Idaho-Montana

[krmpilot42]

Packing up the M4 180v August 27, 2024 for a 3 week trip to in Montana and Idaho, Upland bird hunting and camping/fishing trip. Will stop in and see my mentor Rick Geiger at KCTB. First time in Idaho with the plane, so any suggestions for landing strips/camping sites would be appreciated. I am based in AZ and may fly west and then north up the CA/OR/WA coast, then east or just head north from AZ through UT/WY. Any emergency equipment list suggestions or camping gear suggestions are always welcome, you can never stop improving your gear lists. Please respond on the forum or PM, thanks, Kelly

[andy]

My favorite back country airstrips in Idaho were in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area: Cabin Creek (I08), Big Creek (U60), Johnson Creek (3U2), Wilson Bar (C48), Soldier Bar (85U), Bernard (U54), Cold Meadows (U81), Indian Creek (S81), Krassel (24K) and Upper Loon (U72). Fish Lake (S92) and Pine (1U9) look beautiful but I didn't get there. There are lots of other beautiful and challenging back country airstrips in that area but I haven't been to them.

I took my rear sling seat out and filled the back with survival and camping gear. It's worth it if you need to camp out or have a problem. I tried to keep everything as light as possible but my MX-7-180 weighed in at about 2,200 lbs including me, an instructor and 40 gals AVGAS. I did a lot of research on survival gear but a few items stood out (I'm not paid by any of these folks): Garmin InReach satellite communicator, ACR ResQLink 400 PLB, Greatland Laser Rescue Laser Light, Streamlight WEDGE XT Everyday Carry Flashlight, Dark Energy Poseidon Pro power pack with Spectre Solar Panel and Spectre Accessory Kit, Dark Energy Plasma Lighter, North Face Stormbreak 2 Person Tent, Browning X-bolt .338 Winchester Magnum Stainless Steel Stalker rifle, Optimus Polaris Optifuel camping stove (works with AVGAS). There are lots of recommended survival gear lists on the Internet. I found that putting my own items together was the best way.

Tools are heavy but there are some that you need with you if you have a mechanical problem. I needed a 3/8" ratchet with sockets that fit my tailwheel and leaf spring bolts to tighten them after landing on rough airstrips. I also carry stainless steel angle brackets and worm drive hose clamps in case the welded tabs on my exhaust pipes break, which happened to me in Vermont. The entire list is too long for this forum. It's a trade-off between weight and covering every possibility. With a M4-180V, you don't have as much cargo area as my MX-7-180 but you're lighter.

August is fire season in Idaho and Montana. Check the active fires before you go to make sure you don't end up in a smoke filled canyon or have to divert around a huge TFR. Expect to encounter bad weather along the way on any long cross-country flight. Build extra weather days in. Camp if you can but don't bother to make hotel reservations since diversions or delays may result in late cancelation penalties. Call ahead to make sure there are available hotel rooms and fuel when possible.

[krmpilot42]

Thank you Andy, great information. Definitely emergency part kit for the exhaust, love that idea. I am removing the passenger seat but may take it with me. One luxury item is a 55lb Lectric pedal assist bike. Empty weight is 1403, trying to stay zero fuel at 1900 lb.
or less for any back country work. The M4 180v is a decent performer at 2100 or less, heavier she is not the best climber. Calling ahead to FBOs that are fuel stops, see if I can store some unnecessary gear to lighten the load when going off airport. Creating the wish lists now and dwindling down, I will share the final camp and emergency checklists when complete.

[andy]

There were a few places in the Idaho canyons where my O-360-C1F and constant speed prop weren't enough to generate a good climb at 2,200 lbs in morning density altitudes so using the updrafts in canyons became important sources of lift. Needless to say, plan to take off at sunrise and stop flying at noon. Density altitude and sometimes wind become issues in the hotter afternoon.

If you plan to fly in the canyons and you are not familiar with an emergency canyon turn, I recommend that you take a look at this article from McCall Mountain Canyon Flying Seminars:

https://cdn.locomotive.works/sites/5862 ... xcerpt.pdf

The simplified procedure for an emergency (box canyon) turn is:

• Stay close to the right side of the canyon during cruise to give you the most room for the turn. Airplanes with a right copilot seat make a left turn preferable due to better visibility.
• Use an altitude that is at least 1,500 AGL above the bottom of the canyon. Canyons usually reduce in width toward the bottom so higher is better.
• Reduce your canyon cruising airspeed to shorten the turn radius and use a notch of flaps to increase lift and reduce stall speed. I use 70 mph and 24 degrees in my MX-7-180.
• Always be looking for the widest nearby point in the canyon to make the turn.
• Apply richer mixture, full prop, full power, 45 - 60 degree left bank and full flaps.
• DO NOT USE ANY BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE. LET THE NOSE DROP AND ACCEPT SOME ALTITUDE LOSS.
• About halfway through the turn start reducing flaps in steps down to 24 degrees.
• Start a climb back to canyon cruising altitude as you complete the turn.