aturner
Well Known Member
From time to time folks ask how the -10 does on rough fields so I thought I would post a quick report on my experiences. My two sons and I just returned to Pennsylvania from a trip in which we hiked and fished in wilderness areas of Montana and Idaho. On this trip we landed and camped at Benchmark, Meadow Creek, Spotted Bear, Ryan Field, Seeley Lake, and Moose Creek. You can look up details if interested but these are all grass fields, except for Benchmark, and all the grass fields are a bit rough, except for Seeley Lake. Last summer we landed at many of the same fields, but added Schafer Meadows and Smiley Creek.
The good news is that the -10 performed great (no surprise) and suffered no damage from the many ruts, holes, and rocks (a bit of a surprise). So, it can be done. A couple more observations........when camping you load gear into and out of the airplane several times a day, and this is so much more work in a low wing airplane than a high wing. I really got tired of climbing up on that darn wing to get some small item. I also regret that although we flew through some of the most beautiful scenery in North America, I saw just part of it. That big wing performs well, but blocks the best views. So, I miss a couple of aspects of the old Cessna, but I'm not trading in the -10!
Another caution is that with high grass, bugs, mud, toothpaste, and dirty socks, you will not emerge from the wilderness with a clean airplane. This is not a trip for the fastidious, but really, who cares about grass stains and mud when this is the reward:
Most important thing is....just get out there. We did a 44 mile, four day hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, climbed two mountains that were each about 3500' above the trailhead, caught dozens of beautiful fish, and gave thanks for our wonderful system of public lands. We are all so fortunate to have these opportunities.
The good news is that the -10 performed great (no surprise) and suffered no damage from the many ruts, holes, and rocks (a bit of a surprise). So, it can be done. A couple more observations........when camping you load gear into and out of the airplane several times a day, and this is so much more work in a low wing airplane than a high wing. I really got tired of climbing up on that darn wing to get some small item. I also regret that although we flew through some of the most beautiful scenery in North America, I saw just part of it. That big wing performs well, but blocks the best views. So, I miss a couple of aspects of the old Cessna, but I'm not trading in the -10!
Another caution is that with high grass, bugs, mud, toothpaste, and dirty socks, you will not emerge from the wilderness with a clean airplane. This is not a trip for the fastidious, but really, who cares about grass stains and mud when this is the reward:
Most important thing is....just get out there. We did a 44 mile, four day hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, climbed two mountains that were each about 3500' above the trailhead, caught dozens of beautiful fish, and gave thanks for our wonderful system of public lands. We are all so fortunate to have these opportunities.
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