BCP Boys

BCP Boys

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I have been wanting to fly to Idaho from Georgia for several years now but life keeps getting in the way ;). This has been on the bucket list to do with my Carbon Cub but every year for the past 4 to 5 years life has thrown a curveball right around the time of year that this trip is possible and I've had to postpone making this trip withe the Cub. I know that the Cub is an obvious choice for Idaho's backcountry experience, but I thought maybe I can make the trip in the RV8 much faster and not have to worry about being gone for 10 to 14 days. I thought about asking a friend with an RV4 to join me for a week long adventure, but I'm not sure how much we can do in an RV vs. a Cub. I know that places like Johnsons Creek and Smiley Creek are well manicured and should be no trouble with our small tires and wheel pants, but honestly outside of those two, I'm at a loss of where else would be "RV friendly". I'm mainly worried about condition of the runways but obviously the surrounding terrain, runway length, obstacles, etc would be considered in my decision factor as well. I'm thinking if I can get to a half dozen nice runways, I may be able to do this trip with the RV8 in one week rather than need 2 weeks or so in a Cub.

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
AB
 
I've had my RV4 into most of the strips in Idaho and also Montana and the tubular flexible gear on the 4 is more forgiving on less than golf course smooth strips you'll find there. Johnson Creek is the exception, but if you want to get away from the crowds, try Atlanta. Without exception Smiley Creek is my favorite since this time of year it's considerably cooler than the strips in the valley, the views of the mountains are eye watering beautiful and Smiley Creek Lodge Restaurant is a nice change from cooking your MRE's over a propane stove.
 
The first RVs I ever saw were a -4 and a -6 at Moose Creek.

I can't say what the conditions there are now, but back when I went there, the runway was reasonably well maintained and parking near the trees often had thick grass. My C180 has (and had then) 600-6 tires and had zero trouble, but I found that it was best to park facing the runway or runway access.

Dave
 
Been into Garden Valley, Johnson Creek, Warm Springs, and Smiley with 5.00-5 tires and low pants. Went back with 380-150-5 tires and added a few more; Big Creek, Stanley, and others.

The 380's are worth it. Don't need them at Johnson Creek or Garden Valley, but Smiley had gophers, as did Warm Springs. Gives you a fighting chance...

So far, the favorite fly-out base camp is Garden Valley. They're all fun. I'll be happy to fly your Carbon Cub out for you, so either of your toys will be available. Just let me know when you need it there ;)
 
Check out Stanley Idaho, just north of smiley. There are cruiser bikes in the shed and hot springs are just a 10-30 minute pedal up the river.
 
A lot further north than the others but Cavanaugh Bay 66S on Priest Lake is an easy one on smallish tires. First grass strip my 10 ever landed at. There’s camping on the field available or a short couple hundred yard walk to the resort/marina/restaurant.
 
I've taken my 9A into Johnson, Smiley, Cavanaugh Bay. In fact, the UBCP, Utah Back Country Pilots summer flyin is on July 4-6 at Smiley Creek. Everyone is welcome.
 
Steve said:
I've taken my 9A into Johnson, Smiley, Cavanaugh Bay. In fact, the UBCP, Utah Back Country Pilots summer flyin is on July 4-6 at Smiley Creek. Everyone is welcome.
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Used to go to the UBCP fly-in at Smiley when I lived in Salt Lake, very good weekend fun.
Figs
 
Saber25 said:
I've had my RV4 into most of the strips in Idaho and also Montana and the tubular flexible gear on the 4 is more forgiving on less than golf course smooth strips you'll find there. Johnson Creek is the exception, but if you want to get away from the crowds, try Atlanta. Without exception Smiley Creek is my favorite since this time of year it's considerably cooler than the strips in the valley, the views of the mountains are eye watering beautiful and Smiley Creek Lodge Restaurant is a nice change from cooking your MRE's over a propane stove.
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It is not a tubular gear. It is solid except for the axle which is partially drilled for weight reduction.
 
BCP Boys said:
I'm mainly worried about condition of the runways but obviously the surrounding terrain, runway length, obstacles, etc would be considered in my decision factor as well. I'm thinking if I can get to a half dozen nice runways,
Click to expand...

Airfield Guide

Airfield.Guide is a repository of US airfields, that you can use for planning trips, finding something new about the airports, you want to visit.
airfield.guide.theraf.org airfield.guide.theraf.org
 
jrs14855 said:
It is not a tubular gear. It is solid except for the axle which is partially drilled for weight reduction.
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Over the years I've heard it referred to tube gear many times especially in Cessnas. Tube gear sounds better than rod gear so I will stick with it.
 
jrs14855 said:
It is not a tubular gear. It is solid except for the axle which is partially drilled for weight reduction.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the correction, totally my error. I post relatively infrequently and probably had a case of nerves and will endeavor to do better in the future.
 
BCP Boys said:
I have been wanting to fly to Idaho from Georgia for several years now but life keeps getting in the way ;). This has been on the bucket list to do with my Carbon Cub but every year for the past 4 to 5 years life has thrown a curveball right around the time of year that this trip is possible and I've had to postpone making this trip withe the Cub. I know that the Cub is an obvious choice for Idaho's backcountry experience, but I thought maybe I can make the trip in the RV8 much faster and not have to worry about being gone for 10 to 14 days. I thought about asking a friend with an RV4 to join me for a week long adventure, but I'm not sure how much we can do in an RV vs. a Cub. I know that places like Johnsons Creek and Smiley Creek are well manicured and should be no trouble with our small tires and wheel pants, but honestly outside of those two, I'm at a loss of where else would be "RV friendly". I'm mainly worried about condition of the runways but obviously the surrounding terrain, runway length, obstacles, etc would be considered in my decision factor as well. I'm thinking if I can get to a half dozen nice runways, I may be able to do this trip with the RV8 in one week rather than need 2 weeks or so in a Cub.

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
AB
Click to expand...
If you have not done a mountain flying course or flown with somebody who is highly experienced in some aircraft like a PA – 18 Cessna 180 etc. you should not be flying among those mountains. High density altitude, and in many cases, one way in and one way out airstrips.
I flew my Cessna 206 into many of the airstrips in Idaho in Montana that were 1800 feet or longer. I had a experimental Supercub in Alaska flew for nine years flying there in the backcountry. Now I am preparing my RV8 with 6.00–6 wheels and tires and larger wheel pants to go into some of the air strips that I brought my Cessna 206 in. There is a lot to mountain flying in places like Idaho. Not something to just learn as you go. YMMV
 
I live here at ID22 an our runway is fine. We have several airports around here that can handle RV's. Come on out!
 
Thanks OP for the question, we want to do a bunch of Idaho this year, and the suggestions are great!
 
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