idaho back country flying

[hharney]

Skymaster Center is the foremost experienced with the aircraft, especially in marketing and representing more aircraft than any other dealer. They have been in business for over 20 years. Contact Bill Crews and you will learn a lot about buying a Skymaster.

Phone: (864) 583-5967

FAX: (864) 585-1188

E-mail: BillCrews@Skymaster.com

[atsiii]

I live and fly a T337 in Idaho, and am based in Driggs, ID (KDIJ) at the foot of the Tetons (6220 MSL). While my Skymaster is both turbo and STOL, for most of the Skymaster-friendly Idaho back country strips, the STOL is not really needed. Turbo is always nice at high density altitudes, but since you will almost always be flying early--normally aspirated is fine.

I think one of the biggest consideration with Skymasters in the back country is the rocks and gravel. Most back country strips in Idaho are high, dry and rocky... with emphasis on the rocky. There are not many good grass strips in Idaho's mountains, and Herb listed most of them (with the exception of Johnson Creek--my personal favorite). Many of the back country strips have lots of loose gravel--and your rear prop will not like that. My suggestion is to look closely at photos and call nearby FBO's to determine what the runway surface is really like. Most strips are not watered, so the surface can change a lot during a long summer.

[Ernie Martin]

I've flown my normally aspirated 337 into Garden Valley (U88) and found it with good grass, no loose gravel. My son (who was posted there when he was a Heli-attack forest firefighter) still has friends there; if you plan a trip there, I can get you a name and phone of someone who can tell you current conditions. BTW it was a real cross-country -- all the way from Miami, Florida and over the Rockies.

Ernie