Without any doubt, this is the baddest flying video on YouTube. This guys has flown air to mud professionally. On my best day I'll not have the danglers to try this. But it's effortless in an Van's RV. Would love to know the history of this pilot.
At least a dozen times I have watched this video. It is my favorite among my over 100 favorites. Not only are you a skilled pilot but you appear totally at ease in the "dead man's curve." Let the wannabees have their tirades as they prove their lack of testicular fortitude. Tailwinds.
This is one of my favorite youtube videos. What fun this would be. Is it responsible? Hell no. Fun? Hell yeah! I'm sure the guy considered what would happen if the engine stopped. Criticizing his decision making is pure douchebaggery...save it.
Another thought for all the nay sayers: even if he doesnt have enough energy to hop up over the trees, (which he does) what about some of those gravel bars???? of course thats probably DANGEROUS too huh?
People dun ask you where did you learn to fly that way....
Over in Viet-Nam chasing NVA!
.... Nice flying. All those government trained drug runners sure had some good flying to do for ~ 15 years. I met one and that's just right he was government trained. Flew guns south for the man, and dope back while the man looked the other way. Must have been fun.
its not about the destination it all about the jouney.... this guy has a set most of us wish we could posess.... you can't live forever. I'd rather die trying. the rest of you do gooders can set on the sidlines and wish you were me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love this video. I had the privilege to fly an RV-4 (from the back seat) for about an hour and a half. Except for the tight fit (I'm 6'1") it was just awesome. That plane is so nimble and quick. Of course my 200 Lbs. of body weight in the back seat kept any fancy maneuvers to a minimum.
I built a -4 a few years back. Didn't have the bucks to finish it... wish I had...this is one smoooooth pilot in an incredible airplane. A tip of my bucking bar to you sir.
Damn, That was a kick ass video...Most of my professors at college own an RV aircraft(or two) I'm sure they'd love this vid!!BTW Where did the song come from?? Song is as good as the video...
This is no more dangerous than flying a C172, Bonanza, Mooney, etc at 10000 over a layer of fog or low clouds. It's not against the law either but it is soooo much more fun than watching the autopilot fly a spam can around from VOR to VOR.
its actually probably safer becuase if he looses his engine he can pitch up and glide, if one the pink line followers looses his engine he will have about a half second to pick which tree he wants to hit when he breaks out at 200 feet, if he doesnt snap it in when he panics because he never does power off approaches. nice comment.
Everybody I know that owns an RV4 is a daredevil.... This guy will end up taking a dirt nap once he hits the hot air balloon that took off and is flying over the river...
Man all I can say is... I'd like to borrow this mans plane (and his balls) for a week. AND I'M HOPING THIS IS A RETRACTABLE GEAR! Hooya! Now that's what I call trout fishin!!!
What a great video and a great advertisement for Van's aircraft, because you can tell how fast and nimble these planes are. Somehow, doing this in a C-182 would seem a little dull after watching this.
200+ MPH, close throttle, pull up 40 degrees, when airspeed decays to 45-50 MPH you should have enough altitude (in my experience around 1500') to take a good look and perform some trouble shooting while selecting a suitable cow pasture to set down in! What's the problem?
You nailed it! Most of the comments are from people that have never flown in a small aircraft, especially not an experimental. And never will understand...
Thank you. Your video reminds of flying with my old man in his RV4-N9233A. Dirt strips, quick trips, river runs along and underneath Hellsgates Bridge, dogfights with his buddy Hal, ex Navy fighter pilot, also with an RV4. I could go on and on........Thanks
Well....if that engine would have quit he would have been very dead. Those mains would hit the water and the ensuing flip at that speed would be very unsurvivable.
If that engine quit, he would pull up, get some altitude, try a restart and should that fail.... land it some where and walk away. The RV is a great platform.
if he was flying slow then yes but he wasn't. its all about total energy, flying high and fast is the safest cos you have lots of kenetic energy (airspeed) and lots of potential energy (altitude). low and slow is the worst, low kenetic energy and low potential energy so if ur engine fails you cant do a zoom climb meaning u would need to land on whatever is in front of you. greater total energy means greater gliding time for you to gather thoughts find a place to land and try 2 restart the engine
Let me tell you... if ur engine fails a zoom climb is almost impossible. Takes nothing to bleed off that airspeed! You'll still need to land straight ahead!
a zoom climb at optimum glide angle until reaching optimum glide speed will get you quite a bit of height and safety if the engine fails. then you can continue descending at the best glide speed until you can find a suitable landing site. you're looking at 500-1000feet of available engine off zoom climb height depending on your speed.
Maybe in a glider, but in the RV4 with no power you are not going to climb 1000 PERIOD! Also, safe is a relative term, no power is never safe. I like to ALWAYS make a safe landing... in this video with all those trees 500 is NOT safe. But, you are entitled to your opinion!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Number one, with 12 years as an Army Aviator I know a "little" about flying low. As a builder and pilot of an RV-4 I am very familiar with that little short wings gliding capability (or lack thereof). Number three he is NOT GOING THAT FAST OR ELSE HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE RADIUS OF TURN THAT HE DOES ! ZOOM CLIMB ! ZOOM CLIMB ! AND GO WHERE ??????? Look at the frickin terrrain surrounding that river.....There aren't any fields or roads he's gonna be in the trees or worse the river - Moron
ok, he is going slower, he is obviously has enough logbooks in his closet to know the danger of his flight profile he has chosen.....are you his mother do you just need to relax and enjoy the video?
I built an RV4 10 years ago and still fly it today. It's short wings are excellent for gliding at above 100 and OK down to 80mph...below that you sink. That plane will do those turns as fast as you want to if you can handle the Gs...the faster you go the better those wings carve the turn. Guessing from his bank angles I'd bet he's going 110-140...not slow, not fast. Over 150 he'd be snapping on edge for every turn.
The Vans aircraft seem like a great alternative to traditional light planes due to their great speed. I wonder how their safety record is? How are they as IFR platforms?
Man an machine in perfect harmony! Just brilliant! (what happens if the engine fails?- you try and land, get it wrong and you crash. This is called risk, and some things in life are worth the risk!!)
I know you won't die from the engine failure (I fly gliders myself :)), but if you're at 10 feet with no landable terrain immediately below, you're in serious trouble.
yeah, as an aviator you must know airplanes were made to FLY not sink. If the engine fails and you can set er' down you'll be fine. These small planes wont have hydraulics or anything fancy so it makes it even more survivable. But he would most likely sink in that river below, pop the canopy and start doing back strokes...
My grandpa, a WWII flight instructor once told me, "there are alot of old pilots, and alot of Bold pilots, but there aint alot of Old-Bold Pilots...." Just some food for thought :)
Superman, He knows his limts, I know mine. He doesnt live life in a padded box like some people I know... too scared to stand when takin a piss!! Fly on, "Tree Top Flyer!!
we all cut margins it makes you feel like your living especially when you work for a living,you need an adrenaline rush in your life; even if it kills you at some point.LIFE your life don't just exist
I don't know whether to commend this person for flying like that or tell him he is a damn fool. You cut your margines too close or....I'm not going into the what ifs, but thats a beautiful airplane to ball up doing something not illegal, but foolish just the same! Take her up to 3000' and enjoy that 16 degrees per second roll rate!
Technically that's other than sparsely populated - you can get away with 2 feet off the ground as long as you have room to recover from an emergency. humm..
Great fun until a bird strike wipes out the prop! Where to do an emergency landing? Still.... without risk life is a bore. Having owned an RV-4 in the UK for 10 years till 2002 I took a lot of risks too, all illegal and I am still here!
We little old ladies don't fly like this...respect to the guy who can. I hope you always get out alive. RLTW.
packncathy 2 months ago
Cool Blues as well as Cool Flying :-))
MarshallGoPro 3 months ago
Pacific Northwest region?
flywulf 5 months ago
Please contact the FAA with your license number. Stay safe!
thanks
Very cool!
HighjJet 6 months ago
This guy has got to be a military pilot. Trust me I am one. A little low for FAA.
sgsellsit 9 months ago
love it!
stanaraldite 1 year ago
Every time I watch this video I want to fire up a doobie. Why is that?
FNP3 1 year ago
This is one of the coolest RV vids.
FantasticBob7000 1 year ago
Without any doubt, this is the baddest flying video on YouTube. This guys has flown air to mud professionally. On my best day I'll not have the danglers to try this. But it's effortless in an Van's RV. Would love to know the history of this pilot.
Bravo Zulu
PhantomsPhorever1 1 year ago
cool video !! that`s the way of flying, I love !
rzirwen 1 year ago
Is he still alive? Hope it doesn't soon read:
7452 — November 04, 20?? — This fella is killed at flying.
(still sounds the same when you read it)
Very entertaining, though. I have a family so I add altitude to the mix when I play.
Ukecaptain 1 year ago
At least a dozen times I have watched this video. It is my favorite among my over 100 favorites. Not only are you a skilled pilot but you appear totally at ease in the "dead man's curve." Let the wannabees have their tirades as they prove their lack of testicular fortitude. Tailwinds.
digger500 1 year ago
This is my continuing motivation to keep putting a quarter of every paycheck into savings.....RV-4 Here I come
semperfi354 1 year ago
this is such a great video, it's like I'm actually sitting behind him.
cppbandit 2 years ago
As a pilot this is still one of fav videos on youtube. Good demonstration of skill and entertaining.
hump180 2 years ago
Great vid and great song to go with it what is the name and what artist is it.
dbull78 2 years ago
Ok. A good pilot needs at least 2 of the following:
- Height - Airspeed - Jugment
Well... looks like he has airspped.
indigo196799 2 years ago
Oooh, so sorry you didn't enjoy the movie..move on bud.
7452 2 years ago
This copy of the video has the sides cut off.
aerhearts 2 years ago
this is fucking awesome
mrwallaby 2 years ago
looks like he memorized the map !
19BlackLord91 2 years ago
This is one of my favorite youtube videos. What fun this would be. Is it responsible? Hell no. Fun? Hell yeah! I'm sure the guy considered what would happen if the engine stopped. Criticizing his decision making is pure douchebaggery...save it.
33jarhead88 2 years ago
The first thing I thought of when I first started watching was...this guy had to be a F.A.C. in Nam!
RCShadow 2 years ago
beautifull video and awsome music
laiomarinheiro 2 years ago
Addictive stuff...................!
dickandchristina 2 years ago
The TTF,
The fact that you, through real experience, actually know what you are talking about , makes your comment irrelevant here...
analretentivewhiner 2 years ago
Another thought for all the nay sayers: even if he doesnt have enough energy to hop up over the trees, (which he does) what about some of those gravel bars???? of course thats probably DANGEROUS too huh?
akomara1 3 years ago
People dun ask you where did you learn to fly that way....
Over in Viet-Nam chasing NVA!
.... Nice flying. All those government trained drug runners sure had some good flying to do for ~ 15 years. I met one and that's just right he was government trained. Flew guns south for the man, and dope back while the man looked the other way. Must have been fun.
TalksWithDirt 3 years ago
This is my favorite video on youtube!! Always wanted to build an 8 someday!
rayjasonb 3 years ago
its not about the destination it all about the jouney.... this guy has a set most of us wish we could posess.... you can't live forever. I'd rather die trying. the rest of you do gooders can set on the sidlines and wish you were me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cyberpilot10 3 years ago
Love this video. I had the privilege to fly an RV-4 (from the back seat) for about an hour and a half. Except for the tight fit (I'm 6'1") it was just awesome. That plane is so nimble and quick. Of course my 200 Lbs. of body weight in the back seat kept any fancy maneuvers to a minimum.
reedy1269 3 years ago
I built a -4 a few years back. Didn't have the bucks to finish it... wish I had...this is one smoooooth pilot in an incredible airplane. A tip of my bucking bar to you sir.
wrigleydoodle 3 years ago
reminds me why i love to fly
coolos123456789 3 years ago
Damn, That was a kick ass video...Most of my professors at college own an RV aircraft(or two) I'm sure they'd love this vid!!BTW Where did the song come from?? Song is as good as the video...
banyani 3 years ago
Those hot air balloons will get you every time...
N533RV 3 years ago
This is no more dangerous than flying a C172, Bonanza, Mooney, etc at 10000 over a layer of fog or low clouds. It's not against the law either but it is soooo much more fun than watching the autopilot fly a spam can around from VOR to VOR.
seltmail 3 years ago
its actually probably safer becuase if he looses his engine he can pitch up and glide, if one the pink line followers looses his engine he will have about a half second to pick which tree he wants to hit when he breaks out at 200 feet, if he doesnt snap it in when he panics because he never does power off approaches. nice comment.
akomara1 3 years ago
Everybody I know that owns an RV4 is a daredevil.... This guy will end up taking a dirt nap once he hits the hot air balloon that took off and is flying over the river...
mopar92 3 years ago
River running is in my opinion some of the most fun that you can have in your RV.
JonJon95GT 3 years ago 6
Uhhh..Yeah...Thanks for the heads up...
N533RV 3 years ago
Man all I can say is... I'd like to borrow this mans plane (and his balls) for a week. AND I'M HOPING THIS IS A RETRACTABLE GEAR! Hooya! Now that's what I call trout fishin!!!
AtomicProjects 3 years ago
Fixed gear.
JonJon95GT 3 years ago
What a great video and a great advertisement for Van's aircraft, because you can tell how fast and nimble these planes are. Somehow, doing this in a C-182 would seem a little dull after watching this.
Ayinger 3 years ago
200+ MPH, close throttle, pull up 40 degrees, when airspeed decays to 45-50 MPH you should have enough altitude (in my experience around 1500') to take a good look and perform some trouble shooting while selecting a suitable cow pasture to set down in! What's the problem?
TheTTF 3 years ago
People just don't know.
JonJon95GT 3 years ago
You nailed it! Most of the comments are from people that have never flown in a small aircraft, especially not an experimental. And never will understand...
wally10001 3 years ago
this video redefines my concept of reckless flying...
southamericanrocker 3 years ago
If you think this guy is going glide a half mile from 50'AGL with no engine, you are a serious numbskull.
FAR 91.119-Cant fly low enough to cause hazard to people on the ground should engine fail. Can't fly below 500'AGL unless it's sparsely populated.
FAR 91.13 Cant fly in a reckless manner that endangers the life or property of another.
This may be reckless and dangerous, but not illegal because he is only risking his own life and property... unless someone else owns that plane.
bodybager 3 years ago
What a ride! I have been wanting to build an RV, well, this only helps cement the deal! Thanks for the great footage.
nwjet1 3 years ago
Lovely video of flying with great music.
-Thanks
kayakfla 3 years ago
that was in regards to 'savagecub'
paddy217125 3 years ago
Nice flying ol' man. I bet you know where the power lines cross that river. Probably flown under a few too...beats the hell out of pounding pavement.
heliace 3 years ago 2
is this a glider?
mikeandterry2 3 years ago 2
just a question, does he put his head in that odd direction ?
or is it because of the powers that comes over him?
rushcruiser 3 years ago
Your welcome! I checked out the low fly by video on your site and enjoyed that too.
7452 3 years ago
Thank you. Your video reminds of flying with my old man in his RV4-N9233A. Dirt strips, quick trips, river runs along and underneath Hellsgates Bridge, dogfights with his buddy Hal, ex Navy fighter pilot, also with an RV4. I could go on and on........Thanks
wally10001 3 years ago
Well....if that engine would have quit he would have been very dead. Those mains would hit the water and the ensuing flip at that speed would be very unsurvivable.
savagecub 3 years ago
Well, there you have it....
N533RV 3 years ago
If that engine quit, he would pull up, get some altitude, try a restart and should that fail.... land it some where and walk away. The RV is a great platform.
pittss2cpilot 3 years ago 2
if he was flying slow then yes but he wasn't. its all about total energy, flying high and fast is the safest cos you have lots of kenetic energy (airspeed) and lots of potential energy (altitude). low and slow is the worst, low kenetic energy and low potential energy so if ur engine fails you cant do a zoom climb meaning u would need to land on whatever is in front of you. greater total energy means greater gliding time for you to gather thoughts find a place to land and try 2 restart the engine
paddy217125 3 years ago
Let me tell you... if ur engine fails a zoom climb is almost impossible. Takes nothing to bleed off that airspeed! You'll still need to land straight ahead!
Fly Safe!
lroscioli 3 years ago
don't agree
a zoom climb at optimum glide angle until reaching optimum glide speed will get you quite a bit of height and safety if the engine fails. then you can continue descending at the best glide speed until you can find a suitable landing site. you're looking at 500-1000feet of available engine off zoom climb height depending on your speed.
itsumonihon 3 years ago
Maybe in a glider, but in the RV4 with no power you are not going to climb 1000 PERIOD! Also, safe is a relative term, no power is never safe. I like to ALWAYS make a safe landing... in this video with all those trees 500 is NOT safe. But, you are entitled to your opinion!
lroscioli 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Number one, with 12 years as an Army Aviator I know a "little" about flying low. As a builder and pilot of an RV-4 I am very familiar with that little short wings gliding capability (or lack thereof). Number three he is NOT GOING THAT FAST OR ELSE HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE RADIUS OF TURN THAT HE DOES ! ZOOM CLIMB ! ZOOM CLIMB ! AND GO WHERE ??????? Look at the frickin terrrain surrounding that river.....There aren't any fields or roads he's gonna be in the trees or worse the river - Moron
savagecub 3 years ago
12 years as an Army Aviator, a lifetime as an arsehole.
bunjit1 3 years ago
Amen...
analretentivewhiner 2 years ago
SC, I have flown this run down the river a few times. That's 6.2 miles in a little UNDER 2 mins. you do the math. That's pretty quick.
You seem like a fairly intelligent guy... until you start name calling.
TheTTF 3 years ago 5
ok, he is going slower, he is obviously has enough logbooks in his closet to know the danger of his flight profile he has chosen.....are you his mother do you just need to relax and enjoy the video?
unclesara 3 years ago
I built an RV4 10 years ago and still fly it today. It's short wings are excellent for gliding at above 100 and OK down to 80mph...below that you sink. That plane will do those turns as fast as you want to if you can handle the Gs...the faster you go the better those wings carve the turn. Guessing from his bank angles I'd bet he's going 110-140...not slow, not fast. Over 150 he'd be snapping on edge for every turn.
rvflier 2 years ago
Outstanding flying. My RV-4 is almost done, and when it is finished I am going to find me a river.
pittss2cpilot 3 years ago
Sweet...
N533RV 3 years ago
The Vans aircraft seem like a great alternative to traditional light planes due to their great speed. I wonder how their safety record is? How are they as IFR platforms?
Ayinger 4 years ago
not the best at IFR unless you have an auto pilot...due to their responsiveness.
msekavec 4 years ago
Van's safety record is just as good as their certified counterparts (Cessna, Piper, etc). I hope to one day own one myself (or a F1 Rocket).
kickZtailout 3 years ago
500ft rule er er narr ! great fun so long as you dont meet your mate with the same idea coming head on.
colscols 4 years ago
thats 500 feet from people and structures, you can fly what ever altitude you want over wilderness
msekavec 4 years ago
Got to love those RV's!
Jimdippel 4 years ago
NICE RUN MAN!!! I need to log a few more hours in my RV-6 before I try something like that! WOOHOO!
N200PF 4 years ago
Man an machine in perfect harmony! Just brilliant! (what happens if the engine fails?- you try and land, get it wrong and you crash. This is called risk, and some things in life are worth the risk!!)
pikherk 4 years ago
RV4 is a two seater, a most excellent bird:-)
dtuer 4 years ago
what happens on on engine failure?
dtuer 4 years ago
You die. But at least you don't hurt anyone else in a single seat airplane.
Rickenbacker69 4 years ago
Engine failure does not mean you die... Just means if you can set it down nicely you have a very long walk ahead of you. ;-p
Gudloki 4 years ago
I know you won't die from the engine failure (I fly gliders myself :)), but if you're at 10 feet with no landable terrain immediately below, you're in serious trouble.
Rickenbacker69 4 years ago
yeah, as an aviator you must know airplanes were made to FLY not sink. If the engine fails and you can set er' down you'll be fine. These small planes wont have hydraulics or anything fancy so it makes it even more survivable. But he would most likely sink in that river below, pop the canopy and start doing back strokes...
the1bigace 4 years ago
If your ever in east tx look us up for some tree top flying..awsome video and thanks for your Duty in nam!Great Song!
ronfosterjr 4 years ago
Great song, great footage, and awesome flying! What a great escape on a Sunday morning. Thanks Tree Top Flyer!
mpnolan 4 years ago
Great video. I watched it twice. You could show a young enthusiast a good time. young airline guy
rhenke 4 years ago
Very skilled! Thank you for sharing. Reminder of why we love aviation so much.
CFI.
tylervet 4 years ago
An amazing display of flying skill, I've been flying for 30 years and would love to fly with this fellow. Rock on and heads-up!
KenoraKQ 4 years ago
one of my favorite videos...we do this in a canyon in northern PA up a river...i just need to play this tune through my davy clarks :-)
SxRacer108 4 years ago
Rock On tree top flyer!!
bradsnodgrass 4 years ago
My grandpa, a WWII flight instructor once told me, "there are alot of old pilots, and alot of Bold pilots, but there aint alot of Old-Bold Pilots...." Just some food for thought :)
phishyphunk 4 years ago
sure there is....this is one of them ;-)
weezbad 4 years ago
my grandpa used to do this at the kern river in his Ryan in the 1930s
m1insane 4 years ago
Also, great video!!! Very entertaining, just be careful out there.
sctybdy 4 years ago
A wise old pilot once told me "You screw around close enough to the ground, eventually you hit it".
sctybdy 4 years ago
Superman, He knows his limts, I know mine. He doesnt live life in a padded box like some people I know... too scared to stand when takin a piss!! Fly on, "Tree Top Flyer!!
mnhr2 4 years ago
that´s dam good flying, you need skills and balls man, thanks for video, keep on flying.
matigs007 4 years ago
nice flying.....
kitfoxflyer 4 years ago
he can land in the river... thats safe enough
gliderman101 4 years ago
we all cut margins it makes you feel like your living especially when you work for a living,you need an adrenaline rush in your life; even if it kills you at some point.LIFE your life don't just exist
bigbear1684 5 years ago
please post the artist/song name. great video!
crackie777 5 years ago
Steven Stills - Treetop Flyer Tis great alright.
Fabbydabbydoozy 4 years ago
Veeery niiiice
drukmefunk 5 years ago
I don't know whether to commend this person for flying like that or tell him he is a damn fool. You cut your margines too close or....I'm not going into the what ifs, but thats a beautiful airplane to ball up doing something not illegal, but foolish just the same! Take her up to 3000' and enjoy that 16 degrees per second roll rate!
scottieshea 5 years ago
He knows his limits, you know yours, dont judge this man by your abilities.
mnhr2 4 years ago
Abilities? I know lots of really great dead pilots!
All Im saying is "good luck".
sctybdy 4 years ago
Technically that's other than sparsely populated - you can get away with 2 feet off the ground as long as you have room to recover from an emergency. humm..
SeattleZ 5 years ago
yeah then theirs the one about being 500 from person, object property..oh yeah and being at a safe altitude in the event of an emergency
fpere006 4 years ago
how is this illegal? i dont see anything or anyone except him. doesnt he have to come within 500 feet of a structure or persons to be illegal?
nigbas 5 years ago
YES!!
TRANSFORMER2508 4 years ago
Great fun until a bird strike wipes out the prop! Where to do an emergency landing? Still.... without risk life is a bore. Having owned an RV-4 in the UK for 10 years till 2002 I took a lot of risks too, all illegal and I am still here!
believezilch 5 years ago
YES!!!
TRANSFORMER2508 4 years ago
Vantastic!!
pulsar582 5 years ago
great music too
pulsar582 5 years ago