Mike Chapman - Flying Brokers Backcountry Pilot

McCall Pilot Sells His New Found Aircraft!

 By Richard G. Wissenbach

 (Fall 2010)

    It’s common this time of year to look overhead and see a tight formation of Canada Geese.  A quick glance above however, determined this was a solo flyer.  It commanded an equal level of attention however, as it suddenly began to begin a descent .The graceful bird banked left, flew straight momentarily, and then turned again, before executing a perfect landing, alighting itself on both feet.  It traveled quickly over the ground and a few seconds later revealed its true identity, a Canada Bush Hawk.

  

    The beautiful blue bird hurriedly moved alongside a couple of buildings and suddenly stopped, seemingly un-noticed.  It had however been spotted, and the birdwatchers closed in quickly.

    The high wing strut less aircraft felt at home, next to the blue and white hangars of Stevi.  Like the field in which it came to rest, everything about it gleams with engineering, organization and pride.  Every detail in its creation important, nothing has gone unplanned, and the result is a thing of beauty.

     Mike Chapman of Flying Brokers is continually and literally on an Expedition.  The pilot and owner of the Canadian built aircraft, a Found FBA-2C2   Bush Hawk XP, ended this particular flight at the Stevensville Airport.   The Town of Stevensville, home to the historic St. Mary’s Mission, is where Montana began.    It traces its roots to the hands of Father Anthony Ravalli.  

    Chapman greeted the aviation enthusiasts as though they were fellow members of his own flock, like he had known them forever.  He needed little prompting to espouse the redeeming qualities of the plane that screams utilitarian comfort.  It was his own handiwork that had created the dance from the sky, onto this particular parcel of real estate.

 

     Mike’s love for his aircraft takes on a religious zeal.  He speaks of his airplane with reverence and conviction.    Like a missionary promoting his faith, Chapman professes the respect he has for her.  “I feel like I’m unworthy to own this aircraft”, he confesses.  The praise flows, and one indeed feels as though they are attending a worship service, hearing the continuing testimonials of the Bush Hawk’s unwavering strengths.

    The men quickly become converts, mesmerized by the bountiful information they have received.  They too have become believers, having seen and witnessed firsthand the craftsmanship and the beauty of The Bush Hawk XP.   They are grateful to Chapman for his gracious enlightenment.

    The sale was made, Mike’s testimony was sufficient enough, but the bird had spoken a silent language of her own.  She made no apologies, she made no excuses.  Seeing was believing. This aircraft speaks for herself!  She will always be N669BC.

    The Canada Hawk received some liquid nourishment from Mother Earth.  Her rest was sufficient and it was time to resume her journey.  As she leaped from the earth the decibels rose to the occasion.  She soared above with her flying tail and her balanced controls.   Confident with her sense of direction, she headed for the hills, a return to Idaho’s backcountry.   She had spoken again; this time with actions much louder than words. 

   The birdwatchers were not disappointed. They were made aware of a new species.  Like Mike Chapman they are ecstatic to have found a new aircraft.  The Bush Hawk XP however was never lost nor will it be.  It will always be in the right place and for today, that was Montana, The Last Best Airspace.

Pretty neat aircraft eh?

Check out Mike @ http://www.flyingbrokers.com/

Montana Pilot Flies to the North Star!

             By Richard G. Wissenbach            
 (Fall 2010)

    It sounds next to impossible, but Bitterroot Mountain pilot William Athens accomplishes just that.

     He routinely flies a 1954 Cessna 180 to North Star – North Star Ranch that is, twenty-six acres of privately owned land in Idaho, surrounded by the remote Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.

      You’d better like the close proximity of rugged mountain tops, rock strewn hillsides, and steep forested slopes, or the journey will seem as long and far away as the image conjured up by its name.  The trip is not for the faint of heart and the skills required to make it safely aren’t acquired overnight.

     “Four-Zero-Charlie landing North Star” calls out Athens as he descends downstream, skillfully banking the four-place tail dragger following the contour of the winding Selway River.  He keeps tight control of airspeed, his right hand firmly adjusting the throttle as necessary for altitude corrections, the other hand grasping the control yoke, maintaining the crafts’ airspeed just above a stall. The intended spot is the very end of the 700’ strip, right on the edge of a bluff.  The high wing aircraft, a favorite of mountain pilots, lands within a couple of feet of the end.  Arrive short and he’ll slam into the hillside, use too much of the precious ground and he’ll run up and over into the ravine beyond.  It’s obvious he wears the airplane, as the red and white bird slows quickly under his command.  When complimented on his textbook landing he modestly responds with a grin, “It’s no big deal.” 

                                        Turning Final North Star Ranch

     The 27-year-old “Alex”, as he’s known to local pilots, maintains the ranch property, ferrying in family, friends, equipment and supplies as needed from the Stevensville, Montana airport where the Cessna is hangared.  The love they have for their place is obvious.  Everything is in its place and although some buildings show signs of aging, everything is very meticulously maintained and improved upon.  Their green thumb is apparent with the lack of noxious weeds noted and a wide variety of vegetables found in the two gardens fed by pure mountain springs.

                                           A Piece of Paradise

     “North Star Ranch is the Crown Jewel of the Selway”, states Alex rather matter of factly.  It would be hard to argue that statement, as the beauty, tranquility, and quietness of the secluded location is quite simply breathtaking.  Located on an outcropping on a bend overlooking the scenic Selway River, the North Star Ranch was formerly owned and operated by a famed local outfitter, the late Kenneth (Punk) Wolfinbarger.

     This is pure, natural, and untamed wilderness.  Forest Road 223, a one-lane spur of the Magruder Corridor Road, which climbs over Nez Perce Pass, ends at Paradise.  That in itself backs Alex’s claim.   North Star Ranch is 10 miles beyond Paradise!  If you have to go past Paradise to get in here, it must be a heavenly gem!  There are two ways in: either a long, long walk on a dusty rattlesnake infested trail, or a descent from the skies above. 

    

     North Star is one of only three private parcels left in the Selway.   Running Creek Ranch is just upstream, with Selway Lodge downstream close to the junction of Bear Creek and the Selway River.  There are two public use airstrips, Shearer and Moose Creek, maintained by the National Forest.  Alex is one of just a handful of bush pilots to have landed at all of them.  Float trips on the Selway River are through a highly sought after limited permit system.  This is a true wilderness experience.

 

     “My father stopped in here 12 years ago. He had been looking into buying Running Creek Ranch, located just upriver. Punk Wolfinbarger, the previous owner of North Star, was looking for just the right person to sell to, and the match was perfect.”  Alex points out his father’s favorite spot, a chair on the main cabin’s stairway balcony, with a commanding view of the water flowing below and the wildlife covered hillside beyond.  It’s obvious the recent unexpected sudden death of his dad is still fresh in his memory.  His greatest love was spending time with his family in a place they all cherish.

                                The beautiful remote Selway River

     Alex, a graduate of the University of Montana with a degree in Anthropology, is also an Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot.  He most recently obtained a Flight Instructor Rating, adding to his already impressive credentials.  Prior to operating the Cessna he used a two- place fabric-covered Citabria.  The all aluminum Cessna, while over twice his age, appears as new.  It is maintained by experienced local FAA certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics.  Alex is continually upgrading it, looking forward to replacing the 230 horsepower engine with 280 for improved performance when operating near gross weight conditions.   Over a half a century since its manufacture, it's hard to find its equal for the mission - performance, speed, fuel consumption, and most of all, reliability.  The only substitute for power is more power!

     When the snow flies, he’ll install hydraulic wheel-skis, enabling him to takeoff with wheels extended from a dry hard surface.  Upon reaching the remote, snowed in ranch, he’ll manually lower the skis, gingerly feeling his way onto the white blinding surface. This requires Alex to continually change his technique depending upon the varying snow conditions.   His training here didn’t come from books or a university, it’s been on the job experience, and very intense.

     Depending on prevalent wind conditions on the small field, Alex may take advantage of another strip, slightly longer and oriented in a completely different direction.  “The wind blows 20 knots on a hot summer day” says Alex.  Takeoff on that “runway” is equally as technical.  It requires maneuvering between trees on the far end and negotiating the tight confines of the narrowing canyon.  Alex skillfully pulls on several notches of flaps, safely popping the aircraft into the air, accelerating in ground effect momentarily before climbing.  Once sufficient altitude is reached, one’s stomach is finally allowed to slightly relax.  The notes of the 88” McCauley propeller turning 2600 RPM briefly pierce the cool mountain air, before returning to the silence and stillness of moments earlier.  The pleasing sound of the North West, music to the ears of aviation enthusiasts, falls harmlessly below, having no effect on the deer, elk, bear, or big bad wolves!

                                                 Alex Athens

     The purchase of the ranch stimulated Alex’s interest in flying, and there was no looking back.  Alex received his initial Private License with noted Mountain Pilot Instructor Wendy Beye.

     

     An additional Instrument rating and extensive mountain training in the Cessna 180 was obtained through local mountain Joe Rimensberger of Osprey Aviation, who is an experienced backcountry operator and retired airline pilot.  Joe currently operates a Cessna TU206, catering to several wilderness outfitters as well as flying for the Forest Service during fire season.

     It’s hard to keep up with Alex, on the ground or in the air, as he’s continually on the go and in motion.

  

    When the winds aloft cooperate, he’ll fly direct as the crow flies, bee lining over the top picking his way through mountain passes and across ridges.  Other times he may have to aviate through scenic mountain canyons, adorned with high mountain lakes.

     Alex Athens is constantly upgrading his mountain skills, the hangar wall plastered with photos of his flying adventures, including the best and most technical Idaho has to offer, as well as flying Montana - The Last Best Airspace.  While yet young, Alex has accumulated hundreds of hours in the last six years of flying the Selway.

     The Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula, Montana utilizes a phrase coined by co-founder and author Steve Smith in his book “Fly the Biggest Piece Back”.  “ Tough Planes! Tough Pilots! Tough Flying!”

     While far from being a relic, Alex routinely flies the routes pioneered by famed pilots of legend.  A tough plane, a tough pilot, and tough flying!  He returns from the core of the wilderness slightly chirping the tires, as they meet the expansive asphalt of Stevensville’s 3800 foot long lighted airport.  

                                          Fall at the Ranch

 

    Alex swings the tail of the airplane towards the front of the hangar door and pulls the mixture control to the idle-cutoff position, allowing the six- cylinder Continental Engine to shut down.  It will soon cool in the night air.  Alex’s mission for the day is over, but he like the motor is ready to be primed and roar to life with the dawn of tomorrow and the promise of a new adventure.  Every mountain flight is unique and Alex looks forward to his next trip to North Star.