Cessna 185 | Taking off and Landing on a Muddy Jungle Airstrip

We fly our Cessna 185 into some of the most remote jungle regions in the Asian/Pacific. It is always a challenge to deal with weather and rain and properly evaluate airstrip conditions. This airstrip wasn't very wet for any of these clips. When it's really wet, one landing will sling mud from spinner to beacon and wing tip to wing tip. It's a short and soft field.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• gopro
• hd
• cessna
• 185
• airstrip
• stol
• flying
• short
• field
• children
• tribe
• tribal

[bbpruett]

It's a standard IO-520 with a three blade prop (not the 86" Black Mac). So standard in the power department. We have the Robertson drooping aileron STC, a Sportsman leading edge, ART wing tip extensions and VGs on the wings.

[dondycluck]

How/What Navigation you used to get to these remote places?

[bbpruett]

@dondycluck We use GPS supported by sectionals and knowledge of the area. A new pilot is required to do a thorough checkout before he can fly here. It's often in marginal weather in the mountains so you have to always know where you are (especially if the GPS fails) and how you can get yourself out of it if the need arises.

[kenjordans]

Awesome Brian! MOst interesting takeoff/landing sequence I have seen. What was the optical illusion from?

[bbpruett]

@kenjordans As you approach and fly past/over the ridges, your actual height above the ground is always changing. Sometimes you are 2000' above ground, sometimes 10.' However, the height you are concerned about is only the height above the touchdown zone. In addition to all that, the first half of the runway is significantly downhill so a normal approach looks like you're too low when in fact you're angle is right on. You have to use creative cues to help overcome the illusions.

[Philobeddoe12]

Fantastic Video bbpruett, you make difficult flying look easy. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. May God continue to be your co-pilot.

[Padoodleful]

Is the plane a standard 185, or do you have a more powerful engine installed?

[dondycluck]

@bbpruett looking out for more videos as well

[dondycluck]

@bbpruett Oh ok :) Thank you for the response...its much appreciated

[P38Scott]

hey that's neat! :}

[kenjordans]

Creativity is not something I thought would be required in bush flying. Being wrong could have major consequences! Thanks for all you do out there!

[jyokid]

Fantastic video! I look forward to trying my hand at mission flying at some point in the next two years.