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With Permission From Galen Hanselman |
This is rated as the fifth
most difficult strip in
"Fly Idaho.”
It appeared to be a
narrow slot in some trees at the bottom of a canyon. The length being about 900
foot presented no problem at all. The thing I noticed most is that it is
narrow. Not unsafe ... but narrow ... like you just don’t have a lot of
wiggle room narrow. Just like many of the strips I visited, there is no room
for an overrun. It is a little on the rough and rocky side also but nothing that
should really cause any concern. As with many of the backcountry strips I
visited, it is sometimes difficult to find the strip. Remember this isn’t like
the civilized world with runway markings and lights. The strip at Vines is
still very primitive and that’s one of the reasons I'm here. This is
backcountry flying at its best. It is best to have an airplane with a good rate
of climb immediately after lift off as there are a lot of trees. The King
Katmai under these circumstances would show a consistent 1,400 fpm rate of
climb. That equates to SAFETY. |
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Vines is the very narrow strip of green in the middle of the canyon. The
approach is pretty straight forward but the strip is narrow, rough, one way and
relatively short. Trees line both sides and the end of the strip. There is
also a river in the immediate area that, if memory serves me correct, is at the
approach end of the strip. This is no place for a sloppy pilot. Like most of
the backcountry strips do not attempt to visit Vines if there is any wind. The
air is just too unstable. |
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To request the complete Katmai DVD, please contact
Peterson’s Performance Plus,
Inc. |
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