Scott Newpower turned FLYING contributor Ben Younger (pictured) onto the world of backcountry flying through the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), an organization for which Newpower serves as the Montana liaison. [Courtesy: Ben Younger]
Key Takeaways:
The author, initially cautious about mountain and unimproved strip flying due to a past incident, embarked on a backcountry aviation trip to Montana.
Through mentorship from Scott Newpower, a Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) liaison, the author was introduced to challenging grass strips and vital backcountry flying techniques.
The experience provided crucial lessons in precision flying, short-field operations, and adapting to demanding terrain, observed through Newpower's consistent technique and practical departures.
This mentorship significantly boosted the author's confidence and capability in backcountry environments, helping bridge the gap between perceived ability and actual skill.
Turning final onto Runway 34 at Seeley Lake, Montana (23S), I was high and fast.
Normally, this would not be a good thing at a mountain strip with a grass runway almost a mile above sea level on a warm August morning. But then most grass strips aren’t 4,575 feet long and smoother than the majority of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
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Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.
