2380 AIR CAMPING DON & JULIA DOIVN/E— ^it.«-^-^-! >^ ^m AIR CAMPING DON & TAB JULIA DOWNIE TAB BOOKS Blue Ridge Summit, Inc. PA 17214 Other TAB Books No. 2280 No. 2208 Ins by the Authors and Outs of Ferry Flying Cockpit Navigation Guide (by Don Downie) The Complete Guide to Aeroncas, Citahrias and Decathlons No. 2292 Your Alaskan Flight Plan No. 2337 Your Mexican Flight Plan No. 2360 The Complete Guide to Rutan Aircraft—2nd Edition No. 2317 FIRST EDITION FIRST PRINTING Copyright © Printed the United States of America in 1985 by TAB BOOKS Inc. Reproduction or publication of the content in any manner, without express permission of the publisher, is prohibited. No liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information herein. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Downie, Don. Air camping. Includes index. 1 flying. I. . Camping— Equipment and supplies. 2. Private 4. Airports. 3. Camp sites, facilities, etc. Downie, Julia. II. Title. 688.7'654 GV191.76.D68 1985 ISBN 0-8306-2380-9 (pbk.) Front cover photograph by Don and 84-26904 Julia Downie. I Contents 1 2 Introduction v Why 1 Air Air Camp? Camping History 7 Camper-Tortoise and Hare-When Horsepower Was Almost Enough-Baja Bumming Pietenpol 3 Where Air to Air 36 Camp California's First State Recreational Airport-Alaska: 14 A Great Campers-Special Rules for Forest Service Land Our "Wish Book"-Of Charts and Brochures-Pre-Landing Checkout-Choosing a Tiedown Spot-Where Not to Camp-Suspect Marginal AirportsIdaho's Allison Ranch: Stimulating Goal for Air -AOPA's 4 Airport Directory: 32 Checklists, Checklists, Checklists Prepare the Aircraft-And Now the Pilot-lf You Cross the U.S. Border-Personal Items-Different Kinds of Air Camping-One Night Stand-Forest Service Recommendations-Camping with the Bertrams-Mini-List for Smaller Homebuilts-AII but the Kitchen Sink-Now You're on Your Own 5 What You Need and Where to Find It We Practice Air Camping Near Home-The Time 48 to Buy a Must-Tent over the Wing-Fastest Tent Bags Make the Difference-Try to Sit in Comfort-How Much Stove Is Enough?-Add a Little Light to the Subject-Don't Forget the Water Jug-Wanted: An Efficient Air Camping Table-A Little on Space Blankets and Firearms-Cots Are Pure Luxury Arrives-A Tent in Is the West-Sleeping 6 Additional Take-Alongs 64 Can Be Campers-Dogs Fishing-Hobbies Can Add Picture Perfect Paraphernalia-Pets Fly in All to Sizes-Rubber Rafts Enjoyment-Oxygen for for the Higher Playgrounds- Motorbikes and Bicycles 7 Putting It All Together 78 Weight and Balance-We Leave the Back Seat at HomeCheck It All Out First-As a Last Resort, Read the Instructions-Trial Run in Your Backyard-Small, Soft Packages Work Best-Tiedowns May Be Necessary Inside, Too 8 At the Campsite 87 About Campfires-Keep Your Camp Clean-Bearproof Your Camp-It's Chow Time-Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated Food -Label Your Supplies-Foil-Sealed Vacuum Packaging 9 Wheels after Landing 102 Bicycles Are a Big Help-Mopeds Fold Up, Too-Motorcycles Fly Along-A Two-Part Honda-Bikes for the Filmmakers 10 As others Have Done 115 It Three Cessna 182s, Three Hondas, and Six People-Santa Claus in a Bellanca-Lake Minchumina and the Great Outdoors-Oshkosh: Biggest Campout of Them All 11 Unscheduled Landings 127 Suggested Techniques- You'd Better Take It with You-DoIt-Yourself Survival Kits-Packaged Survival Kits-Without Water You're in a Dry State-Stay with Your Downed Plane -Rodents Try to Survive, Too-Something New for Everyone -Required Survival Packages in the Far North-Back Country -Hypothermia: The Number One Killer-Bear Briefing from the Forest Service-Satellites to the 12 On Returning Rescue Home More Paperwork-Memories on Film-Let's Do Index 148 It Again 152 Introduction The joys and economies of air camping are percentage of today's pilots. known to only a small With the technical advancements in recent years in the development of lightweight serviceable materials and tasty preserved food products, air camping is better than ever. We hope this book provides the novice air camper with the background information needed to buy camping equipment compatible with the aircraft at a reasonable cost. There are checklists to assure you take it with you and instructions to make certain it will work in the field. How to load your plane and how to find a suitable flight strip for camping beside your plane are also discussed. Emergency techniques are covered— not to intimidate you, but to provide basic information about the creatures normally found and the elements in the wild. We share personal experiences while air camping and tell tales of others who enjoy air camping, either solo or in a group. And there who carry Hondas in their aircraft. are interviews with pilots There's also a little on oxygen, pets, survival gear, and photography as they relate to air camping. If you is a way When we started of use you can't help but like the great outdoors. more enjoyment out of your aircraft. air camping, we began at ground zero. Neither like to fly, Air camping to get had camped except for occasional family outings or a brief, enforced bivouac in the service. came in one size We thought that sleeping bags all and there were just a couple of kinds of tents. We thought that a foam mattress might be the world's best sleeping aid— but it didn't fit for us. strictly by trial and error. We haunted the backpacking stores. We wasted money on items that didn't work out or were never really needed in the first place. We Our air camping research was hauled equipment that was used only once and discarded. (Does anyone want to buy a nearly-new two-burner Coleman stove? How about a slightly used "three-person" tent that wasn't big enough two large people to sit up in and put their shoes on— much less put two cots in.) We have found out that many— perhaps most— people old enough to vote really don't want to rough it. We like the capability of comfortable sleeping, good food that isn't a chore to prepare, and other comforts of life— even when far away from home. We've watched other campers and stolen ideas that seemed to work. Now we are quite comfortable camped near our aircraft. If we keep it up long enough, we'll be even more at home away from home. The procedures and techniques described in this book have worked for us. They may not work for you, so don't attempt to go into any of the areas we've mentioned if they don't fit for you and your aircraft. Go back to the sign on the EAA briefing board for fly-bys at Oshkosh that says: "Don't do nuthin' dumb!" We gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of Aero, Private Pilot and Western Flyer for their permission to reprint material for originally prepared for their publications. And a tip of the helmet and goggles to Continental and Lycoming, who have provided the dependable engines for flight over some mighty forlorn country. And our thanks to Cessna for putting fine wings over our heads. VI Chapter Why Air 1 Camp? warm and work— or any com- Air camping can be great, miserable, cold and wet, wonderful, windy and scary, or dull and lots of bination of the above. When camping, you're subject to the whims Mother Nature, and sometimes she doesn't fool around. Whatever happens, however, you probably "won't get bored." As in the Boy Scouts, the air-camper's credo is: "Be Prepared"— for anything! Start out with a worst-case situation and then work backward. Perhaps you want to land on Mile High Meadow and camp under the wing to fish on Troutfull Creek. You already know that there's a camping area with tables and potties, so everything should be great. What's your worst-case situation? That little ol' front that was barely visible on the TV weather report last night suddenly changes its mind and the bottom falls out of the clouds after you've arrived. It's wet and windy, full of IFR with no way to file and, brother, you're going to stay right where you are! For how long? Maybe an extra night, perhaps two or even three before the weather breaks. Be prepared with plenty of food, water, of and other essentials to go with your instant tent, featherweight cots, and sentimental sleeping bags (Fig. 1-1). fuel, If you're among the majority of the pleasure flying population that prefers a good, air-conditioned motel with screens on the win- showers, perhaps a TV to check weather before bedgood restaurant/bar adjoining, read on. Perhaps you've become blase and want to try something new. dows, warm time, and a 1 Fig. 1-1 Camping in an isolated meadow in Idaho is a great way to get away from it all. Wallace and Joyce Bertram have camped with this 1939 Bellanca 14-19 for over 25 years. (Courtesy Joyce Bertram) . Maybe the motels cut too deeply into the travel budget, or the time from wakeup to breakfast to the ride to the airport to finally sag- ging into the air with a thousand or more miles on the travel agenda for the day has started you thinking about alternatives. Why not little money by camping out beside your save time and perhaps a airplane, ready to launch not too long after daylight into a predominantly dead-calm sky? (High winds and thunderbusters usually are late risers.) There are almost as many reasons for air camping as there are who do it. It's just whatever turns you on. Reason No. 1 might be to get away from it all. Utilize your airplane to travel quickly and easily to the back country. Land at people isolated flight strips— within the capabilities of your flying ability and the performance of your aircraft— and hope that you're far enough away from the ground-bound travelers to really enjoy the great out-of-door (Figs. 1-2, 1-3). Reason No. 2 might be purely economics. As this book is writgood motel can cost you $50 to $100 per night, and the rates are not coming down. For that, you can pump many gallons of fuel into your plane's tank by staying under the wing for a night or two. Add the intangibles of a night at a motel: cab fare to and from the airport if you can't find a hostelry with a courtesy car; tips; the possibility of expensive bar tabs and dinners, and transportation ten, a Fig. 1-2. Bill Diehl, who manufactures the Arctic Tern aircraft in Anchorage, Alaska, prepares to fish from an isolated sandbar nearly 100 miles northwest of Anchorage. Diehl always carries at least minimal camping equipment including a sleeping bag. Note oversized "tundra tires" for off-airport landings. A way from the bright lights, a Maule approaches to land at western Alaska. George Pappas of Anchorage watches the landing from the shelter of his comfortable pop tent. Fig. 1-3. Quinhagak long in back to the airport. Even if the transportation is gratis, it frequently goes with more expensive motels and the cab fare could have been cheaper in the long run. Reason No. 3 is the saving of time. By the time you unload your baggage and find a cab or courtesy car, you could have your tent out and erected. If you're on a vacation, time is not supposed to be a problem, but most pilots want to get to their eventual destination with a minimum of delay and then spend the time fishing, hunting, goofing off, or whatever. Consider what it costs you in time alone at the motel in the morning. There's usually a lineup for breakfast. Then you wait for the tab to be added and check out, find transportation back to the airport, and load your plane. By that time, you would be well on your way if you'd camped. We usually figure that by the time you're sitting down to the motel's breakfast, you could be airborne in that good, clear, calm early morning air. It is easy to save at least two hours— sometimes much more— by camping out for the evening, getting up at the crack of dawn, brewing coffee and perhaps a little breakfast. You can be in the air by the time you'd still be standing in line at the hotel coffee shop. Then plan a first stop where you can get a meal and go on your way again before the vacation-time weather gets so hot and bumpy that it's a chore. Reason No. 4 could be the being able to make environment. This is intangible, personal satisfaction of yourself comfortable in a completely foreign always a challenge, though sometimes a minor one once you have the various glitches behind you. How else could a father and his two sons arrive in the isolation of the Liard River on the Alaska Highway and write as follows: "One of its virtues was that it seemed to be completely isolated from any civilization: There were no buildings anywhere nearby except an abandoned cabin and lookout tower on the strip. In fact, to this day we wonder what useful service it performed. Though the area was uninhabited, its mosquito population more than compensated for this lack. They were so thick that one had to be careful even in breathing. The ground was covered with ripe, wild strawberries." Reason No. 5 is just the opposite of flying to the end of the map to get away from it all. If you enjoy airplanes and fly-ins,camping on the airport can put you right in the middle where all the action is. We've used our tent, cots, and sleeping bags on the airport at Watsonville, California, for example, while covering the an- nual antique fly-in for an aviation publication. Here you have a cen- tral location, front row center. You eliminate a cab trip to town twice (if you could find one on that few on meals and refreshments by weekend), save a bucks busy every day, cut the cost of a motel either cooking yourself or patronizing the many short-order stands that proliferate at fly-ins (Figs. 1-4, 1-5). When you camp out at an airshow, you sometimes wind up right in the middle of the action— like ample, we it or not. At Watsonville, for ex- pitched our tent beside the Cessna in a designated camping area that was close to the center of the airport dark on a dreary, drizzly day. Shortly after first light, we were awakened by the roar of a big round engine on an aircraft making a low pass down the crosswind runway. From inside the tent, the first impression was that we'd pitched our tent right in visitor's just before the middle of the active runway, but that wasn't really true. Smaller in the damp, hazy sky was probably Special VFR, so we laid back and tried to guess which engine went with which airplane. A couple headed for the flight line for breakfast distinctly said, "I wonder if there's still anyone asleep in those tents?" It was 7:30 A.M., and the answer engines soon began to bore smaller holes that Camping in the middle of the Watsonville, California fly-in, co-author Don Downie checks out a small folding cot with a small pop tent in the Fig. 1-4. background. Fig. 1-5. Orderly botsford, B. C. rows of Canadian parked aircraft line the taxiway at the annual Abair show. Many of these visitors will camp beside their aircraft. we heard was, "No way!" (Fig. 1-5). Why air camp? Perhaps the answer is in all the things we've does get you away from it all. It saves money and perhaps you've beaten the system, even just It certainly saves you time on a trip. It presents a a little bit. challenge of something different where the best solution for you begins in your own mind. And, if you're looking for a front row center seat at any fly-in, then camping on the airport is the only mentioned. makes you way It feel that to go. Air camping is always a minor adventure, but it is, to say We like it and hope that you do, too. the least, stimulating. 6 Chapter 2 Air Camping IHistory Air camping must be nearly as old as the airplane stormers in their Jennys after itself. Barn- WWI, living a gypsy existence travel- town and giving rides for $2, $5, or would bear, frequently slept beneath the wings of their old biplanes— not so often for the awareness of the wide open spaces as to have gas money to get to the next town (Fig. 2-1). Perhaps some of the heritage of air camping goes back to the rutted dirt roads shortly after WWI when Model T Fords were the popular way to travel cross-country and to isolated campsites. For many years, a 1921 Ford "Kampkar" has been on display at Harrah's Automotive Collection in Reno, right in the same exhibition hall where a V-8 Ford-powered Arrow Sport hung from the ceiling. The "Kampkar" had running board racks for supplies and a horizontally opening side to make room for bedding or sleeping bags with a roll-out tarpaulin awning (Fig. 2-2). ing from whistlestop to small whatever the traffic PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER About the time of the Great Depression, Bemie Pietenpol designed and built the first "Air Camper," powered with the economical, readily available Model A Ford engine. came about in an unusual manner. Model A-powered monoplane flew well and two more versions were built. Early Popularity of the Pietenpol Bemie designed and in early 1929. It the next year, built his first Modem Mechanix magazine ran an article that said Fig. 2-1. Jennies from World War were some of the first aircraft used camping as barnstormers toured the United States selling rides. I Fig. 2-2. pol Air 1921 Ford Kamp/car was the surface "kissing cousin" of the Pietenthat came along in 1929. (Courtesy The Harrah's Automobile Camper Collection, 8 in air Reno. Nevada) Fig. 2-3. Original Pietenpol Air Camper rear of the aircraft. Note simple tent with Bernie Pietenpol kneeling by the used early air camping photo. in airplanes. So Bernie and in this (Courtesy John Underwood) automotive engines would never work a friend flew two of the models to St. Paul and invited the editors to look them over. The end result was that Bernie was asked to draw up a set of plans that could be published. The 1932 edition of Modem Mechanix "Flying and Glider Manual" carried a full report on what it called the Pietenpol Air Camper and its Model A Ford engine. As a result, hundreds of sets of plans were ordered, probably 1000 available in all, ty of powerplants. (P.O. before Pietenpol's death in 1984. Latest FAA records indicate Box There is 109 are active, powered with a varie- an International Pietenpol Association 127, Blakesburg, lA 52536). (Figs. 2-3, 2-4). Modern day Pietenpol Air Camper built and flown by Larry Cowell Tucson, Arizona, at an EAA fly-in at Eloy, Arizona. Fig. 2-4. of 9 Larry Cowell, one of the Pietenpol builders from Tucson, "The 'Air Camper' is almost a misnomer. There Arizona, advises, isn't any baggage space, so the only way camping equipment can is to place it in the front cockpit and fly solo. That doesn't be carried quite my picture of 'camping.' Maybe somebody has built a bag- fit gage compartment or an external 'bomb' to carry luggage, but I've never heard of either of these solutions being tried. "I have flown my Pietenpol to Casa Grande, Arizona, fly-ins on two occasions and slept under the wing using a sleeping bag I had belted into the front cockpit. It was great fun! One time I remember parked well; the airplane among in hour or so and poke moonlight I had just been completed and I was wake up every the antiques. All night long I'd my head out of my sleeping bag. In the could see Melba Beard's Bird biplane, a Beech Stag- gerwing, a J-3 Cub, and even Kavric's Knight Twister. It was like an unbelievable dream. I was proud to have built the Pietenpol and awed be to in such company. "I have heard innumerable people claim to have learned to fly in the Pietenpols, man told me most of them illegally," he spent six months continued Cowell. "One in the hospital after turned by a coyote he was hunting. The coyote In recent years, the homebuilt Pietenpols have being out- got away." been flown with Corvair engines, smaller Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines, and recently a Canadian conversion of the Ford Fiesta 1600cc engine adapted by Ed Lubitz, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. TORTOISE AND HARE It isn't the speed of the cross-country flying machine that Two counts. airline captains, Jim Ardy and Hector Guzman of Phoenix, Arizona, rebuilt a stock 65-hp J-3 Cub, installed a six-footlong "Alaskan baggage compartment" aft of the back seat, and took days in flying the 70-mph plane from Phoenix to Anchorage where they had no trouble selling it. The pilots would take turns just four summer days while the "passenger" could baggage compartment. Their "tent" was a simple Mylar tarp stretched over a wing and weighted to the ground flying during the long stretch out in the (Figs. 2-5, 2-6). WHEN 36 HORSEPOWER WAS ALMOST ENOUGH Back more years ago than I care to admit, I made my first air camping trip in a C-313, 36-hp, two-cylinder Aeronca K, NC19303. 10 Fig. 2-5. Airline ple Captains Hector Guzman, camping gear before ferrying the J-3 Arizona, to Anchorage, Alaska, in Pasadena, California, embryo left, Cub in and Jim Ardy check their simthe background from Phoenix, four days. pilot Grant McCombs and I shared the cost of $1.00 per hour plus fuel and headed out for a week-long Washington, and return. our sleeping bags. Most navigation was done with Standard Oil road maps. A very old trip from the Los Angeles area to Seattle, We took out the seat cushions and put in logbook shows landings on a ranch near Santa Ynez and an overnight in a stubble field in eastern Oregon near Lapine, where we shared dinner with a Basque sheepherder. made it Some benevolent force possible to pry the 36-hp taildragger out of the meadow and on to Madras, Portland, and Seattle the next day. The camping on this junket was merely that of throwing a sleeping bag under the wing and waking up at daylight. This procedure is great for teenagers, but adults tend to want a bit more comfort. BAJA BUMMING Nearly 30 years after the Aeronca K trip, there was a similar experience on a flight to Baja California with Forest Service photographer San Dimas, craft. Tom Roberts in a Piper PA-12. We had Herb Shields, California, as a companion flying solo in his Taylor- This was a four-day bumming-around trip in two slow-and- low taildraggers that could land safely on just about anything. The protection of a two-plane trip made it seem practical to fly into some 11 of the more desolate areas of the Mexican Peninsula when you do it alone. that are a calculated risk We carried sleeping bags, in-flight snacks, a gallon of water— and that was about it. Meals were obtained at the fish camps along the way at San Felipe and Punta Final. We rolled the sleeping bags in a comer of the porch at Punta Final and then had a fresh fish dinner at the tiny cantina/cafe. Next day it was down the peninsula with the two old taildraggers with stops at Alfoncinas, the mission at San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia and overnight under the wing at the old resort at Punta Chivato just a dozen miles east of Mulege (Fig. 2-7). With no protection from the sunrise, Roberts and I piled out up our sleeping bags and took off for breakfast at Bahia Then there was a stop at Alfoncinas and on into Los Angeles. de Mexicali to clear Mexican Customs. Across the border to Calexico where we cleared U.S. Customs, and then to Brackett Field near Los Angeles— all by 3:00 P.M. The PA- 12 is a remarkable airplane for boondocking. It has over six hours of fuel, a big fat wing with early, rolled slow approach speeds, and good brakes. The almost-two-place back seat is Fig. 2-6. amply wide Hector for another pilot/passenger and a couple of sleep- Guzman stretches out in the "Alaskan baggage compartment" Cub that he and Jim Ardy flew to Alaska. At the time, both of the rebuilt J-3 were DC-9 captains on Bonanza 12 Airlines in Phoenix, Arizona. Tom Roberts stretches out beside a Piper PA-12 at Punta Chivato Baja California. This was a simple "bumming trip" without tents. PA-12 is one of the best back-country airplanes. Fig. 2-7. in ing bags. For the wanderer way who is in no great hurry, this is a fine to go. It was not until backpacking became popular that adequate, became available. that the advent of small economy well-designed, lightweight camping equipment Many manufacturers feel because there just wasn't enough space to accommodate old-fashioned, bulky, heavy camping gear in these new cars. The new tent designs are both weightsaving and relatively economical— ideal for today's air camper. Without such new fabrics and new designs, it is doubtful that air automobiles helped in this popularity camping would have become as popular as it is today. 13 Chapter 3 Where to Air Finding a good place to air camp can be Camp as simple as the next port or as difficult as following the lure of a flying fish story. pilots start their air camping at a field fairly close to air- Most home- someplace that they may have visited without camping gear and planned to return. Each local airport will have a selection of flyout, camp-out spots within a hundred miles or so. Just ask arotmd and you'll find a local place to begin. Many states have been farsighted in establishing recreational airports. The state of Washington is one of these with 16 airports listed, some of which were originally intended to serve only airAll are classified as "emergency airports." However, they are now used by general aviation aircraft and are craft in distress. located in wonderful recreation areas. The landing fields are also available for forest fire fighting, instructional training and as a base for search and rescue efforts. The state cautions: airports are located in rugged terrain own and "Many all pilots of these are cautioned recommended that an check you out and demonstrate proper techniques before using any of these State airports." (Figs. to use them experienced at their risk. It is strongly flier/flight instructor 3-1, 3-2). Each is purported to have or has had both and outhouses for campers. A pilot's guide listing each of the state airports is published by the Washington Division of Aeronauticis, 8600 Perimeter Road, Boeing Field, Seattle, of these airports picnic tables WA 14 Bandera State emergency airport as seen from the west. This airport 16 established by Washington state and is open for recreational purposes. Field is 2400 feet long at 1632 feet MSL. Fig. 3-1 is one . of mi^ms^auKlim A Piper Arrow modified to a Robertson STOL configuration makes a low pass down the grass strip at Bandera State. Note canyon bottom location and tall trees on the surrounding hillsides. Field may have tall grass and a rough surface. Fig. 3-2. 15 98108. There In our may be home a fee for this booklet to out-of-state pilots. state of California, many recreational airports with and outhouses are readily available. Among the most popular are Columbia in the Mother Lode area of the High Sierras and Kern Valley at the north end of Lake Isabella. Here, for a fee of $5 per night, you can taxi into a special tiedown area with running water, fire pits, an outhouse, and tables (Fig. 3-3). at least tables CALIFORNIA'S FIRST STATE RECREATIONAL AIRPORT at The state of California has established a recreational airport Klammath Glen, just five miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and 23 miles southeast of Crescent City where the airport serves The 2400-foot paved airport was opened in late 1978 and we attended the ceremony. A private airport near the new location was built in 1948 by non-pilot S. A. "Andy" McBeth. The first pilot to use this strip was California Congressman Don Clausen (Fig. 3-4, 3-5). During the dedication ceremony, attended by both McBeth and Clausen, the former Congressman told of flying undeveloped motion picture film shot on location nearby for the Lana TumerA^an Heflin movie Green Dolphin Street in a WWII surplus BT-13. The present recreational airport was financed with $222,279 (1977 dollars) of state funds from the nonrefundable two-cent tax on general aviation fuel. There are ten tiedown spots. as a fog alternative. Fig. 3-3. Kern Valley campground with a paved tiedown area adjoining. Note tables and stove in background. Just 100 yards to the west is the Kern River. Tiedown fee and parking here 16 is $5 per night. Fig. 3-4. Dedication ceremonies at the California State Klamath Glen Airport southeast of Crescent City. Left to right are former State Director of Aeronautics E, J. McKenney, Congressman Don Clausen, Adriana Gianturco, former Director of CALTRANS, and S. A. "Andy" McBeth, far right, who built the original airport. Fig. 3-5. past the Klamath Glen Airport as seen from the air. The Klamath River runs left end of the airport. Ten tiedowns are in the foreground. 17 Some of the finest steelhead and salmon fishing in the West can be found at the mouth of the Klammath River, which runs right by the airport. Boat rentals and restaurants are within convenient walking distance of this flight strip. A boat docking ramp is located adjoining the airport on the approach end of tunately, this is the first and so Runway 11. Unfor- far the only recreational strip to be constructed by the California Department of Transportation. A number of airports on the eastern side of the High Sierras have grassy plots near their small airport offices that are available for camping. One of these is the town of Independence (Fig. 3-6), where there's a fine Fourth of July fireworks show each year that draws many fly-in visitors. We shared a weekend with the Cessna 170 group, most of whom camped at the airport. ALASKA: A GREAT GOAL FOR AIR CAMPERS If trip to your home base is in Florida or the deep South, a camping Canada or Alaska is a long flight. From the West Coast, where we base, it isn't all that far. We've done it ourselves on several occasions and have found the scenery, airports, and facilities outstanding. is One of the true experts Jim Moody, who works we met on Alaskan camping Alaska Division of Parks throw of Lake Hood in Anchorage. "Describing how we camp up here is like trying to tell someone for the State of in a building within a stone's Fig. 3-6. A Mooney flies down the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains Many of the small towns in this area per- south of Independence, California. mit 18 camping on their airports. how to walk— it's someone else so routine and natural to us that explaining is difficult," said it to Moody. "My work with the Division of Parks was aimed mainly at getand perhaps some picnic tables few fields that get a lot of use by local pilots. Personally, I don't even own a tent, although for 25 years up here I've slept under the wing of the plane, beneath a nearby spruce tree, or on the open ting better fireplaces, outhouses, at a tundra. "To attempt to give you a picture of the situation here, with few exceptions Alaskan airports are rudimentary facilities located on the immediate outskirts of the community or settlement they serve. Except at the 20 or 30 largest fields, hangars and passenger terminals are nonexistent. Pilots are generally free to come and go as they please, much as one would use a county road in other states. At some of the larger airports which receive daily or less frequent jet or other scheduled heavy aircraft service, security and compliance with Part 139 of the FARs is of prime concern to the FAA, and we have developed reasonable workable airport operating procedures to satisfy that agency. Hence, other pilots or must recognize certain regulations or air travelers restrictions (Fig. 3-7). "In general, however, it is my belief that a touring camper, if he observes normal courtesies and customs, will have considerable freedom of movement anywhere in the state. That is, at many small airports he can land and pitch a tent within easy walking distance of his plane." Fig. 3-7. Picnic and camping area at Northway, Alaska. Shown is a holiday outing by local residents, particularly members of the FAA Flight Service Station seen in the background. Fireplaces are available and overnight camping is encouraged. 19 SPECIAL RULES FOR FOREST SERVICE LAND A large percentage of our back country If is governed by either management by the various the U.S. Forest Service or land states. you're planning on landing in a park or other designated area, you may need to use permits. Some of these must be obtained in advance; others can be obtained after landing. Fishing and hunting are authorized under state regulations. Check with the local Ranger before entering areas for fishing or hunting because regulations vary. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) has ex- tensive rules and regulations for occupancy and use of developed recreation sites. Violation of these regulations can cost you up to $500 or six months imprisonment or both. Violations include ing to dispose of all garbage including paper, cans, bottles, fail- sewage, and waste water. It is illegal to place in or near a stream or lake any substance that may pollute the water. There is a limitation on operating bicycles, motorbikes, or motorcycles on trails not designated for their use. Of course, you are prohibited from cutting timber without a permit and there are restrictions on animals other than seeing-eye dogs. down The detailed Hst is extensive, but it judgment and courtesy. If you are in a developed recreation area, check with the local Ranger or pick up U.S.F.S. all boils to brochure material before your trip. AOPA'S AIRPORT DIRECTORY: OUR "WISH BOOK" One AOPA's pages of the best single sources for air in the available to 1984 edition) members lists at $24.95 for non-members but free with renewal of In our estimation, this single publication an camping information is annual publication Airports USA. This extensive book (636 membership each is is year. well worth the cost of AOPA membership. We carry an up-to-date copy in our aircraft at all times, a camping and when we're out cross-country (not necessarily on the book will come open in flight sometime during trip), the afternoon looking for a suitable stop for the night. The but in AOPA Directory does not going through the Oktibbeha, listings in Mississippi, list camping areas separately, you wiU find places like Starkville, a 220-foot strip with tourists attractions including a 50-acre lake adjacent to the airport with free fishing and camping area adjacent. In the Gadabout Faddis has a motor inn and lodge adjacent with camp- to pilots, rental boats, picnic area Bingham, Maine, 2300-foot turf strip 20 for another example, ing available. At Cedar Key, Florida, there site at The Cedars, is camping listed on a 2200-foot oiled strip. When you have time for armchair traveling between trips, a AOPA book will show camping spots on or near airports that you've never heard of before (Fig. 3-8). A number of years ago— 1967-69— AOPA published a threevolume series on Places to Fly. These books were compilations of travel articles featured in AOPA Pilot magazine, many of which careful look through this were written by us. We covered "Leadville, The Country's Highest Landing Spot," Ehirango, Colorado, and the high desert of the Southwest. While this series was not prepared specifically for air campers, a large percentage of the areas we photographed and wrote about were suitable for air camping. However, at that time we found very little camping at airports— perhaps because of relatively reasonable motel rates and much less expensive aviation gas, but it is our belief that air camping became a viable, efficient, and increasingly popular way to go only with the advent of modem backpacking equipment. Some outdoor equipment manufacturers and salesmen also attribute the increasing popularity of backpacking campout equipment to the trend toward smaller economy cars. You can't really put a large tent and a two-burner stove, sleeping bags, and ice chest comfortably in the back of the newer small cars. OF CHARTS AND BROCHURES Once you've decided on your destination, or if The Gansner Airport in Qui ncy, northern California, fishing stream adjoining the airport. Field elevation is you need help Fig. 3-8. has a campground and 3415 it feet, making a popular landing spot during hot days. 21 your decision, a look at your set of aeronautical charts— ones— is in order. If you are like we are, you'll find the study of these charts before any trip to be a fascinating way to spend an evening. Perhaps you'll discover a new place to in preferably up-to-date stop enroute. Maybe there'll be another campground area near where you're already going. NOAA's aircraft variety. Go to your and pick up road maps of your intended route and particularly the area where you want to camp. These surface charts will show roads and trails that are never included on the smaller scale Sectionals. While you're at it, pick up any auto club brochure material on the area, and if you have time in advance, write to the state, county and/or city involved for travel information. These booklets make good preflight reading and also will give your passengers something constructive to do by reading all about the Don't limit your charts to local auto club destination while you're enroute. Many Departments of Aeronautics have of the State for-free many charts that include travel tips and background information on advance and see what you get back. One of the best of these informative charts that we've seen is produced by the British Columbia Aviation Council (#203 438 Agar Drive, International Airport South, Vancouver, B.C., V7B of the tourist attractions. Write in 1A4, Canada). Many at the of your best campout areas are out lower elevations. If it is your of range of first trip into VORs a given area, a good preflight exercise would be to plot a cross bearing of the nearest two VORs and make your initial approach at a high enough altitude to get you close to the flight strip before you switch over to index-finger-on-the-chart pilotage. Use of VORs for initial navigation in no way is meant to recommend IFR flight into remote areas. Most of the destinations we mention have no published IFR approach, and a great part of the fun of air camping is eyeballing the scenery on your trip. Even if you and your plane are IFR legal, we'd recommend that you save this part of your flying for city-to-city transportation. In the back country, is ADF is a fine asset, particularly a local commercial band radio station in the vicinity. quency if there Low fre- ADF signals can climb hills and drive into valleys that the VHF won't touch. And the new Loran-C sets, we've been told, make it all very easy. As we were completing magazine assignment 22 this at the small book, town we had an of Woodlake overnight at the foot High Sierras in Central CaUfomia. On the charts, the Woodlake Airport is paved and 3200 feet long. It should have been of the a piece of cake, but fic we circled for 10 minutes, listening to the we spotted the strip. It was reporting on Unicom, before traf- long overdue for a black seal coat and the string of hangars blended well into the scenery. sun is Always remember behind you, particularly in advisable to overfly your airport and sun at your that you can see better haze or smog, so it is if the frequently come back in with the setting tail. Being "a little lost" is just like being "a little pregnant." PRELANDING CHECKOUT The payoff for all this planning is a comfortable, fully equip- ped campout. You've done your homework, bought your gear, checked it out, loaded your plane properly, and headed for the great outdoors. After arriving at your destination airport— hopefully a long grassy strip far from neon signs, freeways, and telephones— you'll an idea of the airport conditions. There'll be most cases, so give a call in the blind over the field as well as when you decide which way to land. Many back country airports are obviously one-way strips. Consider the wind conditions and the slope of the runway. Under all but the most extreme conditions, a landing uphill is desirable because you'll have a shorter rollout. Go-arounds on one-way strips can be a problem because of immediately rising terrain, so do it right circle carefully to get no Unicom the first If in time. the grass or sod has been wet recently, look for soft spots as you circle and expect poor braking on the Above all, make certain that the airport is damp large surface. enough to get back out of comfortably. There are many airplanes that will land over an obstacle, such as a line of trees, in far less distance than they will take off from the same surface (Fig. 3-9). CHOOSING A TIEDOWN SPOT So you're safely on the ground and have taxied into your grassy spot. After you deplane, look the area over closely on a first- time visit. Perhaps you'll want to move the ship to another parking area because of high ground, wind breaks, picnic tables, or outhouses. If you have a choice, park your plane in a protected area near the trees. Pick the higher parts of the area to stay out of puddles 23 Fig. 3-9. Templeton Meadows, a Forest Service strip in the High Sierras of was closed by the governing agency as a wilderness area nfieasure. California, In earlier times, a couple prepare to camp out at Templeton. (Courtesy Don Dwiggins) when— not comes We always put lightweight aluminum shocks if— it rains. under our wheels and down securely. If the wind really enough trouble with your tent and thing you want to have to do is secure your tie the plane up, you're going to have campsite, and the last aircraft. However, where you park is frequently dictated by designated Some areas just might have prepared tiedown "deadmen" to save you the trouble of using your own gear, but normally you'll have to tether your own machine. What happens after that— unloading your ship, setting up camp, and getting ready for your stay— will be covered in Chapter 7. areas. WHERE NOT TO CAMP If you have chosen private property, flight strip with the owner/operator before setting up camp. don't want visitors. and Some all, check areas just We found this to be true in southern Texas one day, where the fine 4000-foot paved airport and adjoining hangar were reserved by a nearby corporation for its clients' exclusive use. Fair enough. We thanked the guard, fired up, and went on our way. Most airports like this are listed in AOPA's Directory as "private, not open to the public." Some where the flight strip is directly owned and maintained just serve the paying customers. Unless the lodge is full, you can of the isolated resorts associated with the lodge are privately to hardly expect permission to camp out. In Baja California, Mexico, there are serve just one resort. 24 They take many flight strips that a dim view of air campers unless you can convince the management that you'll patronize the restaurant/bar enough to make it financially advantageous to the proprietor. We have been told that this no-camping-at-the-resortairport is prevalent in the Bahamas, a destination far from our West Coast that we hope to explore one of these days. Here a private airport can mean "no trespassing," but many are open to visitors. It's best to check in advance. If approval is granted, this should be a super place to air camp. It's basically a question of using good judgement. If you're not imposing on anyone, taking bucks out of their pockets, or making a nuisance of yourself, most resort operators will give you the green light, even if only for a limited stay. SUSPECT MARGINAL AIRPORTS Just because there's a private strip airplane parked on the ground doesn't marked on a chart or an mean that it is an airport. Here are two examples, one that we flew into and perhaps should not have, and the other that we took one look and said, "Thanks, but no thanks." we had put a 180-hp Lycoming in the front of the Cessna 170B that we owned for eight years, it was one of the best of the short field airplanes— not technically a STOL, but it would outperAfter form some of the special and expensive STOLs. We were on a travel magazine assignment on the West Coast and had heard about a resort called Paradise Bar. That's the spot on the Rogue River inland from Gold Beach, Oregon, where the jet boat trips stop for lunch. When it was built, a Super Cub strip was hacked out of a small meadow in back of the resort. We talked with the resort owners by phone before flying in and they cautioned that the field was short— about 1400 feet as we remember it— and the best approach was up the gorge of the Rogue River. We overflew the area in the afternoon, but hot, windy weather made the area inhospitable. We spent the night at Gold Beach, a colorful spot where camping is permitted adjacent to the airport. Next morning, as soon as the fog had burned off, we headed up the inspiring Rogue River over Agness, where there is a small flight strip, and on up the river. There is a "diamond lane" on the Klam- math Falls Sectional Chart, indicating this VFR route. We tiny circled Paradise Bar from a lower meadow, and decided to give it a try. is a preferred low-level altitude, looked at the The approach down in 25 the midst of the canyon was spectacular. take pictures, but both of us were busy. I wish we'd had time to We came bending around the river, approached the last turn downstream of the resort, drop- to and slowed up. Then we pulled up out of the gorge slot in the trees and landed. There was a little room spare, but the entire operation was one that required everything to work out ped flaps, through a small just right. While it was quite spectacular, getting out the next day was no problem with the larger engine in the 170B, but we don't plan to fly into that strip again in anything less than a helicopter or perhaps a Turbo Porter. The surroundings are just too marginal for the average conventional four-placer, in our opinion, even with a light load. IDAHO'S ALLISON RANCH: STIMULATING A later, we had an assignment to write about who owns Allison Ranch deep in the heart of Salmon River Country. The lead in our printed report few months Harold Thomas, Idaho's started, "If you can land on that 950-foot strip in the bottom of the canyon with your Robertson conversion turbo Cessna 206G, we won't have any trouble with our 180-hp Cessna 170B taildragger." On the other end of the phone, Thomas, who is also founder, chairman, and chief executive of Trus Joist, gave a chuckle. "That's fine by me. You'll find the strip right at the last bend of the river where it turns southwest. It's about 20 miles upriver from Mackay Bar, and that's on the Sectional. You can't really see my strip until you begin to turn on final approach. Have fun!" Was it a cinch and did we make it? No, it wasn't— and no, we didn't! We found Mackay Bar easily, all 1900 feet of it (marked as "private" on the Sectional), and then headed up river. We finally found Allison Ranch and located a limp white windsock at the edge of a tiny meadow ringed with trees. So that was the flight strip? It didn't look at all inviting and we circled back, dropped half flaps, and flew up the river canyon for a closer look (Fig. 3-10). We soon passed the opening that leads to Allison and it's far too late to start We didn't even circle again and found it easy have a meeting of the minds in the cockpit. It was unanimous to return to Mackay Bar and get hold of Mr. Thomas on the a turn in for landing. to radiotelephone. While waiting Ray Arnold for the resort of Cascade, Idaho, owner who to show up, we flies talked with boaters on the Salmon 26 I Fig. 3-10. A Cessna departs from the 1900-foot long sod strip at Mackay Bar on the Salmon River. This flight strip serves the adjoining lodge. Prior arrangements would have to be made for air camping. River with another turbo 206. and was not too surprised that He flies into Allison on a regular basis we had chickened out. When Thomas arrived with the cabin well filled with supplies for the ranch, the two of us climbed aboard sional job of 2500 feet and watched the owner do a truly profeshis big 206 into the tiny flight strip at shoehoming MSL. As he started to turn final, the stall complaining and the Robertson STOL wamer was conversion was doing its thing (Figs. 3-11 through 3-18). That little break in the trees along the bank of "the river of 1 Deep in the bottom of the Salmon River on base leg to the Allison Ranch flight strip. Aerial pictures of this flight strip were taken from Harold Thomas' STOL Cessna 206. Fig. 3-1 . 27 3-12. Turning in on final approach. Note the tiny break in the trees. no return" quickly opened up into a small meadow where the windsock waved lazily. Thomas chopped the power, dropped the 206 on the lip of the gravel runway, sucked up the flaps, and began applying heaving braking. The wall of pine trees at the other end was of the strip intimidating, but then became beautiful as the speed ^ dropped to a walk. After spending the night in the Thomas' guest house, in what had to be the blackest vista we've ever seen after dark, we watch- wm Rec, Fig. 3-13. 28 . m There's the i ^ ^ 1 1 1 T Ik 1^ 1 mm flight strip at Allison Ranch, all 950 feet of it. Fig. 3-14. There is White runway end marker and windsock show on short no go-around. final approach. ed the lighting flashes from a thunderstorm and listened to the rain slam against the walls. It really wasn't the best night for a tent. There are no roads, no automobiles, no power lines, and no TV in this rugged isolated area. The flight out the next day was just as soul-searching. You taxi Windsock shows right crosswind as Thomas crosses the end runway with his STOL 206. Fig. 3-15. of the 29 Fig. 3-16. just a On a subsequent flight by the resort owner, Julia caught the action before touchdown. moment way up to the treehne and start rolling down toward the meadow. From there on, there's no "go/no-go point." As we entered all the the slot in the trees, Thomas hauled back on the wheel and the big 206 staggered into the air. Then came an immediate right turn downstream and we picked up both speed and a little altitude down near the river bottom. Fig. 3-17. Cargo comes out of the 206 Into a small corral to keep livestock away aircraft. Very old Fordson tractor is used to maintain the flight from the parked strip. 30 >#1 Fig. 3-18. Thomas makes a full perfomiance STOL takeoff with no for picture-taking By comparison, Mackay Bar looked dropped us off two we visited to pick in like downtown up our 170B. While the as Thomas flight strips like the Idaho are primarily for paying guests, you'll find some of the country's best fields nearby is load on board purposes. the camping in this area. USPS 3500-foot turf strip, One of the better elevation 5783 feet, Big Creek where there is both an adjoining lodge and a USPS campground. AOPA's Directory advises, "Land 18, takeoff 36. Pat- at tern east of the field. Transmit intentions on 122.9. Tiedowns are available." So there's absolutely nothing wrong in passing up a marginal airport, no matter how big it is, in favor of a field that looks 100 percent safe to you. It goes without saying that a wreck at an isolated airport means that help may be a long way off, and getting your bent bird out would be an expensive trip by helicopter. When in doubt, go elsewhere. The opportimities for air camping sites are almost endless. As you become more comfortable camping beside your aircraft, you'll keep an eye peeled for new places to visit. Sometimes you'll pass over an interesting spot when you're already at altitude and with a good destination in mind. Mark it on your chart and find out what you can before traveling that way again. Perhaps it will become your best-yet campsite. 31 Chapter 4 Checklists Checklists, Checklists, "We use a checklist," was the comment heard repeatedly while we were gathering material for this book. However, further discus- sion revealed that the checklist might have been prepared at the minute from memory or might have been compiled over the few days prior to the outing. Most commented that they really should save their lists from each trip and use them as a starting place for next time, but they always forgot. We've been keeping our packing lists in a folder for future reference— not only for camping trips, but also for airline travel and cross-country in the four-placer using motels, and this system really works. Getting that list compiled is the "fun part." If you've never camped, it was suggested by all that you find someone who has and spend a few hours listening and taking notes on suggestions. Most people, however, have had some experience at camping through scouting, family outings, or an overnight trip to the backyard. But even with no ventures whatsoever into this type of life, one thinks of shelter (tent), sleeping (sleeping bags), and eating (stove, plates, food, etc.). So the list-making process is begun (Fig. last last 4-1). We break our lists into categories for convenience and to provide multiple applications for different lengths and purposes of trips. We'll share our thinking with you and present from which you can prepare your own 32 lists. some sample listings Fig. 4-1. Here's the end result of a list for a group flight to Alaska. Jim Smith Tours inspects some of the camping gear collected for their sum- of Freebird mer trip. PREPARE THE AIRCRAFT The D D D n D D following list should be very familiar— aircraft documents: Aircraft Registration Form. Aircraft Operations Manual. Airframe and engine logbooks, if applicable. Preflight checklist. Radio permit for aircraft. Appropriate charts (discussed in Chapter 3). We also like to keep a short list of items always carried in our airplane: n D D D D D D D n Water. Portable oxygen (discussed in Chapter 6). Survival packet (discussed in Chapter 11). Oil, one quart. Funnel. Tiedowns. Ropes. Selection of tools. First aid kit. 33 AND NOW THE PILOT D D n D Pilot's Certificate. Valid physical. Radio telephone permit. Current Bienniel Flight Review endorsement. (Rather than carrying your logbook, we'd suggest having the CFI who BFR put his stamp on the back of one of something similar and sign it; you can right along with your license and medical cer- gives you your his business cards or carry this tificate. many This would be insurance in addition to the logbook entry as companies require the BFR to be "logged.") IF YOU CROSS THE Some U.S. of the best air BORDER camping sites in North America are Canada. Mexico also has a number of good locations in (Fig. 4-2). may become an international one and will require more paper work. While passports are presently not required in either Canada or Mexico, we'd recommend that you carry them anytime you go out of the U.S. It makes it so much Thus, your trip just a little easier to get back in! Whichever international border you the pilot's responsibility to take care of formalities. cross, remember all flight that it is plan details and Make certain you have current information because the potential for stiff fines is always there. U.S. Customs provides a Simple overnight tent is erected under the wing of a Cessna at the annual fly-in of the Cardinal Club at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Note identical type aircraft lined up in the grass beside the runway. Fig. 4-2. first 34 free booklet, U.S. Customs Guide for Private Fliers. This 42-page booklet can be obtained by writing the Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs, Washington, D. C. 20229. To cross the border, each person will need proof of citizenship (passport, certified copy of birth certificate, military discharge papers, naturalization papers, etc.) The pilot will need also to pre- sent current airman and medical certificates, personal radio telephone license, and notarized permission to use the aircraft the aircraft is rented, borrowed, or registered in the name of a if com- pany, corporation, or partnership. The only caution for Canada is not to carry a handgun. Rifles or shotguns are permitted; they are required for flight over sparsely populated areas. in advance. Flight into damages Gun permits for Mexico should be arranged for Mexico requires special aviation insurance coverage on the ground. Several insurance firms throughout the U.S. are brokers for the Mexican insurance com- for to third parties pany that provides this required coverage. of this insurance or you port of entry. will not You must carry proof be permitted to go beyond the air- We strongly suggest you obtain the coverage before crossing the border, as we have never found anyplace to purchase Mexican international airports and cab trips to town are time consuming and an added expense. We personally find the MexiCard (an insurance credit card) arrangement offered through MacAfee & Edwards insurance agency in Los Angeles, this insurance at the California, very convenient. PERSONAL ITEMS The following is a suggested list that again is useful for all away from home in your aircraft, always keeping in mind that you can't just pull over at the nearest drugstore along the way travels and pick up what you forgot: D D D D D D D D D Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Razor. Shaving cream. Soap. Deodorant. Suntan lotion. Insect repellent. Cosmetics. 35 Fig. 4-3. When you're this far out of civilization, you don't want to run out of personal pharmaceuticals. Julia Downie and George Pappas prepare to fish for salmon in the Nushagak River between Dillingham and King Salmon, Alaska. The amphibious Widgeon owned by Pappas was landed in the river, the gear extended, and then we taxied right up on the beach. This is a very personal list as individual memories require. that a to be developed in as much We do not recommend, detail however, copy of your eyeglass prescription be carried in your wallet, And we've found it handy on two occasions to have just in case. a record of our prescription medication available with the name and phone number of pharmacy and prescription number. When we ran out, we had the pharmacist in the town we were visiting in Alaska call our pharmacist back home for permission to refill. (Of course, you must make certain that your prescription provides for a refill ahead of time.) The best solution, of course, is to take adequate supplies with you and don't lose them (Fig. 4-3). DIFFERENT KINDS OF AIR CAMPING There's no single list that will fit all pilots, their planes, their and their personal needs and/or preferences. If you're going camping with a two-place Cessna 140 or 150 and taking a companion, your payload is severely limited and your list will be just about the same as a backpacker (Fig. 4-4). With four people in a four-placer, you're really not that much better off. Serious air campers that we know prefer to take just two vacationing destinations, and fill the back end with those items that make your home away from home delightful. people 36 in a four-placer pp*l ONE NIGHT STAND If our only concern in planning our trip is whether or not we'll be able to locate lodgings along the route, or we know ahead of time that we would like to sleep under the wing for time-saving reasons, we only add the tent, cots, and sleeping bags with a small Stemo or primus stove for heating water for coffee in the morn- ing. And, of course, we do need spoon, pan, and two cups. along the way, our list When to pack the instant coffee, tea- our plans include camping per se gets considerably longer. FOREST SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS While it is designed for backpackers, the USPS has a concise what you should bring for your "wilderness experience." As mentioned previously, the backpacking equipment and concepts match beautifully with air camping because of space and weight considerations (Fig. 4-5). Perhaps you can glean some ideas from the following excerpts from the booklet entitled Backpacking (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Program Aid 1239; order from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402). We picked up a copy at our listing of local Forest Service office. Camping with a two-place Cessna 152 are David Cleveland and Jane Costerisan Farms, California. The pop tent, ice chest, chairs, and minimal luggage came in the two-placer. Fig 4-4. Ross at 37 Backpackers Judy and Wade Dellards leave their Cessna 170 and a backpacking expedition at Templeton Meadows in the High Sierras. (Courtesy Don Dwiggins) Fig. 4-5. start "Experienced backpackers pride themselves on being able to travel light. Veteran backpackers will seriously explain that they cut towels in half and ounces. They measure saw the handles off toothbrushes to save out just the right and put it in plastic bags, which are "What you need for camping: amount light. D Tent or tarp for shelter. D Sleeping bag. D Foam pad. D Lightweight stove and fuel. D Coated nonstick cooking utensils. D Dishes and cutlery. D Small flashlight with extra batteries and D Dark glasses. D Knife. D Waterproof matches. D Biodegradable soap. D Insect repellent. D Litter bags to remove unbumable trash. D Compass. 38 of food bulb. needed kn "What you need for clothing: D One extra pair of jeans. D Long-sleeved cotton shirts. D At least two wool shirts. D Sweater. D Parka or windbreaker. D Two changes of wool socks. D Underwear. D Camp shoes and socks. D Rain gear. D Handkerchiefs. D Hat. "Using layers of clothing is efficient because it allows for several combinations to meet changing weather conditions. Using clothing in various combinations also reduces the total ed on the is trip, thus saving weight and space. amount need- Wear footwear that comfortable and appropriate. "Carry a lightweight shovel or trowel and white toilet papers. Dyed paper may be harmful to the environment. "Bring maps, towel, water canteen or flask, plastic bags, needle, thread, safety pines, first aid kit and rope (nylon cord). "Experience wiU help you refine planning skills, equipment and techniques. However, evenings at home with how-to-do-it books, practice in putting up tents or shelters and trying out dehydrated foods or home recipes will spark the imagination and help you avoid making some mistakes." CAMPING WITH THE BERTRAMS One of the best lists we've seen for two people in a small fourcomes from Joyce and Wallace Bertram of La Canada, California. They have been air camping regularly for more than 25 years in the same 1939 Bellanca 14-19. They supplied us with a recommended "where-to-start" checklist. Wallace Bertram was a U.S. Navy mechanic during WWII, has an A&P rating, and used placer his expertise to develop the sophisticated tooling required to massproduce lawn furniture and camping equipment fabricated from aluminum tubing (Fig. 4-6). His wholesale backpacking and camping supply company, Stansport, is one of the nation's larger users of aluminum turbine, buying a quarter of a million feet at a time 39 to supply a single month's production. Both Joyce and "Bert" think backpacking equipment is synonymous with air camping equipment because of the mutuals concerns regarding weight and bulk. They should know, and here's the D D D D list they provided: Backpacking tent. Space blankets. Sleeping bags. Lightweight cots (some people carry foam pads or air mat- tresses only). D D D Foam (Pac-lite) pads with 4-inch foam pads for pillows. Aluminum stools or fold-up aluminum director's chairs. Insect repellent (the Bertrams and the authors use Cutters lotion). n Two or three 2-pound coffee cans with plastic lids to be used as cooking utensils. D D Pair of pliers to do double duty as handle for the coffee cans. Griddle, spatula, large spoon, large fork, and collapsible grill. Wallace Bertram uses this aluminum tube bender to form the legs a Stansport Cot. The special equipment was made from surplus WWII bomber Fig. 4-6. of parts. 40 n D D D Small propane lamp. Flashlights. and spoons. Plastic plates, cups, forks, knives, Small plastic basin which serves as a wash basin, salad bowl, etc. D D D D Dehydrated or freeze-dried food. Toilet paper. Packet of soap, liquid detergent. Can of peanuts for an appetizer— save the can to catch grease drippings, which can be used taining the fire; do not pour it in cooking and main- out on the ground. D Small terry cloth towels. D Ax or garden pruning pull saw to cut firewood; more efficient, the saw is but cannot be used to drive tent poles or aircraft tiedowns. n Small shovel. D Hank of lightweight nylon rope or twine. D Rain parkas. D Warm jackets. D Lawn and leaf plastic bags; these do double-duty as gar- bage bags and instant rain protection for equipment and luggage. D D First aid kit (should be in aircraft already). Ronsonol lighter (35 mm fluid and matches film container makes in a waterproof container a good, compact match holder). D D Small signaling mirror (should be Deck MINI-LIST George in aircraft already). of playing cards, in case you're socked in. FOR SMALLER HOMEBUILTS Scott, an early builder of the Rutan VariEze, from Cum- list when he and his wife Space is at a premium in this efficient, long-range homebuilt, so George packs for sleeping, coffee, and snacks only. Here's what he takes in a 75-pound total for this nineday campout: min, Georgia, has a very short packing fly to Oshkosh (Fig. 4-7). D Two-man tent with rain fly. D Two full-size pillows, blanket, and D Stemo stove and fuel. D Collapsible 1.5-gallon water jug. D Tool kit and spare parts. two sheets. 41 Fig. 4-7. A portion of the air camping area at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Special areas are maintained for homebuilts, classics and modern production aircraft. Photo was taken from an EAA helicopter. 3 Sponge, rags, wax. D Coffeepot; coffee and tea. D Two thermo cups. D Clothes for nine days for two. D Sectionals and Flight Guide. n First aid kit. D Snacks and juice. D Two folding seats. D Two cameras plus film. ALL BUT THE KITCHEN SINK J. R. and Yvonne Smith of Los Angeles, California, promote group flying with their Freebird Tours. The list they recommended for participants on the 1984 trips to Alaska is very extensive and thought-provoking. The group tour to Alaska does include a couple camping days. We quote from their handout material and reproduce the 89-item 42 list with the Smiths' permission. You will Jim and Yvonne Smith set up Fig. 4-8. before starting on a Freebird Tours note duplication 5, the lists camping gear in the backyard Alaska. we have presented. In Chapter more about the items on the Freebird Tours' camping and more about their trip in Chapter 10 (Figs. 4-8, 4-9). there list among all their trip to is Must-Have List Plane-Related Items D D Small tool kit. Tiedowns and extra rope. Fig. 4-9. Aircraft from Freebird Tours are shown parked in the grass at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada, on a group flight to Alaska. (Courtesy Jacquelyn Lanpher-Neumann) 43 n Oil. n Wheel chocks. n Survival kit. D AOPA trip kit and maps. Camping Equipment D Tent. D Sleeping bags. D Stove. D Food. n Camp equipment. D Folding shovel. D First aid kit. n Mosquito headnets. D Bug repellent. D Porta-potty. "We would like to point out that regarding camping equipment campouts, such listed, is while our "Must-Have" may seem strictly related to not the case," wrote the Smiths. "Every item with the exception of the Porta-potty should, accompany every Alaska-bound whether we intended Suggested Packing to in our opinion, pilot for safety's sake! flown this area often and have included these items list list our camp in We have our packing or not." List "While our suggested packing list may seem somewhat extenwe have found that with proper packing techniques, all of these items can readily be stored and carried comfortably. While some items may seem trivial, others may seem to indicate sive, overpreparedness. way the trivial items are not so when you don't have them, and to prepare for the worst situaand work backwards. While preparing for any trip, again we "Well, we've learned the hard trivial tion suggest that you alone are the best judge of what items you will need to include." D D n D 44 Fishing gear. Waders. Hat. Tarp. D One raincoat. D One pair rubber boots about 12" high. n Camera bags. D Umbrella. D Disposable lighters and waterproof matches. D Towel and washcloth— one each. D Robe and thongs. D Light clothing. n Baggage tags. D Flight bag. D 30" long soft duffel per person. D One heavy, warm coat. D One medium-weight coat. D Two warm sweatshirts. D One pair thermal underwear. D Three wool or heavy cotton button-up shirts. D Three pair heavy wool or cotton socks. D Five pair jeans. D One pair tennis or jogging shoes. D Warm vest. D Scarf. D Gloves. D Mosquito headnet. D Clothes. D Nice outfit for going out. D Dried soup. D Instant cocoa. D Vitamin pills. D Aspirin D Candy bars and dried snacks. D Bar soap. D Bug spray. D Pam. D Antacids. D Sugar, instant coffee, creamer. Tang. D Liquid soap. D Musk oil. D Toiletries. D Camera. D Coffeepot. D Travel diary. D Playing cards. 45 n Binoculars. D Portable radio. n Padlock. D Fishing license. n Papers for plane. D Pocketknife. D Air mattress. n Camp stools. D Ice chest. n Water container. D Canteen. D Axe. D Tent stakes. D Fuel. D Cooking utensils. D Forks and knives. D Trash bags. D Zip lock bags. D Duct tape. D Electrical tape. D Brochures and travel coupons. D Sick bags. D Paper towels. D Flashlight. n Facial tissues. D Foil packaged munchies. D "Jill's John." NOW new YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN The foregoing lists are provided as a jumping-off place for the air camper. As you dabble more deeply into this great way undoubtedly modify your personal plane lists to your airplane and reason for traveling (Fig. 4-10). You'll delete to vacation, you'll fit or add items, depending on whether you're going to an arid area, to the mountains, or to a seashore destination. We met up with Terry McHenry of Los Angeles when he was enroute home with his Mooney. We were all weathered in at Boulder City, Nevada. He advised his wife keeps the list of things to bring, but they always take their own pillows, even if they're staying at motels. As you become an old pro at this business, you may find that the compilation of a list of equipment for each trip might be 46 Fig. 4-10. Overnight camping can be as simple as this small, lightweight tent and sleeping bag used by Bob Etter, Arizona. This camping gear fits easily In the small baggage compartment of his restored Piper J-3 Cub. eliminated by putting all your camping gear you're fortunate enough to have one— or garage where pile to it will be all in next time out. However, one your hangar— if go back your into your airplane be sure that you camping out via automobile or that your family or friends don't borrow something that doesn't get back in the proper place. Everyone we talked with confessed the number of items carried on the first few trips got fewer and fewer as they learned about their own camping needs and patterns. The tendency to carry more than needed seems to be universal. if you use in in a special spot in this procedure, don't pirate items from this stack for a night of 47 Chapter 5 What You Need and Where to Find It What you need to take on a flying campout depends in part on where The Hsts in Chapter 4 cover a myriad of items that can go along. Whittling down on you're going and the severity of the weather. these lists will depend on you, your aircraft's capabilities, and your destination. Before you take your edited list and leap off to the neighborhood backpacking store with checkbook in hand, do your homework and you may save some money. Talk with other campers, particularly those who air camp. Inspect their equipment and note how they in the plane and where they camp. Read the out- handle it— both door magazines for handy hints and study the ads. Look ters' at outfit- catalogues and check the prices. Attend an outdoors-type ex- hibit when there's one in your area. Most large towns have at least one big outdoors show and demonstration each spring in the con- vention center or auditorium. Pick up auto club publications if you're a member. Material from the Sierra Club may be useful. Forest Service handouts give considerable information. Before you go out and buy, attempt to borrow camping equipfriends and try it out for size. It's surprising how much learn— particularly about what not to do. You can run a trial campout right in your own backyard, but it is much more realistic to load this gear in your plane— or in one you rent— and fly to a nearby airport that has a grassy area. Then unload and camp ment from you 48 will You for the night. cheat if you go to the nearby restaurant or the comer mini-market. Use and water that you brought with you. After the tent and sleeping bags, the stove, food, learning experience— and WE it all, this should be a will be! PRACTICE AIR CAMPING NEAR HOME Our first planned experience at month-long tion for a trip to air camping was in prepara- Alaska. Our previous camping ex- perience had been slight: a couple of days of bivouac in the service many years ago, and a few nights under the stars over the years. Just as most newcomers, wrong on our first we managed to attempt. Fortunately, this do almost everything was a trial run at an home so we had the opportunity to learn from our miscues with a minimum of crises. We borrowed a tent, air mattresses, and sleeping bags from movie pilot Mike Dewey, who used this equipment on motorcycle trips. Discovery No. 1: Mike airport near Dewey is shorter than sleeping bags come we are and we found We had called an FBO at the old it flooded and arranged to for a night. fire drill out the hard way that in different lengths! camp Lake Elsinore airport before out on the grass beside his hangar We landed with ample daylight to spare and the Chinese We found that Dewey's inverted-V tent (Fig. 5-1) began. was a problem because the poles were of different lengths and each be inserted in a certain place. The air mattresses were the blow-'em-up-by-lung-power type, and we didn't realize how hard we'd blown them until about midnight. Then, getting them deflated had to Fig. 5-1 With borrowed tents and sleeping bags, the authors camped out for the night at Lake Elsinore, California. The air mattresses were too hard, the sleeping bags too short, and the stove a monster. They learned a great deal on that practice trip. . 49 Fig. 5-2. How to blow up an old air mattress. Don Downie hunches down in a too-small tent while getting camping equipment set up for the night on a trial run. morning was akin in the to wrestling a greased pig on a trampoline (Figs. 5-2, 5-3). We had also taken along a standard Coleman two-burner stove but nothing to set in all, it on. The our premier exercise gave camping up as a top of our suitcase in air was camping was so bad lost cause. Fortunately, rickety. All that we did we almost try again and again. on a small camp stool with no back at Lake Elsinore borrowed camping equipment. Each time you camp, you learn something new. Fig. 5-3. Julia during an 50 Downie initial sits test of THE TIME TO BUY ARRIVES after Finally, you've done your reading homework with made catalogues and magazines and talked with others and perhaps a run of your own, trial it's time to assemble whatever gear you already have and then go shopping for the remainder. While it is handy, don't try to purchase everything at the first backpacking or outdoorsman store you visit. Shop for the more significant or larger items just as you would for a new or used car, airplane, or appliance. Visit your nearby discount membership outlets; look into the large chain stores such as Sears, Penney's, or Montgomery Ward. Take a "little black book" and jot down specifications, prices, and availability (you don't want a backordered item if your trip is planned to start next week). Your most expensive items will be tent, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment. With these and the following items, remember the old quotation: "Don't skimp on brake jobs, life vests, or parachutes." In the same breath, don't skimp on basic camping equipment. A TENT IS A MUST While sleeping under the stars might be the greatest under ideal conditions, most air campers consider that a good tent is right at the top of their camping some list. There are specialized tents high- winged aircraft that could be very satisfactory. for We haven't tried them as the bottom of the wing on our low-slung Car- room only. Most campers today seem to prefer dome-type dinal provides stoop ly tents, particular- because they can be erected easily on concrete parking surfaces. sometimes necessary on your way to your hoped-for grassy its trout-filled stream running alongside. Since you're not backpacking and an extra pound or two here and there within reason won't hurt, we'd suggest getting a larger tent than you might "get by" with. A two-person dome-type tent will measure 54" x 84" (4 1/2 feet by 7 feet), which leaves precious little room for anything more than two sleeping bags. Add two pounds to 7 pounds 8 ounces, plus a few dollars, and you'll have 87" X 100" (Fig. 5-4). This is strip with We grew in tent capacity from a smaller package to "Super Tent," a seven-foot-tall home-away-from-home with 100" x 125" of floor space. Actually, fly; its total weight is it is a Stansport Super Hex Tent with 12 pounds. There are 24 identical fiberglass 51 Rg. 5-4. Complete seven-foot Super Hex Tent comes in a small package. Don Downie prepares to erect the tent at Costerisan Farms, California, during an ultralight fly-in. tentpoles, which fit together in units of eight each. After assem- bling the three sets of poles, you slip them into the sewn sections form a hoop with the last end set into the webbed pocket at the edge of the tent floor (Fig. 5-5). It's a small wrestling match to make sure that the eight pole units don't come apart (sometimes they do) in the process of assembling your three hoops. By trial and error, coercion and pro- to Super Hex is not a one-man job, as Downie finds out. However, two people can put up this large pop tent in less than 20 minutes. Fig. 5-5. Erecting 52 we fanity, finally had the thing fully erected. Our initial record was an hour. Bert Bertram, who distributes these beauties, says that he can do it in 15 minutes without any help— but he's an experienced camper. In any event, the added size is well worth the extra effort to us. Call it "Super Tent," "Tilt'n Hilton," or whatever, in this case, half big beautiful (Fig. 5-6). is Should you prefer the inverted-V-type mountain tents, don't 5' x 7 'but only 36" high, plan to stand up. Two-person tents are while the three-person unit is 6.5' x 6.5' x 4.75.' Weight of the larger two threeand ropes, zippered snake band and units, including nylon water-repellant carrying bag, section aluminum poles, stakes front door screen, rear window with mesh screen door, and front door flap is screening, zippered front only five pounds. TENT OVER THE WING There are both commercial and homemade tents that merely go over the wing and are staked down on both edges. The custom made units will have a sleeve that slips over the wingtip and the top of the tent slides all the way making it These come to the center section, possible to enter the cabin from the back of the tent. complete with floor and Velcroed panels for mosquito-proof ventilation (Fig. 5-7). If into your campground it, then this system is such that you can taxi the airplane right is fine. If the campground is adjacent to Fig. 5-6. Super Hex Tent before the rain fly was installed. Cover over the provides protection from both heat and rain. dome 53 Custom-made tent fits over the wing of a Skylane. This configuration possible to leave items in the cockpit and reach them without going outside. The main disadvantage is that it will not operate without the airplane as a tent pole, so the adjoining campgrounds can't be used. (Courtesy Raettlg Photo Service) Fig. 5-7. makes it the parking area, you'll have a problem with this type of tent. However, you can pitch your tent so that any part of the airplane from the elements as well as provide a fairly secure tiedown post, then take advantage of the layout. One of the most useful items that should be put on the ground if will protect it before unfolding your tent is a tarpaulin or large sheet of heavy- duty vinyl to erect your tent over. This moisture from coming up from below. the items that the Bertrams will hopefully deter A second any large tarp, one of recommend, is to drape over the wing whatever— to create a pro- of the plane and to a nearby tree— or tected area outside the tent in case of a prolonged rain. This add- ed area to move around ships when FASTEST TENT Veteran in the rain goes air IN can cool flaring tempers and save friend- on— and on, and on . . . THE WEST campers will try every shortcut in the book to cut down on the work of setting up camp. Duane Binnall has developed his own "fastest tent in the West." He concocted his invention on the sly and was able to win a couple bets with fellow air campers regarding who would have his tent up first. Unbeknownst to his flying/camping friends, Duane altered his pop tent so that he could use six unjointed poles, similar to those seen on the back of bicycles with an identification flag atop them. In from the local bike shop. floor of his The the poles were straight pop tent with ample room to spare for packing the back back seat out. The six poles are then of his Cessna 182 with the 54 fact, poles are fitted permanently into the Duane Binnall begins erection of his Fiberglass poles remain inserted in the tent. Fig. 5-8. fitted into a perforated, circular "fastest tent in the aluminum disk West." at the top of the tent (Figs. 5-8 through 5-11). Then Binnall managed to set up a wager with his friends as which camper could set up his tent in the shortest period of time. Binnall won hands down after he shook the tent out of its handydandy sheath, unrolled the tent with the poles already in place, and erected the dome tent by merely sticking the ends of the six poles into the webbed slot provided—and the job was done. to Fig. 5-9. Small aluminum disk has holes to accept the fiberglass tent poles. 5S a pop tent in a wind can be interesting. Here Duane Binwrestles with his tent while Peggy folds up the small carrying case used for the tent. Fig. 5-10. Erecting nail SLEEPING BAGS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE When it comes to sleeping bags, consider the cHmate where you plan to camp. It's a waste of money and space to purchase a bag designed for the Arctic winter when you're going to stay in moderate climates. Look at models that are designed for the 1 Completed pop tent erected in well under two minutes. Back seat Cessna 182 is removed for camping equipment and two-piece Honda Fig. 5-1 of the . motorcycle. 56 temperature range you normally expect. Get one that is fully large enough and in the configuration you prefer. Some people like the mummy bag that tapers toward the feet. Others like the his-andhers combinations. This again depends on the personality of the couple. We mummy carry bags that are modified his-and-her compatible in that shape but also we can zip them together. However, we have yet to find a two-person-wide mattress arrangement that will fold up easily. alone and love it And with the cots we presently use, we'll live as far as sack time in the camping scene is concerned. We've never tried this one, but it has been recommended: when buying his-and-hers sleeping bags, consider one of expensive down and the other constructed from manmade fiber. This makes it possible to put the down bag next to the ground when the weather is cold and use the less-warm fiber over the top. In reverse, the fiber compacts less and is a more effective insulator below. down bag, while it compacts well, wet— and it'll take days to dry. that the it is Remember useless once you get The new self-inflating air mattress may well be the best of two They are really foam pads covered with an airtight nylon worlds. envelope. When you open the valve, into the pad. If that isn't inflation. When it foam expands and the enough, you can breathe into it air goes for a larger comes time to break camp, roll it up with the system— or so the advertisements say. valve open to purge the TRY TO SIT IN The size COMFORT and cabin space will also dictate what you take. Sitting on the cold, lumpy ground really isn't the way to go and almost anything is better. The simplest aluminum folding camp stool (16" high, 14" wide) weighs only one of your aircraft sort of chairs pound. A second version, frame and is 14" x 14" x 8", has a heavy-duty steel recommended as "great for backpackers, campers, The trouble for us with both of these sim- hunters, and spectators." ple tools and is that there is no backrest. Why not go a step further complete comfort with a Campa-Chair (folding director's chairs) or something comparable. This unit is dining height, 17" sit in with a back that goes up to 33 ". just 3.5 pounds. Sure, the many air campers It weight folds to only 2 " thick (Joes add up, but are just two people in a full and weighs that's why so four-place airplane. There are sand chairs with arms that are 18 " wide with a back up to 21", but the seat is just 6" off the ground. That's that goes 57 fine for youngsters, but a long way up and down for tall, mature adults (Fig. 5-12). When choosing a chair, ample posterior onto a we suggest you don't try to cram an 8" or 10" wide— it does stool that's either only about half the job. Even the aluminum backyard lawn make ideal resting spots day of flying, hiking, or if even just loafing, there's nothing like the pure luxury of a backrest compared with a simple Frank Smith, co-owner chairs space permits carrying them. After a of East- stool. Way Products in Ayden, North Carolina, not only dabbles in ultralights but also has developed a "Carry-Ease" chair. These units are made of galvanized steel with nylon seat and back. They fold up into a zippered carrying bag (3" X 3" X 19") and have rubber leg boots. Colors are red, blue, or camouflage and the weight of each unit is about four pounds. While we're talking about chairs, this is probably as good a place as any to mention a porta-potty. Jim and Yvonne Smith of Freebird Tours strongly recommend carrying one. They have the small folding type These are under $10. "We've used this with disposable plastic bags. lightweight, pack easily, and sell for type for over 15 years and haven't found a better one yet," they advised. There's even a vinyl shower that will heat to Fig. 5-12. some extent Comfortable camp stall with an outside water bag in the sun, producing a more-or-less chairs add to the enjoyment of a camp out by Bob Weston cleans up the camp before going fishing at Kern Valley, California. Special parking ramp in the background was built adjoining the camping area. the airport. Here 58 Fig. 5-13. Yvonne Smith uses a two-burner propane stove with a permanent stand to prepare a chili dinner for a group of Freebird Tours' guests on the airport at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada. Note lightweight awning that provides sun and rain protection. (Courtesy Jacquelyn Lanpher-Neumann) warm shower. And can then, if you're in a crowded camping area, you install the porta-potty inside between showers for an added touch of privacy. HOW MUCH STOVE IS ENOUGH? Like tents, stoves come in all sizes and shapes. They'll range from tiny backpacker's jewels that weigh ounces and will heat just enough food and water for one to elaborate two and four-burner units designed for the automotive crowd. Even the old standard two-burner Coleman equipped with two propane bottles can be a bit much. We used one of these on our first two air camping efforts, but have since changed to a single-burner, propane-powered Primus stove. We also carry a can of Stemo and small foldable aluminum unit that sets up with the Stemo to make another stove burner available. These may take a little juggling to get a complete hot meal for two with everything coming up at the same time, but the price and the weight are right (Fig. 5-13). Unfortunately, most gasoline stoves won't operate on high- octane av/gas. They want white gas, and that means carrying an extra container of a flammable liquid. These containers can expand 59 and spray fuel all over the place. Bottled propane gas for stove and lantern fuel is usually considered best even though the containers add a pound or two of weight. Experts also told us that a can of Stemo bums cooler than propane and therefore takes longer; but we have used it to prepare a simple breakfast. Two air campers we know recommend carrying a small sack of commercial charcoal, for use either in a small hibachi or dirt pit with a grill over the hole. Av/gas can replace starter fluid. Charcoal makes an inefficient fire, but if you're cooking burgers or at altitude, break, steaks, the flavor is great. Besides, it's more picturesque than propane. ADD A LITTLE LIGHT TO THE SUBJECT Lighting than not we is usually necessary for the air camper as more times land just at dusk and the darkness usually descends before we're quite finished setting up. So the flashlights and lanterns play an important role. And again, there is a wide variety of styles and types of illumination. For the same reason that you wouldn't select a gasoline stove, you would rule out a gasoline lantern. There are battery lanterns and propane lanterns and each has attendant expenses. As you make your final selections, read the fine print. For example, perhaps that nice little propane lamp that sells for $11.95 doesn't include the bottle of fuel that's attached for display. (The sales clerk fortunately called our attention we discovered it was difficult to find replace to that one.) Then mantles for another and they cost a dollar each when we finally did. Be sure check both cost and availability of replacement parts. This, of course, is a good reason to purchase brand-name items. We have battery-operated lanterns, which we enjoy because they are completely silent during operation and very quick to snap on and off. However, extra batteries are heavy to carry, so we use these when we're going to be away only a night or two and are lantern, to certain the current batteries will last. We acquired these battery lamps initially for use when the electricity goes out at home; we would not have purchased them just for camping. For the more extensive trips, we use a Primus propane lantern. Our experience has been that the propane bottle lasts a long, long time and the lantern gives off a great deal of illumination, even though it is noisy. DON'T FORGET THE WATER JUG There 60 is a collapsible 2 1/2-gallon water carrier made by Stansport that can be hung on a nearby tree or times, the water hydrant is FBO's at the your camp. Also, 2 1/2 gallons is lift office or far strut. Many removed from about the best size for comfor- We regularly carry at least a gallon of bottled water on all flights out of our local area. Those southwest deserts get hot and lonesome if you have to land. With water, you can survive for table toting. a long time. In addition to the campsite jug, plan to have water accessible Some munchies get some cool liquid to wash them down. One of the best water containers we've found is sold in Canada and Alaska. in the cockpit in flight. of those high-calorie awfully dry without It is a heavy-duty plastic quart container with a solid screw-in Put the container leg and you'll have a solid first lid. day or so before takeoff on your chunk of frozen water to go into in the freezer a a small ice chest (which travels within reach of the pilots in our aircraft). in a As the ice begins to melt, you have cold drinking water handy-sized container. trip there is still a We chunk of have found that 48 hours into our ice floating inside that container. WANTED: AN EFFICIENT AIR CAMPING TABLE With all the fine, modem camping equipment now the one area not addressed We've tried TV is available, a table suitable for the air camper. trays and found them somewhat better than nothing, but too flimsy to use for the stove. A handy-do-it-yourselfer come up with a heavy-duty, lightweight design that would collapse in some way for fitting into the aircraft easily. After all, if you can cut the traveling Honda in half, a two-part table should could probably be a cinch. Some campers have tried to use the stabilizer of their plane as a table. This is marginally satisfactory if the plane has a fixed stabilizer, but aircraft such as the Piper Cherokees and our Cardinal have full-tilting stabilators and are useless as tables. Particular care should be taken to have a secure place on which to set your stove. If you drop that stove, there's always a chance of starting a grass fire, particularly with stoves run And in this same vein, meadow, be sure not fires in to when on liquid fuel. starting your airplane in that grassy overprime and backfire. Backfires can start dry grass and that is the reason three aircraft were lost dur- ing a recent fly-in in Southern California. A LITTLE ON SPACE BLANKETS AND FIREARMS The super-lightweight, super-reflective space blankets have a 61 variety of uses around your airplane. At the airport, they can shield your instrument panel— or your entire cabin— from the sun's ultraviolet rays and the curious eyes of passersby. We carry two of these panels about six feet square in our Cessna at all times. One used to protect the instrument panel and hopefully cut down on maintenance for avionics and instruments. The second covers whatever baggage we have aboard. Space blankets vary in cost from $5 to over $15, but campers is is little difference except in the brand name. Perhaps here can you go with the cheapie and not get burned. Whether or not to carry a gun depends on the temperament of the air camper and his/her destination. Some sort of a rifle is required in Canada and Alaska in certain areas, but handguns (under 14" barrel) are strictly prohibited in Canada. Along this route, we carry on old single-shot 2 0-gauge shotgun and it goes underneath everything in packing. The box of shells should go in the glove compartment or some other protected area. Should the trip be for report that there hunting, you would be carrying guns, but the majority of air campers we talked with do not carry a gun. Most campers point out that no animals, except fellow humans, ever give campers a bad time. It is a relatively simple matter to animalproof your camp by putting all food in sealed containers to eliminate inviting odors. There are additional provisions for campers in bear country and if you write to the U.S. Forest Service, you can obtain a pamphlet on the subject. Also, we have included a little more about bears in Chapter 8. COTS ARE PURE LUXURY We've tried air mattresses, foam pads, and an extra sleeping bag underneath, but nothing we've used provided the comfort of our most recent acquisition, aluminum cots. Weight is only five pounds and the cots keep your ever-lovin' body up away from the rocks, the packed sand, and the lumps that always seem to appear your sleeping area just as you're ready to doze off. The cots are 6" long, 25" wide, and 9" high. They break down easily into a small package to carry in your baggage compartment. We purchased our set at a discount department store near home, GEMCO, but they are carried in most sporting stores. We used them first at a Watson ville fly-in and had a few learning problems. suddenly There is in a knack to putting instructions say, "Make sockets before using." 62 them together the sure that We all hadn't! first time, so, as the three legs are bottomed on Fig. 5-14. hand It takes a flick of the wrist and a gentle shove with the heel of your aluminum cots the first time you use them. to seat the legs of the Somewhere during the night, Don rolled over and one leg of new cot came loose. He wasn't able to perform a field repair the dark and after a few profane moments of pushing and shov- the in ing, he gave up and swapped ends with the sleeping bag to feet hang toward the low end. Upon our to return, Goode Products, that's how we first we Inc., called GEMCO and were finally directed (which are distributed by Stansport) and met Wallace He demonstrated (Bert) Bertram. the procedure for properly seating the that, let his aluminum legs initially. After they go together almost automatically (Fig. 5-14). "There's a little twist of the wrist that's cot legs into place. It's something I needed in sliding the can't really explain," he said, "it needs to be demonstrated." He showed us how and we've had no trouble since. These cots come in a number of sizes. For lighter- weight people there's a model that weighs less than ours. For limited space in a cabin area, there's even a double-decker that also can be used as two singles. Try 'em; we're certain you'll like 'em! So much for suggested items. You'll make you own want-tobuy list for your individual requirements and the elasticity of your pocketbook. The shopping and the planning should be fun. But the payoff comes later at the campsite (Chapter 8). 63 Chapter 6 Additional Take-Alongs There are many items you can take air camping that might not be considered essential. However, if they add to the enjoyment of the trip, make it more comfortable, or perhaps a little safer, they may in fact be personal "necessaries." PICTURE PERFECT PARAPHERNALIA One ways enjoyment of your trip is to Today's automatic 35mm cameras will make the most inexperienced duffer into a good photographer. Perhaps we place more emphasis on cameras and film than the average camper because good photos are part and parcel of writing magazine articles and books, giving slide shows, and generally sharing our travels. Regardless of what camera(s) you take, include them in your preflight check list. Shoot a short roll of film and get it processed. There's nothing worse than a great scenic air shot taken with outdated film or a camera that malfunctioned— and we speak from experience on the malfunctioning. Everyone has his own favorite camera, but after a lifetime of photography and flying, we'd recommend nothing smaller than a standard 35mm format. In our opinion, the new disk cameras and others that produce miniature-sized negatives seldom result in anything more than mediocre snapshot quality. Recently, a friend who shall remain nameless went along on a four-plane trip for two of the best photograph 64 it for showing to share the to your friends. weeks. The scenery was fabulous, the formation flying outstanding, and the opportunity will not present itself again in the near future. He came back with a stack of fuzzy color prints enlarged from the color negative of a disk camera. We suggest you discuss this with your local camera store. The new computer-generated zoom lenses are producing some Thus you can have an almost universal camera. Many great results. book were taken with a 35mm Canon Fl 35mm— 200mm f3.5 Tokina AT-X lens. This com- of the illustrations in this equipped with a bination gives an excellent range of focal length. some units, but It is heavier than nowhere nearly as heavy as the 6 x 7 Pentax that we use for serious air-to-air photos and magazine color illustrations. In all cases, take and use plenty of film. Remember to keep your cameras out of the sun. And for those with automatic exposure meters, do not leave them glareshield under the compass. The magnets in the exposure meters can do disastrous things to a magnetic compass. For your scenic shots ing in the plexiglass. in flight, try to Many windows are your color balance clear out the window. in shoot through an open- tinted and this will Many of the throw Cessnas have window that can be opened easily in flight. It's windy blow loose papers around, but the resulting photos are great. Some aircraft have storm windows on the pilot's side window. These are frequently hard to reach with a camera, but it's worth the effort. We have an FAA-approved folding camera window on the right cabin door of our Cardinal because the windows do not open. Why the right side? Don has been an instructor for many years and is very comfortable in the right seat. By always sitting in the left seat, Julia is able to fly easily and conveniently on air-to-air photography assignments while Don handles the cameras (Fig. 6-1). One word of caution on taking pictures of your friends in flight enroute to your campsite: Formation flying is not taught except in a few military schools. Learning to "formate" isn't all that easy, so rely on the telephoto lenses and don't try to get too friendly in the air. Our voice-activated intercom system is a great help in photo flying because both pilot and photographer have instant communication even if they're almost back- to-back. Until there is a breakthrough in film stock, you should decide in advance whether you want a photo album or to present projected color slides. Each takes a different type of film, and while a good color lab can make slides out of print film and vice versa, it is time- a complete and will 65 Fig. 6-1 Special camera window used by the authors in their Cardinal. Mechanic Jim Herron, who made the FAA-approved installation, shows how the system . works. consuming and expensive. We shoot mainly 35mm color slides, using a medium 64 speed Eastman Kodachrome film with Eastman processing. If you prefer color negative film and to take prints, you will be able advantage of the many one-hour photo shops that are spring- ing up nationwide. Telling a picture story sider an art form. let Try is a personal expression that to take some con- your viewer along for the ride and him enjoy the scenery, the close-ups of the people you visited, the wildlife (either in the forest or on the beach), and share the sunsets or sunrises. (Personally, we prefer the sunsets as one has to rise early to catch the sunrise!) In recent years, the cost and complexity of portable videotape cameras has dropped. Now many hobbyists shoot a record of their travels in this manner. Hopefully, this tape will be edited at the conclusion of the trip and only the most interesting sections shown to friends back home. No matter what media you use, you'll make friends and keep old friends if you edit the slides after the trip. If there's a picture you have to make an excuse for, leave it out! PETS CAN BE CAMPERS If 66 you have a pet dog, you may want to bring it along— but be prepared for a lot of extra work. Cats as a general rule don't travel well, but dogs seem to enjoy small airplanes. Ces and Pam Collings of Christchurch, New Zealand, go camping in their Maule with a 65-pound dog for the New named Sandy. Pam is Investigating Officer Zealand Civil Aviation Division Regional Office Christchurch. She flies competition aerobatics in a Pitts in when time permits. Pam explains, "We decided that a 65-pound dog would be quite a projectile if a mishap occurred. harness for Sandy which "The first trip With that in mind, we made secured by seat belts" (Fig. is a 6-2). we made with Sandy, she was a bit nervous for down nicely. We landed on a back coun- a while and then settled try airstrip, which was a rough but no problem for the Maule. bit When we parked and let her out, Sandy was a completely changed animal— lots of open space, hills, trees, rabbits— what a joy for a now associates the airplane with somewhere to go. Now she is quite settled and is more likely to lie down and go to sleep once we are airborne." dog! Sandy Pam Collings continued talking about camping "We have a small nylon two-man hikers' tent, a bit with Sandy: of a squeeze you don't move or you lose your place. I made the mistake the first night of sitting up to settle Sandy down when she was restless and she promptly moved in and curled up on my pillow!" Pam and Ces advised that "There is a great scope for landing with Sandy, too. Once in, dog from New Zealand, is shown with her hooked to the back seat belt in the Maule keep the dog from becoming a projectile in case of a mishap. (Courtesy Fig. 6-2. Sandy, a 65-pound flying special restraining harness, which to Pam is Collings) 67 Fig. 6-3. Sebastian, of this a 150-pound Mooney when he flies St. Bernard, takes up the whole back seat and Mrs. George McCay. with Mr. on back country bush airstrips and beaches of the South Island of New Zealand. We in the southern area plan a camping holi- day to explore these areas." (We visited New Zealand in 1982-83 and plan to return. This is a country that welcomes pilots and Americans. There are aircraft that can be rented from Aero Clubs after passing a simple written exam on rules and regulations in that island country down under. In our personal wishbook of places to revisit, New Zealand is at the top of the list. Next time there, we'll join Pam and Ces in exploring some of those bush strips.) DOGS FLY The IN ALL SIZES dog we've ever seen is Sebastian, a Bernard that flies all over the country with owners George and Evelyn McCay of McLain, Virginia. We met them on the ramp of the Orlando Airport during an AOPA convention in largest air travelling 150-pound Florida. St. According to the owners, the amiable the whole back seat (Fig. 6-3). If the St. Bernard took up McCays were ever to camp out with Sebastian along, there would be few unannounced visitors. At the other end of the spectrum, Manuel Sparks of El Cajon, California, regularly flies with Cheri, a small poodle, in his openair Pietenpol replica. The dog rides with her head sticking out reports that his dog Many 68 is years ago, inside the pilot's flying jacket in the slipstream (Fig. 6-4). equally at we had home when he Sparks rides a motorcycle. a mixed breed mutt named Snuffy. He became part of the family when Dr. Paul MacCready had two young pups that just didn't get along. One thing led to another and Snuffy (a slight nasal impediment was apparent) landed in our household. He was as at home in a plane as in a car. Open the plane's door and he was the first one in. After takeoff, he'd curl up and go to sleep, but as soon as you throttled back for an approach, he was on his hind feet, nose at the window and looking out. Then, as soon as the cabin door opened, he was outside and looking. We never took him camping, but I would surmise that you'd either have to keep him on a leash or you might or might not find him the next morning. If you plan to camp at a Forest Service strip, there are strict regulations about dogs. Government park regulations state: "Bringing in or possessing an animal, other than a seeing dog, unless is it crated, caged, or under a leash not longer than six feet, or other- wise under physical restraintive control" is prohibited. Services noted that "Bears and dogs don't mix. to leave It is The Forest a good idea your dog at home when you hike or camp, especially bear country. A dog can easily disturb a bear and lead it in back to you." RUBBER RAFTS FOR FISHING Many air campers will include a lightweight inflatable raft for Manuel Sparks shows off Cherl, who usually sits snugly Inside Manuel's flies his 85-hp Pietenpol Aircamper. Note classic air horn mounted outside the back cockpit. Fig. 6-4. jacket when he Fig. 6-5. Small, lightweight will inflate pump used either with the hands or with the fcx)t a small vinyl boat. Next stop: fishing! fishing or just floating around in a lake or stream. Many of the bet- camping areas have water either adjoining or nearby and a small boat adds that much more to the enjoyment. Vinyl boats with either three or four separate air chambers weigh only a fraction of the older neoprene nylon units (Fig. 6-5). The vinyl boats come in sizes from a one-man "junior" to a fourman model with four oarlocks. Thickness of the vinyl increases with the size of the boat from 14 gauge to 22 gauge. The units all have self-locking safety valves and all but the smallest have oarlocks and a rope fitted around the boat. The two-piece oars are lightweight plastic. It is reported they are unbreakable and will float. The fishermen we've talked with report that a three-man boat is large enough for two anglers, but there is little room for the cooler that keeps the soda pop and beer at the right temperature. Some are planning to take a second "junior" and tow it to provide space ter for the ice chest. Plastic foot air mattress. pumps will either inflate or deflate your boat or These are so lightweight and inexpensive that some campers carry a spare. Manufacturers have come a long way from the old-fashioned bicycle pump that would slide all over the air when in use. Some inflatable equipment works on compressed gasses, including the Mae West-style life jackets. Be sure that any inflatable place equipment you carry in the cockpit ide pressure containers installed. 70 does not have the carbon dioxis really nothing worse than There having a four-man life raft slowly open and swell to full size in your cockpit. This miscue could cause a serious accident. HOBBIES CAN ADD TO ENJOYMENT many If yours happens bow, arrows, and a target or two. to be archery, take your favorite If it's golf and you still take the time to air camp, there's nothing that says you can't bring a putter and a wedge and a few brightly colored golf balls and keep your game in shape in your grassy park- You'll find almost as hobbies as people. ing area. If you play solitaire, it goes without saying that you'll have a deck of cards along. If you crochet or work at other handicrafts, you'll have ample opportunity to keep your fingers busy, both in flight and at campsite loafing time. We know of pilots who like to take a shovel and a pan and look for gold in the nearby creeks. Other hardy campers head for the high country when snow is on the ground and take their skis along, but that might be carrying things a bit far. One take-along that doesn't require much space and is useful later on is a day-by-day diary. Jot down flight times for your logbook; add in fuel costs to keep track of trip cost. Add names and addresses of people you meet. List good places to stop and eat. If your camera is not fully automatic, list specific exposure data that you may want to compare with the finished photo. And don't forget a good book! OXYGEN FOR THE HIGHER PLAYGROUNDS If your destination is high in the mountains, you might consider some portable oxygen. We've found it a great fatigue-reducer in And if you land at a highyou can easily come up with unpleasant altitude sickness. That's where the oxygen really helps. We landed at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for a two-day visit. Elevation there is 6879 feet MSL and by the time you've done much unloading, walking, and unpacking, you can be much in need of a second wind. We were, and the lack of altitude acclimatization didn't do our visit a bit of good. The Forest Service has the following information on altitude sickness. While it was prepared primarily for backpackers, the same flights in the 8,000 to 10,000-foot levels. altitude airport after living at sea level, basics apply to the air camper who visits a high altitude recrea- tional area: 71 Fig. 6-6. Oxygen bottle secured beneath the front seat of the authors' Carremovable for refilling or to put in your tent at a high- dinal. This bottle is easily altitude field. "A person should spend sevei^l days getting acclimated to high altitudes before hiking. some travelers altitude can kill if The lack of oxygen at high elevations gives sickness, known as pulmonary edema, which The best prevention is slow as- not handled properly. cent with gradual adjustment to altitude. Ascend no feet per day more than 2000 no more than at elevations of 5 to 10,000 feet, then 1,000 feet per day at 10 to 15,000-foot elevations. feet the adjustment process "Symptoms is Above 15,000 very individualized." of altitude sickness are cough, lack of appetite, nausea or vomiting, staggering gait, and severe headaches. A person with symptoms of altitude sickness should breathe deeply, rest, and eat quick-energy foods such as dried to help the headaches; antacid pills symptoms fruit or may candy. Take aspirin help other symptoms. If seek lower elevations immediately. Continued exposure can make the victim too weak to travel and lead to death." We've carried portable oxygen in our Cessna (Fig. 6-6) ever since we called in at Dawson Creek enroute to Alaska a couple of 72 persist, years back and reported east of town when we were west. On the ground, we both had problems with simple fuel consumption We were the second day into a long trip, short of and had spent our last two hops at 9500 feet. We headed for the motel and stopped for the rest of the day even though it mathematics. sleep, was only 2:00 in the afternoon. Since then, we've done in the middle altitudes some personal research on oxygen use and have installed a portable oxygen bottle in the Cessna. We 22 1/2 cubic foot chose a pair of Ted Nelson's economical flow meters with easy-to-read precise metering system. The Nelson system can cut oxygen use as much as 50 percent over the non-metered systems and gives the two of us an ample supply On for the fuel range of our Cardinal. Steamboat Springs or any of the highwe'd make the oxygen available at our campsite to pep up the system when high altitude begins to take its toll. We recommend the use of oxygen in the middle altitude levels in flight, particularly before making a demanding instrument letdown. Just one word of caution: Oxygen and hydrocarbons such as lipstick make a highly combustible combination. And don't smoke around your oxygen mask. When Nelson's flow meter is mounted within 20 degrees of ver- 10 percent. Nelson has tical, accuracy is reported within based his unit on tests of regular FAA-required indicators that will change from red (no-go) to green (go) with less than 1/4 liter per minute total flow. The calibrated system works against the ambient pressure to provide an accurate reading of actual usage. The Nelson meters cost from $45.00 to $55.25 with hose and another visit to altitude fields in the western mountains, -i- plug-in connectors. Ted Nelson is located at P.O. Box 20637, Reno, Nevada 89510. Nelson's flow meters are designed to be accurate at the scale of the indicated altitude. Once you reach your Flow should be monitored during climb. cruising altitude, recheck the flow meter to put the floating ball exactly at your indicated altitude and then you it. At 10,000 feet, drawing one liter per minute, Nelson estimates an increased oxygen duration of 115 percent. At 15,000 feet and 1.5 liters per minute, the saving would be 40 percent. Many oxygen systems flow at 2-2.5 liters per minute can forget about regardless of altitude. Ted Nelson is one of those prolific senior citizens of aviation. Back in the late '40s and '50s, he developed the Dragonfly and the Hummingbird motorgliders. He also developed the 50-hp H-63 73 engine for these two pioneering craft and with some 2000 hours of still owns a Hummingbird Nelson developed the "mizermeter," a simple and accurate pellet-type readout floating inside flight time. a transparent Lexan container. The tapered tube allows the ball volume of the oxygen increases. Oldtimers will remember a similar system in early sailplanes developed by Johnnie Robinson as a variometer. However, flying with oxygen is an added chore. You've either gotta take the bottle out and get it filled, or have the FBO bring his portable cart to the flight line. That's after you find an FBO who has oxygen available with the correct fittings for your system, and a mechanic available to do the hookup. Working with oxygen bottles takes training and FBOs are reluctant to have their Hne boys do the filling. Pure oxygen is explosive in the presence of any grease. If you are of the persuasion to wear lipstick, wipe it off before putting on your mask. Our procedure in refilling is for one of us to untie the bottle, put it under an arm, and take it to the line shack or hangar. Price for a 22-cubic-foot fill ranges all the way from "Well, you paid tiedown last night, so this one is on the house," to $10, $15, and $20. We've paid as high as $30 and when this fee was questioned, the comment was, "We have to pull a mechanic to do the job. It isn't how much oxygen; we'll give you a full fill in a bigger bottle for the same price." Oxygen servicing is a hot and cold operation. One T-210 owner we contacted phoned ahead to his large FBO advising he would be in for an oxygen fill and he was assured that there was an ample supply. Later, when he picked up his ship, he found only 1400 pounds in a 2000-pound system. The shop's comment was, "Bring it back at the end of your trip and we'll top it off!" There is little profit and considerable time expended in dispensing oxygen. You don't just taxi up to the local do-it-yourself pump and fill up your oxygen bottles, as is frequently done with aircraft fuel. Walter Cable, owner of Foothill Aircraft in Upland, California, has been dispensing oxygen for over a quarter of a cento "float" higher as the flow tury. (Cable, incidentally, holds the pressurized single-engine aircraft to 42,344 feet over world class C.l-c record for non- when he took a Cessna turbo 210 Southern California Cable's shop carries oxygen with each." All his refilling is in 1967.) refills done by licensed averaging "about $9 A&Ps who are familiar with the hazards of handling oxygen. All are required to wash their hands and ensure that 74 all of their tools are grease-free. In fact, Walter's oxygen cart, which carries a bank of three large oxygen bottles out to the airplane, has special tools just for that work. Once the customer's bottle or system is hooked up, pressure from the lowest of the three source bottles is bled into the system. For example, if you come into the shop with a 20-cubic-foot bottle like ours under your arm with 400 to 500 pounds still showing on the gauge, the A&P hooks it up, opens your valve, and fills from his lowest pressure bottle. When that pressure is stabilized, the low bottle is valved shut and the next higher-pressure bottle is opened. This continues until the top of the highest-pressure bottle is tapped. Cable's shop owns a bank of nine bottles, so there is no demurrage. Walter Cable estimates that it takes an average of 15 minutes to fill a system because the high-pressure gas generates a great deal of heat during transfer. Depending on their workload, some shops will use their lower- pressure oxygen bottles for welding purposes, but the gas is transferred to a yellow industrial bottle before such use and the green "breathing oxygen" bottle goes back for also used in welding, patible for comes in a refilling. Acetylene, black bottle with fittings incom- oxygen containers. When we began our research on oxygen, we asked several FAA inspectors if we would be violating any of the FARs if we pur- chased medical oxygen for use below 12,500 feet. We thought it might be more economical to use. (That was before we learned you need a prescription for oxygen from the local druggist.) At that time, whom we spoke (including pilots, FBOs, etc.) believed there was a difference between medical and aviation oxygen which centered around moisture content. The concensus of opinions from the FAA was that we'd be legal with medical type below 12,500 feet— but why not go whole hog with a system that could everyone with be used legally above 12,500? That made sense to us, so we did choose approved aviation equipment. As we were finishing the material for this report, we interviewed Dr. U.A. Garred Sexton, Chief FAA Medical Examiner for the Western Region, who surprised us by saying that all oxygen comes out of the container, then same container it is okay originally. If for breathing; if it is it is put in a green put in a yellow con- be used for industrial purposes such as welding. The yellow containers do not have the rigid standards for tainer, then it's only to cleanliness that the green containers do. A check with Linde, one of the largest oxygen suppliers, in- 75 dicated that they package breathing oxygen in 249-cubic foot bottles filled to 2200 psi. Linde reiterated that there is no difference between aviation and medical oxygen. All containers carry the date of either their issue or their last hydrostatic testing. If the container overdue for inspection, it will not be filled. During our discussion with Dr. Sexton, he stated he is a firm believer in oxygen use below the required 12,500-foot limit: "When I feel a headache coming on, then I put on a mask— and that's usualis ly at 10,000 feet. When it came to certifying pressurized airliners, the base pressure altitude of 8000 feet results of a study showed was chosen because the that at that altitude there is a decrement perception of light." in the Dr. Sexton microphone recommended purchase of a good mask with a you may as installed: "It's a one-time investment, so He pointed out that regular flow "average" person: "A big pilot enough oxygen, while a tiny person may well fly with the best equipment." control is set up for the hypothetical will possibly not receive receive too much," he explained. ball in the "Ted Nelson's system with tapered tube just cuts the continuous flow rate a the little finer." Because there is not a commonality in all filler connectors, Dr. Sexton advises that he carries an assortment. He stated that on several occasions the FBO did not have the correct connector for his personal oxygen system. (To date we have not had this prob- lem with our Scott bottle.) FAA approved use of the nasal cannula These simple EZ/OX masks were developed by two Southern California doctors, Sidney G. White and Bernard M. Diamond. The cannula has the obvious advantage of comfort and ease of talking either into a hand mike or to passengers. Dr. White, who In (FAR March 1984, the 23.1447). flew Sundance, the world's fastest biplane racer in 1973-74, has a background dating back to WWII. He advised that the present approved cannula system makes oxygen last "almost as long as regular masks." The FAA requires that at least one oxygen dispensing unit covering both the nose and mouth of the user be installed and military medical available for flight above 12,500 feet pilots/passengers who may have "and to provide help to a head cold or nasal obstruction from other causes." The White/Diamond cannulas are adapted from existing hospital equipment, weigh less than one ounce, and sell for only $6.95 each delivered. (White Diamond Corp., P.O. Box 8698, 76 CA 91302.) Dr. White stated that the new EZ/OX canwork well with Nelson's flow meter. To give yourself a little more "breathing room" in the 8000 Calabasas, nulas to 10,000 foot neighborhood, row a portable unit and give it we'd suggest you at least rent or bora go. Try it— you may like it! We did. MOTORBIKES AND BICYCLES One of the most popular pieces of take-along equipment is some ground transportation after landing. We'll discuss fold-up bicycles, minibikes, and two-piece motorcycles in Chapter 9. Your extra set of wheels can give a whole new dimension to air camping. sort of 77 Chapter 7 Putting Together All So it's It time to drive to the airport with all your collected camping gear, load your bird, and blast off into the calm blue for an adven- Not ture in rustic living? yet. WEIGHT AND BALANCE You want to weigh the gear that goes aboard and keep it within weight and balance. Check that old pilot's information manual on the ship you're going to fly, remembering that airplanes— like people— tend to put on weight as they get older. A radio here, a set of wheel fairings, extra instruments, seat covers, a fire extinguisher— all should be added to the basic weight of the aircraft. This is required to be done by the maintenance man who installs permanent equipment, so look up what the present empty weight is and go from there. Each aircraft operations manual has its own chapter on weight and balance. For example. Piper's Dakota manual says in part: "Misloading carries consequences for any aircraft. An overloaded will airplane will not take off, climb, or cruise as well as a properly load- ed one. The heavier the airplane mance it is loaded, the less climb perfor- will have. "Center of gravity is a determining factor in flight CG is too far forward in any airplane, it may takeoff or landing. If the CG is too far aft, difficult rotate for be to characteristics. If the the airplane 78 may rotate prematurely on takeoff and tend to pitch up during climb. Longitudinal stability will be reduced. This can becomes approved lead to inadvertent stalls and even spins, and spin recovery more difficult as the center of gravity moves aft of the limit." You graphs and examples of weight and balance most manuals. On the Piper Dakota, for example, will find calculations in moment of the weight to be calculated is the number of inches datum point times 100. The datum point is 78.4 inches ahead of the wing leading edge at the intersection of the straight and tapered wing sections. Only the spinner and prop are forward of the datum line on this Piper (Fig. 7-1). Divide the total moment by the total weight to determine the CG location. Then add the weight of all items put into the airplane and divide the total moment to find the CG location. Locate that point on the loading graph the aft of the and if it falls within the CG envelope, go fly. If not, offload and reload as required. Believe your weight and balance figures. There's a standing joke at Mexican border airports where vacation-bound aircraft waddle up to the gas pit with considerably more weight aboard than Any time that the nose wheel ground and the tail tiedown touches the ground as the pilots deplane from the front, there's something amiss in the weight and balance. Even if nobody questions your loading or weight, it's a good bet that your insurance company won't cover you if you go out and bend your bird and they can prove you were the manufacturer permitted (Fig. 7-2). comes up off the over gross and/or out of CG. If you're flying a taildragger, where aft loading Fig. 7-1. Piper Dakota being loaded for a camping trip. All is not as baggage must go the rear seats or the rear baggage compartment. Weight and balance should be calculated carefully so as not to exceed aft CG. (Courtesy Piper Aircraft Co.) in 79 Fig. 7-2. Two-place Ercoupe California, Mexico. It is not at the old dirt airport at uncommon Bay of for pilots to fly into Los Angeles, Baja Mexico with more weight aboard than the specifications allow. noticeable, be alert on your first full-gross takeoff for any problem in getting the tailwheel off the ward wheel won't runway. and full for20 mph, you've got a If full throttle raise the tail at about problem. While you're working with the information manual, make sure you have within reach a copy of the plane's checklist, all the way from walkaround to stopping the engine and parking. We carry that a copy of the aircraft we manual right in the Flitefile^'^ map case that slipped between the front seats of our Cardinal. This prefab chart holder (from Benson Industries, Grand Ledge, Michigan) comes models and fits most four-place Cessnas. materially to cut down on cockpit clutter. in six It helps WE LEAVE THE BACK SEAT AT HOME If you choose to take the back seat out of a four-placer— and most serious air campers do— remember to deduct this weight from your aircraft's empty weight. This can come to 20-25 pounds that can be replaced with all sorts of goodies. In addition, removal of the back seat provides easier packing and inflight access to almost any items. And, if it ever rains so hard that you and your tent are flooded, you can always stretch out in the aft cabin, secure out of the rain and above the rivulets that always seem to run right through your tent. Of course, escaping to the aircraft cabin is admitting 80 sometimes you just can't get along with Mother Nature. defeat, but The four-passenger push-pull homebuilt Defiant, designed by Burt Rutan and now available in plans and prefabricated components, has a novel feature that should appeal to campers who don't like to put up tents. The back seat of this spacious homebuilt is designed so that it folds down, providing a for sleeping inside the aircraft (Fig. 7-3). sion of the Defiant He and his wife with Could it. CHECK IT Treat airplane. was built have flown full six-foot flat The by Fred Keller in first Anchorage, Alaska. twin to Oshkosh and this this configuration be the air space production ver- camper camped out of the future? ALL OUT FIRST all your camping gear just Check it out before loading. of the tent, including pegs and like you would Make certain enough nylon rods that your treat the parts all for the pop are in the package. Assure that the propane bottles are tent, and you had all the kitchen utensils you needand nobody has pirated from the pack, then full that there are spares. If ed on your last trip you can be safe in just throwing it aboard. AS A LAST RESORT, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS Assuming that this is the time to fully assemble your all first attempt at air camping, take the things you have purchased. else fails, read the instructions. Some If all of these directions are quite you follow them step-by-step, you'll usually succeed. Here's what we had to do with our Stansport Super Hex Tent with detailed, but if fly: Homebuilder Fred Keller of Anchorage, Alaska, shows the amount space available in the twin-engine Defiant he built from plans. The back seat is designed to fold down much like automotive station wagons. Fig. 7-3. of lie-down 81 "Erecting the Tent: Spread the tent floor on the ground and pull out the six comers. There are 24 fiberglass tent poles consisting and 3 without. Separate the poles into 3 sets have 7 poles with ferrules and one plain. Assemble the pole set and insert into one of the pockets (sleeve) starting at one comer making sure that the set extends from one comer through to the comer diametrically opposite. Place the emerging pole set into the comer pocket made with the 2 " webof 21 with ferrules Each of 8 sections. set will bing, allowing the balance of the pole set to protmde. "Do this to the next two consecutive comers. When ready for comers with the pole tips the web pockets with the opposite comers having the erection there should be 3 consecutive inserted in pole sections protruding. Now grasp the protruding sections of poles starting with the last pocket assembled and slide the remaining poles into the pocket lifting the tent as you proceed (forming a hoop) until the last section set. "Do The can be placed into the web pocket. this with the next adjacent pole set and then to the final tent is now up and at this point should be staked down each comer using the metal stakes provided. at "Installing the Rain Fly: Locate the zipper on the rain fly and place the Hook the fly over the erected tent with the zipper over the tent door. 'S' hooks on the fly comer elastic cords to the small web- bing loops extending up from the 2 " webbing loops at each comer of the tent." "Waterprooflng: Tents are made from water-repellent fabrics. However, the sewing process necessary in all tent fabrication can cause water leakage where the sewing needle perforates the fabric in the seams. For best results tent be erected before a seam it is we strongly used and all recommend that the seams treated with new either sealer or dry silicon spray." TRIAL RUN IN YOUR BACKYARD you have purchased any new equipment— tent, cots, sleepwhatever— open the equipment up in the daylight and assemble it on the lawn (Figs. 7-4, 7-5). It's so much If ing bags, stoves, or easier this way than groping in the dark with a ment at your campsite with the wind and the way new piece of equip- rain in your hair. What confound your neighbors! a In setting everything up in the backyard, go so far as to open up your sleeping bags and their pads, set up the cots, and see if everything fits inside your tent. 82 to Fig. 7-4. trip and run of camping gear destined for an Alaskan tent in the background is a portable shower enclosure. Several types of tents were tested. Here's a backyard with Freebird Tours. toilet trial The tall Check out the water containers out and cracked since your last then fill If why them with trip. to assure they haven't dried Let them set overnight and fresh water before loading. you're using freeze-dried or dehydrated food for the first time, not have a cookout in the backyard with the stove you'll be bag you'll be using, and the cooking and eating from your camping gear? taking, the water utensils Fig. 7-5. Two-burner Coleman stove is set up for testing prior to going out on a camping trip. Large coffeepot was used during group trips to Alaska by Yvonne Smith. 83 Shoot a couple of pictures of your backyard campout, not only as a record but to include in your photo album or color slide package. A prudent photographer will have this test roll processed and will carefully to make sure that both camera and film speed setand accurate. While it may not be a necessity, why not think about a set of wheel chocks? You can usually scrounge for rocks or branches to do the job, but it is so easy to carry your own. There are several commercial sets available from plastic or wood. We use 1 1/2" 90-degree aluminum extrusions about six inches long with each pair view it tings tied together with about 18" of light rope. Slightly larger extru- remove them and then taxi over them with a brisk application of power. Portable tiedowns kits (Fig. 7-6) are also available. sions might be better because it is WORK BEST SMALL, SOFT PACKAGES The ment best way— perhaps into the least space is possible to forget to the only pack to than large, rectangular receptacles. comers easily into way— to get the most equip- in small, soft The packages rather soft-pack material will slide of the airplane but the bulky containers invariably create wasted space between. "Suitcases are ridiculous," expounded our camping friend Wallace Bertram. "Take a good backpacker's frameless soft pack and you can carry 30 pounds for a couple of miles without any strain, even if you're not in the best of shape. free for other chores. cept when flying I used commercial this Then you have your hands backpack airliner; it for all certainly my travels ex- makes an easy carry from the airplane to the general aviation terminal, which can be a great distance. These frameless packs can be stored at home in a very small space, which is another advantage." The Bertrams also recommend soft luggage rather than sharppointed suitcases because they hold more and don't gouge the bag- gage compartment of the airplane. You may find that the glossy package that the equipment you bought came in can be eliminated and some sort of soft pack used instead. Plastic garbage bags from the comer grocery make excellent containers for many items— and you'll have the plastic bags worse comes to worst. and error, we've elected to use several small cardboard boxes to pack our camping items in. They are light in weight and the smaller sizes pack easier and are easier to move for rain protection After 84 much if trial within the aircraft. In loading the aircraft, we place our tent, sleepaft. Then we place ing bags, cots, and other lightweight bulky items the boxes of foodstuffs and camping gear in front of these. Our per- sonal luggage goes in next, either on top or at the side, then the camera gear— near the front for easy access during flight. In front of the baggage compartment door we place any aircraft gear we might need for tiedown— chocks, ropes, extrusions, axe, etc. Our survival pack is loaded within reach of the pilot if quick exit becomes necessary. In front of everything, just in back Fig. 7-6. into the Commercially available tiedown kits have steel corkscrews that sink ground. These are satisfactory except in sandy soil. 85 Fig. 7-7. Air comes in on camping usually goes with good weather. A Beechcraft Sierra approach on a clear day at Gansner Field, Quincy, California. final of the front seats, tainer of water, is and the box of charts, a supply of snacks, a con- Julia's shoulderbag. a small flashlight, sewing insect repellent, aspirin, kit, nail file, This shoulderbag contains screwdriver, "church key," and various other small items that "might And yes, we do figure this into the be needed" along the way. weight and balance! TIEDOWNS MAY BE NECESSARY INSIDE, TOO Consider the actions of moderate or extreme turbulence on a load in the back of your aircraft. We delivered three cases of Dr. Pepper to George Escudero, manager of Hotel Las Arenas east of La Paz in Baja California. The trip down the Baja peninsula had been lumpy and some of our cargo bounced around. The cardboard containers with the canned soda were squashed flat because some cargo had shifted in flight (Fig. 7-7). Many aircraft come from the factory with a cargo net as part of the initial equipment. Usually these are lost, strayed, frayed, or stolen over the years, but there's no problem in using netting pur- chased from a sporting goods, variety, or surplus store; comes complete with tiedown it usually tabs. any event, there is a certain sense of security with a cargo is tied down. In case of a sudden and unplanned stop or severe turbulence, you don't want to be wearing your camping gear. This applies particularly to bicycles, minibikes, and the small motorcycles that are becoming increasingly popular (see Chapter 9). In load that 86 Chapter 8 At the Campsite When it comes time to assemble your tent on the best available piece of high ground, protected from wind and rain as much as possible by trees, your aircraft or whatever, begin by spreading where your tent is to go. This will keep some of the dampness out of the tent and help protect, up to a point, when/if a tarp under it rains. If you plan to stay more than a night, either by your choice or Mother Nature's, look at your tent site with the idea of being able to spread a second tarp to a wing or nearby tree to make some sort of a protected area outside the tent for this extended stay. This open space will keep friendships alive and tempers down in cases where the rain goes on forever (Fig. 8-1). When you pick the spot to erect your tent, consider where you will have your campfire (Fig. 8-2). Tents set downwind of the fire can be showered with hot sparks that bum tiny holes in the lightweight fabric, creating an instant sieve for rain. But when you put your tent upwind of the fire, be sure to stake it down or fill it with enough weighty baggage so that it won't be blown into the fire. While good tents are treated with flame-retardant solutions, the use of an open flame with or near the tent is not recommended. Next, set up your table, if any, or the piece of plywood that does double duty over the floor of your back area. If you're carrying a bicycle or motorcycle, put it together and get it out of the way. 87 Fig. 8-1. is Campsite in a meadow near Lake O' Winds in Canada. Small tent will also break the wind. (Courtesy Don sheltered by the aircraft. Trees Dwiggins) ABOUT CAMPFIRES Then comes the problem of picking a place for your stove or Whether or not to build an open fire depends on several factors. If you're in a camping area where there are prepared fireplaces, you're home free, but if the area is unim- your campfire (Fig. 8-3). proved, there are a number of things to consider. vice has a series of handy The Forest Ser- hints on fire building in their areas that apply just as well to any open piece of ground: Rely on a stove and use a campfire only when necessary. Use a campfire infrequently and only when there is abundant dead wood available on the ground. 1. 2. Fig. 8-2. Location of your tent will depend on what protection drainage, and where you plan to build your fire. 88 is available, Fig. 8-3. Four-place Beechcraft Sundowner parked beside a fireplace. Care should be taken with open fires in windy area. 3. Check with the pubHc land management agency for local Each area may be different and regulations may change regulations. according to fire conditions. away from tents, trees, branches, underground root systems, dry grass, and leaves. Don't build a fire near large rocks to avoid staining them with smoke. 5. If the ground is covered with needles and decomposed matter, be sure and dig through it to mineral soil. 6. Be sure the fire pit is large enough to prevent the possibility 4. Fires should be built of the fire spreading. 7. Do not build fires on windy days dangerous, especially 8. when when sparks might be the countryside is dry. Select your firewood from small-diameter, loose wood lay- ing on the ground to insure complete, efficient burning. 9. Keep water handy. Quick application will prevent fire spreading to surrounding areas. 10. Keep your fire small. A good bed of coals surrounded by rocks will give plenty of heat for cooking. 11. Never leave a fire unattended. you're gone and spread the fire A breeze may come up while [and bum your tent and your airplane!]. 12. If sure it is is felt your match out. Hold is not to be thrown in the campfire, then be until cold. Break it so that the charred portion before discarding. Conserve your matches. Carry a candle as a fire starter. preparing to leave your campsite, thoroughly mix water or soil with the coals and ash from your campfire. Feel the 13. 14. When 89 coals with your bare hands to be sure the fire it— it may smoulder and break out again. is out. Don't just Make bury sure no roots are burning. KEEP YOUR CAMP CLEAN A new EPA-approved outhouse has been developed by Lou Moore Enterprises in Redding, California. It is designed to eliminate both liquid and human waste by an evaporation cycle with no and it requires no servicing. Thus it is an ideal system to install in remote areas. Ray L. Beeninga, Superintendent of Airports for Humboldt Q)unty in northern California, is using these new outhouses in four of his remote airports and reports that they are excellent. sewage put into the ground, Human Waste Beeninga, a longtime pilot a hobby, reports that there is who rebuilds Stearman biplanes for increasing air camping on airports he supervises, with Shelter Cove along the all of the Pacific Coastline number of campers. When pilots call in to ask at Humboldt County airports, Beeninga sugthey pick a spot along the parking area where the grass receiving the largest about camping sites gest that is softest If to and enjoy it (Fig. 8-4). fly-in campsite is far enough from your civilization as not have an outhouse or trash pickup, the Forest Service has a series of suggestions on The proper how human and camping wastes. human waste is most important. For people who follow, leave no evidence that you the benefit of those ideal for fires. 90 handle both parked near a taxiway. Brush along the airport may padding under your sleeping bag but this area should not be used Fig. 8-4. Aircraft with tents be to disposal of were there; do not contaminate the waters. Fortunately, nature has provided a system of very efficient biological "disposers" to decom- pose fallen leaves, branches, dead animals, and animal droppings in the top six to eight inches of soil. If every camper cooperates, there will be no back country sanitation problems. The "cat method," used by most experienced campers, is ed. The cat method includes the following D D D Carry a D After use, light digging tool, individual recommend- steps: such as a plastic garden trowel. Select a screen spot at least 100 feet from the nearest water. Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep; try in one piece. in the sod. fill remove the sod (if any) the hole with the loose soil and then tramp Nature will When hiking on the trail, away and to do the rest burial of out of sight of the trial, in a few days or weeks. human waste should be well with proper consideration for The cat method is unnecessary for urination; however, well away from trails and water resources. Use areas that drainage. urinate are well hidden. When staying in one campsite for several nights or traveling with a group, consider a toilet pit to paper can cause wildfires. Do not minimize impact. Burning bum on the surface. toilet Bum toilet paper only when the cat or pit method is used and there is no fire Always use caution when toilet paper is bumed. If in doubt, then bury. Be sure all paper is covered with soil, rocks, limbs, or wood so it is unnoticeable and won't scatter. Tampons and sanitary pads do not decompose quickly. They should be bagged and packed out except when in grizzly bear country (see Chapter 11). Never bury them because animals will dig them hazard. up. Bum only in an extremely hot, controlled fire. Disposal of Camping Wastes Keep to a tin cans, bottles, minimum because aluminum foil, and other "unbumables" they must be packed out. Avoid the problem of leftover food by planning meals carefulcarry them in plastic bags or bury in a remote spot well away from the campsite. Waste water (dishwater or excess cooking water) should be poured in a comer of the firepit to prevent attracting flies. If you cook on a stove, disperse water waste far away from any body of ly. When you do have leftovers, water. Nonsoluble food particles (macaroni or noodles) in dishwater 91 should be treated like bulk leftovers. They should be either packed up and carried out or buried in a remote spot. Nothing should be left behind. Food scraps such as egg and peanut shells and orange peels take a long time to decompose and are an eyesore to other campers. Fish intestines should be buried site. In bear country, it away from the water and campthem back into the stream best to throw is or as far into the lake as possible. Monofilament line can ensnarl and kill birds. Snaps from beverage cans can cut animals or people. Animals can cut their legs on rusty tin cans. Broken glass, fishhooks, and similar trash are a hazard. Clean up these deadly discards. Bathing and Washing Unlike mountain men, who weren't famous for their cleanliness, wash their clothes. Be aware, however, that all soap pollutes lakes and streams. Biodegradable soap does not decompose in water; it must be disposed of away from water sources. It is difficult for soil to break down too much today's visitors like to bathe and soap in one place. Therefore, dispose of soapy water places or into fire in several ashes. Dishes should be washed away from water sources. Dishwashing is simple; don't use soap. If food sticks, fill the pan with cold water and let it soak several hours or overnight. Clean jars or narrow-mouthed containers by shaking pebbles and water inside them. Scrub the insides of pots with sand, gravel, pine cones, or a pine needle cluster. BEARPROOF YOUR CAMP Should you be camping Service recommends that in bear country (Fig. you pitch your tent as 8-5), the your cooking area and your food and garbage. Try to place near climbable trees. The only sure bears is to way Forest far as possible to protect its from door your food from be smarter than they are. Suspend your food from a limb using a counterbalance system, without tying the rope to the tree. At night or anytime you are away from the camp during the day, remove all food from your pack and place it in a plastic bag in a sleeping bag stuff sack. Tie two pots or metal cups to the outside of the stuff sack to rattle and alert you if they should be moved by a bear. Suspend the stuff sack by a rope over a medium-size branch 92 Fig. 8-5. Beechcraft Bonanza lands on isolated Bears may be expected flight strip in the Sierra Nevadas. in terrain like this. (4-5 inches thick at the trunk) about 20 feet above the ground. Pull the sack up to the branch and counterbalance tie a (a rock, log or another food sack) of equal weight to the other end of the rope as high as you can reach. With a long stick, push the counterbalance upwards until both it and the stuff sack are suspended 12-15 feet above the ground, as close to the branch tip as possible, and five feet below the branch. Retrieve the food sack by pushing the counterbalance upwards until the food sack can be reached. A clean campsite without tempting or strange odors will best ensure a night's sleep untroubled by bear IT'S CHOW visits. TIME Now that the shelter and fire are taken care of, about eating. Camping food has come a long or so years, with new it's way time to think in the past 25 techniques coming directly from space exploration. Fresh Foods Actually, your food selection will depend on camping you plan what type of you have a knockdown motorcycle or you can carry a basic survival pack and to do. If bicycle (see Chapter 9), buy fresh food from the nearest store. If your choice of campsite is near a stream of running water and fishing is your game, you can look forward to fresh fish as a camping fare (Fig. 8-6). Freshly caught trout, fresh clams, or other seafood are great anytime, but perhaps even better when procured on your own hook or whatever. If you are fishing from one of the lightweight vinyl boats or anything else that is tippable, we'd recom- 93 mend Some a life how good a swimmer you may be. and lakes are so cold that you have little jacket no matter of those streams time to function adequately. From Your Pantry If your plan of action for camping the airplane and not have to make is to pitch your tent near long hikes, you'll be able to use canned goods and dry packaged goods from your own kitchen shelves (Fig. 8-7). Augment these with a tour through the supermarket to choose from a variety of inexpensive packaged foods where a nominal amount of weight and space is not a problem. Noodles, hamburger helpers, cereals, soups, and packaged rice are good items. Another technique for doing part of your cooking without working over a hot stove was shared with us by some veteran campers. This system is good for preparing your hot breakfast at the same time you're involved with cooking dinner. Use a wide-mouth thermos bottle designed to keep hot hot and cool cool (how does it know?). Virtually any of the "instant foods" are good candidates for this thermos cooking— noodles, or potato dishes, rice, freezedried camp foods, or dry soup mixes. The flavor may in fact be enhanced with some of these products because of the time factor involved. After dinner, mix your uncooked cereal (instant oatmeal, for Fig. 8-6. No matter where you catch 'em, a string of fish like this will bring a smile to any angler and improve the bill-of-fare for dinner. Aircraft is a Stinson Station Wagon. 94 Fig. 8-7. Campers climb through a cattle guard fence with their supplies at the old Idaho State Airport at Henry's Lake. example) or other food with boiling water. Cook if required. Preheat the thermos before pouring in the food. Next morning you'll have steaming hot cooked cereal. Just add the brown sugar or maple syrup, the milk or cream, and you're in business. Lightweight and Convenient Your friendly backpacking store will have a good selection of both freeze-dried and dehydrated foods under several trade names. Mountain House is one of several well-established brands. We have it on occasion and found it to be completely satisfactory. These packaged foods come in the basics of meat and potatoes, rice or noodles, fish or fowl, and vegetables. We did find that the friendly neighborhood rodents had found our supply in the garage and we have found a different way of storing the supplies between camp- used ing trips. We are putting them in plastic and/or metal containers rather than the old cardboard box standby. 95 New Packaging Methods Recently, precooked, vacuum-sealed packaged foods have become available with a shelf life of five years without refrigeration. They bring a full gourmet style of food to your campfire with a minimum of effort (Fig. 8-8). They may be a little more expensive, but imagine that you're a hundred miles from nowhere and the cook in the party asks, 'Would you rather have beef stroganoff, * shrimp Creole, or chicken cacciatore tonight?" And each can have his own choice in five minutes! Doesn't sound much like roughing it, does it? Try It Before You Fly with No It matter what combination of foods you decide on, be sure new at home before you haul it into the back counYou might not like a particular dish or a particular brand, and it is so much better to find this out before your trip. Plan an evening campout in the backyard. Keep track of the amount of water to try anything try. you use if you're going to be in an area where you must haul it in. See if your utensils are adequate; but most of all, find out if you're happy with the food. And when the pots and pans and eating utensils come out, you'll be glad that you brought plastic plates and Teflon cooking pots. One distaff side camper advised, "We're here to play, not to scrub!" FREEZE-DRIED AND DEHYDRATED FOODS As we understand it, freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are Fig. 8-8. Group campout on a Fourth of July weekend in the tiedown area at the Independence Airport (California). Many campers prefer more open area between 96 tents. same weight but packaging is less bulky with the dehydrated material. However, in our experience, ask the average basically the manager the difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried food and you'll usually get a noncommital answer with no more substance than, "You've gotta add water to the dehydrated food." So let's go a step further into the methods of sporting goods store processing and preserving foodstuffs. No, there's no such thing as dehydrated water! While the various food processing measures appear quite ferent in application and in end products, they problem of food preservation ways: n Removal is in dif- approach the one or more of the following basic Many of water. all reactions cannot occur not present. Microorganisms cannot if water grow and multiply without adequate moisture. D Heat Enzymes and microorganisms sterilizing. are destroyed or inactivated by sufficient heat. Entry of D microorganisms must be prevented by suitable packaging. Lowering temperature. Most reactions slow down as the D Providing a chemical environment that will not permit cer- n Sterizing with ionizing radiation. Special rays are used to temperature is lowered. tain deteriorative actions to proceed. achieve the same results as heat sterilizing (not widly used on a commercial scale). Each of these effectively preserves certain foods, but combinathem do an even better job. Heat sterilizing effectively tions of destroys microorganisms, sealing in a container prevents further contamination, and storage of the canned product under refrigera- normal for any canned product. Cold tion reduces deterioration storage of dried products extends their storage Preservation is tect the processed foods moisture, air, life. clearly ineffective unless steps are taken to pro- or heat. from recontamination or exposure The to hermetically sealed can prevents en- trance of microorganisms and oxygen, thus keeping the product sterile and avoiding oxidation. Dried foods must be protected from moisture pickup, and frozen foods safeguarded against moisture loss. Some foods must be packed in an atmosphere free of oxygen. The air may be removed or replaced by an inert gas such as nitrogen 97 The package is then sealed to prevent and the entrance of air into the container. or carbon dioxide. inert gas loss of In addition to the old-fashioned tin can, which is ideal as an and moisture barrier, plastic films and laminates are used as packing materials. The laminated bag or package may contain several layers, sealed together, of an aluminum foil, draft paper, air plastic film, or cardboard. Dehydration of foods accomplishes preservation in two major It removes the water necessary for growth of microorganisms ways: and for enzymatic activity. And by removing water, it increases the concentration of sugars and acids, creating a chemical environ- ment unfavorable to the growth of many microorganisms. Normally, most dehydrated vegetables must be dried to a very low moisture fruits high in level for reasonable stability. But the usual sundried sugar and acids are quite stable with moisture con- tents from 18 to 24 percent. However, if they are dried to a moisture range of 2 to 3 percent, they are even more stable. The cereals are quite stable And the dried legumes, tent. moisture contents in at 12 to 13 percent moisture con- beans, and peas normally have the range of 8 to 16 percent. Another group of foods preserved by drying are nuts. The moisture range necessary for stability is around 3 to 6 percent. The high oil content, which runs from about 48 percent in peanuts to over 70 percent in pecans, is provided with some protection from rancidity by natural antioxidants. Nature provided man with another preserved food— sun-dried fruits. At first he probably found these preserved products under the trees, but later he reasoned that he could help matters along by picking the fruit and nuts and placing them out in the sun to dry. Because weather is not always just right for drying cereals, legumes, nuts, and fruit, they were often spoiled and lost. So man embarked upon artificial drying, usually called "dehydration." In this process, air is heated and blown across the product. Cereals and nuts not completely dried in the field can be brought quickly to the proper moisture content in a dryer. fruits was replaced by drying in The sun-drying In today's kitchens, an electric dehydrating unit piece of equipment. It is of some dehydration plants. is a common estimated that $50 worth of dehydrated in one of and if you worth food— of from these home dehydration units $10 even less. grow your own fruits and vegetables, the cost would be foods purchased at the grocery store could be processed In freeze-drying, the product 98 is kept frozen while it dries, thus avoiding the shrinkage that occurs in the course of ordinary dehydration. A strawberry freeze-dried is just as large as the fresh strawberry, but weighs only one-sixteenth as much. Flavor changes vacuum are greatly reduced in drying. But the volatile flavoring you smell on fresh fruit, are nearly removed— as they are in most forms of drying. components, Vacuum is one of the like those concentration of liquids least costly in multiple-effect all evaporators ways of removing water. But vacuum dry- ing of piece-form foods— freeze-drying, for instance— is one of the most costly methods of water removal. Its use, therefore, is foods— for example, meats and seasonal foods— and to military or other logistic situations demanding such restricted to high-value lightweight dried products. A dehydrated product remains stable only as long as tected from water, therefore, is air, sunlight, it is pro- and contaminants. Packaging, very important. Metal cans, plastic bags, and laminated bags and boxes effecpassage of moisture and air through the package. Elimination of oxygen initially is somewhat of a problem, however. Sometimes a vacuum pack is used. Or air may be replaced with tively limit the an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. LABEL YOUR SUPPLIES Should you repackage either food or drink at home for more in your plane, be certain to mark the con- convenient handling tainers. The following that produced a a factual account of an air is number of headaches. The editor of Plane & Pilot, planned to do an article on new dehydrated and craft to fly to late camping Jack Leggatt, trip jovial Sport Flying, and other publications, air camping with emphasis on the thenHe arranged for two air- freeze-dried foods. Cottonwood Cove, Arizona, an isolated strip along the Colorado River between Las Vegas and Bullhead City. Jack had a full za; load of passengers, Don was camping equipment, and food down in a Cessna 206. in a Bonan- equally weighed Everyone landed, secured the aircraft, unloaded the camping and opened the ice cubes for happy hour (Fig. 8-9). Then came dinner time with some excellent Mountain House dehydrated food. At the time, all thought it was the fresh desert air and the sparkling stars seldom seen around big cities that caused the wonderful gear, feeling of relaxation. 99 It was not until the next morning when a number of the group were comparing morning-after complaints that it was discovered that the identical unlabeled containers of clear fluid had been interchanged inadvertently, and the dehydrated food had been "undehydrated" with vodka instead of water! No wonder the aspirin flowed. (Somehow, this part of the camping adventure didn't ap- pear in Jack's final FOIL-SEALED article.). VACUUM PACKAGING One of the newer space-age methods of preserving food is that employed by Yurika Foods. The processing technique used is vacuum sealing in specially designed foil packages before cooking. Thus the sealed meal is cooked in a "retort pouch" and has a shelf added preservatives or refrigerawater for five minutes and it is ready to serve. And if boiling water isn't readily available, slide the pouch under the cowling while your aircraft engine is still warm. The food can be eaten without preheating if necessity so dictates because the product was thoroughly cooked immediately after sealing. This method of food preparation is a spin off of space life of five years without using tion. Just drop the pouch in boiling exploration. We were introduced to Yurika 's products by pilot/backpacker Robert Jones and his wife Mildred (P.O. Box 1682, Glendora, They are part of a nationwide group of indepen- California 91740). Campsite at Cotton Cove, Arizona, several years ago. Note old-style heavy tents with wooden end bars. Jack Leggatt. left, supervises as others Fig. 8-9. erect tents. 100 Spectacular scenery like this near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is worth the time, expense, and effort of an air camping trip into back country. Fig. 8-10. all dent distributors for the product. Look in your local phone direc- camping equipment Birmingham, MI. Bob and Mildred Jones advised they would be pleased to put you in touch with your local distributor if you drop them a line. The company has 11 different entrees packaged in single-serving portions to eliminate leftovers. tory for Yurika Foods under backpacking or or contact the company in While we're most interested in using this product for camping trips, it would be just as good as a quick dinner at home. And the company also provides dehydrated potatoes, pastas, cereals, whey, deserts, and snacks. We have not sampled all the products, but the ones we have eaten have been excellent and they're aboard our Cardinal in our About camping this time, supplies. if all has gone well, the sun will be lowered behind a picturesque background and you can relax and just soak up the clear atmosphere (Fig. 8-10). If so inclined, you can also soak up a tall cool one or two. Open up the camp chairs and enjoy. 101 Chapter 9 Wheels An airplane is after Landing great transportation and a wonderful way to have a good look at our countryside. However, there has always been one drawback: once you land, you're fresh out of transportation. In big cities you can pick up a rental car, go into hock for a cab, choose your motel with a courtesy car service, or even ride the bus. back country, you just don't have these options. Today, many air campers take their wheels with them— either a motorbike, motorcycle, or bicycle. Putting a cut-down small motorcycle in the back of your four-place plane has been one of the greatest aids to successful air camping. It makes it a whole new In the ballgame! If you have any sort of a bike, either pedal or powered, you can plan an entirely different style of air camping. Only on rare occasions are you so far away from civilization that you can't ride to a small general store for fresh meat and vegetables or that forgot- ten necessary item. BICYCLES ARE A BIG HELP Let's start out with the simplest airborne wheels. Perhaps the least pretentious showed up EAA in, of all places, the ultralight section Oshkosh. David Sadowski of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was flying his Pterodactyl Ascender with of the annual Fly-In at his ten-speed bicycle securely tied to the kingpost (Fig. 9-1). 102 He Fig. 9-1 David Sadowski has this 40-pound ten-speed bike tied atop the wing during The EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. . reported that the drag of the 40-pound bike was negligible when attached to his slow-speed ultralight. There are many types of bicycles suitable for folding into the back of your airplane. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, it is a relatively simple matter to cut your existing bike in half and add a set of fittings to hold it rigid again when reassembled. Simple clamps are on the market that offer a separation kit for either standard men's or women's two-bar bicycles (Fig. 9-2). John F. Benson, the developer (P.O. Box 312, Glendora, California 91740) says, "All you need is a hacksaw to cut the bike in half, and an electric drill to drill four holes. The separation adapters have a built- and a predrilled hole. Merely slip the adapter in place and drill through the tubing. Then push the other half of the bike into the coupling and drill again. Insert the bolt with a wing nut attached and tighten." Benson advises that in some cases, it is necessary to loosen the handlebar and seat for a minimum package. For use with threein stop speed or ten-speed bikes, the developer says that the rear caliper brake lever and the gear shift lever must be removed from the handlebar and remounted under the seat so that the wires will not interfere with separation. Benson's adaptors come in 16", 20", 24", and 26" sizes with the 24" bike the smallest he recommends for pedal power (Figs. 9-3, 9-4). And don't forget the rack on the back to carry suitcases or groceries. 103 i I John F. Benson with a cut-in-half bicycle folded to fit Cessna 182. He sells the fittings to reassemble the bike. Fig. 9-2. his In the back of The tandem bicycles built for two can also be sectioned, but The two-seaters take up considerably less baggage into three units. space than two individual units. Check with your down to cut area. A small 20-Inch bike installed. 104 if Benson says that Sears Fig. 9-3. kit local bike or to ascertain is shop for both conventional bicycles powered bikes are available sells in your a superbly designed 13-pound shown assembled with Benson's separation Benson pedals a small bike past the nose of his Cessna at Bracket! La Verne, California. Two removable clamps are used to reassemble the bike from two parts after unloading. Fig. 9-4. Field, engine that can attach to the front wheel of 20" and larger bikes. It can be mounted can be pedaled One in minutes and "clutched out" so that the bike in the normal manner. of the lightest fold-up bikes was designed by Harry Bicker- ton, formerly chief engineer for deHavilland and Rolls-Royce. His product is a three-speed machine with small diameter wheels that weighs just 24 pounds. The designer says that it unfolds from a handbag size in just one minute. Distribution is by Lightrider Cycles, Ltd., P.O. Box 718, Lakeville, Connecticut 06039. Another of the several companies specializing in bicycle conversions is BikeAlong'^'^ of Rt. 1, Box 303, Marsh, Wisconsin 53936. They recommend a standard-sized 12 speed 27" unit that can be shipped by UPS. Bike Along reports that used by apartment dwellers pletely who have its insufficient units are even room for a com- assembled bike. A goal of bike modifiers like John Benson is to develop a lowcost 50-pound bike, motorized, capable of carrying 450 pounds and luggage, which folds into a briefcase. "We're working on Benson as he looked at the small at Brackett Field, east of MOPEDS FOLD Powered UP, bicycles modem machine it," in his said hangar Los Angeles. TOO come under the moped laws in most states 105 and do not require special to 300 mpg at speeds of 20 ed to the gas (av/gas licenses. to The engines 25 mph. Oil will do). Power is 200 must be add- will deliver (2 percent) delivered directly to the wheel and gives the same performance regardless of the of bike wheel. Total weight is about 65 pounds (Fig. 9-5). front A number of years ago on a visit to Bermuda, we found of this type were extremely popular since there were no size bikes full-sized As I remember name on the bikes was Vespa and they were remarkably automobiles permitted on the island at that time. it, the trade easy to ride. There are a few electric bikes on the market that use a stan- dard aircraft battery for power. However, they will deliver only mph. Because of their short range and somewhat heavier weight, these units have not become par11 miles per charge at about 17 ticularly popular with air campers. MOTORCYCLES FLY ALONG If a your airplane Honda is as large as a Cessna 182, you can pick up Trail 70 that weighs 148 of the aircraft without disassembly. pounds and The will fit in the back four-cycle engine will run on av/gas. John Benson has one of these in his Cessna Skylane and reports that the Trail 70 will pack two people without difficulty. He recommends getting a set of old-style handlebars from a wrecking yard so that breaking down the assembly is not necessary (Fig. Fig. 9-5. Moped 106 on the front handlebars 300 mpg. installation units will deliver 200 to of a lightweight bike. These Fig. 9-6. John Benson wheels his small Honda Trial 70 up the special ramp he has built for his Cessna 182. Note that the ramp is fitted under the landing wheel to clear the wheel fairing. 9-6). Benson has built a foldable aluminum extrusion ramp to roll the Trail 70 in and out of his ship without becoming entangled with the wheel fairings. There's really nothing 150. Back (Fig. 9-7) in the early 1960s new about air camping with a Cessna we met a retired midwest businessman who was a flying "snowbird." Living alone in the midwest meager camping gear into his not-new Cessna 150 and headed for the Southwest. We met him in the parking area at Furnace Creek in Death Valley. His aircraft winters, he packed his gas stove and cabin had been modified so that he had an air mattress and a sleeping bag stretching a tent. He had down into the fuselage, eliminating the need for a tiny small-wheeled motorbike to get from the air- was living on a fixed income, he knew which bakery in Bishop had the best day-old bread, which airport had the best rates on fuel, and which meat market ground the best economy hamburger. This early air camper would come to the warm Southwest every winter fof six weeks to two months during port to town. Because he 107 the worst of the midwest winters. summers the in his city Then he would He apartment. felt that fly home to spend he had the best of two worlds on a minimum budget. A TWO-PART HONDA We first heard of John Beecher of Miles City, Montana, and cut-down Honda 90 (Fig. 9-8) from a report in the Cessna Cardinal Association newsletter. He provided us with photos and a full package of how-to-do-it information because "I hope it will dispel his myth that flying is just for those who can afford expensive motel rooms and rental cars." He continued: "Last summer was our first with our converted Honda. We took mostly day trips getting used to it in the plane and were careful and cautious. We took one overnight camping trip to Hardin, Montana, and rode the 40 miles round trip to the Custer Memorial on the Honda. We would not have wanted to do it on a bicycle and no other transportation was the available. John Beecher describes how he altered his Honda thusly: "We our Honda motocycle in half that we bought new last summer. It wasn't easy to take a brand-new cycle to a welding shop and tell the guy to cut it in half, but we have no regrets. "We had planned this for five years, ever since I saw someone take two halves of a Honda 90 out of a Cessna 170 at a fly-in in May of 1978. First we had to get our Cessna 150 paid for and then trade it in on a plane large enough to carry a motorcycle. After making payments on our Cardinal for 1 1/2 years, we could afford to finally cut purchase a Honda to make sure last year. we wanted to After trying out the keep it and cut it Honda in half, for a year we took it Fig. 9-7. "Snowbird" from the midwest with his Cessna 150 is shown tied down on the Furnace Creek Airport, -221 feet AGL. He used this tiny motorbike to travel from the airport into town. 108 Fig. 9-8. John Beecher of Miles City, Montana with the front half of his Honda 90 beside his 150-hp 1968 Cessna Cardinal. (Courtesy John Beecher.) Fig. 9-9. Honda 110 guard removed John Beecher) (formerly 90) with the plastic cover prior to cutting the tut)e that connects and chrome engine and rear. (Courtesy front 109 to the hospital and had it operated on. Our only regret summer." The Cardinal owner chose didn't it do it is that we last has to be cut in bolts to hold the front motorcycle because this particular only one place. He used four 9/16" one-inch long and rear of the bike together quick-disconnects were used on the wiring where for riding. it Two runs along the neck of the motorcycle. All the wires (about 15) can be connected or disconnected in not over two seconds, according to Beecher (Figs. 9-9 through 9-11). Beecher removed the rear seat from his Cardinal to carry the A car ramp is placed under the rear half of the bike the airplane and is used for loading and unloading the Honda. motorcycle. in These car ramps are when on pair X 7' sale, available at discount stores for about $15 per according to Beecher. boards to help roll also uses a pair of 2" the rest of the cycle in and out of the cabin. The luggage rack on enough He the motorcycle for lifting or securing the Honda. is standard and strong An seat costs about $25 and can be attached easily. Fig. 9-10. back Redr of the placed under the motor. (Courtesy John Beecher) 110 The mirrors, throt- the Honda including engine as it was mounted in the Cardinal. Rear seat had been removed. Car ramp is iidi of Cessna optional passenger Fig. 9-1 is 1 . on the Both halves of the Honda resting in the back of the Cardinal. (Courtesy John Beecher) A tarp floor to protect the cabin. tie cable, and handlebars are all set up for quick release as stanis no clutch cable because the clutch is dard equipment. There automatic. When mounted parallel to the front tire. in the cabin, the The Honda has remain self-supporting while the front half the rear half to removed and loaded into the plane first. The Honda 110 Trailbike (formerly models) has four speeds "Yes, it handlebars are turned dual kickstands that allow in Honda 90 is in the older both high and low range. Beecher says, have a two-speed transmission with a total of up the side of a mountain you can stay on it. It will cruise at 45 mph with really does eight gear ranges and will climb straight with two people if two people aboard." There are holes for tiedown rings already in the floor of the Cardinal. The owner reports that "Cessna sells tiedown rings for $16 each, but we had 1/4" fine-thread eyebolts made by a welder in a machine shop for $1.33 each. A commercial welder did the complete cutting job, including wiring and touch-up paint on the Hon111 da for $48. Eyebolts, including two extras, cost $8. Four quickrelease motorcycle tiedowns straps were $20. Four black rubber bungees, $4. Total cost of modification and tiedown gear was $80. The dinal step-by-step loading procedure owner as "To hooked is described by the Car- follows: secure the motorcycle, four motorcycle tiedown straps are to the four eyebolts in the flow of the plane and then all are attached to the luggage rack under the rear seat of the Honda. Now the rear wheel This to-right. move but the motor can still shift leftmovement was eliminated by attaching two cannot lateral black rubber bungees with hooks to two holes and then to the eyebolts at When in the square flange each door post. the front half of the cycle is placed into the Cardinal, the tire ends up located next to a tiedown ring which is located high on the side of the fuselage next to the hatshelf A short black rubber bungee is wrapped around the tire and fastened to this tiedown . ring. To secure the remainder of the front end to the side of the passenger compartment, a very long black rubber bungee hooked to this same tiedown ring, laid is across the fork and handlebars, and then hooked to the eyebolt on the floor next to the door post." removed the main gear wheel pants and unloading. With the rear seat and wheel pants removed, Beecher says, "Our Cardinal with full fuel carries my wife and me (300 pounds), motorcycle and related gear (240 pounds), and 100 pounds of luggage and camping gear. Of In field operation, Beecher for greater ease in loading course, we will not carry full fuel in with a load like this at high den- The Honda weighs 210 pounds with sity altitude. a gallon of gas it. "There a quick drain for carburetor and fuel lines to pre- is vent broken lines and seals from expansion at altitude," said the Cardinal owner. drain, all fuel is "By using the fuel shutoff valve and the quick contained within the Honda gas especially important on an older model, which tank. This is may have worn-out do not fuel lines or gaskets that could burst at high altitudes. I recommend order to flying the Honda with a full tank of fuel prevent the venting of fumes into the cabin. There it because one gallon of gas is is in no need for two-thirds of a tank and will last 90 miles. "There da for your save weight 112 is a real honest-to-goodness spare gas tank on this Hon- trips into the back country, but when using the motorcycle I leave it at in the plane," said home to Beecher. "One must be careful with density altitude in the mountains with two people and the Honda A Cardinal. in our plane, which 180-hp would be better, but is we cannot a 150-hp 1968 afford one and hope that one day we'll be able to use auto fuel legally in ours, so plan to keep it. Besides, we love the plane." The economies of this cut-up Honda are evident. The Beechers can load and unload their motorcycle, including setup, in 20 we minutes. They note that "it takes that long to rent a car, but you'll weekend on your Honda, instead of $70 Can the average pilot ride a bicycle through the Rocky Mountains on a weekend outing with his spouse? I doubt it, but we can do it on our Honda." only spend a dollar for a for a rental car. BIKES FOR THE FILMMAKERS Nearly a decade ago, when Bob and Marian Auburn were producing their excellent travel films for Beechcraft, they carried two sizes of motorbikes in addition to their camera gear. One was a fulltwo people and their sized lightweight dirt bike capable of carrying poodle (Fig. 9-12). The other small-wheeled Honda was useful for scouting camera locations. ••''7'|At> Fig. 9-12. on an Bob and Marion Auburn ried in their with their poodle aboard a small motorbike on the west coast of Baja accompanying Cessna 180. isolated dry lake California. This bike was car- 113 Fig. 9-13. Don Downie prepares to test hop the tiny Honda Bob Auburn gives preflight instruction. bike on a Baja Califor- nia dry lake. We met up with the Auburas on an West Coast of Baja California just south on the Punta Abreojos (eyes open). At the time of our Baja meeting, the Aubums were using two airplanes on their filming projects. The then-new Bonanza was the target airplane and a Cessna 180 with wing-mounted, remotetriggering 16mm cameras was used as the photography platform. Each member of the filming team was qualified in either airplane and as camera operator or lead pilot. We watched their filming and tried the midget Honda on for isolated dry lake of Because we were a long way from the nearest where a bent or broken leg could be set, our trials with the little bike were limited to very slow speeds. It was fun and the size (Fig. 9-13). hospital usefulness of this type of transportation anything else for miles and miles is when there just isn't self-evident. For a detailed report on how three couples in three Cessna 182s and three cut-in-half Hondas air camp, see Chapter 10. 114 Chapter 10 As Others Have Done There's great variety in the wild, It air camping. and economy antiques and meadow, extremely content with wonderful world of Pilots flying solo in small homebuilts classics putt-putt from airport craft explore the to Then couples with conventional airback country with more speed and perhaps more the personal isolation of it all. Some add the accessories of bikes, powered or unpowered. And some like to plan combined trips with other flying friends. Take the exploits of three couples at our home field, Cable Airport in comfort. Upland, California. THREE CESSNA 182S, THREE HONDAS, AND SIX PEOPLE We sat in the comer of Duane and Peggy Binnall's small hangar and talked about flying in groups. Two other Amy D'Antonil and Cecil and Pat Stokesberry, joined the hangar-flying session. All three couples own Cessna 182s and all carry Hondas in place of the back seat. All three men are instrument rated, two of the wives have soloed, and the third is planning to take at least enough training to solo. However, the wives all keep busy with copilot duties: map reading, frequency selection, navigation, and sometimes sleep. Pat Stokesberry has recently discovered videotape cameras and preserves their group camping at Cable Airport couples. Carmen and flights for later projection. These avid campers— let's dub them the "Cable Campers"— 116 Fig. 10-1. Duane and Peggy love to Cessna 182 in preparation they seek grassy strips and abhor control towers. fly; aver that an Binnall unload their up camp. for setting takes a certain type of person to it They camp— one who has affinity for the great out-of-doors. "Half the fun the remotest area way to get in front of is in away from the the camping," said Carmen. we can fly to. I like to camp and "We look for that's the best things," he explained. "Sitting in a motel TV is really no different from being at home." (Figs. 10-1. 10-2) Fig. 10-2. The tent is up, the ing inflated by the Binnalls. 116 Honda assembled, and the "Rubber Ducl<" be- Each camped out before learning of the couples had to fly and they use their airplanes as an extension of their radius of action. "It's really a fun game with a way to vacation," they said. plan to go to A-B-C; but we if "We may fly start out over a promising grass strip along the way, our plans go out the window." Interplane communication makes a meeting of the minds easy to accomplish in flight. "If we are at a towered field, we'll call for taxi three and advise that we'll maintain our how many towers prising them casually as you're will some as a flight of separation. okay a formation takeoff if It's sur- you ask taxiing out," the trio advised. Because they are based that own in Southern California, of the favorite destinations of the Cable the cooler, greener Pacific Northwest. it is predictable Campers are in Two favorite airports in this area are Concrete and Tieton (French Farms) in the state of Washington. When the three Cessnas landed at Concrete, time airport manager brought out a power in the the part- cut the grass area where the visitors wanted to camp. Concrete has a 2700-foot strip at 260 feet is mower and running water When in the Hondas MSL less than a mile from town. There tiedown area. were assembled and the Cable group headed for town, the airport manger said, "Be sure to tell everyone in town that you are pilots and you're using the airport!" Tieton is normally a one-way strip with an overwater approach. Elevation is 2134 feet MSL with only a 1700-foot grass and dirt strip. This strip is a little short for the Cable group's preference, but it is a one-way strip with a slope to the west and a zero approach so that the 182s handle it without much of a problem. Nor- Fig. 10-3. the Duane and Peggy inflatable boat atop the (Fig. 10-3) Binnall head for the nearest stream with Honda-unwieldy, perhaps, but it works. their Solar 117 Campers mally, the Cable runways at least 2200 Other northwestern at Sandy, limit their group with flights into airports feet long with good, clean approaches. sites popular with the Cable crew are Rick's Oregon and Lester, one of the suburban strips maintain- ed by the State of Washington. Lester ing 2200 feet long, 1639 feet MSL, is variously reported as be- closed in the winter, surface grass, trees and mountains for obstructions, and use at and animals may be on the runway. At Sandy, Oregon, there are three strips to choose from in this area 25 miles west of Mt. Hood. One has an asphalt runway; two are turf. The Cable Campers prefer Rick's where both fuel and maintenance are available. The trio of Cessna drivers tries to fly no more than three hours a day because these are vacation trips. On a typical junket, they will depart Cable nose-to-tail (if the runway is wide enough, they take off in formation) so as not to waste time in getting together rough, your tall own risk. Pedestrians, vehicles in the air. First stop on one trip was Columbia, California, a short was where camping facilities are also This puts the Washington-Oregon back country strips hop, where excellent camping facilities are available. Next stop Garberville in northern California, available. within a half-day's flight. The Cable Campers are always on the lookout for a level, grassy spot on which to pitch their tents. They advise that on close-in airports, there isn't much room for selection. However, when conditions permit, they park the three Cessnas as close together as possi- ble and then stretch tarps between the wings sun and wind. However, when they ly has an alternate and go to it. hit for protection from rainy weather, this trio usual- They carry rain gear. They con- sider ponchos better than conventional lightweight raincoats. Each couple it). carries a cut-in-half Binnall admits that he is Honda 90 (all 187 pounds of not a biker and will not ride the little have minimum Honda in a city. He considers the 90cc Honda to horsepower for two people. "You can't go on the freeway with it," he commented, "but it is great for going to town for groceries or putting around to look at the scenery or to find a laundromat. It also is quick transportation from the airplane to the motel. Having the Honda makes the logistics of air camping ever so much easier." Although Binnall says that it's possible for one person to extract his two-piece Honda 90 from the back of his 182, he and his wife can do it together much more easily. They can assemble the bike in less than seven minutes without hurrying. Some owners of 182s can fit the later-model Honda 90 in the back seat area without 118 Fig. 10-4. Cable Campers plan a Amy and Carmen Cessna 182 is in D'Antonil, trip. Left to right are Pat arvj Cecil Stokesberry, and Peggy and Duane Binnall. The Binnall's the background. disassembly, but they usually carry a ramp to load and unload the machine. Care should be taken to tie down heavy items of camping gear so that they won't fly around the aircraft cabin in rough air. "I'm very careful with the Honda," said Binnall. "I don't want to be wearing it. I use tiedown clips bolted into the back seat brackets and nylon cord to secure the vehicle." "You must pick your traveling companions very carefully," said Duane Binnall(Fig. 10-4). "There's a lot of togetherness. The six of us get along well. We pick comfortable spots where the fishing is good. Most of the Pacific Northwest areas we use are what you'd call 'clean camps' with moderate temperatures and no dust. We can go four or five days comfortably without a motel. But a laun- dromat The after about three days is welcomed." three wives say that they can keep clean using just a soup bowl of warm water and a hand towel. All three women feel that it is very important to use some makeup every day while camping. Cecil, who wears a full beard all the time, wisecracked, "I never shave when I'm camping." Neither do the other men. There is an unwritten law that any of the group can break away and do whatever they wish at any time. For example, after a stop in Washington, one plane went to Portland, one went to Vancouver, B.C., and the third went 80 miles north to Morton. They reunited for the trip south two days later. 119 The Binnalls say that the three-man inflatable solor boat ed "Rubber Duck" and ice chest. pump-up is just a little small for two people, They plan to experiment with a very tow along call- fishing tackle, small additional and fishing tackle boxes. When the trio of 182s go out together, each is self-sufficient, but there is some group planning on frying pans and pots to eliminate bulky /heavy duplication. The group uses plastic plates with one each knife, fork, and spoon. Small dishes stack one atop raft to for the ice chest the other. Each plane carries two folding beach chairs. "These are very important," said Binnall. Each uses a 42" x 32" x 1/4" plywood floor cover for the down Honda. back of the airplane on which to set their break- After the bike comes out, the plywood serves as a Propane stoves are preferred, inexpensive $14.95 units. Stokesberry had a small backpacker's "grasshopper" stove that tabletop. he finally broke after 10 years; he replaced it with the simple propane unit. Regarding new equipment, the group said, "If it needs a trial run, don't buy it. If it breaks, don't bring it home." Cooking with the Cable Campers can be innovative. It ranges way from hot dogs and chili to packaged beef stroganoff. Prepackaged oatmeal, usually with raisins, makes a good, quick breakfast. Wild blackberries, frequently found near northwest airports, make a great breakfast, according to the Campers. "Once we got caught in a cornfield near an airport in Washington," said Bin" nall. "The owner drove by and hollered. They're not ready yet.' The group report that everywhere they have gone so far, people have been gracious, and they are amazed when the Hondas come out of the aircraft. Permission to camp has never been a problem. In campgrounds where permanent potties are not available, Mother Nature calls for a trip into the brush with a shovel. One all the of the feminine trio noted, "It didn't take me a piece of sloping ground and face uphill." long to learn to select Water is carried in 2 1/2-gallon plastic fold-up containers. When came to a discussion of the economics of air camping, Campers noted the savings of no motel fees and no car fees with their Hondas (Fig. 10-5). However, if you were to amortize what you'd spend on camping gear, you'd be it the Cable rental really able to stay in a pretty good motel. When we save $50 per night on a motel, that's just another 20-25 gallons of gas to extend our trip. Because all three Cessnas are powered with 80-octane engines, the ground is looking forward to the legal availability of auto gas. On one recent trip, Cecil broke a bone in his hand when his 120 Honda took over and put him into a small tree. After the set in a plaster cast, specially cut so that hand was he could hold the control wheel, Duane Binnall took him around the field a couple of times to make sure Cecil could handle the controls properly, and then the three planes continued on their planned three- week trip. Pat helped with the camping and things went along fine until the group found a spot with good fishing. Cecil found out promptly that he couldn't reel in his catches, but Pat handled that. On short ovemighters, the Cable group congregate at one of the hangars on a Friday evening during the long Someone decides where summer nights. go within a reasonable distance and who wants to tag along is welcomed. to anyone else on the field However, on the longer trips, the three Honda-carrying Cessnas pretty A much stick to themselves. typical Fourth of July weekend will find the three Cable Cessnas parked in the comer of the Prescott, Arizona, airport with the Hondas ready for the short drive to the annual Rodeo. Even though the Cable Campers have cats and dogs, they line up a "house sitter" and leave their pets at home. While the group enjoys the economies of their air camping junkets with the Hondas, they freely admit that their back country trips are dictated Fig. 10-5. Hondas like this are flown by many air campers to save money and open up new areas for exploration-and a quick trip to the country store. Duane Binnall assembles his Honda. 121 much more by the uncluttered terrain than any real cost saving. Now, when it comes to the cost per pound of one freshly caught However, the group's next planned trip is Montana-Idaho border where they'll hike to a lake where there are reports of 63 fish, all over eight pounds, being caught in just three hours. Where exactly is it? The group just trout, that's expensive! to a field near the grinned. SANTA CLAUS IN A BELLANCA One of Wallace Bertram's most memorable camping trips goes back a number of years. He and his 1939 14-19 Bellanca were with a group of three other aircraft, all headed for Rancho Buena Vista near the tip of Baja California, Mexico, with Christmas presents for the children in a The flying caravan hit a some 80 miles south of Bahia de was no alternative but to land. Bertram was nearby village. blinding rainstorm near El Barril Los Angeles, and there first to land and had to use his landing lights to search out a wide spot on the dirt road that served as a runway. The following aircraft landed with illumination from his lights. The planes were loaded with toys that had been rejected by the Mattel Company's quality control department and were the promptly given to the children of El Barril. "Those kids had never seen a toy in their lives," said Bertram. "The talking dolls were an instant hit. Later we brought down some Spanish educational material and coloring books for the children there and at San Borjas, an old mission with a terrible flight strip at that time. even going When we started these flights, the children weren't to school, but that was quite a while ago. In recent years, the situation has improved and schooling is available." LAKE MINCHUMINA AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS On one of our trips through Alaska, we decided to camp at Lake Minchumina on the North Fork of the Kuskokwin River between McGrath and Fairbanks. Years ago, it was the site of an FAA station and is now used by the BLM air tankers. The state maintains a few camping tables and a latrine at the end of Runway 29. There is the wreckage of a C-46, which attempted a takeoff with its controls locked, in the traffic pattern. We landed on the smooth gravel our tiedowns into the ground. It strip, was a pulled off, and drove beautiful area, completely deserted and just like the travel brochures. After putting up our 122 1 0-6, Julia Downie uses a camping table provided by the State of Alaska cook dinner at Lake Minchumina. The tent is on the other side of the airplane. Fig. to tent and pulling our stove Cessna, we course— and relaxed After a tall and food box out of the back of the our mosquito repellent— Cutters, replenished cool one, we rigged up a fishing line and went after the famed pike that were reported in the lake— maybe so, but had nary a bite. We of (Fig. 10-6). threw flat we pebbles into the water, breathed looked out toward towering Mt. McKinley, and finalcooked a good dinner. It began to rain, but that's par for the course when you camp in this part of the world and we were protected by the high wing of the Cessna. It really doesn't get dark in Alaska in the summer, but eventually we climbed into our pop tent, sprayed for mosquitos, and hit the sack. It was peaceful and isolated. We felt we had really gotten away from civilization. in the scenery, ly At about 4 A.M. the serenity was shattered by the landing of a Cherokee 6 with a full load of fisherman, complete with rubber boat and even an engine. Within the next two hours, there were four more charter planeloads of fishermen. It seems that we had selected a popular fishing spot for the residents of both Fairbanks and Alaska when they want to get away from it all. We swapped lies with each succeeding loads of pilots and finally packed up our gear to head back to Fairbanks. Minchumina is a great place to visit, perhaps even to fish, but it sure didn't turn out to be complete isolation. OSHKOSH; BIGGEST CAMPOUT OF THEM ALL Everything about the EAA's annual Fly-In held at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the week August every year is big. There are one time, up to 300,000 visitors the Sunday show alone, up to 800,000 visitors durfirst over 14,000 aircraft on one on the field for in field at 123 Photo from an EAA helicopter shows rows and rows of parked airat Oshkosh. Aircraft parking is on both sides on the runway, with some 1 1 ,000 aircraft on the field at one time. Fig. 10-7. craft camping ing the week, and an estimated $36 million of revenue to the economy of this friendly Wisconsin town. campers according to (Fig. 10-7), There are also 5000 air EAA estimates. Some afficionados come early and stay late. Others may fly in for just one night or two. The transient parking area for modem aircraft is over 55 rows deep with 20 or more aircraft per row, depending on size, high or low-wing, and compactness of parking. That's well over 1000 camped airplanes in one lot on the south side of Runway 9/27. Add the tents erected by arrivals in the regular transient parking area and the show aircraft camping area west of Runway 18/36, and you'll have easily 3000 aircraft campers at one time (Fig. 10-8). The Oshkosh Fly-In has been going for a long time; the 32nd annual Fly-In was held in 1894. With this history to work from, IB^ and shapes Oshkosh. Fig. 10-8. All sizes photo 124 at ^ of tents are visible in this low-altitude helicopter Fig. 10-9. Bedding hanging out to dry after a wet night at Oshkosh. no wonder that they are set up properly. Visitors find two comcamping supplies at each of the two formal camping areas. The main cafeteria with full means is open from 5:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. plus smaller cafes in the Warbirds area, the Chicken Cafe, a steak house, plus cafes near the tower and in the it's plete country stores with classic aircraft parking area. In there are 16 foot outlets on the airport during the week. all, Shuttle buses, either free or with a small donation pick up at campsites and bring campers to the flight line. City all buses run at frequent intervals. Tiedowns are required, and if the visitor has forgotten his, they week on a $15 refundable deposit. EAA crews are available for the patrol the areas to assure that all aircraft are tied securely the chances are that at least once during the first week of because August there will be a howling storm with wind, rain, and spectacular come through the area. A surprisingly few aircraft have been uprooted and damaged. However, the morning after the lightning rainstorm is another matter (Figs. 10-9, 10-10). Most campout planes have bleeding and mattresses draped over the wings, and prop for drying. Those who have spent the night out tail, in these Fig. 10-10. Cardinal in the foreground has bedding over both wings to dry. Spartan Executive, one of the many classic aircraft at Oshkosh, taxis by in the background. 125 Fig. 10-1 EAA 1 . A portion of the thousands of air Fly-In at Oshkosh every weather conditions the hour. into Some that congregate at the later get together and swap storm stories by of these accounts vie with the stores about flying Oshkosh on the first two days handled beautifully by volunteer call us. Just campers year. of the event, when aircraft are FAA air traffic controllers: "Don't follow the plane ahead of you." Aircraft are landed sometimes four at a time on a single wide runway— one long, one short, one right, one left— with almost no miscues. It is one of the best shows at Oshkosh just to watch the arrivals— and from what better spot than on a camp chair under the wing of your plane with your tent and sleeping bags ready for the evening? In 1984, the campout charge was $8 per night per plane. Showers, toilets, water, and telephones are provided in each of the camping areas. One section of the field is marked off for homebuilts who have camping equipment. Antiques (built before 1946) and Classics (those licensed aircraft build between 1946 and 1955) are parked in another area. Two huge sections are reserved for campout "Spamcans," as some EAAers call factory built aircraft. A visit to Oshkosh is the best single way to get your feet wet (Fig. 10-11); sometimes quite literally you'll get your feet wet in air camping. If and when you visit the Oshkosh Fly-In, you'll have the opportunity to see just about every type of tent, sleeping bag, tarp» or other up. And, of where 126 equipment that has ever been developed or conjured when you camp all the action is. at Oshkosh, you're right in the middle Chapter 1 Unscheduled Landings There's one basic difference between air camping and survival after an unscheduled landing: The latter wasn't your own idea. You had other things planned: appointments, a job to return to, friends and relatives expecting you, and all that. However, for one of a number you didn't make it. Unscheduled landings are usually caused by weather, low fuel, or maintenance problems. Utilizing Murphy's Law, they occur at the most inopportune time and at the most inopportune place— all of a sudden, you've gotta land! However, most forced landings do give the pilot some warning. The oil temp goes up and the pressure down; the fuel gauges begin bouncing on that big "E" or the weather in front of you goes from bad to worse. It gets so dark or hazy that you can't see enough to continue VFR. Whatever the cause, you will probably have some warning. Engines that disintegrate, props that fly off, and pieces of structure that suddenly come unglued fortunately are a rarity. of reasons, SUGGESTED TECHNIQUES The mechanics* and gamblers' odds on forced landing tech- niques are varied and no two suggestions will work every time. Make your "Mayday" call 7700 code on your transponder your ELT has a remote switch or is However, there are a few basic as early as possible and crank in if there is one aboard. If rules. a, 127 Fig. 11-1 Vviin d muuwin dirpiane, it is a simple matter to be a long way from a few minutes. This Piper Arrow is shown near Mt. Whitney, in the High Sierras. A forced landing in country like this could civilization in just 14,495 feet require a MSL good survival kit. mounted where you or a passenger can reach it, turn it on in the air (Fig. 11-1). Personally, we monitor Watch weather frequency the Flight of 122.0 on our No. 2 radio and almost always will have another aircraft within range. call As a personal preference, there and worry about the 121.5 you have nothing better Then get down we recommend a emergency frequency when to do. to the nitty-gritty. Remove glasses unless you really can't see without them; even then, remove them just before touchdown. Discard pens and pencils from your shirt pockets. Remove dentures. particularly if Make the ship is certain the cabin latches are unlocked, pressurized. Some experts opening the cabin door before landing and jamming recommend it open with any handy item— flashlight, shoe stack of maps, or whatever. Others feel that having an open door reduces the integrity of the cabin , structure. If Take your there is choice. a shoulder harness, use cause twisting back injuries, they are it. While half harness can much better than nothing. Seat belts and shoulder harness should be tight. If you have heavy objects loose in the cabin such as cameras, flashlights, ice chests, or water bottles, put 128 them on the floor under the seats. After that, you do the best you can with the equipment and with. Above all, keep your bird flyyou can— no slow and low steep turns; no stalling dirty at a hundred feet in the air. Plan a touchdown at your slowest speed— uphill if the terrain permits. Keep the gear retracted in rough terrain. If you have power, land before your fuel is quite exhausted so a full "dead stick landing" will not be required. Then, just before touchdown, cut the switches and fuel off. After that it is purely academic. After the dust has settled, get out of the cockpit. Count the number of passengers, if any, and get everyone away from the ship the terrain you have to work ing, not falling, just as long as in case of post-crash fire (Fig. 11-2). YOU'D BETTER TAKE IT WITH YOU you have a forced landing on a camping trip, you're better off than at any other time because your camping gear covers most of what you'll need for survival. However, most pilots carry a compact survival kit of some sort even on routine flights. We do. If A survival kit for your airplane is like its insurance policy: You buy and hope you never need it. come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the do-it-yourself package to a store-bought prefabricated selection that will contain hopefully all the goodies you may need regardless of where you go down. But you know full well that it ain't necessariit Survival kits ly so. Fig. 11-2. Kearsarge Pass, 11,898 feet MSL, in California's High Sierras has been the location of many lightplane crashes. This pass is on the direct flight route between Fresno, California and las Vegas, Nevada. The bare hillsides above timberline provide probably the best forced landing area here. 129 On one extreme, there is a minimal package that can be stuffed into the barrel of a fountain pen or a penlight case. Insert matches and water purification tablets and magnetized needle for a compass, safety and Hang foil. seal it in wax. Add a pins, a candle, thread, wire the magnetized needle from the thread to find a northerly heading, assuming that the aircraft compass available. The aluminum foil is not can be shaped around the piece of wire make a water utensil of sorts. Your mini-knife can be a singleedged injector razor blade. This package is not really uptown, but to it is a start. The your aircraft size of single-seat homebuilts tials into a and may influence your selection. Small ultralights 4 1/2" X 6 1/2" x 1 can cram many of the essen- 3/4" metal container that will be waterproof when taped and later available to heat water use as a digging or Swiss Army tool. Such a tiny container can carry a in or even Boy Scout knife, candles, waterproof matches, signal mirror, single-edge razor blade, strong string or light rope, water purification tablets, ziplock bags for storage or water purification, sugar cubes or hard candy in and line, For sealed containers, tape, whistle, fishhooks and needle and thread. aircraft that travel farther afield, add more tools, shelter material, insect repellent, food, and a first aid kit. Personal medications as such usually go in your carry-on over- night bag. However, anyone with a critical problem for diabetic family members) might want (i.e., insulin to carry a limited sup- in the survival kit. If you have the need, you might an extra pair of prescription glasses. plemental supply throw in DO-IT-YOURSELF SURVIVAL KITS Cliff the Springberg, for many years an equipment mechanic for FAA in Alaska, had what was a novel way of outfitting his plane "An outdoor man doesn't really need too much— a box salt, a rifle, ammo, and a fishing pole. After that, he can start adding items." One item that he considered as a for survival: of matches, some standard was a five-gallon can of dry food— rice, beans, noodles and the like— all mixed together! "If I'm ever forced down, there'll be them out," he explained. (Before coming to was Alaska, Springberg a circus performer in the Lower 48. His plenty of time to sort circus act included a dive into a tank of water from a platform 110 feet up.) The 130 do-it-yourself survival kit can range from impulse buying supermarket and drygoods stores to an expensive visit neighborhood backpacking outlet. Of course, anything you carry is somewhat better than nothing. If you plan to outfit your own survival kit, consider using a list at the local to the from an established survival manual as it to the size of your airplane and normally fly. No survival kit, no matter in all climates with any sort of efficiency. adapt a starting point and then the areas over which you how work Most experts recommend extensive, will including a survival information booklet that designed to help is focus the mind to constructive action and reduce panic. We've been requirements guilty for years of carrying a in few of the most basic an old canvas suitcase that does double duty as a minimal tool kit for the most basic field maintenance— things like wooden matches ror, a in a sealed 35mm film container, a signaling mir- couple of lightweight Mylar wind and rain tarps, perhaps a granola bar or two, a hunting knife, and a short-handled axe that doubled as a sledge to drive PACKAGED SURVIVAL At a midwest vival clinic given Colorado. for tiedowns. KITS fly-in (Oshkosh), we happened to sit in on a surby C. Bart and Dianne Whitehouse of Littleton, He had some of survival, aluminim extrusions in different ideas than those of the old school where you learned to live off the land on bugs and ber- His approach centered around a compact, complete ries. kit in backpack form that could be pulled out of the airplane as you leave it. Whitehouse has packaged his version of a survival package, two people; it weighs just eight pounds. The larger pack for four to six people is double that weight. These prefabricated kits have a number of advantages. They are assembled by experts in the field after extensive testing in the back coun- called Res-Q-Pak, for try. The list of items is studied carefully for a cost/weight/size ef- fectiveness. Edibles are protected for long shelf life quality. Basic and other essentials are included. The economy package is $150 (in 1984 dollars) for the two-person unit (Fig. 11-3). Design of the Res-Q-Pak is straightforward. Whitehouse wanted to put a small, lightweight package containing the bare necessities within easy reach so that an exiting pilot could pick it up on his way out of the cockpit. He felt that bulkier, heavier survival packages would probably be carried on the floor of the baggage compartment, where they would stand a chance of being contools, lights, 131 Fig. 11-3. Dianne and Bart Whitehouse hold their small Res-Q-Pak. The prepared survival pack has shoulder straps for backpack carrying. sumed by a post-crash ing a crash landing parts. In fire. is fire, most cases, the The main danger immediately follow- usually from fuel spilling on hot engine the engine compartment, fire will start in so there should be enough time for crew bing the handy Res-Q-Pak on the way members to exit, grab- out. Each Res-Q-Pak contains the basics— a tent, blankets, wind/rain pullovers, firemaking material, signals, including serial flares, smoke bomb and mirror. A strobelite is provided with the more expensive units. There are water containers and purification tablets, a first aid kit, cup and basic food rations for tools, including a spiral two to three days with cooking saw, knife, compass, chemical light, and rope (Fig. 11-4). Whitehouse pointed out that there has been a change in philosophy about survival and the equipment to make it work. If you can remember back to WWII (and Whitehouse can), the survival manuals taught us how to live off the food on the land. They forgot to point out that a body needs only a very small amount of food to remain in good health for several days. "Remember the instructions showing how to build a desert still in the summer. The statistics I've seen indicate that you'll perspire out more water in digging the hole than you'll get back in a reasonable time," Whitehouse said. "Many older kits stressed the 132 my opinion, an ax or any other bludgeon-type you want. In the first place, an ax is dangerous in the hands of a novice and another gash in a leg is something you don't need. You want a machete or a non-folding knife with a big handle. For cutting wood or clearing a path, carry a folding pull need for an ax. In tool is the last thing saw; a pruning saw When is excellent." comes to lighting, Whitehouse feels that a chemical light is a good backup to a flashlight. He cites the American Cyanamid as being superior. The unit was developed for the U.S. Navy it for a non-battery, non-heat, non-sparking light source that could be used in an explosive atmosphere. He reported that the design scientists went back to study lightning bugs in development of this product. In actual "saves" with Whitehouse's packs, the plastic police whistle has proven invaluable in leading rescuers to the survivors when to the the search narrows ELT. down to an area where you're too close Plastic rather than metal whistles are recommended because extremely cold weather can cause metal to stick to the lips. Fig. 11-4. Here's what's inside the Whitehouse Res-Q-Pak. All Items in this package have been analyzed carefully by survival experts and are considered to be the most useful Items. Such a papk should be carried in a cross-country lightplane at all times, not just when you plan to go air camping. 133 Crash survival tion Center show statistics from the Air Force Rescue Coordina- that only about 35 out of 100 occupants will sur- vive; 21 of the 35 will be injured and after 24 hours, only 7 of the percentage should be better in the general aviation field, where touchdown speeds are slower. However, whatever crash pack you carry, be it a paper bag from 35 will still be alive. Survival the supermarket or your own choice of ingredients and materials, what you are going to have to work with semblance of comfort until help arrives. that's WITHOUT WATER YOU'RE Water is The the key to survival. in arid terrain, some A DRY STATE IN hotter and the drier the ter- you make a forced landing you have a serious problem unless you have carried sooner you'll need water. rain, the to stay alive in If water with you. Among our travels, we visited Australia and took the time get a U.S. Pilot's Certificate validated there so we around that vast country on our own. Our check O'Driscoll, who works out of Southern to could cruise pilot Aircraft, was Des Parafield Aerodrome, Adelade, South Australia (Mailing address: P.O. Box 101, Pinnaroo, South Australia 5304). He is available to check out foreign pilots and also help them with the written exam. At the time we visited, Australia was suffering a severe drought and Adelade broke a 20-year temperature record the day we were learning Australia's air traffic system with O'Driscoll in his 150-hp Cherokee. This was at a time when TAA, moting a summertime tour is to the Australian airline, "See Alice When It's was pro- Hot!" "Alice" Alice Springs in the center of the outback, and O'Driscoll com- mented that this was a trip not recommended for light aircraft before the month of April. "It's a question of safety and density altitude," explained the Australian flight instructor. "This time of the year, even if I carry four gallons of water in the back of I'm going to stay The in my aircraft the local flying area." practicality of a desert still is open to question. Survival expert C. Bart Whitehouse, as mentioned previously in this chapter, and not worth the physical However, many saves have been attributed in the past to these stills, and we would be remiss in not including a sketch of a desert still and a few details on how to build one (Fig. 11-5). A water still made out of any can and a sheet of clear plastic will produce up to three pints of water a day out of hot desert sands. The still is made by digging a hole, placing a can or other container feels that stills are counter productive effort. 134 ABOUT 40" 'PIANTMATIRIAL TKOUGH ROCKS CONTAINER Fig. 11-5. supposed to produce up to three pints tube to withdraw water makes it unnecessary to Thus, add a length of small plastic hose to your survival kit. Desert still, of water per day. disturb the in the still. of a bottom, and covering the hole with a sheet of plastic. The the can. running down tube is pushed down form a cone over from the ground condense on the underside of plastic, and the drops center of the plastic As air under the evaporates to A illustrated here, is Use is to plastic gets hot, moisture the plastic will collect in the container. inserted in the can and run to the surface to enable drinking from the container without disturbing the still. However, obtaining water is only half the battle. You must make it last by conserving perspiration. The body gets rid of heat through evaporation or perspiration. As the body fluids drop, perspiration is reduced. An increase of six degrees from normal temperature is fatal. Although it may feel cooler with your clothes off, you are losing body fluids rapidly. Being fully clothed keeps the heat out and slows evaporation. The main points to remember are to drink water and preserve perspiration to avoid dehydrating. In hot deserts you need a minimum of a gallon of water a day (Table 11-1). If you walk in the cool desert night you can get approximately 20 miles for that daily gallon. If you travel in daytime heat, you'll be lucky to get 10 miles to the gallon. STAY WITH YOUR DOWNED PLANE Unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise, stay with 135 Table 11-1. Daily Water Requirements to Maintain Water Balance. Mean Temperature Degrees F Pints per 95 90 24 Hours 9 6 1/2 4 1/2 2 1/2 80 75 2 it will have many of the luxuries keep you alive. The airframe, or what's left of it, provides shelter and fuel can help start a fire if handled properly. Oil, tires, and a little fuel will generate a black signal smoke. Wiring cables and seat belts will double as rope for a lean-to shelter, building a stretcher, or whatever. Don't forget the compass in the wreck, just in case your homebuilt survival kit doesn't have one, if you decide to leave the vicinity of the unplanned landing. While you're contemplating your future after that successful forced landing, look back through your charts for the Flight Service Station enroute frequencies. If you have an operating two-way radio, monitor that frequency until you hear a high-flying jet call in. Then get on the air and tell your troubles to the crew (Fig. 11-6). the aircraft you just crashed as that will help ^aiiiC^fe .??»"^!3 Fig. 11-6. Rugged terrain like this be blanked out by rock walls insurance 136 in in ,^^ *^^ •••'. can make rescue some directions. sparsely populated areas. difficult. A flight plan ELT is signals can always added Remember that the accepted international distress code in- cludes three signal fires— the smokier the better— set in a triangle at least 20 yards apart. Then, when you hear a search aircraft, light up. RODENTS TRY TO SURVIVE, TOO The soft-pack container has a number of advantages in that stow easily under a seat and can be carried on the back with little effort. However, there can be at least one disadvantage with the cloth container, and we had it happen to us a number of years ago. Our Cessna 170B had space around the tail wheel where small it will animals such as rats could climb up inside the fuselage. We one day and found that some enterprising rodent had devoured most of the munchies in our crash bag. However, if your airplane has relatively tight door seals and no open spots under the belly of the beast or around a tail wheel, this should not occur— but is worth the exercise to pull that pack out occasionally prepared for a just to make trip certain that it's all there. Another supplier of prefabricated kits is Survival 6-Pak. Their six-pound package lists for $99.95 plus $3.50 for shipping. This company has a unique guarantee that states, "If the Survival 6-Pak is ever used in an actual survival or life-saving situation, upon presentation of documented proof (i.e., newspaper clippings) and a letter from the user explaining the situation that required the use of the survival kit, you will be refunded the original purchase price and replacement of the unit at no cost." However, Survival 6-Pak adds, "Getting hungry on a long cross-country flight and snitching a Hershey bar from the Food Pak does not constitute a survival situation." SOMETHING NEW FOR EVERYONE Bob Jones, former Army radioman and private pilot, hiked to the top of 14,495-foot Mt. Whitney seven times and High Sierra guide number ple, for Southern California scout troops. of survival ideas we had He has is a has a not heard of before. For exam- he carries fishing gear and other small items inside the of his backpack frame. He puts his clothing (one change only and two extra pairs of socks) in the bottom third of his backpack, where it will stay the driest. Then come his cooking utensils with food, and finally tent and ground tarp. He uses a small tube tent as a ground cover for his main tent and thus has a spare aluminum tubes just in case. 137 emergency pack that he feels is good for three days he has small amounts of concentrated food and grain In a small in the wilds, This wheat grain can be chewed same way. He carries a whistle and tape as well as paper towel sections that have been in plastic prescription bottles. without water. Liquid soap soaked in hot fire starting. wax and is carried the then rolled tightly in a small packet for quick There are pieces of aluminum rolled as the "catcher" for a desert He sill. foil that can be un- has nylon rope, an X- Acto blade or two, compass, first aid kit, and sewing kit. He carries two small pan warmers with a single charcoal stick inside each. These units were originally designed for elderly rest home residents to apply localized heat for aching areas. Jones uses them to keep feet and hands warm at night. He carries a lightweight windbreaker jacket with a hooded coller and a quart can of water. On lower altitude trips where he can handle the extra weight, he takes a two-meter Kentwood about $500 and tainous areas via operators. (Jones TR25 which sells for handle messages from REQUIRED SURVIVAL PACKAGES Survival equipment isolated terrain. transceiver, many remote mounrelays that have been installed by ham radio is WA6ZVJ.) will It is is THE FAR NORTH IN not only good sense also a legal requirement in when flying over many parts of the world. In Canada and Alaska, for example, you are required to carry the following survival equipment— a package that is designed specifically for the wastelands of the far north. Actually, find that much of this required material is you will already in your camping gear: Emergency Equipment D for Flights In Canada Food having a calorific value of at least 10,000 calories per person carried, cannot be subject to deterioration by heat or cold, and must be stored in a sealed waterproof container bearing a tag or label on which the operator of the aircraft or his representative has certified the tory condition of the food spection made not in the more than six amount and months in- prior to the flight. D Cooking utensils. D Matches in waterproof container. D A stove and a supply of fuel or a self-contained 138 satisfac- container following an means of providing heat for cooking when you are operating north of the tree Hne. D A portable compass. n An ax of at least 2 1/2 pounds or kilogram weight with 1 a handle of not less than 28 inches or 70 centimeters in length. D A flexible saw blade or equivalent cutting tool. D Snare wire of at least 30 feet or 9 meters and instructions for D of not D D use. its Fishing equipment including still-fishing bait and a more than a 2-inch net Mosquito nets or netting and insect repellent sufficient to meet the needs of all persons carried when operating in an area where insects are likely to be hazardous. Tents or engine and wing covers of suitable design, color or having panels colored in international orange or other high-visibility color, sufficient to carried D gill or 5-centimeter mesh. when accommodate operating north of the tree all persons line. Winter sleeping bags sufficient in quantity to accommodate all persons carried when operating in an area where the mean daily temperature is likely to be 7 degrees C or less. n Two paris of snowshoes when operating in areas where the ground snow cover is likely to be 12 inches or 30 cen- timeters or more. D A signalling mirror. D At least three pyrotechnical distress signals. D A sharp jack knife or hunting knife of good quality. D A suitable survival instruction manual. D Conspicuity panel. Emergency Equipment for Flights in Alaska Alaska law requires the following minimum items for crosscountry flying during the n D summer months. Emergency locator beacon. Food for each occupant sufficient to sustain life for two weeks. D n n One axe or hatchet. One first aid kit. One pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle and ammunition for same. 139 D One small fishnet and an assortment of tackle, such as hooks, flies, lines, sinkers, etc. D One knife. n Two small boxes of matches. D One mosquito headnet for each occupant. D Two small signaling devices, such as colored smoke bombs, railroad fuses, or Very pistol shells in sealed metal containers. The following additional (minimum) items are required from October 15 to April D D n 1. One pair of snowshoes. One sleeping bag. One wool blanket for each occupant over four years of age. Note that a survival manual is required in emergency kits. Ex- perts explain the need for such a publication as a checklist for pilots suffering some manner of shock following an emergency landing. The U.S. Air Force has an excellent S&R manual that is normally available on request. The RCAF has a number of booklets. One publication, Survival Hints for the Sportsman, includes the follow- ing about insects— something you can almost depend on following a forced landing. "Insects. The ferocity and persistence of insects in the bush are always an unpleasant surprise, even to those previously warned against them. The black flies can be most troublesome and short exposure to them can make life unbearable. "There are three methods of protection from insects available to you. None of them affords complete protection, but they reduce the discomfort considerably. "Make a smudge fire. Any green wood or green leaves will produce an insect-repellent smoke. "Wrap handkerchief around neck and back of head, Arab-style, tucking well into shirt collar and hat. Tie clothing at wrists and tuck pants inside boots or socks. "Insect repellent. Apply to the exposed skin every three hours." BACK COUNTRY PRECAUTIONS Whether it be in an air camping situation or one that has sud- denly changed into pure survival, there are a number of useful tid- bits of information found deep in the Forest Service informational 140 The booklets. some following are of the suggestions they have regarding snakes and poison oak. Rattlesnakes occur throughout the mountains and are easy to recognize by their triangular shaped heads and narrow necks. Watch where you step and where you place your hands hiking. Since rattlesnakes can't regulate their when body temperature, they generally seek cool, shady places such as rock crevices or shadows during the heat of the day. After the sun goes down, they on the pavement to absorb the remaining heat. Rattlesnakes avoid people if at all possible. If you do see one, give it a wide berth. Poison oak is common in many areas. Learn to recognize it by like to stretch out its The leaves can be dark or light green, yellow, brown, depending on the time of year. three-lobed leaves. red, or If you do come in contact with mild soap and water. with this plant, wash skin immediately Wash contaminated clothing when you get home. IN CASE OF INJURY Prevention IN the best is THE BACK COUNTRY first aid. It is desirable for parties to have knowledge and equipment to help themselves. Self-reliance is the key in the back country. Injury in remote areas can be the beginning of a real emergency. Stop immediately! Treat the injury if you can and make the victim comfortable. Send or signal for help. Three of anything is the international call for help— for example, three shots, three shouts, or three columns of smoke. If you must go for help, leave one person with the injured. If rescue is delayed, make an emergency shelter. Don't move until help arrives unless there is more danger in remaining where you are; use extreme care in moving the injured. adequate first aid HYPOTHERMIA: THE NUMBER ONE KILLER Be aware of the danger of hypothermia— subnormal temperature of the body. Lowering internal temperature may lead to mental and physical collapse and death. Hypothermia is caused by combinations of cold, wetness, exhaustion. the Cold It is and wind and killer of is aggravated by outdoor recreationists. two distinct steps. The first step is exposure and The moment you begin to lose heat faster than your kills in exhaustion. body produces pen: Number One it, you are undergoing exposure. Two things hapto stay warm, and your body makes You voluntarily exercise 141 involuntary adjustments to preserve normal temperature in the organs. Both responses drain your energy reserves. The only to stop the drain is to reduce the degree of exposure. vital way The second step is hypothermia. If exposure continues until your energy reserves are exhausted, cold reaches the brain, depriving you of judgement and reasoning power. You will not be aware of this happening. You Without treatment, The defense your hands. This will lose control of hypothermia. Your internal temperature this slide leads to is downward. stupor, collapse, and death. is sliding is to stay dry. When clothes get wet, they lose about 90 percent of their insulating value. Wool against hypothermia loses less heat than cotton, down, and some synthetics. may deny any problem. Believe the symptoms, not Even mild symptoms demand immediate treatment. Get the victim out of the wind and rain. Strip off all wet clothes. If the The victim the victim. victim into is only mildly impaired, give warm clothes and a warm warm drinks. Get the person sleeping bag. Well-wrapped, warm (not hot) rocks or canteens will help. If the victim is badly impaired, attempt to keep him or her awake. Put the victim in a sleeping bag with another person— both stripped. If you have a double bag, put the victim between two warm people. Build a fire to warm the camp. Table 11-2. Wind Chill Cooling Power of Wind Expressed as Equivalent Chill Temperature. mph Temperature Calm 40 30 20 5 35 25 15 5 10 30 15 5 -10 lOl 5] Ohiol (F) | 20I 30l 40l 50| 60| Equivalent Chill Temperature 25 10 25 -30 15 25 35 45 55 70 20 35 45 60 70 80 95 30 -45 -60 70 -85 100 110 50 65 80 95 110 120 15 25 10 20 20 5 25 15 -15 -30 -35 -45 -60 30 10 -20 -30 -40 -50 35 10 -5 -20 -35 40 50 10 -5 -20 -35 -45 40 Danger 142 15 -5 -20 | 5 35 -75 90 105 120 135 -65 -80 95 110 125 -140 80 100 115 130 145 -55 -70 -85 -100 -115 130 -150 65 Increasing Danger (Flesh may freeze within 1 min.) Great Danger (Flesh may freeze within 30 seconds) Black bears inhabit the forested areas throughout the United States. bears are dangerous animals and their behavior is unpredictable. Fig. 11-7. All Wind, temperature, and moisture are factors that can greatly Each contributes to the loss of body heat. The wind chill chart illustrates the effect of wind and temperatures on dry, exposed flesh (Table 11-2). affect the safety of a backpacker. BEAR BRIEFING FROM THE FOREST SERVICE Grizzly bears live in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and portions of the surrounding forests in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Black bears inhabit the forested areas throughout the United States (Fig. 11-7). Alaskan brown bears and grizzly bears are extremely dangerous. They exploit whatever opportimities they have for food sources. All bears are dangerous animals. creatures and stay away from They are usually secretive you are in bear counbe on the alert and take precautions. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules to ensure protection from a bear. Bear behavior people. But, if try, differs under different conditions Bears don't try is like surprises. (Fig. 11-8). Traveling alone in grizzly bear coun- When in grizzly bear country, make your Many experienced hikers wear bells, dangle a can not recommended. presence known. of rattling pebbles, whistle, talk loudly, or not a foolproof way sing— although noise is to deter bears. A surprise encounter, particularly with a female bear and cubs, 143 is dangerous. A normally placid mother may be quickly provoked if you come between her and her cubs. you see a bear, give it plenty of room. Do not make abrupt moves or noises that would startle the bear. Slowly detour, keeping upwind so it will get your scent and know you are there. If you can't detour, wait until the bear moves away from your route. Odors attract bears. The Forest Service offers the following suggestions to keep odors at a minimum: Pack out all garbage in sealed containers. Make sure items such as empty food containers are clean and odor-free. When camping, if her cubs are disturbed or If it is best to use freeze-dried food instead of fresh food. Store food in plastic bags out of reach of bears and well away from sleeping some distance from your cooking area. Don't sleep same clothes you wore when cooking. Cook with gasoline or liquid petroleum burners instead of mak- areas. Sleep in the ing campfires. Don't use perfumes, deodorants, or other sweet- smelling substances. Personal cleanliness Menstruation odors attract bears. Women country during their menstrual periods. is good insurance. should stay out of bear Human sexual activity at- tracts bears. And with these words of caution from the Forest Service, leave the bears to their own let's devices and head for home. SATELLITES TO THE RESCUE The advent of worldwide entire face of crash survival. you. Your operative satellite monitoring has changed the Now somebody is really listening for ELT will almost always show up on the satellite with an immediate relay to ground stations, pinpointing the exact location of the signal. Now when you pack a survival package, you can be fairly well assured that you won't be down and forgotten. However, just as important for flights into rugged terrain is whether it be a formal FAA flight plan or just a preflight notification to a knowledgeable friend of where you're going, by which route, and when you expect to return. Ken Burton of Stark Survival Training, Panama City, Florida, states that it takes 13 hours on an average to locate a downed aircraft that was on an IFR flight plan. It will take an average of 37 hours to reach a crash site if a VFR flight plan has been filed. Bur- some sort of a flight plan, ton notes, "No flight plan— 100 hours plus. The arrival of help may be hours after sighting." 144 Carrying some sort of a survival kit is just good insurance. As equipment becomes increasingly dependable and navcoms aircraft more a way of life, the chances of using your survival package becomes somewhat more remote. But wouldn't you feel oh-sofoolish to make an unscheduled be able to build even a signal happen landing out in the boonies and not fire? But, of course . . . it'll never to youl 145 Chapter 12 On Returning Home Taking things in chronological order, we'd hope that you return from your first camping soiree all relaxed, tanned, maybe mosquitobitten, and full of new stories to tell. If you enjoyed that first trip— and you should— it's already time to think about it all over again. If you're already an old hat at this business, add another notch to your tent pole and look ahead to next time. Winding up your the initial trip properly can be almost as important as planning (Fig. 12-1). logical order, you'll find it so If you disassemble your gear much in some Un- easier to launch next time. pack the plane and put it back in a people-packing configuration. Fill the oxygen bottle, if required; put in the back seat; change the oil, if required; bring your maintenance up to date and do the paperwork on the logs, both aircraft and personal. You'll be surprised how frequently you check back into those personal logbooks to find the name of an airport, the flight distance from one spot to another, or review whatever comments you might make. For example, under Costerisan Farms in California, where we fly into and camp on occasion to cover ultralight activities, the comment could read, "Pet geese wander through camping areas; they're noisy at night." Put your charts in order and pack the distant ones away until your next trip. And be sure to turn off the master switch! If you're lucky enough to have a hangar (Fig. 12-2), you won't have to wrestle your camping gear in and out of your car. Every 146 Imagine the work to unpack back home. The Pacer is shown zed properly, it will all work smoothly. Fig. 12-1. all arrives in time and we all a full-sized car with camping gear, cameras, clothes, fill that Most this camping gear once this Piper camping area at Oshkosh. If organi- good stuff, pilots will tent, sleeping bags, we wonder how it fit have to haul all that in the plane. But it did. gear home. Check your and other cloth items to assure that they are completely dry before you pack them away. Mildew generates a long-lasting, hard-to-get-rid-of odor and the presence of water in it is packed away can cause deterioration. you have taken out any special trip insurance on your plane, don't forget to notify your agent and have it cancelled. This is particularly true on Mexican flights, where a special Mexican public the cloth as If liability policy is If required while flying in that country. you've borrowed something for the trip— and don't be sure to take it Check your Fig. 12-2. All this of the Binnall's back to the lender. You may need it we all- again. foodstuffs and put any partially used items back camping gear, including the Honda, hangar at Cable fits nicely in a corner Airport. 147 on your pantry amount the shelf. Mark your batteries and propane bottles with of time they have been used so you won't wind up at the start of your next wilderness experience packing session wondering whether or not to buy any more. Normally, pressure conbeen opened once will have a tendenso best buy at least one new unit just tainers of this type that have cy to dissipate on the to shelf, be sure. MORE PAPERWORK Remember was recommended. During a and relive the trip (Fig. 12-3). Extract the notes of things you wished you had on a list for next time. Write down the names of the people you met and those with whom you want to exchange correspondence or phone calls. See if there are "thank-you notes" to write. Make up an accounting from gas receipts, meals (heaven forbid that you have a motel receipt except perhaps for every fourth night). Don't forget the cost of the charts, the phone calls, the mileage on your car in getting errands done before flight, film and processing— all those things that you would not have done if you hadn't gone air camping. You may want to keep the total strictly that daily diary that quiet evening, go through it it will give you an idea of how you can go next time without busting a budget. to yourself, or within the family, but far MEMORIES ON FILM Get your precious color film to a good lab Fig. 12-3. for processing. One of the weird things you might want to explain in a trip diary is Two llamas dubbed Orville and Wilbur live in a pasture adjoining this picture. the flight strip at 148 We Mackay Bar, Idaho. This is noteworthy. Beech Bonanza passes picturesque villages and palm trees just north San Bias on the west coast of Mexico. This is a fine trip destination when is snowy up north. Fig. 12-4. of it use Eastman for cial film 35mm processer in slides Bur bank, and Color House, a large commerCalifornia, for the larger 120 color you are shooting color negative and receive prints, make certain to order enough prints for the other people involved. A couple of pictures mailed out to people who were helpful on your camping flight will make you— and those who follow you— just that film. If much more welcome in the future. After your film comes back, go through the slides as objectively as you can. "Deep six" the bad ones, separate the look-alikes, and Then put them in a logical order and offer to do a slide show with a question-and-answer session on air camping for your local pilot group. Don't forget to include a photo or two of your camping gear being tested in the backyard before your trip. (You did take them, didn't you?) retain only the best. DO IT AGAIN When it comes to planning your next trip, LET'S be much betFor a change of pace, look for a seaside area if you've gone to the mountains (Fig. 12-4). Go with the seasons and head south for the winter. Some of the Gulf Coast resort areas have fine camping facilities near the shore. And vice versa: If you're in a hot, humid summer, you'll be looking for high mountains, tall pine trees, and crystal clear lakes ter equipped and informed after your you'll first effort. 149 in the northwest or in Canada. Comes time for the leaves to change color in the northeast and your flying tent will be a great asset because regular accommodations may be at a severe premium dur- ing this short season. Consider international destinations. Canada has always been a comfortable first-time-out-of-the-country-with-your-plane place to go. There are no language problems, the food and water are all good, and flight planning with the associated search and rescue capability makes it almost like stateside. Because we are located extensively in Mexico. ment in is in Southern California, we have The Mexican Government Tourism flown Depart- doing a conscientious job of making private aircraft welcome Mexico. We fly there all the time and have never had a problem, you discount one load of watered gas several years ago in Baja On Mexican flights, don't depend on credit cards for fuel. At this writing, they have been discontinued for use at the fuel pumps at least on the Baja Peninsula. There are many excellent seaside areas, particularly on the West Coast of the mainland. Zihuatanejo, a hundred miles northwest of Acapulco, is one of the most picturesque places we've flown into. Once unspoiled, it is rapidly becoming a jet set hideaway, but there are a number of small airports (Fig. 12-6) up and down that section of the coast that look as though they would be worthwhile exploring. if California (Fig. 12-5). Fig. 12-5. Adequate flight strip at Hotel Cabo San Lucas is Icx^ated directly across the highway from this plush hotel at the tip of Baja California. Stop in for a Coke to see these expensive sights and then head on up the coastline for some isolated flight strip to enjoy the country on your own. 150 Grassy parking area at San Bias on the west coast of Mexico would camping. Here a local resident will contract to watch your airplane for a few pesos while you walk or ride your Honda into town. Taxicabs are rare in San Bias. Fig. 12-6. make an ideal spot for The Bahamas have and some the air long been a popular destination for pilots campers. That area West Coast and our contact is one mighty long in that a couple of rental aircraft in the Caribbean, at St. Croix The scenery Virgin Islands. in the fine airports.* However— and flight from areas has been limited to is Thomas and great and there are this is only St. some our personal opinion— our single-engine aircraft immediately goes into automatic rough when we're out of gliding distance of land. On the 28-mile flight have 10,000 feet at midchannel. However, single-engine island hopping is a way of life to to Santa Catalina Island, for example, we'll many people and we can't knock it. We practice what we preach. As this book is being shipped to the publisher, our house is a minor shambles with a variety of small pasteboard packing boxes, sleeping bags, and tent, cameras and note pads. It's travel time again for us: First, the annual trek to Oshkosh; then on to Anchorage, Alaska, for a convention and a few days with friends. We'll camp beside our of— yet! visit Cardinal in new airports, see new people, and some places we have never heard •See Flying the Bahamas by Frank Kingston Smith, TAB Book No. 2351, and Your Mexican Flight Plan, by Don <& Julia Downie, TAB Book No. 2337. 151 Index Air Air camp, where to, 14-31 camping table, 61 camping, different kinds of, 36 Air camping, history of, 7-13 Air camping, why. 1-6 Aircraft preparation, 33 Airports, suspect marginal, 25 Alaska. 16 Allison Ranch in Idaho, 26 AOPA Directory, 20 Air AOPA Campfires, 88 Camping equipment, 44 Camping wastes, disposal Campsite, 87-101 of, 91 Cessna 182s, 115 Charts, 21 Checklists, 32-47 Clausen, Don, 16 Ceilings. Ces, 67 Ceilings, Ram, 67 Costerisan Farms. 146 Cots, 62 Pilot, 21 Ardy, Jim, 10 Arnold, Ray, 26 Cowell, Larry, 10 Auburn, Bob, 113 Auburn, Marian, 113 D'Antonil, D'Antonil, B Back country precautions, 140 Back country, in case of injury in. Dewey, Mike, 49 Diamond, Bernard M., 76 Dogs, 68 Downed 141 Amy, 115 Carmen, 115 plane, stay with, 135 Bahamas, 151 Baja, 11 Balance, 78 Bathing, 92 Bears, 143 Beeninga, Ray East-Way Products, 58 Emergency equipment for Alaskan 90 Benson Industries, 80 Benson, John F., 103 Bertram, Joyce, 39 Bertram, Wallace, 39 Bicycles, 77 Bikes for L., filmmakers, 113 Duane, 54, 115 Peggy, 115 British Columbia Aviation Council, 22 Binnall, Binnall, Brochures, 21 flights. 139 Escudero, George, 86 Firearms, 61 Foods, freeze-dried and dehydrated, 96 Foods, fresh, 93 Forest Service recommendations, 37 GEMCO, 62 Goode Cable Campers, 115 Cable, Walter, 74 California's first airport, Products. Inc., 63 Green Dolphin Street, 16 Guzman, Hector, 10 state recreational 16 Cameras, 64 Hobbies, 71 Camp, bearproofing, 92 Camp, where not to, 24 Home, on returning. 146-151 Honda motorcycle, two-part, 108 Campa-Chair, 57 Hypothermia. 141 152 Rubber rafts, 69 Rutan VariEze, 41 Jones, Bob, 137 Jones, Mildred, 100 Jones, Robert, 100 Rutan, Burt, 81 Lake Minchumina, 122 Sadowski, David, 102 Satellites, 144 Scott, George, 41 Sexton, Dr. U. A., 75 Landings, unscheduled, 127-145 Lanterns, 60 Leggatt, Jack, 99 List, must-have, 43 Lou Moore Enterprises, 90 Lubitz, Ed, 10 M Mackay McBeth, S. A. "Andy", 16 McCay. Evelyn, 68 McCay, George, 68 Grant, 11 McCready, Dr. Paul. 69 McHenry, Terry, 46 Mini-list for smaller homebuilts, 41 Modem Mechanix, 7 Mopeds, 105 Motorbikes, 77 Motorcycles, 106 Mt. Whitney, 137 blankets, 61 Springberg, Cliff, 130 Stansport Super Hex Tent, 81 Sterno, 59 Stokesberry, Cecil, 115 Stokesberry, Pat, 115 Stoves, 59 Sundance, 76 Survival kits, do-it-yourself, Survival kits, Survival packages 134 U Customs Guide Fliers, list, 44 94 Paperwork, 148 Paradise Bar, 25 Personal items, 35 Pets, 66 Pietenpol Air Camper, 7 Pietenpol, Bernie, 7 Pilot, items for, 34 Plane-related items, 43 Prelanding checkout, 23 Pterodactyl Ascender, 102 Res-Q-Pak, 131 Rika Foods, 100 the far north, U.S. border, crossing, 34 U.S. Pantry, from your, in 138 Tent over the wing, 53 Tent, fastest in the West, 54 Tiedown spot, choosing a, 23 Oshkosh, 123 Oxygen, 71 Packing 130 packages, 131 Tent, 52 N Nelson, Ted, 73 O'Driscoll, Des, Sleeping bags, 56 Smith, Frank, 58 Smith, J. R., 42 Smith, Yvonne, 42 Space Bar, 31 McCombs, Shields, Herb, 11 Sierra Club, 48 for Private 35 U.S. Forest Service, 20 U.S. Forest SErvice land, special rules for, Vacuum 20 packaging, foil-sealed, 100 W Washing, 92 Water jug, 60 Weight, 78 Wheels after landing, 102-114 White, Sidney G., 76 Whitehouse, C. Bart, 131 Whitehouse, Dianne, 131 Roberts, Tom, 11 Rodents, 137 Zihuatanejo, 150 153 OTHER POPULAR TAB BOOKS OF INTEREST Unconvtntional Aircraft (No. 2384 Ctlluloid Wings (No. — $17.50 paper) 2374—$25.50 paper) Guidt to Homebuilts—9tti Edition (No 2364— Aircraft Construction. 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Ultralights (No & 2367— (No. The Complete Guide To Rutan Aircraft paper) Building to 2362—$13.50 paper) paper) Aircraft Edition (No. $9.95 paper) Flying in Congested Airspace (No. Hov and Inspection Flying VFR in Marginal Weather (No. 2282—$9.25 paper) $9.95 hard) Cessnas— How paper. $10.95 How The Complete Guide to Single-Engine 3rd Edition (No. 2268—$7.95 to Fly Helicopters (No. to 2251—$5.95 hard) TAB 2264—$10.25 paper) Take Great Photos from Airplanes TAB BOOKS (No. paper; $8.95 hard) Inc Blue Ridge Summit. Pa. 17214 Send for FREE TAB Catalog describing over 750 current titles in pnnt. Air Camping Don and Julia Downie Enjoy the pleasures of camping in beautiful, unspoiled areas inaccessible to ordinary roadbound campers experience the freedom of vacationing in your own lightplane without the high costs that are involved with travel to metropolitan airport locations ... go . air . . camping! If you're a pilot or planeowner who's looking for fascinating and affordable ideas for a flying holiday, this is a sourcebook you won't want to miss! Don and Julia Downie-well-known for their many excellent books on lightplane travel and other flying topics-now turn their attention to an increasingly popular weekend and vacation choice: camping. Only this is camping with a difference! This is camping in areas that can be reached by lightplane. And, with the helpful advice of the Downies, camping that will allow you to enjoy an amazing number of the comforts of home! Here are up-to-date details on everything from camping locations to the equipment you'll need from how to pack your aircraft to food preparation even tips on taking your pet along and invaluable survival techniques. The authors, who have been enjoying air camping weekends and vacations for years, have field-tested much of the available camping equipment and now share their experiences with you. They have also perfected preparation techniques and are experts in planning worry-free flying vacations. Plus, they have drawn on the experiences of other veteran air campers so that you will have all the information you need to have a safe and satisfy. . ing . . . . camping experience. You'll find out about: new lightweight equipment developed for backpackers that let you take along an amazing number of comforts without adding excess weight to your plane about shelters that . . . specially packaged food that over the wingtip of your plane can be quickly and deliciously prepared on a propane mini-stove ... a take-apart minibike that can be carried in any four-place plane fit . . . and reassembled with only four bolts portable bicycles and inflatable boats and much more! Don and Julia Downie are both experienced pilots and are co. . . . . . authors of several bestselling aviation titles for TAB including Your Flight Plan and Your Mexican Flight Plan. Alaskan TAB TAB BOOKS Blue Ridge Summit, Pa Servj for FPT . > FREE TAB $12.^5 PRICES HIGHER IN CANADA inc. 17214 Catalog describing over 750 current titles in print. ISBN D-a3Db-E3fiD-^ 1245-0485 .