Getting Out Of Here

I get kind of worked up when Im unsure. Last year, I hauled a load out of a backcountry strip (Sulphur Creek, Idaho, ID74) that included a 320-pound elk, my brother and me, plus all our gear for eight days in my Cessna 180. Field elevation was 5835 feet, and I remember that the takeoff used up a lot of the 3300-foot runway. I went through the numbers over and over before I left and when we got home, I confirmed the loading cargo put us right at gross weight on takeoff.

Mike Hart

Friday, November 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The pilot emphasizes the critical importance of precise weight and balance calculations over mere estimates for safe flight, particularly when operating heavy loads from challenging backcountry airstrips.
Pilots should thoroughly familiarize themselves with their aircraft's loading permutations and Center of Gravity (CG) envelope, utilizing tools like spreadsheets or apps to understand how various loads affect balance.
The author advocates for making conservative loading estimates and verifying actual weights post-flight to gain concrete data, refine understanding of aircraft limits, and improve future flight planning.

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I get kind of worked up when I’m unsure. Last year, I hauled a load out of a backcountry strip (Sulphur Creek, Idaho, ID74) that included a 320-pound elk, my brother and me, plus all our gear for eight days in my Cessna 180. Field elevation was 5835 feet, and I remember that the takeoff used up a lot of the 3300-foot runway. I went through the numbers over and over before I left and when we got home, I confirmed the loading cargo put us right at gross weight on takeoff.

This year, I flew a similar load out of Cabin Creek, Idaho (I08), with 16 fewer gallons of gas, 1600 fewer feet of elevation and 1600 fewer feet of runway. Cabin Creek’s 1700-foot-long runway has a rather substantial slope, a 100-foot elevation drop from the top of the runway to the bottom, giving it a 6.35 percent grade. Unless you’re flying a helicopter, taking off downhill is the only way.