Steve McAtee submitted this photo and note: “I took this photo during one of our biannual journeys to Alaska with a group of close friends flying together in a five ship of SX-300s.”
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The red-colored Cirrus airplanes are flying along the southeast side of Mount Denali, the large snow covered dome above the second airplane. Elevation on top of Denali’s South Summit is 20,310 feet ASL. The North Summit of Denali at 19,470 feet is shown as the ridge between the airplanes on the far horizon. Below the tail of the second airplane is the near vertical 3,000 foot granite wall of the Moose’s Tooth. The main summit of the Moose’s Tooth on the right is 10,300 feet. Mountain climbers come to Alaska every year to climb this alpinist’s delight. The ultra-classic mountain wall climbing routes on the Moose’s Tooth are two famous couloirs named Ham and Eggs and Shaken, Not Stirred.
These kit light sport planes. Pretty dangerous to fly them in Alaska.
So, a 2 place aircraft with a 1600 lb empty weight and 2400 lb gross with a 240 knot cruise speed is “a kit light sport plane”? Compared to what, your 2400 lb empty 3400 lb gross 200 knot Cirrus. Your condescending attitude about any airplane more than 10 years old that isn’t made out of plastic and carries a parachute gets really old after a while. Cirrus airplanes crash and kill people too by the way, in spite of all the technology, avionics tech, shiny paint and leather seats.
Thank you …condescending is correct .
WATCH 29 minute movie made about the journeys to Alaska. Pushing the Envelope – Exploring the Spirit that made America Great” is a 29 minute story of ten pilots that have flown to Alaska together for the past eight years in high speed Experimental aircraft including SX 300’s and Air Venture Coupes. Darting low over Alaskan mountains, glaciers, and fjords at speeds of 300 MPH and separated by mere inches, ten “retired” pilots continue to capture the true spirit of adventure, pushing the aviation envelope well into their seventies. Just recently posted to YouTube, this video strikes a deep chord with pilots and non pilots alike. Primarily made up of ex Fighter Pilots, now in their seventies, it is a story of the character behind America’s strength and greatness as these men continue their pursuit of aviation excellence in their self-built, high performance experimental aircraft. This work is dedicated to the United States Air Force Academy class of 1962 and the 14 classmates that died on combat missions in Viet Nam. A beautiful story, incredible flying, with a deep emotional and Patriotic feeling – NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE THRU THE LINK BELOW.
Pushing the Envelope
I’ll bet Kieth Phillips is there!
Backcountry, STOL aircraft get most of the attention when Alaska is mentioned. It’s good to see a photo of some incredible speedsters also enjoying the aerial bounty of that State.