High Sierra Fly-in trip report

[C5Engineer 1170]

In the midst of a tragedy I am doing my best to remember the fun parts of the fly in so thought I would type this up. I left Friday morning at first light for the Three Shot Gun Shells lake bed to the East of Minden Nevada. It was 145NM for me. I made the trip in just under 2 hours and made it up to 11,500 ft with 28 gallons on board and about 60 lbs of other gear. This plane never stops amazing me.

 

I flew several times on Friday and also Friday evening. Saturday morning we blasted out early and I lost count after 25 landings by 830 am. No idea how many places or times I landed during the day.

 

Sunday morning I experienced the most horrific sight I've ever seen when I looked up to see the remains of Toms 170 and Tylers Savannah falling to the earth. I was one of the first responders and what we found was something no aviator should ever have to see. Please pray for the families and everyone there as they all went through a terrible tragedy. I've been so affected by this event that I decided to seek out professional help. The flight home was a somber one with plenty of time to reflect. It only took me 1.6 to get home as I was running 110-115 over the ground at 10.5. I think Tom and Tyler were helping me out some. About 30 miles out I picked up the AWOS and learned that we had a 31 kt cross wind going on. I shot one approach and at 800 ft I was totally sideways with a ground speed of 16 mph so I broke it off and diverted to Napa about 20 miles away and landed and had my wife come and pick me up. I went over yesterday and brought the plane home.

 

I took 230 pics but here are a few of the better ones











Toms 170 next to Robs on the right



Thanks Grant for taking the time to show me what my camera can do...this was shot in pitch black




Too many horses




 

[C5Engineer 1170]

3SGS

 

A variation of Wild Horses

 

 

 

Somewhere in Nevada...the landing possibilities are endless

 

 

Steve Henry

 

 

 

 

BEAVER

 

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

[C5Engineer 1170]

Coolest camera rig EVER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a suckey life this guy has...

 

 

Corvette powered Seaplane

 

 

[horsepower 24]

Heard about it Joey,sorry you had to witness that.Thoughts and prayers go out to the families.Glad you made it home ok and thanks for putting on the good pics for us.Hang in there buddy.Randy

[Av8r3400 1179]

Those are beautiful photos, Joey.  There is some amazing countryside in your neck of the woods.

 

 

I'm so sorry for the tragedy and my heart goes out to all who are involved.  What we choose to do as a pastime has risks.  Sometimes these risks catch up to us.

 

A wise man know when to seek help.  Joey, you are wise beyond your years.  Be strong.

[marshawk 82]

Awesome pictures and so sorry to hear about your friends

[akflyer 1427]

Cool pics mr!  I'm glad you went and talked to someone, I know the details but wont put them online.. maybe with some good luck I will get down there and hit this fly in myself in the 180 in the next year or two.

 

Keep posting up pics mr!

[C5Engineer 1170]

Short video from the Fly In

 

[akflyer 1427]

cool video Joey!  Nice tribute at the end as well.  Pretty cool to see the laker and seabee show up to a BCP type flyin.  I bet that vette powered bee was pretty cool.

 

[EDMO 1078]

2nds on Cool Video Joey,  and nice tribute.

Sorry some young lives were ended too soon.

I think I remember years ago when the guy started to put the Vet engine in the SeaBee - believe it was for sale at one time?  I think there was an article in the EAA rag at the time.

EDMO

Edited 17 Oct 2014 by Ed In Missouri

[dynomike 91]

good video, sorry to hear of the departed. that's one of the see bees from my neck of the woods .hangered at sand point id, then got a video of him landing at Sullivan lake washinton the next day. awesome performance

[lostman 198]

Yet another cool video Joey! Thanks for the trip report. I always enjoy these.

[C5Engineer 1170]

Some additional pics are surfacing of the High Sierra. These are some of the best pics of my plane I have and I don't even know who took them.

 

 

 

 

 

[Av8r3400 1179]

Lookin' good, Joey!

 

 

 

 

 

(I hope you got it washed…   )

[C5Engineer 1170]

3 hrs later and a partial dismantle later I think I got most of the Playa dust off it. Man that stuff was in every nook and cranny! Cleaned the air filter and wiped down every square inch of her today.

[akflyer 1427]

just find a good rain cloud to fly through

 

[Av8r3400 1179]

He lives in California! It hasn't rained there since 1847!

[C5Engineer 1170]

Turns out the guy who shot these pics is a U2 driver at Beale.

[akflyer 1427]

Bet he has some good stories!

 

[Av8r3400 1179]

U2 driver-- now he's a good tailwheel pilot.

[SuberAvid 617]

It's been a while since I have had time to get on the forum.  I just saw this; awsome picture Joey.  So sad to hear about the tragedy.  My prayers are with their families.