2016 6Y3 (N. Fox Is.) PIREP

tawood

tawood

En-Route
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Sep 22, 2015
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2,558
Location
SE Michigan
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Display name:
Tim
As many predicted, the ground seems to be firming up. Unlike last year, I now did not notice the field to be any softer than any other Michigan grass strip. My girlfriend and I went there Saturday (7/9/16) evening, and stayed until Sunday afternoon. We had the Island to ourselves until Sunday, when we were joined by a nice couple from nearby Traverse City, in a nearly-twin sister to my Cherokee 140 (right down to the color of the paint jobs) Later a Skyhawk and a small twin also landed there.
The addition of the porta-potty was very welcomed by my girlfriend. It looks like the work weekend from June of this year also widened the strip a little by clearing some of the encroaching trees a bit.
This time on the Island, we did some exploring, and walked to the cabin on the southwest side. The cabin is like a time capsule: you swear someone closed the door 20 years ago, and we were the first ones to return.
I've attached a couple of pics.
upload_2016-7-11_8-21-36.png
upload_2016-7-11_8-21-54.png
 
Thanks Tim for the Pirep
I need to remind everyone this cabin belongs to the Mi. Dept of Nat. Resources and they want no one using it or staying there.
The fireplace and walkout basement were from the house that was once there and was burned.
The RAF is trying to get the use of the cabin and also maintain the aprox. 3 mi. trail/road system by mowing them.
Any questions anyone can call me.
Brad Frederick
Mi. State Liaison RAF
North Fox Island Airport Manager
bfrederick@theraf.org
1 248 761 5615 cell
 
Terrible past ,a hopefully and brighter future.
The Island itself had no part played in the despicable past human involvement and behavior .
We hope to improve the use of the island to be wholesome and harmless with good memories for all visitors.
We cannot change the past but we can the future,we will not forget what happened, butwe will try and make sure nothing like this happens going forward, we will dwell on the positives of the island and not the evils and sickness of the former owner and his associates.
Brad Frederick
Recreatinal Aviation Foundation- Michigan State Liaison
North Fox Island Airstrip -Airport Manager
bfrederick@theraf.org
cell 1 248 761 5615
 
That looks like a awesome way to spend a fly in weekend!

Very cool
 
We had a good time for sure. We wanted to do some star gazing too but it was hazy that night. The island has the darkest skies in the u.s. east of the Mississippi.
 
Thank you for PIREP and the pictures! We are looking forward to our next flight to 6Y3.

Martina
 
Yeah ,a dog is in the basement----???
Is that not allowed in Socal?o_O
 
I had not yet been up there since the opening. Had some time to kill Sunday and arrived around 430pm. Circling to land and I hear an unexpected yet familiar voice on the radio. @Skywalker and @German guy were up there in their new Mooney (nice looking plane) and just about to leave. They shut down, I landed, and we chatted for a bit. But beware, I was attacked by a swarm of....mosquitos? Nope. Deer flies? Nope? Bees? Nope. A swarm of butterflies. Craziest thing I've ever seen. I needed to get some pictures of the island. If you didn't know what kind of trees were on it, you would have sworn you were flying over a Caribbean island - the water was exactly that color in the shallows.
 
EdFred said:
I had not yet been up there since the opening. Had some time to kill Sunday and arrived around 430pm. Circling to land and I hear an unexpected yet familiar voice on the radio. @Skywalker and @German guy were up there in their new Mooney (nice looking plane) and just about to leave. They shut down, I landed, and we chatted for a bit. But beware, I was attacked by a swarm of....mosquitos? Nope. Deer flies? Nope? Bees? Nope. A swarm of butterflies. Craziest thing I've ever seen. I needed to get some pictures of the island. If you didn't know what kind of trees were on it, you would have sworn you were flying over a Caribbean island - the water was exactly that color in the shallows.
Click to expand...

Just missed you. Took off at around 3 after a great weekend. Agreed 100% on the water. Absolutely beautiful.
 
We had a blast this Saturday. Many really nice pilots, cool planes, lots of toys. What do you need more?! ;)

Here are those terrible beasts that attacked Ed:

DSC02378 copy.JPG

Flying around North Fox Island - South end:

DSC02449 copy.JPG

North end:

DSC02469 copy.JPG

DSC02487 copy.JPG

We will be back. :)
 
Glad everyone enjoyed N.Fox
This is exactly why the RAF opens these airstrips.
Join the fun 8,000 other members around the Country are having.
Stay tuned for the next project that's in the works ,The Two Hearted Airstrip 20nm north of Newberry Mi.(ERY)
www.theraf.org

Brad Frederick
Mi State Liaison for the RAF
 
el con said:
Glad everyone enjoyed N.Fox
This is exactly why the RAF opens these airstrips.
Join the fun 8,000 other members around the Country are having.
Stay tuned for the next project that's in the works ,The Two Hearted Airstrip 20nm north of Newberry Mi.(ERY)
www.theraf.org

Brad Frederick
Mi State Liaison for the RAF
Click to expand...
I love that area (the Two Hearted River)...any idea of a time line?
 
We have verbal agreements in place with the two landowners. We will finalize those in writing.
The RAF will start the campaign for donations.
The excavation cost that is needed is about 25k.
We hope to move dirt, level and plant this summer/ fall
If we're lucky ,maybe next summer. N.Fox took us 3 1/2 yrs
 
It gets amazingly quiet when one mentions $ and donations for projects ;)
The RAF is a 501 C 3 non profit with donations being tax deductible.
If you like this sort of Recreational Flying we would appreciate your financial support.
We've had some N.Fox visitors join, we've had some join and donate.
It is a Public Use Airport, but there is no Federal or State funding available or used.
Just the cost to insure the airstrip is about $1,100 a year, let alone the cost of the mowers, fuel and so on.
We mow the airstrip at least every two weeks all summer.
We've had almost 100 aircraft visit this summer, if every visitor sent in 10 bucks it would not even cover the insurance.
I know the small group of non paid volunteers who made N. Fox happen would really appreciate it if those who enjoy it would help, if they can.
Please join and donate the RAF if you would.
If you have questions or comments please PM me.
www.theraf.org
Thanks and fly safe
Brad
 
el con said:
Glad everyone enjoyed N.Fox
This is exactly why the RAF opens these airstrips.
Join the fun 8,000 other members around the Country are having.
Stay tuned for the next project that's in the works ,The Two Hearted Airstrip 20nm north of Newberry Mi.(ERY)
www.theraf.org

Brad Frederick
Mi State Liaison for the RAF
Click to expand...
el con said:
It gets amazingly quiet when one mentions $ and donations for projects ;)
The RAF is a 501 C 3 non profit with donations being tax deductible.
If you like this sort of Recreational Flying we would appreciate your financial support.
We've had some N.Fox visitors join, we've had some join and donate.
It is a Public Use Airport, but there is no Federal or State funding available or used.
Just the cost to insure the airstrip is about $1,100 a year, let alone the cost of the mowers, fuel and so on.
We mow the airstrip at least every two weeks all summer.
We've had almost 100 aircraft visit this summer, if every visitor sent in 10 bucks it would not even cover the insurance.
I know the small group of non paid volunteers who made N. Fox happen would really appreciate it if those who enjoy it would help, if they can.
Please join and donate the RAF if you would.
If you have questions or comments please PM me.
www.theraf.org
Thanks and fly safe
Brad
Click to expand...


Interesting, are low wing aircraft allowed to join? I looked at the website and I only see high wing aircraft. Low wingers matter too!
 
I just tried to contribute Brad...but the website sucks on an iPad...

...or I'm stoopid.

Either is entirely possible.
 
Morgan3820 said:
Interesting, are low wing aircraft allowed to join? I looked at the website and I only see high wing aircraft. Low wingers matter too!
Click to expand...

I saw a Mooney and a v-tail Bonanza when I was there. :)

timwinters said:
I just tried to contribute Brad...but the website sucks on an iPad...

...or I'm stoopid.

Either is entirely possible.
Click to expand...

http://theraf.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=12
If you want your donation to be targeted to North Fox Island, then put a note to that effect in the form.
 
Morgan3820 said:
Interesting, are low wing aircraft allowed to join? I looked at the website and I only see high wing aircraft. Low wingers matter too!
Click to expand...

I fly a Cherokee, I'm the State Liaison here in Mi.
The Montana State Liaison flies his Vtail Bonanza into lots of Back Country strips out west.
High wings------- tish tosh;)
We are working on making many of the airstrips capable by what most of us fly ,not just for S-Cubs. Husky's and Maule's
Look at the previous post of N.Fox with only a Mooney and V Bo sitting there
We welcome High, Low ,Mid, Bi, you name it.
 
timwinters said:
I just tried to contribute Brad...but the website sucks on an iPad...

...or I'm stoopid.

Either is entirely possible.
Click to expand...
Hey Thanks Tim
When you come up for 6Y9 I hope you can take a side trip out to N.Fox
 
All three mower went over in an Britten Norman Islander that belong to a Charter Co ,Island Airways run by Paul Welke and operate out of Beaver Island and Charlevoix. They haul cargo and passengers.
Was out there today cutting grass.
 
Anyone have any good recommendations for an inflatable life vest?
 
I'm currently dating a pretty good one but she's not for sale or rent.
 
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