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 grass strip flying due to a past incident, sought to expand his comfort and skill in these challenging environments.
Through mentorship from Scott Newpower, a Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) liaison, the author was introduced to the world of Montana backcountry flying.
This experience provided invaluable lessons in precise piloting techniques and critical decision-making for unimproved mountain strips, significantly enhancing the author's capability and confidence as a pilot.
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.
