First River Run!

Dr. Bill

Dr. Bill

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Messages
255
Location
Waco, Texas
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Display name:
Bill Mitchell
Wow! I did it! After 3 years and 800 hours, I finally got the courage and confidence to plan a river run - at 30 feet agl!

I planned for density altitude, picked a place without power lines or too-sharp-bends-in-the-river, low enough cliffs on one side for a safe out, and a calm wind day so there'd be no unexpected down-drafts. The only thing I found that I hadn't planned for was the insane numbers of waterfowl!

All in all, it was one of the coolest things I've ever done in an airplane! As I dove to yellow arc in the trusty Cessna 150, the adrenaline started coming... my heart was racing, and as I looked at my son in the seat beside me, his grin said just what I was feeling :p :eek: :goofy: !

I gave him the parental lecture on the hazards of "buzzing", but as we were looking parallel to some of the river houses, I don't know if my words were having the impact I had intended. This was just TOO coolB) ! Rolling to coordinated 45 degree banks, managing the energy of airspeed, working the throttle to optimum RPM's... Oh, man, IT WAS AWESOME!!

If it can be done in a safe manner - this was it. I've always considered myself a conservative pilot with regard to manuevers, I just had to tell ya'll. If you get the chance to plan such a thing for yourself, DO IT! It was every bit as much fun as the recent thrill Diana gave me with an aerobatic roll.

Whew. I feel better now. Peace, Out!
 
C:\Documents and Settings\Cara Callaway\Desktop\100_2410_00.jpg


Trying to post a picture...
 
What river?
 
I love low level flight over water (during the day....would never do it at night, the recent accident in Phoenix is the reason why).

Ain't it pretty?
 
Dr. Bill said:
I gave him the parental lecture on the hazards of "buzzing", but as we were looking parallel to some of the river houses, I don't know if my words were having the impact I had intended.
Click to expand...
I have no doubt that your actions spoke louder than your words.

BTW, for others interested in doing this, make sure the river is at least a quarter mile wide and empty of boats and fishermen so you don't violate the 500-foot rule ("500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure"). I've heard of folks sitting on the porch of their river house getting a picture of an airplane level with the house with the N-numbers clearly visible, and if the river isn't over 1000 feet wide with no boats in the picture, your goose is cooked (you had to be within 500 feet of the houses on one side or the other). Also, from a safety standpoint, a preliminary overhead recce run from a safe altitude to check for power lines or other surprise obstructions is a real good idea.
 
This sort of impinges on my turf, Ron, where 91.119(d) exempts helicopters from 91.119(b) and (c).

You are absolutely right about a recon run. I've heard of pilots flying into wires that they were absolutely sure weren't there. I personally know a high hours pilot who flew into a wire between two hangars that he KNEW was there. Fortunately, the helicopter was stronger than the wire.

Even with a recon run, it is very, very difficult to see some wires from the air. Guy wires on towers and wires between towers are virtually impossible to see. For wires crossing water (actualy for wires in general) look for towers because you may not spot the wires. If there are towers, the only safe way to fly over them is to fly over a tower.

I will simply add that the leading cause of fatal helicopter accidents is flight into obstacles, particularly wires...

Those who want to do "river" runs should bear that in mind.
 
Thanks, Ron. Always the voice of reason. It's why we chose the Brazos - it's REALLY wide in some spots!

My older son's (he flies) first words were: "How did you not violate the 500 feet rule?". I'm so proud of that boy.

Thanks, Bob for the words of advice - we can live by those.
 
Flying low is a great way to increase coordination and skill. The margin for error simply does not exist and it forces you. It's also a *lot* easier to learn coordinated steep turns on the deck. The ground is a hell of a visual reference that you never will get at altitude.

I've flown a couple of rivers. The risk increases and the chance of smoking a wire is pretty high. If you do hit one--consider yourself dead. If you want the thrill--without the risk--take a boat down it right before you do it.

A couple of river runs and you'll learn something a lot of pilots aren't good at. You'll learn how to put an airplane: wing 5 feet above that spot, in a 60 degree bank, at 95 knots, rolling out exactly where you want.

Ask the average pilot to turn base at a non-standard time and to fly over the numbers, five feet above the runway, at a certain airspeed..And most won't even have a clue how to do it. They'll probably overshoot, or they'll be way too damn fast.


At any rate, I'm sure you noticed, the skill flying like you did can generate.
 
Jesse, you are right about the skill set involved. I'd add that like all things regarding flying skills, it's better to learn and practice them with altitude (our friend) and then USE'M down low for the things we want to accomplish. It's like another thread when folks were asking what use was there for commercial pilot skills... for things that make you go "WooHoo!" - with grace and style, of course!
 
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