Ryan Field Flyout

Southeast US - 2014

Contents

DisclaimerTrip Overview & AgendaAirfield Descriptions & AccommodationsBackcountry Safety & EtiquettePreparationsPacking Resources

DisclaimerAll of the information presented in this document is for

informational purposes only and shall not be used for navigation.

As pilot-in-command you assume all risks associated with this program and are furthermore encouraged to seek FAA certified

instruction and information as part of your planning and preflight process.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation, it’s members, officials, and assignees are not official sources of aviation knowledge or

information.

Ryan Field Annual Fly-in Information

• Attendance to the annual fly-in is only open to donor-level RAF members: http://theraf.org/support-team-raf

• Registration is required, although not yet open. Check the events calendar: http://theraf.org/events/2014-06

• Receipt and review of the Ryan Field Pilot Briefing document is required

• Visit the RAF website for site details: http://theraf.org/ryan-field-pilot-info

Trip Overview

140 NM

49 NM

55 NM67 NM

44 NM

Sunday June 22nd Bozeman (KBZN)

Mon.-Tues. June 22nd & 23rd Benchmark (3U7)

Thursday June 25th Schaefer Meadow (8U2)

Fri.-Sun. June 27th – 29th Ryan Field (2MT1)

Saturday June 21st Depart SE

1419 NM from KPDK

Thursday June 25th Kalispel City (S27)Fuel & Provisions

Wednesday June 24th Meadow Creek (0S1)

June 21st – 22nd Southeast to Bozeman

June 21st – Depart the southeast for Bozeman (KBZN). Overnight as required.

June 22nd – Arrive at Bozeman pilot shelter. Cookout. Camp. Overnight.

Bozeman Pilot Shelter

• Camp on grass• Showers• Grill• Electric

Pilot Shelter

Bozeman to Bencmark

140 NM

Sunday June 22nd Bozeman (KBZN)

Mon.-Tues. June 22nd & 23rd Benchmark (3U7)

June 23rd (Monday)Bozeman to Benchmark (3U7)

Morning launch for Benchmark• Plan to arrive by

10am.• 140 NM VFR route

along Missouri River, NE of Helena

Not for Navigation

Benchmark

Benchmark Layout

Hike or Horseback to Patrol Mountain FS Outpost @ 8081 ft.

Benchmark Airfield (3U7)6000’x100’ asphaltElev: 5316’Rwy: 12/302% slope up toward south

Trout fishing at Straight Creek

Van de Riet Campground adjacent to runway

Benchmark RanchHorseback & Fishing Expeditions ¼ mile

south of runway

Approach into Benchmark

• Enter drainage from the east. • Follow Ford Creek.• Left downwind. • Land to the south (upslope)• http://youtu.be/RnrAK7t6rms

Not for Navigation

Benchmark Downwind RWY 12

Benchmark Downwind RWY 12about to turn base

Benchmark Base Turn RWY 12

Benchmark Final RWY 12

Benchmark to Meadow Creek

49 NM

Mon.-Tues. June 22nd & 23rd Benchmark (3U7)

Wednesday June 24th Meadow Creek (0S1)

June 25th (Wednesday) Benchmark to Meadow

Creek (0S1)

Morning launch for Meadow Creek (0S1)• Plan to arrive by

10am.• 49 NM VFR route,

cross Continental Divide then north along South Fork River

Not for Navigation

Meadow Creek

Meadow Creek Layout

Meadow Creek Airfield (0S1)2830’ x 100’ turfElev: 3984’Rwy: 17/35

Campsites and fire pit at NW cornerOuthouse between runway and Harrison Creek

Trail to Meadow Creek Trailhead is located off the south end of the strip.  Approximately 45 minute walk. Bring water shoes for this hike.

Meadow Creek Trailhead

A 60’ stock trail bridge crosses Meadow Creek Gorge 100 feet above the river and offers impressive views of the river.

From here access to Main East Side South Fork Trail #80 and Picture Ridge Trail #107

The Picture Ridge trail is 11.9 miles long. It begins at Meadow Creek Trailhead, Jct Road #10196A and ends at Jct Trail #105, sec 36. Elev. 4000’-7700’

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/hiking/?recid=66162&actid=50

Meadow Creek to Kalispell City &

Schaefer Meadow

55 NM67 NM

Wednesday June 24th Meadow Creek (0S1)

Thursday June 25th Kalispel City (S27)Fuel & Provisions

Thursday June 25th Schaefer Meadow (8U2)

June 26th (Thursday)Meadow Creek to Kalispell City (S27)

Morning launch for Kalispell City for provisions and fuel.• Plan to arrive by 8 am.• 55 NM VFR route north along South

Fork River & Hungry Horse Reservoir.• Grocery store Rosauers (open at

5am) and fuel on field

Not for Navigation

June 26th (Thursday)Kalispell City to Schaefer Meadow (8U2)

Morning launch for Schaefer Meadow• Plan to arrive by

10am.• 67 NM VFR route

from West Glacier south along Middle Fork River

Not for Navigation

Schaefer Meadow Layout

USFS Housing

Camp sites

Tie down area

Schaefer Meadow (8U2)3200’ x 60’ turfElev: 4856’Rwy: 7/25

Flotilla Lake Hike

There is essentially zero elevation change from the airstrip to Scott Lake. The hike is 5.5 miles one way. The trail is great and well marked. I would bring a handheld GPS to mark your hike as you go along just so you feel comfortable. There are trail maps available.

44 NM

Scott Lake

Flotilla Lake

Schaefer Meadow

Schaefer Meadow to Ryan Field

44 NM

Thursday June 25th Schaefer Meadow (8U2)

Fri.-Sun. June 27th – 29th Ryan Field (2MT1)

June 27th (Friday)Schaefer Meadow to Ryan Field (2MT1)

Morning launch for Ryan Field• Plan to arrive by

10am.• 44 NM VFR route

north along Middle Fork River toward West Glacier

Not for Navigation

Ryan Field Approach From SW

Ryan FieldIf runway is visible on downwind to RWY 15, you’re probably too high.

Ryan FieldLeft Base RWY 15

Avoid flying north of highway as helicopter traffic follows the river.

Ryan Field Final RWY 15 (don’t be this high!)

RYAN FIELD FLY-IN

2500 x 65 ft.

Elevation: 3660 ft

Runway 15/33

Food

Planes

Music

Fun

Hiking

Shelter

Friends

Ryan Field Amenities & Activities

• 24’ X 30’ camping shelter with wood cook stove and wood supply

• Large outdoor masonry BBQ with grill

• Picnic tables & fire pit• Level, grassy tent camping sites• Regulation sized horseshoe pits

with shoes and game instructions• Vault toilet• Drinking water is available at the

caretaker’s house.

• Three steel food storage containers

• Several hiking trails to nearby overlooks as well as to West Glacier

• Courtesy Car• White water rafting information

(customer pick up and return)• Menu for Belton Chalet

restaurant in West Glacier (excellent food and drink)See http://theraf.org/ryan-field-pilot-info for complete details

FLYING THE BACKCOUNTRY

Backcountry Flying Ethics

• Keep the noise signature of the aircraft to a safe minimum. • Practice “leave no trace” camping. Fly it in, fly it out. • Avoid very early morning departures unless safety of flight

demands a deviation.• Do not use wilderness airstrips for training purposes.• Keep the aircraft clean of noxious weed seed.

Remember that the example we set through our actions as aviators could greatly contribute to (or detract from) the non-flying public’s perceptions and views of aviation.

Mountain Flying

• Have charts available and be familiar with the route, especially when flying canyons.

• Avoid flying high DA or high winds (i.e. fly in the mornings or evening hours)

• Fly on the upslope side of canyons.• Approach ridges at a 45-degree angle.• Tie down your cargo. You don’t want it visiting you if you encounter

rough air.• Fly slow. This will reduce your noise signature and help you in the event

you need a make a 180 in a dead-end canyon.• Enjoy the scenery!

Communicate

• Flying safely in the mountains requires constant vigilance.

• Unless a different frequency is published, use backcountry radio 122.9.

• Make periodic position reports.

Johnson Creek Accident on June 28th, 2013. Two aircraft collide on short final. 3 adults injured and one infant killed.

Before Takeoff

• Walk the airstrip looking for hazards and mark the halfway point.

• Don’t startup with your AC near other tents. Others will be glad to help you reposition.

• Avoid prolonged run-ups. Become proficient in doing this while taxing for takeoff.

Takeoff

• During the TO run you should be at 70% of Vr by midfield. If not, abort.

• Stay in ground effect to achieve Vx

• Many strips are tree constrained and the winds may shift above or beyond the tree line

Approach to Landing

• Know the airfield environment before you get there. Study using Google Earth.

• Note whether this is a one-way strip and if there is a go-around option.

• Approach the field at pattern altitude. Don’t circle down from above.

Use the spot landing technique, touching down short and at the slowest possible airspeed.• At higher DAs your groundspeed will be

higher than you’re used to seeing.• Don’t be fooled by this and slow down.• V speeds are the same IAS no matter what

DA you’re flying.

Landing

After Landing

• Clear the runway but avoid taxing in areas where the ground state is unknown.

• Shut down if necessary and walk the route. You don’t want a bent prop, here especially.

THINGS TO SEE

The Chinese Wall

PREPARATIONS

Flight ReadinessThings you can do to prepare

• Practice slow flight and stalls• Know the minimum controllable airspeed of

your aircraft in all configurations• Practice 45 degree bank turns• Practice spot landings• Go to a grass strip and measure your takeoff

roll and landing distances

Pack Light!

Remember we will be operating at density altitudes that most of us are not used to flying.• The single most important thing you can do

to combat DA is to lighten your load: cargo, fuel, or people.

• Make multiple trips if necessary

Survival KitWater Purifier

Fisherman’s Vest

Survival Manual

Compass

Wool Cap

Plastic Leaf Bags

Whistle

Rescue Blanket

Toilet Tissue

Knife

Waterproof Matches

Fire Starter Kit (Vaseline Impregnated Cotton Balls)

Signal Mirror

Snare Wire (50’ 24-AWG)

Fish Hooks

Saw

Flashlight

Nylon cord or rope (50’)

+

http://www.mountaincanyonflying.com/survival.html

Personal Locator Beacon

Delorme inReach• SOS Function activates

Search & Rescue• Bread Crumbs

– Others can track your progress.

• Two-way text– Keep others advised of your

status– Receive WX information

WX

Many of the places you will be don’t have terrestrial communications networks.

In such places, the only option is some form of satellite based solution.

The Garmin 696 is a great option. If you don’t own one, perhaps you can borrow one for your trip.

Another option is to use you’re a two-way satellite text service to ask a friend to send you WX information.

Don’t forget 800-WX-BRIEF if you’re someplace with a landline.

Garmin 696 with XM

subscription

Storing Food in Grizzly CountryStore ALL food, including canned food and beverages, garbage, pet food and toiletries such as soap and toothpaste in a bear resistant manner.

None of these materials shall be buried, discarded, or burned in an open campfire. Fly it in… Fly it out!

http://www.fs.usda.gov/

Mountain Flying Online Resources

• AOPA Pilot Resources – Mountain Flying:

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Mountain-Flying

• AOPA Air Safety Institute Mountain Flying Course:

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/mountainflying/html/flash.cfm?

• FAA AIM section 7-5-6 Mountain Flying:

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/aim0705.html

• Mountain Airdance Flight Instruction:

http://www.mountainairdancellc.com/

• Montana Pilots Association: http://www.montanapilots.org

• Idaho Aviation Association: http://idahoaviation.com

THANK YOU