Backcountry Flying in New Mexico Larry Filener 1
Fly New Mexico! What is backcountry flying. What kind of aircraft do I need? Resources for backcountry flying. Who supports backcountry flying. Where to go in New Mexico! 2
Where to find this presentation: 1. NM website: 2. Select documents 3. Select backcountry 4. Select presentations 3
What Is Backcountry and Recreational Aviation? 4
What Is Backcountry and Recreational Aviation? 5
Recreational Aviation Access remote places Combining flying with outdoor activities Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain biking, Photography, Watching wildlife, etc. Having FUN! 6
Why Backcountry Flying? 7
Why Backcountry Flying? Mountain Biking at Me-Own (1NM0) 8
Backcountry Aircraft Super Cub type aircraft, ideal for backcountry operations, are not required for USFS Airstrips: Negrito and Me-Own 9
What Kind Of Aircraft Do I Need? Most NM backcountry airstrips don t require STOL taildraggers with big tires and big engines Tricycle gear aircraft operate in the NM backcountry Consider aircraft performance for conditions High density altitude Hard packed dirt/gravel runways Hidden rocks and ruts in parking areas Afternoon winds and thermals 10
Typical Aircraft at NMPA Fly-Ins Negrito Airstrip (ONM7) Gila National Forest 11
Resources for Backcountry Flying Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF 12
Backcountry Flying is a Continuum 1. Start with an instructor and / or classes that are available (see later slide). 2. Start with airstrips that are wide and long with safe approaches and low density altitude. Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF 3. Consider starting with organized flyins that are being held all over the country and tapping into local experienced pilots. 13
Resources for Backcountry Flying 1. Mountain Flying School 9/13/16 thru 9/16/16 2. Backcountry Flying School TBD 3. McCall School: www.mountaincanyonflying.com 4. Prep with local CFI 5. Airfield guide: www.airfield.guide Formed 2009 6. RAF and RAF Website: Inspired www.theraf.org & supported by RAF 7. NMPA website: 8. AZ website: www.azpilots.org 9. BC Pilots website: www.backcountrypilot.org 10. Galen Haselman: http://www.flyidaho.com 11. Organized Flyins: A. Gila Regional Flyin 9/21/18 thru 9/23/18 B. Monitor RAF website 14
BC Flying Requires Adequate Planning 1. Try to go into strips with someone that is experienced in the area. 2. Investigate Strips. Can t assume they are in good shape. 3. Overfly the airstrip perhaps several times. Water issues are sometimes hard Formed to see from 2009the air. 4. Always be on alert for wildlife. Inspired & supported by RAF 5. Make sure you are taking adequate supplies food, water, shelter, tools and repair supplies. 6. Go with a second plane or organized event if possible. 7. Take Spot or Inreach. 8. Let people know about your plans and when you will be back. 9. Fly in the morning when winds are less and density altitude is better. 15
Backcountry Flying - Transportation 1. Mountain Bikes 2. Electric Bikes 3. Gas Bikes: www.goodiesfor pilots.com Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF 16
Backcountry Flying Safety 1. Spot Tracker 2. Garmin Inreach 3. Satellite Phones Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF 17
Organizations That Support Backcountry Flying: 18
Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF National Organization with 10,000 + membership responsible for: 1. National MOU with Forest Service and BLM 2. Work with Congress to develop Forest Service budget line item for airstrips 3. Relationship at the highest levels with the national agencies. 4. Assistance in over 29 states with liablity legislation 5. Assistance with opening new airstrips including Russian Flats, Fox Island, Ryan Field, etc. 6. Support state aviation organizations throughout the US. 7. State liaisons in most states. 19
Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) Formed 2009nspired & supported by RAF www.airfield.guide 20
Common Goal Increase public access to airstrips for recreational opportunities, promote tourism and economic development, while preserving the environment. BLM and Forest Service MOU 21
New Mexico Pilots Association Backcountry Committee Dedicated to preserving and expanding backcountry flying in New Mexico Formed 2009 Inspired & supported by RAF 22
Active... And Making Progress Fly-ins to USFS and private airstrips Just breakfast or overnights Work parties 2 new private airstrips charted Developing relationships with supporting non-aviation groups Recreational Use Statute (RUS) amended NMPA Mountain Flying Clinic 23
Mountain Flying Clinic September 13 16, 2018 Santa Fe, NM (KSAF) Ground School Optional flight with CFI Truchas Peak 24
2018 NMPA Fly-Ins June Murrow Ranch (NM99) July Grant Besley Airstrip (NM03) Aug 18 Mystic Bluffs (NM56) Sept 21-23 Gila Fly-In base: Reserve (T16) 25
Annual Gila Fly-In since 2010 Loads of fun!! 20-40 aircraft 35-50 participants From NM, CO, AZ, UT, TX Fly-Outs to other airstrips Food and water supplied Just bring camping gear 26
Cuba South BLM 27
Fly New Mexico! Not limited to big tire tail-draggers Abundant recreational opportunities More expected from multi-agency Airstrip Network Murrow Field on the Divide 28
What Airstrips are Available Now? Airplane Mesa closed airstrip in Gila Wilderness 29
30 New Mexico Recreational Airstrips Publicly Owned Angel Fire Catron County Conchas Lake Navajo Dam Estancia Lindrith Magdalena Mountainair Raton Reserve Taos Timberon Truth or Consequences USFS Beaverhead Jewett Mesa MeOwn Negrito Privately Owned Grant Besley Candy Kitchen Flying H Ranch Rodeo Murrow Field Mystic Bluffs Whitewater Mesa Plus hundreds of airstrips currently uncharted or closed, worthy of consideration 30
Airstrips of the Gila National Forest 5 Recreational Airstrips 6 1 2 Silver City (KSVC) 3 4 Truth or Consequences (KTCS) Las Cruces (KLRU) 1. Reserve (T16) 2. Negrito (ONM7) 3. Beaverhead (13NM) 4. Me-Own (1NM0) 5. Jewett Mesa (13Q) 6. Double Circle (Z66) 31
Negrito Airstrip (ONM7) 32
NEGRITO (0NM7) USFS East of Glenwood NM, on NM/ AZ border 8100 ft elevation. Main runway 7100 ft Crosswind runway 4000 ft Read SAFETY BRIEFING Clear and unobstructed approaches Surface USUALLY in excellent condition CALL BEFORE GOING 33
Negrito (ONM7) USFS Airstrip 34
Me-Own (1NM0) USFS 7,554 ft elevation 3,700 ft long Runway north/south Slight slope from middle to ends Fairly unobstructed approaches CALL BEFORE GOING 36
Fairly unobstructed approaches 37
Me-Own (1NM0) 38
Me-Own (1NM0) looking North 39
Beaverhead (13NM) USFS 7378 ft elevation 3840 ft long Runway runs NE-SW Slopes up to NE, preferred landing direction Geronimo Trail head Cabins available 40
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Beaverhead (13NM) Looking SE 42
Beaverhead (13NM) Looking Northwest 43
6360 ft elevation 4777 ft long Runway 6 / 24 Reserve (T16) 2% grade up West Asphalt Public: Catron County Listed in AFD 44
Reserve T16 (Camping Area) 45
Double Circle (Z66) USFS 4,831 ft elevation 2,400 ft long Runway north/south (17/35) Rising elevation to north Fairly unobstructed approaches CALL BEFORE GOING 926-687-8600 46
Double Circle (Z66) 47
Double Circle Z66 48
Double Circle Z66 49
Grant Besley NM03 (near Taos) PRIVATE OWNER - call for permission 7,646 ft elevation 4,500 ft long Runway 18-36 1% grade from south to north Caution: Can t see south end from north side 50
Grant Besley Airstrip NM03 Improving Access to Rio Grande Gorge Great Fishing! 51
Dedication to Grant Besley Airline pilot, friend, and past NMPA Mountain Flying Clinic Director
Grant Besley: Looking North from South End
Mystic Bluffs NM56 PRIVATE OWNER Call for permission 6,980 ft elevation 2,870 ft long Runway 6/24 (east/west) Powerline on east end Annual August fly-in Awesome breakfast served up by locals! 54
MYSTIC BLUFFS NM56 55
MYSTIC BLUFFS NM56 56
MYSTIC BLUFFS NM56 57
Murrow Field on the Divide (NM99) PRIVATE OWNER Call for permission 7,550 ft elevation 4,000 ft long Runway 6/24 (east/west) Wildlife frequent airstrip June annual fly-in Trails, cafe and lodge nearby 58
Murrow Field on the Divide NM99 ELK! 59
Murrow Field Fly-In (NM99) 60
MURROW FIELD NM99 61
Fly New Mexico! 62