Gastons

Jeff and I took his plane, a Cessna 172M, to Gaston's White River Resort in the Southern part of the Ozarks in Northern Arkansas, just across the Missouri border. We went for the enjoyment of flying and for the scenery. We walked around the boat docks, ate lunch and took several pictures. The place is beyond description, especially for us westerners who are not used to so much greenery and water. The weather was perfect, low 80's and not real humid. The air was calm and the birds echoed against the low mountains. Every once in awhile a plane would land and all would stop and watch. Land on 24 and depart on 6 due to terrain and wires to the west. The turf was well manacured when we went there and at over 3000' x 55' wide it is not difficult to safely land although a novice may want to go with an experienced pilot the first time. Anybody should for that matter. The approach can be intimadating with a dog led and narrow trees before the threshold. Jeff made a good soft field landing and was alert enought to spot a large mud hole at the end. We turned off well before it and parked but as as you can in the video some unfortunate soul apparently hit mud and collapsed his front landing gear and had a prop strike. Bummer. A couple of weeks ago it rained and there are You Tube videos showing planes shooting serious roost on their take-off roll. Care should also be taken on hot humid days when the density altitude may seriously effect performance. Only a month ago a Piper Lance failed to gain enough altitude after takoff and crashed into the trees. This place is great for a weekend fishing trip with bud's or a romantic getaway with the wife. I'm gonna try to make it back there next spring. Maybe go with my to fish for trout. OK, I guess you can tell how excited I am about it. Hope you have time to watch the video and know it dosn't do it total justice.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• gastons
• cessna
• aviation
• ga
• flying
• airplanes

[AdventureFlight]

Most likely a mud hole

[kjackles]

Cool video, but just so you know Bellanca Cruisairs and Cruisemasters do not have nose gear to collapse... Something else was troubling that Bellanca...