The competitions are sure a great invitation to join the fun. A lot of pilots can’t see themselves nailing a sand bar. I personally love all of it. And I’m glad I can see the modifications people are making and see if I like it for my application. My airplane is an outdoor fun machine. But I enjoy showcasing a heavy slatless airplane at competitions. Fun all around. Fly reasonably safely!
Maybe fun all around but don’t you think the crowd is too close? I wasn’t there but This could have gone so much worse…ua-cam.com/video/Q0727Edr0C0/v-deo.html
i can appreciate your point that STOL competition isn't the same thing as real world off airport landing and take off. But I can see where the more sterile environment of competitions can promote advancements that might be too risky to try in a harsh environment where the the consequences of failure are higher. I see them as two different disciplines really.
Seems to me there is a possible distinction between trailering an aircraft because it isn't capable of standard operations, and trailering an aircraft to allow bringing along an RV and support needed for a multi-day stay at a competition. Not sure which the others fall into .... but sometimes the utility of trailering makes event attendance possible even though the plane could have flown there.
FYI...for those of you that think Steve Henry doesn't fly off airport should check out his videos. The one I personally like is the mountain top dead stick take off; landing dead stick in the valley. You can also see one event he flew to over the mountains. Greg fly's into crazy off airport areas. Remember Greg said his own opinion...it's just a personal statement. Another great video Greg. I remember seeing that video. The skill level is insane. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes old black and white videos. Take care, Be safe.
The sixth generation is a plane that has had multiple improvements for the stol environment. He has flown it in the off field environment also. Greg's plane is also modified for what he does, which it's beefed up to handle the stress of landing in areas that would destroy a stock aircraft. It goes both ways...There are also two skill sets. The stol competition is an area to show those skills off. The spot landings, power management etc. without having to avoid trees, rocks, power lines. He opens up a discussion. There will always be two ways to look at this. Greg simply said his opinion. Trailering is just a convenience to bring parts, comfort items, tent, etc. Steve's plane can and does fly in other areas off airport. Take care.
Speaking of fishing, Trent Palmer is getting into fishing and I'm positive you could teach him a lot. It would be great for you guys to hook up. Moose season is right around the corner too. Best of luck!
@@backcountry172 hahahahaha he’s out there doing the stuff.. extending an invite to join the fun… I’d love to see Greg and Trent fishing. Trent is a skilled and naturally talented aviator. Go out and fly.
@@flycory I appreciate you Cory! You’re always looking for the good in people. Everyone could learn from your kindness! Not in the least to be confused with weakness!!! It takes guts to be nice to someone who just crapped all over a good friend when you know they don’t know that person from Adam and they just enjoy being negative. I was referring to Trent who may come across as a bit of a yuppie but is a heck of a pilot in his own right.
Steve Henry has helped me with my Highlander and I appreciate his skill and investment of time and money to succeed in STOL competitions. Good for him and all of the guys that make the rounds to the comps. But it doesn't mean anything to me whether they fly there, trailer there or use catapults and JATO, it's a monster truck rally as far as I'm concerned. Reliability is more important than performance for me and I agree with Greg on the best use for an airplane. I'm going to ArkanSTOL with a buddy who is competing and while they're banging around at Byrd's, I'm going out to strips I scouted to see if the fishing is better in September than it was in May. Steve, good luck. Greg, thanks for making the best flying videos on YT, please add footage of elk if you have any.
Full respect to you and those before you. Why the need to tear others down? Never understood the human trait that deems it appropriate to rip on others of like interest for specializing and doing certain things to the extreme level. Steve Henry flew his Highlanders and SuperSTOLs all over the country to competitions for years and now that drag racing is a thing he has spent two seasons trailering in order to bring equipment along to optimize for different disciplines of competition, and people are appalled? It’s a Race Plane! How many “race cars” are driven to the track? The objective is to win and sell airplanes, if he did all this and wasn’t winning, maybe I’d understand the criticism. Peace
Maybe it sounds like I am tearing him down, just pointing out the facts. He is a great pilot no doubt but the his airplane is only good for one thing in my opinion. If an airplane is going to compete against other airplanes that others fly from 2000 miles away then he should be in his own class for that competition (trailered in class or demo class). If he fly's in then he can compete in whatever class he falls into. I don't compete so I do not really care but from my perspective if I was going to compete and I flew in from say Oregon to Florida with my airplane and another airplane shows up in a trailer I might feel a little annoyed. I probably would not take the time to fly to another STOL competition to watch Steve Henry win again. Someone else commented "Race car vs street car class". When Steve is there it is like Dragster vs Progas. He has it figured out, that is what makes him the winner at this point. I competed against the first Carbon Cub the year I was at Valdez because we were both experimental aircraft. His airplane weighed 900 pounds and mine 1325. He had as much or maybe a little more horsepower we were both using the same propeller (90" pitched to 32). Mine was a 4 place that could haul a 1000 pounds legally his was tandem that could haul 400 pounds. My takeoff was like 43 feet His takeoff was 19 feet (hard to beat a 900 pound airplane with a 1325 pound airplane). My landing was 59 feet His landing was 53 feet (hard to beat a 900 pound airplane with a 1325 pound airplane). We flew up to Alaska together from Yakima WA. I flew him over to pick up his brand new Carbon Cub and from there we headed out over very unforgivable terrain. I took second place to the Carbon Cub that year. He beat me fair and square based on rules. Steve is winning fair and square based on the rules, I just think the rules should be changed. Just my opinion
First up love the video! The footage is great and I liked the otter story at the end. I flew out to Oshkosh with a bunch of the guys from the STOL comp and pretty much all except one of the planes in the competition flew there cross country. Hal flew in from Nevada and spent most of his time giving kids joy flights in Lawmmower III at the ultralight field. Bo flew his Legend Cub out from California, that thing is a beast! I very much got the feeling they were entering their daily drivers in the comp, not purpose built race planes. Maybe Jason’s was a bit more competition-bred with the Epex, but he still flew it out from Canada. Anyway, all great people and all amazing aviators. Also it was awesome to see the affect their presence had on the next generation of pilots.
Greg...com'on man, just because Steve trailers his Highlander from Idaho to the east coast doesn't take away from what he's accomplished or how good of a STOL pilot he truly is. To be away from home for a month at a time is expense and taxing. Being smart enough to find a way to take his plane, and all of the support equipment he might need, well, kudos to Steve for being that guy. To say that the highlander can't hold up to the riggers of STOL flying because his tailwheel broke...every plane has parts that break, including yours! How about you show up at the next STOL competition, or STOL drag and throw down against Steve and those who are competing. You have a couple of very custom STOL planes, we'd love to see compete. There's an event Sept 28 - Oct 2 at KONO, super close to you. This way we can you in action.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would. The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
@@mauleguy I'm not bagging on you at all, you're skills are A++ no doubt, and I love your content.. I think where and when possible it makes sense to fly, however when you're going to be on the road for a long time and travel great distances why not trailer if you can, I would :) Competitions like these abuse the plane's and having some support is smart. I do understand what you are saying, fly it, complete and fly it home. A SC or Maule for sure would be what I would want in AK for day to day use. I own a C182Q with all the mods and a Highlander, both very different airplanes.. Keep up the content.
@@mauleguy I had a highlander in Alaska. You are completely correct, in that it doesn't have the durability to stand up to what a real bush plane goes through. I had it all tricked out, TK1's , T3, etc. I had to weld cracks 3 times the first summer. Lost 3 damn tailwheels that year to, the bolt size(a freaking AN4 stock), the u channel, non of it up to abuse. And then it's just really not that impressive when it's flown at gross weight. Empty, sure, but without that 100 shot of nitrous, stock form, they don't have the power to get off short when heavy. Then there's the issue that even as gross it doesn't have the weight for 2 people fuel and a really light camp. You can go fishing with it but it's not possible to do anything but solo with 6 trips out for hunting.
All I'll say is fellow RANS S-7 pilot Hal Stockman flies to every event. But that doesn't make Steve any less of a pilot, not at all. On a cold rainy night, in a leaky tent, Steve's motorhome would look like a damn good idea! I absolutely get why he does it, and I bet he weighed the advantages of doing it against any possible ribbing about not flying it in. Just an idea: Steve could trailer to a area near a competition, say 20 miles away, and then fly it in....that would really mess with people's heads. Jerry Burr is my early STOL hero.
Jerry Burr is a smart guy! I am sure his STOL competition experience predates most. I got to do a little flying with him 15 years or so ago. Great guy!
9:53 , holy shit. 10:10 ... yeah, you right. Real bush flying right here. Legend. Would love to see the tailwheel perspective here too, looks like a perfectly executed wheel landing where the tail is set down just in time as well.
It's hard to believe that in some countries it's illegal for civilians to own or fly airplanes. I propose a new amendment to the constitution that protects the rights of civilians to fly.
You are truly a master backcountry pilot. I cringed watching you land over that cut-bank into the one way spot. So little margin for error in multiple ways. You did it masterfully. You're a backcountry pilot who makes it look like art. Don't forget to keep some healthy boundaries for yourself, I'd like to keep seeing videos for a while:)
I know Steve Henry flys to some of them because I passed him going the opposite direction under a low overcast in the N Santiam canyon a couple years ago, he was headed to the Wings over Willamette Fly-in/STOL competition. Love your videos and learn something new from everyone of them.
My grandpa was neighbors and very close friends with Lynn out in Wolf Lake, the Ellis's are just amazing pilots and its amazing where they can put there aircraft
If you're going to criticize Steve then watch more of his videos and then judge. He could fly to the competitions as does his class rivals Jason Busat and Hal Stockman, but chooses not to sometimes.
Maybe it sounds like I am tearing him down, just pointing out the facts. He is a great pilot no doubt but the airplane is only good for one thing in my opinion. If an airplane is going to compete against other airplanes that others fly from 2000 miles away then he should be in his own class for that competition (trailered in class or demo class). If he fly's in then he can compete with them.
He says he trailers it in to avoid any delays due to weather. But I get you, a specialized stol competition/trailered in class would sure be interesting!
Why doesn't NASCAR drive their cars to the track???? LOL. Who cares how Steve gets to his events, its a competition. Very nice flying btw, I loved the otters. Very cool place you found!!!
This is your channel. You put in the hard work and you get to say what you want. I enjoy your content and they way you describe your flying. I learn by viewing your posts, so thank you. STOL is not a location or reason but a description of operation. It can be in Alaska, Russia or on a 12,000' paved runway. It can also be quite different for aircraft. STOL for a 747 is different than your Maule. The higher performing competition STOL drag aircraft are purpose built to conform to rules just like a top fuel dragster is. Is that a race car? Yes. A daily driver for commuting? No. Yet it is not intended to be. The upper level STOL planes are no different. If the rules change so will the aircraft. I agree there should be categories as well but the events are in their infancy. Kevin is doing a great job making something out of nothing. There are already classes based upon times. The essence of STOL in remote areas is getting away to go out and do what you like. Why can't others be allowed to do that too and still call it STOL? There is more than enough room on the runway for everyone to take off and land in whatever distance they want.
Great to see you back Greg!!! What a beautiful spot!!! Funny to hear about getting schooled in fishing by a furry friend!! As always I appreciate the informative aspect of your videos. Thanks for sharing the Ellis brothers’ Supercub Hard Core II footage!!! Your flying is every bit as interesting and skillful!!!
I broadly agree with your comment. It's nice to see what can be done if you just push technology and design to focus on just one purpose. However, not bringing your machine to competition yourself does seem a bit feeble. Much like the car shows where people trailer them or just drive the last mile in off a trailer. It seems to me like having an exceptionally accurate heavy rifle, that you have shipped to the spot you need to take a shot on the deer, then having someone else take the thing away. It doesn't compare to doing the journey with your equipment.
Wow talk about real world STOL flying, you put your wheels down right on the edge of the lip at the 10:10 mark! I mean perfectly! And a hair shorter it probably would have done exactly what you said it would, take the wheels off. It would really be interesting to find out how many, if ANY of the STOL competition pilots would actually fly into many of the places you do! I'd be willing to bet not many. Amazing control! I honestly can't imagine flying into these tight spots you do so often. I'm older now, maybe when I was younger and into excitement and risk taking, but my older body's been busted up enough for me. I hope all your landings and take off are safe, happy flying!
Most of the top ones are legit and would be able to nail such a landing. I know and fly with many of them. This isn’t super pilot stuff. These bush planes are the easiest aircraft to fly. The skill set translates well. But yeah, I get the sentiment and the discussion. The internet is full of it.
Hi Cory and thank you for your reply and I appreciate your input! I've been a fan of the flying cowboys for quite a long time and enjoy watching the competitions! I have to say it all looks like super pilot stuff to me! I'm not a pilot, had enough lessons to experience it bit didn't follow up so I know little other than I love flying and watching aviation videos. I've also watched videos of a number of you make a lot of off airport landings in rugged areas! I also enjoy this channel a lot! Obviously every one of the STOL competitors are skilled talented pilots. Besides some of you that regularly post videos of tough short landings you make, I couldn't help but wonder and think some may have gotten into the competition over time more than back country landings, that was kind of what I wondered about. Thanks for chiming in!!! I'm glad all of your planes were OK after the big storm at Oshkosh! At least, as far as I know they were. I saw a number of your posts as well as others. As fir me, I don't know if any of you could even talk me into the backseat on these off field landings!!! 👍 Happy flying and keep her dry!
The consequences of getting your approach too low.... ua-cam.com/video/5gqNNZBd5G8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ja3dean Errors in Bush flying are more than being short the chalked line in a STOL competition. Check out the other postings on his channel - pretty good stuff.
@@teamvanwyck9072 Thanks for the link! Man I've seen a number of landings like that on UA-cam but that big plane is probably still stranded out there! Ouch!
I like your videos but in this case I think you're totally wrong. Steve could fly his airplane to Oshkosh if he wanted, I'm sure. But it's probably not ideal to fly it when he's going to be staying there for a week or more. Just easier to trailer it behind their RV. Also stating it's not rugged enough for real backcountry because his tailwheel broke off??? Tailwheels break in the backcountry all the time dude, and it's not because "they're built too light", it's because sh*t happens.
Breaking off a tailwheel in big rocks, yes it can happen, that is why I (most off airport guys) wheel land and then set my tail down. I can pretty much guarantee dropping my tail from 7 or 8 feet on something smooth is not going to break it. Not that good for the airplane but still not going to break it. How many hours do you have off airport flying??? I have broken one tailwheel fork in 4000 hours and that was because I hit a rock when it was cocked sideways and when I set it down at the end the fork came down on a monster rock. (non steerable tailwheel). Anyway, I don't really have a dog is this fight, as I don't compete. Just pointing out a few facts after watching some of this on YT.
I understand your opinion on the STOL competitions. But I also believe competition breeds innovation. Some of that innovation may eventually become commonly used in backcountry aviation. Most of the major innovations in aviation came from competition. The Shnieder cup is a great example. Not to mention the competition for air superiority during any air conflict. I love your flying, but I can also appreciate the technical innovation that comes from competition. Either way everyone wins!
I should try to be more specific when I make my videos. Sometimes what I am thinking gets lost in translation. I have nothing against STOL competitions or even the airplanes that compete in them. I even use to go to a few back in the day. I have said in some of my videos that keeping an airplane light is about the best thing you can do for performance. Having the right engine/ propeller combination is another important consideration. There may even be some innovation at times that could cross over to STOL in off-airport flying that I use my airplane for. I am guessing that the Acme shocks I like so much probably would not be around if STOL was not a growing segment. Now it is a kind of sport vs real world practical use. I don't go to STOL competitions and STOL drags for couple reasons. I don't care to be around that many people and I think you are just asking for a serious accident with that many airplanes flying around. I also still work and my vacation time is used for the things I want to do so flying to a STOL event is not one of them. STOL competitions are not level playing fields. For a true competition you need to have everyone flying the same thing at the same weight under the same conditions. For obvious reasons this is impossible. The fact is if I did take the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. I think as STOL sport grows so should the classes for each kind of aircraft. Have classes for weight including pilot weight. Have classes for airplanes that fly in and ones that show up in trailers. Classes for experimental and certified. It was something like this at Valdez. There was the Bush Class, Touring, Heavy touring, Experimental Bush Class with weights that you would fall under. Maybe there are not enough airplanes competing to break it down by weight and horsepower.
I agree Greg, real STOL flying for a living or personal adventure (hunting trip) is far removed from STOL competitions. I also agree with what you said in a previous video about high angle-of-attack approaches; nose-high, low visibilty, hanging on the prop, behind the power curve - none of which are a good thing. The competitions are a good thing though as they show another side of aviation and get the public more involved. They also allow for innovation in a controlled and safer environment than real-world. I don't see a problem with trailering a purpose-built airplane to a competition - you don't see race cars being driven to their events either. Enjoyed the video and your gutsy perspective.
Ausom greg . Beautiful country, your a vary blessed human bening to live in reach of such a place and have that great god given talent. I have read when you say there is only a fue pilots you would fly with . Sure puts flying in prospective. From what I see sir I would fly with ya anytime. Great vid be safe.
A rocket stove, my Alpaca packraft, and a lightweight airplane with ABWs are the only ingredients some of need for a perfect trip. Others may prefer the social aspect of the competitions, and I think we should live and let live. I am simply glad there are those like you that still utilize their immense skill to access the backcountry while we as pilots are still "allowed" to. Thanks for making these videos and sharing the places many of us dream of going.
really liking it! Yes - real STOL flying in Alaska -is for the reason the only way to operate in/out of those unfriendly off-airport areas - takes a lot of skill, serious dedication and decision making. It's incredible to witness the skills of the working bush pilots, in a region such as Alaska. And then there is the environment of short water, for the float pilots in summer. Short water, is a real challenge for floats - and a high level of skill is required to do it day in, day out, under not so great wx conditions. Hats off to all those hard working pilots.
Bush flying is pretty cool. I did it professionally for about 10-12 years along with guiding fly fishing. Would get pretty good at it by August every year and start looking for shorter gravel bars. Through the years I flew with some really good bush pilots but to this day I believe the best pilots I ever flew with were crop dusters. They don’t talk about it. They just do it. We seem to think there is something special about what we do. I wish I were half as good as the worst crop duster I knew.
I didn't know about this tape when I started but I had all the DVD's from you and from Loni, I really appreciate your philosophy about this type of flying.
We did a gross weight competition in Talkeetna one year. There was a weigh in and you had to add sand bags until your full gross weight and then there were weight classes. It was closer to real flying, but it was still at an airport. I agree though. The competitions, while good for aviation in general, are not remotely showcasing what a bush pilot does.
Hey Greg, I love your videos I have watched them for years and enjoy the STOL flying here in Idaho myself. If possible I’d love to see your start posting some of your productions on RUMBLE or any other non censored platform as I hate UA-cam and everything they are doing to sensor our freedom of speech. Keep up the great video work be safe.
I have been following the STOL drag competitions for the last few years because of Cory Robin and Trent Palmer and the Flying Cowboys. But to be honest those competitions can get boring for me. I like it better to see people actually maneuvering in tight spaces and actually flying around then just racing. I would say without STOL capable planes a lot of mail and sightseeing trips would be out of the question for Alaska and parts of the US that are off the beaten paths. Juan Browne and his Aviat Husky adventures have made his channel unique among aviation channels. Glad I've had a chance to see your handiwork!
Hey Greg, I agree with you 100% on the trailer queen airplanes brought in to the STOL competitions. There should be a different category for them. An extended wing Quicksilver ultralight with a Rotax 503 will out perform everything out there. Originally, that wan't the point. The competition was for the real bush pilots to match their SKILLS with other pilots and it was fun to watch. I like watching the touring class. They may be slightly modified but, it takes skill is what wins the competition. I have followed you guys for a long time. I had a 90 HP J-3 that was a very impressive performing airplane but it was also the only airplane I had. Even though it was modified for STOL operations it flew all over the country because it was my plane. I built that plane 25 tears ago. There was nothing around here that could beat it on or off the ground. It was a ball to fly. People were stunned with that airplane when they seen the Bushwheels on it because most had never seen them before. Finally sold it and bought a Cessna 180. Planning on doing some traveling during retirement. Keep up the cool videos and I love that Maule. Maybe someday we will get to meet up.
Been a fan for a long time, but not sure what you are accomplishing by taking cheap shots at other pilots. You’ve done this now on several occasions. These guys are getting young people interested in aviation, and that is my mission with National STOL. Why not be an ambassador instead of an instigator? If you did just a little research you would see that Steve in fact did fly his plane to all the competitors up until recently. He only started trailering so he could bring
I guess I need to be more gentle. I think STOL competitions are good for aviation. Pointing out the facts of trailering an airplane to them, breaking off your tailwheel on baby butt smooth grass maybe taking something away from STOL competitions. Sorry, I was only thinking about it from the perspective of guy that fly's to the places he wants to be. I hate driving so to drive somewhere that I could fly hard to understand.
Breaking off a tailwheel can happen anywhere, any time. Slamming one on at a competition is arguably harder on it than a lot of backcountry flying. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love backcountry stuff, and wish I lived closer to where you guys get to play. Keep making your great videos, but keep in mind that for most of us, your backyard is not something we get to experience very often. As I said, I’m a fan.
@@PilotDoug61 Breaking off a tailwheel in big rocks, yes it can happen, that is why I wheel land and then set my tail down. I can pretty much guarantee dropping my tail from 7 or 8 feet on something smooth is not going to break it. Not that good for the airplane but still not going to break it. My main point to the video is this is not what STOL is about from the real world of STOL flying. STOL competitions have continued to evolve from what they were. I liked them better when they were everyday flying aircraft that were used to fly to real world places. To each their own.
@@mauleguy Perhaps your under the impression that Steve’s airplane isn’t his daily flyer. It is. Demos, Idaho back country, fly-ins etc. Its not a “top fuel dragster” , type airplane. He’s flown coast to coast many times in it and others like it. Fortunately he has folding wings which allow him to cut through weather in the RV that would stop all other STOL planes. That trailer has become something of the support vehicle for everyone else in STOL carrying extra equipment, gear, and fuel for guys. It also gets guys out of the weather when things turn really bad. The plane is absolutely capable of coast to coast flights but now with the addition of editing videos, carrying extra camera equipment, chargers, people, food and communication equipment, it just makes sense. I understand what your saying about an airplane that “has to be trailered” should be in a different class and I can’t say that I disagree with you, but Steve’s plane is DEFINITELY not that. Respectfully, Your opening was the most degrading segment of any aviation video I have ever seen. All others just build each other up and inspire the next generation to take to the skies be it warbirds, STOL, back country, Bush, fighter jets or airliners. Beyond your soap box about STOL Competitions, you showed some amazing piloting skills and beautiful scenery with some great educational points mixed in with it and I applaud you for that. Perhaps using some in cockpit real time narration will spice it up a bit. Give Steve Henry a call and he can walk you through how to do that or at least recommend some equipment to use for it if you don’t already have any. Have a great day and perhaps we will run into each other in the Idaho backcountry someday.
Long time no see. Hope all is well. Sure would like to see more videos. They give me a break from the horrific events of the day. Take care and best wishes.........
Two things the otters could have been doing: trying to take you up river to a better fishing spot, or, take you up river where they had a buddy with a piece of pipe ready to knock you out and get your wallet. You just never know with otters.
Same thing happens with everything that becomes a competition… always gets away from its roots and where it all began… And often only ends up a rich kids game.
I can see where you are coming from about having different classes.....but if there is one thing these competitions are doing it is getting STOL aviation out to a larger audience. It is inspiring a whole new generation of kids to be interested in flying instead of sitting at home in front of a screen. More women are even getting interested. There's that young girl Jade (that is a heck of a pilot) that I see little girls talking to and getting excited about flying but all I see are comments about how her "daddy bought her a Carbon Cub".
Gatekeeping much? It's like saying that only cars that can carry a a bunch of kids to band practice should be allowed to race, and that they should always drive to the track. Liking one thing isn't a comment on what other people like. So you like bushflying (And holy shit are you good at it!), others like STOL comps. From time to time, one will be more popular than the other. These days the sub 1320 LBS experimentals get a lot of attention. Let's cheer and help people on when they're having a good time.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would. The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
@@mauleguy The right plane for the right mission. Some want to compete, some wants to haul a moose out of the backcountry, while some just need to haul a couple of trouts out of the sidecountry. Depending on you mission, some might fit while others wont. Yeah, your plane should not be put up against these mad hotrods, but it wouldn’t either. It’s a bit daft that they’re not showing and explaining the performance of bigger amd heavier machines. I think is interesting to hear your views on the sub 1320lbs experimentals, as I think LSAs fot my own mission very well. They have their limitations, and experienced pilots views on what these limits are, is valuable for me. If I want to stay alive in so small and light a/c, I need to stay within the envelope. I have probably misunderstood your video, but there’s obviously others who made that mistake. It is a bit dumb when keyboard warriors talk as if Henry, Busat and Stockman are just rich, spoiled and apparently wouldn’t be able to land on sandbanks. Everything I’ve seen from the most prominent STOLers is that they are more than capable of just that. And I think a fully kittes out Super Cub would cost a LOT more than their planes too. I have no objection to you saying you simply don’t think STOL comp is very interesting or relevant to you. That’s fair. To be honest I liked it better when some of these guys spent more time in the backcountry. I like camping and fishing in the sidecountry. Sorry if I got carried away. There’s a bit of true scotsmanship in the aviaton communities and I’m still relatively new and not used to it. I’m also too dump to not shut up when I’m annoyed either.
@@mauleguy Oh and by the way, as the amateur I am, a kind of basic backcountry camping tutrial would be awesome. Basics on what to bring and how to fly safe. Just an idea!
Great video greg. Feels like stol flying is definitely becoming a fad which I guess is good for the aircraft industry. It’s changed a bunch since I moved to AK which was not that long ago. Always like your content. Headed out to drop some hunters in a couple hours actually. Hope to see you when you come up. Take care, fly safe.
Glad you published this, I tend to agree. I dont mind STOL competitions or STOL drags its fun to watch and interesting...but like you said, trailering an aircraft thats good for little else to the competition and competing with aircraft that are used everyday for fun or work seems to be defeating the purpose of STOL aircraft I would have a seperate class of aircraft like the one Steve Henry flys and let them compete against each other and each other only. The overall win would go to what most of us consider normal stall aircraft that actually flew in to compete. I do admire the specialized aircraft and their abilities but honestly I have no desire to watch them win against aircraft like most of us fly its competing apples against oranges ...
@@HeeHawHighlander Yes your correct but what I call the unlimiteds can still win the whole thing and do regularly...They should not be allowed to win anything but their class not the whole thing ie overall..letting them win te whole thing is kinda like putting a j3 up against Draco or Scrappy
@@leeadams5941 there can only be one overall winner. That should be the fastest ET in drags, or the shortest combination take off and landing. Eliminating the planes like Draco or YeeHaw from that would be extremely unfair and borderline modern day NASCAR. 🤢 Everyone can still win there class, but only the shortest or fastest score should win the overall. Anyway else smacks of sour grapes.
This has become my favorite flying channel Greg. Keep up the good work. Would love to go fly with you in the Knik, next time you pass through Alaska. Chris-‘78 M5-235. Cheers
In 2004 I was up visiting Alaska and ran across a VHS tape called "Bush Pilots of Alaska" . After watching that I wanted to make a living being one. Of course things dont always work out so I'm not, but I can see what your saying. There is definitely a difference between those bush pilots that do it for a living up there and those who just do it for competition/fun down here. What Steve Henry's plane does is quite amazing, but there's no way it would be actually "useful" as a bush plane hauling a moose out or picking up hunters day after day. It's not a bush plane. It's a STOL plane
@@taplinsh Useful load, fuel range with another person and your 2 week camp in the back. There's no fuel where you're going so that 150 mile leg to hunting camp is a round trip plus reserves. Then you need to be able to put more than 1 quarter at a time coming out or it'll take you 6 weeks to get out.
The STOL phenomenon has morphed into a competition sport that increasingly features specialized machines designed with a single purpose in mind. I still enjoy watching the contests, though I personally prefer seeing a stock Supercub or Maule over these special high dollar ultralights. Obviously they are going to have to figure out some way of mitigating spectator risk or it's all gonna end the first time one of these guys loses it and plows into a crowd of people. Unfortunately the farther away you get from these things the less thrilling it seems. The STOL Drags at Reno were pretty boring from a spectator point of view. They should probably just keep them exclusively at Dead Cow.
100% agree on the difference between “STOL” which has come to mean competition type flying and actual Bush piloting. Totally different thing but unfortunately the competition stuff gets the attention. I learned the hard way the first time I landed heavy the difference between my competition technique and a safe backcountry flying technique
@@vincentmolloy5660 Nope, I actually have never been. Maybe sometime, I like people but in smaller doses. If I could go and see everything and no one else was there except for just a few buddies I would go for sure. I am headed to Alaska in 7 days for 6 weeks, that is more my kind of vacation.
Stol completions are evolving into what monster truck rally's were. Planes with engines tune to the max and aerodynamics specific to one task, and that's ok, it's entertainment for the masses. Unfortunately is also becoming mass marketing, The "influences commonly state, everyone should get out and fly.....great? " The scary part is there will be people who never had any interest in flying, who will have very high performance machines in their hands with little experience or respect ( Ya-hoo's) and will end up producing mayhem and carnage out on the public and private lands, and it wont take long for land jurisdictions to have no choice but make new laws or strictly enforce the one they have now and close down access and back country aviation will be s quashed. Popularization will be a death nail for what we truly love.
Looking down your nose at guys who build airplanes whcih are optimized for the specific performance measure that the competition is about is a bit like (actually it's exactly like) a rally racer looking down his nose at a drag racer, because the drag racer can't run the Baja in his dragster. But hey, if it allows you to feel superior, I guess that's what really matters, right?
And for what it's worth, back before there was a fly-in at Valdez, the Gulkana air show had about the only STOL competition around. There was a guy who would show up (from Washington, I think, it's been a few years) with a cub built only for that competition, tiny tires, long gear, nitrous motor, and yeah, he brought it in on a trailer. So it's not like this was something new. The reality is that in *any* motorsports competition, the machines will evolve to do exactly that really well, and nothing else. That's just natural progression.
@@andrewalexander9492 I know Jerry Burr and know of Denny Martel (passed on now) and they flew there airplanes to Gulkana. Yes he put on a propeller pitched for competition and used nitrous but the guy was a water well driller and used his Super Cub like a truck too. I saw his cub in person and it was well used like and Alaskan Cub. Jerry Burr is very knowledgeable and has highly modified his J-3 cub to get the most out of it. I believe it is still in the certified category though all STC's etc. To each there own, I simply was pointing out that like you said it has continued to evolve. Good or bad that is up to the people that watch these competitions. It's not really STOL though IMHO.
I love all the UA-cam cowboys who come to defend their precious stol pilot hero’s. Those guys are good at one thing and that is taking a highly modified stripped down plane into a known environment with known conditions. Continually landing places you or no other plane has ever been is a whole different story. Wind, rain, ditches, trees and rocks plus big loads out of tight spots. All this stol comp stuff is fun to watch but it’s the porn of flying it’s not the real deal. Put 75% of a moose in a cub in soft tundra one way uphill takeoff and it takes 600-800’ to get off the ground. We do it time and time again and only wheel land for a reason boys. No disrespect to guys who wanna race their planes and do competitions but if you watch Valdez every year the real bush pilots aren’t there. They are too busy flying bear hunters in to camp and moving gear around the state. Most lower 48 guys can’t fly a plane nearly as good as Greg and he could and has held his own with some of the best up here in Alaska. Guy knows his plane and knows how to not break them by experience.
I'm a big fan of your channel but am becoming less of one. That opening was just a cheap shot. Steve Henry seems to do what he wants to do without saying anything bad about anyone. How a guy decides to get to where he wants to go is his business. Especially the one who seems to be winning every competition he enters. I'm more impressed he's spending time with his family. As a casual observer he seems to be living the American dream. His daughter is even beautiful. What's not to like about a guy that can take off and land without an engine, has the means to travel in luxury with his family who wants to go with him, can't seem to lose a stol event and happens to be a humble guy. I just don't get it.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would. The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
Bad mouthing are pretty strong words. Man people are so sensitive. I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would. The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
Hot take here: STOL does not equal bush flying. STOL is just a tool for bush flying. It's a set of techniques to get by with worse conditions. Great video otherwise!
What is your problem with STOL these days? It might be your personal opinion that this has to be coupled with off airport. But there is more to the sport than that. Why bashing Steve and Jon instead of using a brain to look for options like creating a BUSH CLASS? Why don't you save your energy for initiating a bush placed convention or event? Why dividing instead of adding up? I see a lot of short thinking in your - enjoyed visual - amazing video. Come join the show. Exceed it. But give up on bashing and seperating pilots please. Kindest regards.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would. The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
The competitions are sure a great invitation to join the fun.
A lot of pilots can’t see themselves nailing a sand bar.
I personally love all of it. And I’m glad I can see the modifications people are making and see if I like it for my application.
My airplane is an outdoor fun machine. But I enjoy showcasing a heavy slatless airplane at competitions.
Fun all around.
Fly reasonably safely!
Maybe fun all around but don’t you think the crowd is too close? I wasn’t there but This could have gone so much worse…ua-cam.com/video/Q0727Edr0C0/v-deo.html
@@seancooper7050 I agree 💯 % National STOL needs better safety. For sure
i can appreciate your point that STOL competition isn't the same thing as real world off airport landing and take off. But I can see where the more sterile environment of competitions can promote advancements that might be too risky to try in a harsh environment where the the consequences of failure are higher. I see them as two different disciplines really.
Seems to me there is a possible distinction between trailering an aircraft because it isn't capable of standard operations, and trailering an aircraft to allow bringing along an RV and support needed for a multi-day stay at a competition. Not sure which the others fall into .... but sometimes the utility of trailering makes event attendance possible even though the plane could have flown there.
We can't bring an RV with us to the back country. Everything you need should fit in the airplane. Tools, tent, etc. That's what bush flying is.
FYI...for those of you that think Steve Henry doesn't fly off airport should check out his videos. The one I personally like is the mountain top dead stick take off; landing dead stick in the valley. You can also see one event he flew to over the mountains. Greg fly's into crazy off airport areas. Remember Greg said his own opinion...it's just a personal statement.
Another great video Greg. I remember seeing that video. The skill level is insane. I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes old black and white videos.
Take care,
Be safe.
While this is true, the plane in that video is 6 generations removed from the plane he is flying now.
The sixth generation is a plane that has had multiple improvements for the stol environment. He has flown it in the off field environment also. Greg's plane is also modified for what he does, which it's beefed up to handle the stress of landing in areas that would destroy a stock aircraft. It goes both ways...There are also two skill sets. The stol competition is an area to show those skills off. The spot landings, power management etc. without having to avoid trees, rocks, power lines. He opens up a discussion. There will always be two ways to look at this. Greg simply said his opinion. Trailering is just a convenience to bring parts, comfort items, tent, etc. Steve's plane can and does fly in other areas off airport.
Take care.
Never mind the STOL just the approaches of some of these places are pretty intense. Thanks for making these videos Greg!
I followed Steve Henry back when he did the dead stick takeoff and landing.
Speaking of fishing, Trent Palmer is getting into fishing and I'm positive you could teach him a lot. It would be great for you guys to hook up. Moose season is right around the corner too. Best of luck!
Trent Palmer is a studio pilot not a bush pilot.
@@backcountry172 hahahahaha he’s out there doing the stuff.. extending an invite to join the fun… I’d love to see Greg and Trent fishing.
Trent is a skilled and naturally talented aviator. Go out and fly.
@@flycory I appreciate you Cory! You’re always looking for the good in people. Everyone could learn from your kindness! Not in the least to be confused with weakness!!! It takes guts to be nice to someone who just crapped all over a good friend when you know they don’t know that person from Adam and they just enjoy being negative. I was referring to Trent who may come across as a bit of a yuppie but is a heck of a pilot in his own right.
@@backcountry172 what is a studio pilot?
Steve Henry has helped me with my Highlander and I appreciate his skill and investment of time and money to succeed in STOL competitions. Good for him and all of the guys that make the rounds to the comps. But it doesn't mean anything to me whether they fly there, trailer there or use catapults and JATO, it's a monster truck rally as far as I'm concerned. Reliability is more important than performance for me and I agree with Greg on the best use for an airplane. I'm going to ArkanSTOL with a buddy who is competing and while they're banging around at Byrd's, I'm going out to strips I scouted to see if the fishing is better in September than it was in May.
Steve, good luck.
Greg, thanks for making the best flying videos on YT, please add footage of elk if you have any.
Full respect to you and those before you.
Why the need to tear others down?
Never understood the human trait that deems it appropriate to rip on others of like interest for specializing and doing certain things to the extreme level.
Steve Henry flew his Highlanders and SuperSTOLs all over the country to competitions for years and now that drag racing is a thing he has spent two seasons trailering in order to bring equipment along to optimize for different disciplines of competition, and people are appalled?
It’s a Race Plane!
How many “race cars” are driven to the track?
The objective is to win and sell airplanes, if he did all this and wasn’t winning, maybe I’d understand the criticism.
Peace
Maybe it sounds like I am tearing him down, just pointing out the facts. He is a great pilot no doubt but the his airplane is only good for one thing in my opinion. If an airplane is going to compete against other airplanes that others fly from 2000 miles away then he should be in his own class for that competition (trailered in class or demo class). If he fly's in then he can compete in whatever class he falls into. I don't compete so I do not really care but from my perspective if I was going to compete and I flew in from say Oregon to Florida with my airplane and another airplane shows up in a trailer I might feel a little annoyed. I probably would not take the time to fly to another STOL competition to watch Steve Henry win again. Someone else commented "Race car vs street car class". When Steve is there it is like Dragster vs Progas. He has it figured out, that is what makes him the winner at this point.
I competed against the first Carbon Cub the year I was at Valdez because we were both experimental aircraft. His airplane weighed 900 pounds and mine 1325. He had as much or maybe a little more horsepower we were both using the same propeller (90" pitched to 32). Mine was a 4 place that could haul a 1000 pounds legally his was tandem that could haul 400 pounds.
My takeoff was like 43 feet
His takeoff was 19 feet (hard to beat a 900 pound airplane with a 1325 pound airplane).
My landing was 59 feet
His landing was 53 feet (hard to beat a 900 pound airplane with a 1325 pound airplane).
We flew up to Alaska together from Yakima WA. I flew him over to pick up his brand new Carbon Cub and from there we headed out over very unforgivable terrain.
I took second place to the Carbon Cub that year. He beat me fair and square based on rules. Steve is winning fair and square based on the rules, I just think the rules should be changed. Just my opinion
First up love the video! The footage is great and I liked the otter story at the end.
I flew out to Oshkosh with a bunch of the guys from the STOL comp and pretty much all except one of the planes in the competition flew there cross country. Hal flew in from Nevada and spent most of his time giving kids joy flights in Lawmmower III at the ultralight field. Bo flew his Legend Cub out from California, that thing is a beast! I very much got the feeling they were entering their daily drivers in the comp, not purpose built race planes. Maybe Jason’s was a bit more competition-bred with the Epex, but he still flew it out from Canada.
Anyway, all great people and all amazing aviators. Also it was awesome to see the affect their presence had on the next generation of pilots.
I’m pretty sure Steve was kicking everyone’s behind when he flew to all the events. Except Draco, RIP.
Greg...com'on man, just because Steve trailers his Highlander from Idaho to the east coast doesn't take away from what he's accomplished or how good of a STOL pilot he truly is. To be away from home for a month at a time is expense and taxing. Being smart enough to find a way to take his plane, and all of the support equipment he might need, well, kudos to Steve for being that guy. To say that the highlander can't hold up to the riggers of STOL flying because his tailwheel broke...every plane has parts that break, including yours! How about you show up at the next STOL competition, or STOL drag and throw down against Steve and those who are competing. You have a couple of very custom STOL planes, we'd love to see compete. There's an event Sept 28 - Oct 2 at KONO, super close to you. This way we can you in action.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would.
The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
@@mauleguy I'm not bagging on you at all, you're skills are A++ no doubt, and I love your content.. I think where and when possible it makes sense to fly, however when you're going to be on the road for a long time and travel great distances why not trailer if you can, I would :) Competitions like these abuse the plane's and having some support is smart. I do understand what you are saying, fly it, complete and fly it home. A SC or Maule for sure would be what I would want in AK for day to day use. I own a C182Q with all the mods and a Highlander, both very different airplanes.. Keep up the content.
@@mauleguy I had a highlander in Alaska. You are completely correct, in that it doesn't have the durability to stand up to what a real bush plane goes through. I had it all tricked out, TK1's , T3, etc. I had to weld cracks 3 times the first summer. Lost 3 damn tailwheels that year to, the bolt size(a freaking AN4 stock), the u channel, non of it up to abuse.
And then it's just really not that impressive when it's flown at gross weight. Empty, sure, but without that 100 shot of nitrous, stock form, they don't have the power to get off short when heavy.
Then there's the issue that even as gross it doesn't have the weight for 2 people fuel and a really light camp. You can go fishing with it but it's not possible to do anything but solo with 6 trips out for hunting.
All I'll say is fellow RANS S-7 pilot Hal Stockman flies to every event. But that doesn't make Steve any less of a pilot, not at all. On a cold rainy night, in a leaky tent, Steve's motorhome would look like a damn good idea! I absolutely get why he does it, and I bet he weighed the advantages of doing it against any possible ribbing about not flying it in. Just an idea: Steve could trailer to a area near a competition, say 20 miles away, and then fly it in....that would really mess with people's heads.
Jerry Burr is my early STOL hero.
Jerry Burr is a smart guy! I am sure his STOL competition experience predates most. I got to do a little flying with him 15 years or so ago. Great guy!
Thanks for putting it in perspective!
9:53 , holy shit. 10:10 ... yeah, you right. Real bush flying right here. Legend. Would love to see the tailwheel perspective here too, looks like a perfectly executed wheel landing where the tail is set down just in time as well.
It's a good thing there are events with different classes, Bush class vs Experimental.
Yep. Actually 5 classes
I appreciate your advocacy of real world flying.
Fantastic cinematography!
Jon Humberd at least flies his Zenith back and forth his short home-runway to compete 🤭😘
It's hard to believe that in some countries it's illegal for civilians to own or fly airplanes. I propose a new amendment to the constitution that protects the rights of civilians to fly.
Nope, I think we should all go to padded rooms in bubble suits and get Covid shots.....
@@MACE1-1 If things don’t change and people stand up for there rights that may be the sad ending. TG for good videos.
You are truly a master backcountry pilot. I cringed watching you land over that cut-bank into the one way spot. So little margin for error in multiple ways. You did it masterfully. You're a backcountry pilot who makes it look like art. Don't forget to keep some healthy boundaries for yourself, I'd like to keep seeing videos for a while:)
Patiently waiting for another Maule guy video. Having withdrawals.
I know Steve Henry flys to some of them because I passed him going the opposite direction under a low overcast in the N Santiam canyon a couple years ago, he was headed to the Wings over Willamette Fly-in/STOL competition. Love your videos and learn something new from everyone of them.
That 10:00 landing spot is really intimidating. What a great landing!
My grandpa was neighbors and very close friends with Lynn out in Wolf Lake, the Ellis's are just amazing pilots and its amazing where they can put there aircraft
If you're going to criticize Steve then watch more of his videos and then judge. He could fly to the competitions as does his class rivals Jason Busat and Hal Stockman, but chooses not to sometimes.
Maybe it sounds like I am tearing him down, just pointing out the facts. He is a great pilot no doubt but the airplane is only good for one thing in my opinion. If an airplane is going to compete against other airplanes that others fly from 2000 miles away then he should be in his own class for that competition (trailered in class or demo class). If he fly's in then he can compete with them.
He says he trailers it in to avoid any delays due to weather. But I get you, a specialized stol competition/trailered in class would sure be interesting!
Why doesn't NASCAR drive their cars to the track???? LOL. Who cares how Steve gets to his events, its a competition. Very nice flying btw, I loved the otters. Very cool place you found!!!
This is your channel. You put in the hard work and you get to say what you want. I enjoy your content and they way you describe your flying. I learn by viewing your posts, so thank you.
STOL is not a location or reason but a description of operation. It can be in Alaska, Russia or on a 12,000' paved runway. It can also be quite different for aircraft. STOL for a 747 is different than your Maule. The higher performing competition STOL drag aircraft are purpose built to conform to rules just like a top fuel dragster is. Is that a race car? Yes. A daily driver for commuting? No. Yet it is not intended to be. The upper level STOL planes are no different. If the rules change so will the aircraft. I agree there should be categories as well but the events are in their infancy. Kevin is doing a great job making something out of nothing. There are already classes based upon times. The essence of STOL in remote areas is getting away to go out and do what you like. Why can't others be allowed to do that too and still call it STOL? There is more than enough room on the runway for everyone to take off and land in whatever distance they want.
Great to see you back Greg!!! What a beautiful spot!!! Funny to hear about getting schooled in fishing by a furry friend!! As always I appreciate the informative aspect of your videos. Thanks for sharing the Ellis brothers’ Supercub Hard Core II footage!!! Your flying is every bit as interesting and skillful!!!
I broadly agree with your comment. It's nice to see what can be done if you just push technology and design to focus on just one purpose. However, not bringing your machine to competition yourself does seem a bit feeble. Much like the car shows where people trailer them or just drive the last mile in off a trailer. It seems to me like having an exceptionally accurate heavy rifle, that you have shipped to the spot you need to take a shot on the deer, then having someone else take the thing away. It doesn't compare to doing the journey with your equipment.
Wow talk about real world STOL flying, you put your wheels down right on the edge of the lip at the 10:10 mark! I mean perfectly! And a hair shorter it probably would have done exactly what you said it would, take the wheels off.
It would really be interesting to find out how many, if ANY of the STOL competition pilots would actually fly into many of the places you do! I'd be willing to bet not many.
Amazing control! I honestly can't imagine flying into these tight spots you do so often. I'm older now, maybe when I was younger and into excitement and risk taking, but my older body's been busted up enough for me. I hope all your landings and take off are safe, happy flying!
Most of the top ones are legit and would be able to nail such a landing. I know and fly with many of them.
This isn’t super pilot stuff. These bush planes are the easiest aircraft to fly.
The skill set translates well.
But yeah, I get the sentiment and the discussion.
The internet is full of it.
Hi Cory and thank you for your reply and I appreciate your input! I've been a fan of the flying cowboys for quite a long time and enjoy watching the competitions! I have to say it all looks like super pilot stuff to me! I'm not a pilot, had enough lessons to experience it bit didn't follow up so I know little other than I love flying and watching aviation videos.
I've also watched videos of a number of you make a lot of off airport landings in rugged areas!
I also enjoy this channel a lot! Obviously every one of the STOL competitors are skilled talented pilots. Besides some of you that regularly post videos of tough short landings you make, I couldn't help but wonder and think some may have gotten into the competition over time more than back country landings, that was kind of what I wondered about. Thanks for chiming in!!! I'm glad all of your planes were OK after the big storm at Oshkosh! At least, as far as I know they were. I saw a number of your posts as well as others.
As fir me, I don't know if any of you could even talk me into the backseat on these off field landings!!! 👍 Happy flying and keep her dry!
The consequences of getting your approach too low....
ua-cam.com/video/5gqNNZBd5G8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ja3dean
Errors in Bush flying are more than being short the chalked line in a STOL competition.
Check out the other postings on his channel - pretty good stuff.
@@teamvanwyck9072 Thanks for the link! Man I've seen a number of landings like that on UA-cam but that big plane is probably still stranded out there! Ouch!
I like your videos but in this case I think you're totally wrong.
Steve could fly his airplane to Oshkosh if he wanted, I'm sure. But it's probably not ideal to fly it when he's going to be staying there for a week or more. Just easier to trailer it behind their RV.
Also stating it's not rugged enough for real backcountry because his tailwheel broke off??? Tailwheels break in the backcountry all the time dude, and it's not because "they're built too light", it's because sh*t happens.
Breaking off a tailwheel in big rocks, yes it can happen, that is why I (most off airport guys) wheel land and then set my tail down. I can pretty much guarantee dropping my tail from 7 or 8 feet on something smooth is not going to break it. Not that good for the airplane but still not going to break it. How many hours do you have off airport flying??? I have broken one tailwheel fork in 4000 hours and that was because I hit a rock when it was cocked sideways and when I set it down at the end the fork came down on a monster rock. (non steerable tailwheel). Anyway, I don't really have a dog is this fight, as I don't compete. Just pointing out a few facts after watching some of this on YT.
I understand your opinion on the STOL competitions. But I also believe competition breeds innovation. Some of that innovation may eventually become commonly used in backcountry aviation. Most of the major innovations in aviation came from competition. The Shnieder cup is a great example. Not to mention the competition for air superiority during any air conflict. I love your flying, but I can also appreciate the technical innovation that comes from competition. Either way everyone wins!
I should try to be more specific when I make my videos. Sometimes what I am thinking gets lost in translation. I have nothing against STOL competitions or even the airplanes that compete in them. I even use to go to a few back in the day. I have said in some of my videos that keeping an airplane light is about the best thing you can do for performance. Having the right engine/ propeller combination is another important consideration. There may even be some innovation at times that could cross over to STOL in off-airport flying that I use my airplane for. I am guessing that the Acme shocks I like so much probably would not be around if STOL was not a growing segment. Now it is a kind of sport vs real world practical use. I don't go to STOL competitions and STOL drags for couple reasons. I don't care to be around that many people and I think you are just asking for a serious accident with that many airplanes flying around. I also still work and my vacation time is used for the things I want to do so flying to a STOL event is not one of them.
STOL competitions are not level playing fields. For a true competition you need to have everyone flying the same thing at the same weight under the same conditions. For obvious reasons this is impossible.
The fact is if I did take the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that.
I think as STOL sport grows so should the classes for each kind of aircraft. Have classes for weight including pilot weight. Have classes for airplanes that fly in and ones that show up in trailers. Classes for experimental and certified. It was something like this at Valdez. There was the Bush Class, Touring, Heavy touring, Experimental Bush Class with weights that you would fall under. Maybe there are not enough airplanes competing to break it down by weight and horsepower.
Do you have some kind of gyro mount for your external cameras? That independant motion you get is a really good effect.
That is just the gopro stabilization that is built in to the camera (hero 9)
I agree Greg, real STOL flying for a living or personal adventure (hunting trip) is far removed from STOL competitions. I also agree with what you said in a previous video about high angle-of-attack approaches; nose-high, low visibilty, hanging on the prop, behind the power curve - none of which are a good thing. The competitions are a good thing though as they show another side of aviation and get the public more involved. They also allow for innovation in a controlled and safer environment than real-world. I don't see a problem with trailering a purpose-built airplane to a competition - you don't see race cars being driven to their events either. Enjoyed the video and your gutsy perspective.
Absolutely incredible!!!
Ausom greg . Beautiful country, your a vary blessed human bening to live in reach of such a place and have that great god given talent. I have read when you say there is only a fue pilots you would fly with . Sure puts flying in prospective. From what I see sir I would fly with ya anytime. Great vid be safe.
A rocket stove, my Alpaca packraft, and a lightweight airplane with ABWs are the only ingredients some of need for a perfect trip. Others may prefer the social aspect of the competitions, and I think we should live and let live. I am simply glad there are those like you that still utilize their immense skill to access the backcountry while we as pilots are still "allowed" to. Thanks for making these videos and sharing the places many of us dream of going.
Love this episode. Watched it twice, thanks
Great video! I appreciate seeing the past and present aspect of real STOL flying.
really liking it! Yes - real STOL flying in Alaska -is for the reason the only way to operate in/out of those unfriendly off-airport areas - takes a lot of skill, serious dedication and decision making. It's incredible to witness the skills of the working bush pilots, in a region such as Alaska. And then there is the environment of short water, for the float pilots in summer. Short water, is a real challenge for floats - and a high level of skill is required to do it day in, day out, under not so great wx conditions. Hats off to all those hard working pilots.
Nice work enjoy your planes please keep making the videos
Thanks
The spots you fly to are incredibly beautiful! Can only imagine what it’s like in person.
Wow!! Dream approach 9:40
Pretty impressive what YOU can do now! That new landing area is insane!
That was a wonderful video! And yes those rich guys with their toys are getting old LOL
Bush flying is pretty cool. I did it professionally for about 10-12 years along with guiding fly fishing. Would get pretty good at it by August every year and start looking for shorter gravel bars. Through the years I flew with some really good bush pilots but to this day I believe the best pilots I ever flew with were crop dusters. They don’t talk about it. They just do it. We seem to think there is something special about what we do. I wish I were half as good as the worst crop duster I knew.
I didn't know about this tape when I started but I had all the DVD's from you and from Loni, I really appreciate your philosophy about this type of flying.
We did a gross weight competition in Talkeetna one year. There was a weigh in and you had to add sand bags until your full gross weight and then there were weight classes. It was closer to real flying, but it was still at an airport.
I agree though. The competitions, while good for aviation in general, are not remotely showcasing what a bush pilot does.
Hey Greg, I love your videos I have watched them for years and enjoy the STOL flying here in Idaho myself. If possible I’d love to see your start posting some of your productions on RUMBLE or any other non censored platform as I hate UA-cam and everything they are doing to sensor our freedom of speech. Keep up the great video work be safe.
STOL Competitions = Nap Time. Some of those guys remind me of the local news anchors who call, or present, themselves as celebrities.
I have been following the STOL drag competitions for the last few years because of Cory Robin and Trent Palmer and the Flying Cowboys. But to be honest those competitions can get boring for me. I like it better to see people actually maneuvering in tight spaces and actually flying around then just racing. I would say without STOL capable planes a lot of mail and sightseeing trips would be out of the question for Alaska and parts of the US that are off the beaten paths. Juan Browne and his Aviat Husky adventures have made his channel unique among aviation channels. Glad I've had a chance to see your handiwork!
Hey Greg, I agree with you 100% on the trailer queen airplanes brought in to the STOL competitions. There should be a different category for them. An extended wing Quicksilver ultralight with a Rotax 503 will out perform everything out there. Originally, that wan't the point. The competition was for the real bush pilots to match their SKILLS with other pilots and it was fun to watch. I like watching the touring class. They may be slightly modified but, it takes skill is what wins the competition. I have followed you guys for a long time. I had a 90 HP J-3 that was a very impressive performing airplane but it was also the only airplane I had. Even though it was modified for STOL operations it flew all over the country because it was my plane. I built that plane 25 tears ago. There was nothing around here that could beat it on or off the ground. It was a ball to fly. People were stunned with that airplane when they seen the Bushwheels on it because most had never seen them before. Finally sold it and bought a Cessna 180. Planning on doing some traveling during retirement. Keep up the cool videos and I love that Maule. Maybe someday we will get to meet up.
Amazing flying. You guys are highly skilled and take back country flying to new levels. This is on my bucket list.
Been a fan for a long time, but not sure what you are accomplishing by taking cheap shots at other pilots. You’ve done this now on several occasions. These guys are getting young people interested in aviation, and that is my mission with National STOL. Why not be an ambassador instead of an instigator? If you did just a little research you would see that Steve in fact did fly his plane to all the competitors up until recently. He only started trailering so he could bring
So he could more easily bring his friends and family, as well as not having to worry about weather.
I guess I need to be more gentle. I think STOL competitions are good for aviation. Pointing out the facts of trailering an airplane to them, breaking off your tailwheel on baby butt smooth grass maybe taking something away from STOL competitions. Sorry,
I was only thinking about it from the perspective of guy that fly's to the places he wants to be. I hate driving so to drive somewhere that I could fly hard to understand.
Breaking off a tailwheel can happen anywhere, any time. Slamming one on at a competition is arguably harder on it than a lot of backcountry flying.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love backcountry stuff, and wish I lived closer to where you guys get to play.
Keep making your great videos, but keep in mind that for most of us, your backyard is not something we get to experience very often. As I said, I’m a fan.
@@PilotDoug61 Breaking off a tailwheel in big rocks, yes it can happen, that is why I wheel land and then set my tail down. I can pretty much guarantee dropping my tail from 7 or 8 feet on something smooth is not going to break it. Not that good for the airplane but still not going to break it. My main point to the video is this is not what STOL is about from the real world of STOL flying. STOL competitions have continued to evolve from what they were. I liked them better when they were everyday flying aircraft that were used to fly to real world places. To each their own.
@@mauleguy Perhaps your under the impression that Steve’s airplane isn’t his daily flyer. It is. Demos, Idaho back country, fly-ins etc. Its not a “top fuel dragster” , type airplane. He’s flown coast to coast many times in it and others like it. Fortunately he has folding wings which allow him to cut through weather in the RV that would stop all other STOL planes. That trailer has become something of the support vehicle for everyone else in STOL carrying extra equipment, gear, and fuel for guys. It also gets guys out of the weather when things turn really bad. The plane is absolutely capable of coast to coast flights but now with the addition of editing videos, carrying extra camera equipment, chargers, people, food and communication equipment, it just makes sense.
I understand what your saying about an airplane that “has to be trailered” should be in a different class and I can’t say that I disagree with you, but Steve’s plane is DEFINITELY not that.
Respectfully, Your opening was the most degrading segment of any aviation video I have ever seen. All others just build each other up and inspire the next generation to take to the skies be it warbirds, STOL, back country, Bush, fighter jets or airliners. Beyond your soap box about STOL Competitions, you showed some amazing piloting skills and beautiful scenery with some great educational points mixed in with it and I applaud you for that. Perhaps using some in cockpit real time narration will spice it up a bit. Give Steve Henry a call and he can walk you through how to do that or at least recommend some equipment to use for it if you don’t already have any.
Have a great day and perhaps we will run into each other in the Idaho backcountry someday.
Where could i find this movie?
Maybe like street car classes in drag racing. Make a class where you fly 200 miles and then cannot do anything to the plane but add fuel.
Hal stockman.......the nicest stol pilot ever....Steve Henry......one of the hardest to beat...
I believe that!
Saw my first Maule in Oregon near my hotel...looked badass....
Long time no see. Hope all is well. Sure would like to see more videos. They give me a break from the horrific events of the day. Take care and best wishes.........
I have been in Alaska for the last month. Should have something to post soon:))
Two things the otters could have been doing: trying to take you up river to a better fishing spot, or, take you up river where they had a buddy with a piece of pipe ready to knock you out and get your wallet. You just never know with otters.
good one
Same thing happens with everything that becomes a competition… always gets away from its roots and where it all began… And often only ends up a rich kids game.
I can see where you are coming from about having different classes.....but if there is one thing these competitions are doing it is getting STOL aviation out to a larger audience. It is inspiring a whole new generation of kids to be interested in flying instead of sitting at home in front of a screen. More women are even getting interested. There's that young girl Jade (that is a heck of a pilot) that I see little girls talking to and getting excited about flying but all I see are comments about how her "daddy bought her a Carbon Cub".
You need to carry a rake and a weed wacker for strip maintenance!
Gatekeeping much? It's like saying that only cars that can carry a a bunch of kids to band practice should be allowed to race, and that they should always drive to the track.
Liking one thing isn't a comment on what other people like. So you like bushflying (And holy shit are you good at it!), others like STOL comps. From time to time, one will be more popular than the other. These days the sub 1320 LBS experimentals get a lot of attention. Let's cheer and help people on when they're having a good time.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would.
The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
@@mauleguy The right plane for the right mission. Some want to compete, some wants to haul a moose out of the backcountry, while some just need to haul a couple of trouts out of the sidecountry. Depending on you mission, some might fit while others wont.
Yeah, your plane should not be put up against these mad hotrods, but it wouldn’t either. It’s a bit daft that they’re not showing and explaining the performance of bigger amd heavier machines.
I think is interesting to hear your views on the sub 1320lbs experimentals, as I think LSAs fot my own mission very well. They have their limitations, and experienced pilots views on what these limits are, is valuable for me. If I want to stay alive in so small and light a/c, I need to stay within the envelope.
I have probably misunderstood your video, but there’s obviously others who made that mistake. It is a bit dumb when keyboard warriors talk as if Henry, Busat and Stockman are just rich, spoiled and apparently wouldn’t be able to land on sandbanks. Everything I’ve seen from the most prominent STOLers is that they are more than capable of just that. And I think a fully kittes out Super Cub would cost a LOT more than their planes too.
I have no objection to you saying you simply don’t think STOL comp is very interesting or relevant to you. That’s fair. To be honest I liked it better when some of these guys spent more time in the backcountry. I like camping and fishing in the sidecountry.
Sorry if I got carried away. There’s a bit of true scotsmanship in the aviaton communities and I’m still relatively new and not used to it. I’m also too dump to not shut up when I’m annoyed either.
@@mauleguy Oh and by the way, as the amateur I am, a kind of basic backcountry camping tutrial would be awesome. Basics on what to bring and how to fly safe. Just an idea!
@@Hamperokken watch more of Greg’s videos. He has plenty on what he takes with him for gear.
@@robstanton9215 I'm looking, but I keep getting distracted by all the other great stuff in his videos...
Beautiful spot and big respect of your great skills!
I've been thinking that for some time about competitions. What you do is the real deal.
Great video greg. Feels like stol flying is definitely becoming a fad which I guess is good for the aircraft industry. It’s changed a bunch since I moved to AK which was not that long ago. Always like your content. Headed out to drop some hunters in a couple hours actually. Hope to see you when you come up. Take care, fly safe.
I agree, the auto car shows faced the same dilemma. I would drive my corvette to the show but could never beat the guys who trailered in.
Another great video. Thank you. By the way which drone do you prefer?
The Ellis clan are no joke! My dream rig is one of Kirk's 4 place Cubs.
How much is it cost for pay to government? like a some fees, etc...
Glad you published this, I tend to agree. I dont mind STOL competitions or STOL drags its fun to watch and interesting...but like you said, trailering an aircraft thats good for little else to the competition and competing with aircraft that are used everyday for fun or work seems to be defeating the purpose of STOL aircraft I would have a seperate class of aircraft like the one Steve Henry flys and let them compete against each other and each other only. The overall win would go to what most of us consider normal stall aircraft that actually flew in to compete. I do admire the specialized aircraft and their abilities but honestly I have no desire to watch them win against aircraft like most of us fly its competing apples against oranges ...
Competition is separated by class.
@@HeeHawHighlander Yes your correct but what I call the unlimiteds can still win the whole thing and do regularly...They should not be allowed to win anything but their class not the whole thing ie overall..letting them win te whole thing is kinda like putting a j3 up against Draco or Scrappy
@@leeadams5941 there can only be one overall winner.
That should be the fastest ET in drags, or the shortest combination take off and landing.
Eliminating the planes like Draco or YeeHaw from that would be extremely unfair and borderline modern day NASCAR. 🤢
Everyone can still win there class, but only the shortest or fastest score should win the overall.
Anyway else smacks of sour grapes.
Absolutely love it.
Really good stuff.
This has become my favorite flying channel Greg. Keep up the good work. Would love to go fly with you in the Knik, next time you pass through Alaska. Chris-‘78 M5-235. Cheers
Soooo many need to hear this. Thanks for making a video on it
Nailed it
Another great video
how do you keep your wings away from those trees? Do you ever touch them?
In 2004 I was up visiting Alaska and ran across a VHS tape called "Bush Pilots of Alaska" . After watching that I wanted to make a living being one. Of course things dont always work out so I'm not, but I can see what your saying. There is definitely a difference between those bush pilots that do it for a living up there and those who just do it for competition/fun down here. What Steve Henry's plane does is quite amazing, but there's no way it would be actually "useful" as a bush plane hauling a moose out or picking up hunters day after day. It's not a bush plane. It's a STOL plane
why?
how do you determine this?
@@taplinsh Useful load, fuel range with another person and your 2 week camp in the back. There's no fuel where you're going so that 150 mile leg to hunting camp is a round trip plus reserves. Then you need to be able to put more than 1 quarter at a time coming out or it'll take you 6 weeks to get out.
Man I would love to come fly with you!
The STOL phenomenon has morphed into a competition sport that increasingly features specialized machines designed with a single purpose in mind. I still enjoy watching the contests, though I personally prefer seeing a stock Supercub or Maule over these special high dollar ultralights. Obviously they are going to have to figure out some way of mitigating spectator risk or it's all gonna end the first time one of these guys loses it and plows into a crowd of people. Unfortunately the farther away you get from these things the less thrilling it seems. The STOL Drags at Reno were pretty boring from a spectator point of view. They should probably just keep them exclusively at Dead Cow.
Awsome stuff
100% agree on the difference between “STOL” which has come to mean competition type flying and actual Bush piloting. Totally different thing but unfortunately the competition stuff gets the attention. I learned the hard way the first time I landed heavy the difference between my competition technique and a safe backcountry flying technique
FE Potts was mine. Remember Glenallen was a STOL comp for decades before Valdez.
I never met Potts but have his book
@@mauleguy Same!
Amazing 😍
Seems to me they already have a different class certified and experimental?
Nice video Greg. Bushwacker seemed to get up out of that place quicker than your cub or just as well at least.
Yes it does pretty well with the engine overhauled. I had a little wind that day. I can't remember what the wind was doing the day I flew the cub out.
@@mauleguy yeah that would make a difference. I take it you didn't get to Oshkosh this year?
@@vincentmolloy5660 Nope, I actually have never been. Maybe sometime, I like people but in smaller doses. If I could go and see everything and no one else was there except for just a few buddies I would go for sure. I am headed to Alaska in 7 days for 6 weeks, that is more my kind of vacation.
@@mauleguy 🤣..all noted. Enjoy the holiday. I wonder if this is going to be a hunting holiday?.....🤔
@@vincentmolloy5660 Caribou up North and Moose in the Wrangell's with a little fishing thrown in probably up North
Stol completions are evolving into what monster truck rally's were. Planes with engines tune to the max and aerodynamics specific to one task, and that's ok, it's entertainment for the masses. Unfortunately is also becoming mass marketing, The "influences commonly state, everyone should get out and fly.....great? " The scary part is there will be people who never had any interest in flying, who will have very high performance machines in their hands with little experience or respect ( Ya-hoo's) and will end up producing mayhem and carnage out on the public and private lands, and it wont take long for land jurisdictions to have no choice but make new laws or strictly enforce the one they have now and close down access and back country aviation will be s quashed. Popularization will be a death nail for what we truly love.
All I have to say is..... Cub driver 749er
Trent and buddies were still in diapers
Looking down your nose at guys who build airplanes whcih are optimized for the specific performance measure that the competition is about is a bit like (actually it's exactly like) a rally racer looking down his nose at a drag racer, because the drag racer can't run the Baja in his dragster. But hey, if it allows you to feel superior, I guess that's what really matters, right?
And for what it's worth, back before there was a fly-in at Valdez, the Gulkana air show had about the only STOL competition around. There was a guy who would show up (from Washington, I think, it's been a few years) with a cub built only for that competition, tiny tires, long gear, nitrous motor, and yeah, he brought it in on a trailer. So it's not like this was something new. The reality is that in *any* motorsports competition, the machines will evolve to do exactly that really well, and nothing else. That's just natural progression.
@@andrewalexander9492 I know Jerry Burr and know of Denny Martel (passed on now) and they flew there airplanes to Gulkana. Yes he put on a propeller pitched for competition and used nitrous but the guy was a water well driller and used his Super Cub like a truck too. I saw his cub in person and it was well used like and Alaskan Cub. Jerry Burr is very knowledgeable and has highly modified his J-3 cub to get the most out of it. I believe it is still in the certified category though all STC's etc.
To each there own, I simply was pointing out that like you said it has continued to evolve. Good or bad that is up to the people that watch these competitions. It's not really STOL though IMHO.
I love all the UA-cam cowboys who come to defend their precious stol pilot hero’s. Those guys are good at one thing and that is taking a highly modified stripped down plane into a known environment with known conditions.
Continually landing places you or no other plane has ever been is a whole different story. Wind, rain, ditches, trees and rocks plus big loads out of tight spots. All this stol comp stuff is fun to watch but it’s the porn of flying it’s not the real deal. Put 75% of a moose in a cub in soft tundra one way uphill takeoff and it takes 600-800’ to get off the ground. We do it time and time again and only wheel land for a reason boys. No disrespect to guys who wanna race their planes and do competitions but if you watch Valdez every year the real bush pilots aren’t there. They are too busy flying bear hunters in to camp and moving gear around the state.
Most lower 48 guys can’t fly a plane nearly as good as Greg and he could and has held his own with some of the best up here in Alaska. Guy knows his plane and knows how to not break them by experience.
I'm a big fan of your channel but am becoming less of one. That opening was just a cheap shot. Steve Henry seems to do what he wants to do without saying anything bad about anyone. How a guy decides to get to where he wants to go is his business. Especially the one who seems to be winning every competition he enters. I'm more impressed he's spending time with his family. As a casual observer he seems to be living the American dream. His daughter is even beautiful. What's not to like about a guy that can take off and land without an engine, has the means to travel in luxury with his family who wants to go with him, can't seem to lose a stol event and happens to be a humble guy. I just don't get it.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would.
The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
Do you like the bearhawk companion it's a 2 place beside
Очень красиво! Спасибо)
in the gaming world, we call it pay to win model...
Race car vs street car class.
Shit! I wrote a high praise for Super Cub and did not get the name of the channelowner :)
I like your videos but stop bad mouthing other people!!!
Bad mouthing are pretty strong words. Man people are so sensitive. I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would.
The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO
Hot take here: STOL does not equal bush flying. STOL is just a tool for bush flying. It's a set of techniques to get by with worse conditions. Great video otherwise!
What is your problem with STOL these days? It might be your personal opinion that this has to be coupled with off airport. But there is more to the sport than that. Why bashing Steve and Jon instead of using a brain to look for options like creating a BUSH CLASS? Why don't you save your energy for initiating a bush placed convention or event? Why dividing instead of adding up? I see a lot of short thinking in your - enjoyed visual - amazing video. Come join the show. Exceed it. But give up on bashing and seperating pilots please.
Kindest regards.
This is going to be my standard response to this comment section... I said and standby what I said. "Airplanes that are going to compete should fly to the competition or be in a separate class". I never said anything about anyones piloting abilities. In fact if I was going to say anything about the pilot I would say Steve is probably the best competition pilots out there. The second thing I said is these lightweight competition airplanes won't take the beating we put our airplanes through in off airport operations. That again is my opinion, based on very limited experience with them. I don't see them holding up to day after day operations doing what I do. Could someone take one on a moose hunt... Probably but who in their right mind would.
The fact is if I took the time to show up for a competition and flew over the rockies, up the coast to Alaska etc. in bad weather conditions and I then had to compete with an airplane that came by trailer. I don't see that as fair, I am not competing and don't plan on competing so my opinion is just that. If there is prize money it should be split among however many categories of aircraft. IMHO