{"id":18108,"date":"2019-06-13T08:42:35","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T12:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hartzellprop.com\/?p=18108"},"modified":"2019-06-13T08:42:37","modified_gmt":"2019-06-13T12:42:37","slug":"breaking-into-backcountry-flying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hartzellprop.com\/breaking-into-backcountry-flying\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking into Backcountry Flying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Ask any adventurous backcountry pilot, and they\u2019ll tell you that there\u2019s no better way to experience the beauty of nature than by airplane. In aviation, \u201cbackcountry\u201d refers to remote destinations that are undeveloped, isolated, and difficult (or illegal) to access in anything other than a light airplane. In recent years, backcountry flying has grown in popularity as more and more pilots realize the value of slowing down and exploring all that nature has to offer.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to combine your love of the outdoors with your passion for aviation, backcountry flying is for you. But before you plan your first backcountry adventure, there are a few things you should know. Here are some tips for flying the backcountry:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Getting started <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t necessarily need to have a STOL aircraft to enjoy backcountry flying. While it\u2019s true that some areas are limited to bush planes outfitted with large tundra tires, many remote runways can be accessed by a single-engine piston aircraft. Most importantly, you\u2019ll need to know your plane\u2019s capabilities and account for limitations for weight and balance. And while there\u2019s no special FAA rating needed for flying the backcountry, you should check your insurance policy to be sure you\u2019re covered for landing on unpaved landing strips.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a first timer, it\u2019s also a good idea to ride along with an experienced backcountry pilot. The backcountry community is known for being friendly and welcoming. Reach out to local flying groups or an organization like the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) to connect with experienced pilots and ask questions about the ins and outs of backcountry flying.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Skills needed<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Backcountry flying may not require a special rating or sign-off from the FAA, but it does require a firm grasp of flying skills that you might not practice every day, including short field takeoffs and landings.<\/p>\n<p>While taking a mountain flying course is not mandatory, it\u2019s well worth it to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to fly safely in rugged or mountainous terrain. During the course, you\u2019ll learn how to perform maneuvers like steep ridge crossings, tight canyon turns, and confined area takeoffs and landings. You\u2019ll also learn about mountain meteorology, types of terrain, emergency considerations and survival skills.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What to bring<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What to pack for a backcountry adventure depends on where you\u2019re going and what you plan to do once you get there. Along with hiking and sight-seeing, many backcountry fliers enjoy fishing, camping, hunting, or even just sitting around a campfire with friends and family. In addition to any gear needed for your planned activities, it\u2019s always wise to carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon, first aid supplies, and survival equipment. Finally, be sure that every person in the airplane has appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain you\u2019re flying over. For example, if you\u2019re crossing over snow-covered areas, a jacket and closed-toe shoes are must-haves in case of an emergency landing.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Backcountry destinations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are numerous off-airport airstrips in North America alone. Idaho, Utah, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Washington, Alaska and Canada have some of the most popular destinations for backcountry flying fun.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/theraf.org\/\">Recreational Aviation Foundation<\/a> (RAF) is a valuable resource for pilots interested in backcountry flying. Based in Montana, the organization is committed to preserving, protecting, maintaining and creating backcountry airstrips for recreational access. Their website provides a wealth of information (including safety briefings) on <a href=\"https:\/\/theraf.org\/airport-map\">airstrips<\/a> across the United States.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We\u2019d love to hear about your backcountry flying adventures. Share your stories with us on <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/hartzellProp\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a><strong> or <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hartzellProp\"><strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ask any adventurous backcountry pilot, and they\u2019ll tell you that there\u2019s no better way to experience the beauty of nature than by airplane. In aviation, \u201cbackcountry\u201d refers to remote destinations that are undeveloped, isolated, and difficult (or illegal) to access in anything other than a light airplane. In recent years, backcountry flying has grown in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":726,"featured_media":18038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[105,13,119,142,162,29],"class_list":["post-18108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-aircraft","tag-aircraft-propeller","tag-aviation","tag-flying","tag-propellers","tag-trailblazer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Breaking into Backcountry Flying - Hartzell Propeller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Interested in backcountry flying? 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