Stuart,

I don't launch if the winds are gusting over 30-35 knots. In the summer it gets really windy at 4S2 and KDLS in the afternoons. At Hood River the wind nukes from the Northwest between 290-310 near 25G35 - sometimes a little more. 4S2 uses 25/07 which roughly gives the max crosswind component near 30 knots. In the winter in Oregon we sometimes get strong southerly winds blowing from 120-230 and winds near 20G30. At my home airport we land 20. I am definitely puckered up on the sporty days but also enjoy the challenge. I bought my 180 in 2007 but been flying tailwheels since 1991. I worked my way up slowly with this level of comfort too and didn't always feel this way. I think the Skywagon is one of the most capable airplanes in a crosswind. I have never run out of tail/rudder authority. Flown all models of Skywagons too - from the early 53s to the heavy late model 185s. Different story with lighter tailwheel airplanes like a C140/C170 or Cubs/Luscombes. In those airplanes I wouldn't think of launching in those kinds of winds.

I also agree with the second comment about taxiing in strong winds being difficult. Especially while changing directions - turning into and away from the wind absolutely requires the correct yoke/stick position changes.

Worked some Az desert strips today.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/rS6h-Df8G9Y[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/avkGTVSqsu8[/youtube]

Just updated my logbooks from a summer of Skywagon flying. Love that the 500TXI maintains a log of all my flights. From June 5th to dec 1 had 175 flights and 279 landings. Only 117 hours of flight time however. Lol. It’s a blast.

I thought I would resurrect the Skywagon Love Thread. It's mid summer and I know this is BeechTalk but I want to make it Skywagon Talk. I just got back from my second Idaho trip this summer. 5 days of Flying in Idaho and it was blissful. Stayed at the Big Creek lodge for part of it which was phenomenal. Staff were amazing and I will be going back for sure. There is no better airplane for the Idaho Backcountry than a Skywagon IMHO. There is really no strip our beasts can't tame back there. The tailwheel and prop clearance make landing, taxiing and taking off a relaxing experience. My last Idaho trip in my airplane prior to this summer was in 2020 because in 2021 I was down due to an overhaul. I did some training in other people's airplanes (182s) and had fun but not the same and didn't do anything technically that difficult. Well did land a 182 with size 6 tires at Memaloose in mid June. It was still a little wet at the bottom of the airstrip which made it interesting. 2022 was a bust because I was recovering from Back surgery. Back and spine are healthy now. Hoping to go back in about 3 weeks and maybe see some of you at the Skywagon Flyin in the second week of September. I am healthy enough to camp now. Grateful my health is good and get to enjoy some really amazing flying.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/D6QZ-i1riTA[/youtube]

Josh: Thanks for the great video. It's been so hot in West Texas that the idea of packing the 180 for an excursion to Idaho seems wonderful. Big Creek Lodge definitely needs to be experienced.
Good to hear that your recovery from back surgery has gone well. With luck, we'll meet at Johnson Creek in September, and maybe some other BT Skywagon drivers and future owners will be there.
Best,

Tom

Well done. You can park and camp right where you were filming from. Keeps the top turnaround area clear for the islanders and kodiak that fly in often. There is an outhouse down there as well.

Awesome Video Josh

Sweet! Nice video Josh and very nicely done.

I flew the Idaho backcountry for the first time this year and had a blast! Having raced at Reno before IMO unless terrain is filling 3/4 of the windscreen flying ain’t no fun. Ha! Went with a buddy in his 206 who’s been flying there for 25 yrs and was trained by Laurie McNichols so it doesn’t get any better than that. I was very fortunate. Learned a lot about the history too. The smile on you and your buddy’s face says it all!

A question for you and the others…. I don’t need a Skywagon but saw quite a few Maules out there and am intrigued. Any comments on the Maule as a (smaller) backcountry machine?

What’s this wagon event in Sept?

International Cessna 180/185 Club gathering at Johnson Creek ID, Sept. 7-10th.
Overdose on Skywagons and some of the nicest people that fly them.
Great camping, maybe some music, hiking, and (one's own) mountain bicycle riding. The airstrip and its keepers are first class.
If you would rather not camp, you can lodge at Yellow Pine. There may still be the annual harmonica festival. Car available at JC for transport.
Also flyouts to other strips for the full Idaho backcountry experience.
Check out the Club website for info.
Best,

TN

Thanks Tom, I'll put it on my radar and look up the website.
Didn't know this was a thing and sounds great.

Thanks Robert - I wish I could tell you more about Maules but I have never flown one. I prefer the tailwheel airplanes in any backcountry setting just because the nosewheel stresses me out. Big tires and a nosewheel fork fix that problem. I think a 4 cylinder Maule would be an awesome airplane for the Backcountry and the Maule owners seem really happy with their machines. I think it is just incredibly fun flying conventional gear airplane too. It takes some getting used to but after some time the tailwheel is pretty is easy to manage. I tried talking a friend into buying an M5 with some supped up 210 HP engine. Ideal situation too. Partnership with a guy who owned his own hangar and was also an IA. I told him to jump at it but he let his common sense take over. Something about the kids college fund and family budget. He is part owner of a Grumman Tiger but says he's happy. I wish he would have bought it because I would like to fly a Maule one day.

I haven't been to any Skywagon fly-ins in years - so this one is going to be fun for me. Looking forward to meeting the BTers there in about 5 weeks.

My girl is back on floats.

https://www.facebook.com/10000406689793 ... Tw7HibDRl/

Desert flying


Inside

https://youtu.be/Tvr3LWpRxtk?si=x-Lqb21I0o1lbLYm


Outside

https://youtu.be/SKTBktPkSbM?si=nXF_A4Bj44I8UCE3