How on earth is that Mooney going to get out of there?

[@angelaford7461]

There is another video of him leaving. To summarize though, he pulls the nose up early to get off the ground early, then gets the gear up quickly to reduce drag, accelerates in ground effect, and then dumps his flaps as he climbs out. Despite it's inadequate landing gear for rough strips, the Mooney actually has pretty decent short field performance. I'd take my Mooney into that strip.

[@addusernamehere]

What is that contraption on the dash in some of the shots? Looks like a HUD, with integrated roll indicator. I'm hoping it shows your airspeed or something, cuz that would be a great place to have it on final approach!

[@Cheranetube]

You are clearly very skilled. Thanks for sharing these amazing video clips.

[@Meirele]

Very nice. Loved the video.

[@NicksStuff]

Is it the stall alarm we can hear? Sometimes we hear it for the full approach, that doesn't leave you much margin to flare

[@rickkennerly2379]

Amazing stuff! Would be interested to have these vids with a better view of the AOA

[@motoadveBackcountry182]

Noted!

[@robertmarx1954]

Are any of these planes landing in Indiana along the river between Connersville and Metamora near the railroad tracks?

[@cwam1701e]

What a great video - many thanks for putting it up, I really enjoyed it. Super bush flying skills too!!

[@brianmellis9291]

Excellent utility of the aircraft, but I cannot imagine applying full power on the gravel bars without incurring substantial damage to the prop, being that the strips are short and dont allow for gradual acceleration.

[@iindiar]

Beautiful scenery.

[@AlphaKilo.Warrior]

Nice landings, amazing views and great video

[@tigertiger1699]

Pretty cool flighting…. Great pilots

[@blgillespie1]

Very impressive takeoffs and landings but I wouldn’t continuously take these risk. Pretty soon you will be on the front page of newspaper. Citation X Captain.

[@teamground0229]

Like your videos, interesting without stupid banner or music. Nice bush flying! Drone shots of takeoffs and landings are great!

[@etarheel1]

That’s some amazing flying sir!

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

Is that a hud on the dash?

[@kurthass7880]

Appreciate it your videos a whole lot. They show a lot of experience.