He's a Cub Driver Now!

This summer I had the pleasure of providing a learning opportunity to a fellow CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). His name is Greg (last name kept confidential as I could tell he's a private person - I may be in trouble for blogging about him at all), and he hails from beautiful So Cal (Southern California). Greg was up here in Alaska for seasonal work and wanted to keep current on his flying skills, which brought him to me.

Although Greg has been flying and a CFI for decades, he didn't have any Super Cub time or "bush flying" experience. So, in addition to refreshing his flying skills, Greg got a chance to master Nunatak Air's beautiful bush plane in a real Alaskan environment.

First, Greg focused on getting comfortable with just flying the airplane, from the front seat (later he tried out flying from the back seat - a traditional instructor position for tandem seating). As the Super Cub is a tailwheel airplane, exacting rudder control is essential in the landing and take-off phases (to maintain direction), and this is one aspect we focused on. After a bit of pattern work at the Valdez Airport, where Greg polished up his skills with the Cub quickly, we moved on to a taste of Alaska! We covered the basics of off-field landings and in the process put the plane down on a little gravel bar of the nearby Lowe River. Here, Greg is shown moving the Cub around after we shut down to discuss the finer points of the techniques and gather information about the landing environment.

Greg Muscles Around the Cub

Pilots spend a lot of time in the pattern, going round and round to perfect landings and take-offs. At one point, after about the 10th time around the pattern one evening, Greg said 'this must be boring for you' (thinking I was not gaining anything new in the process). I replied 'this is the best thing in the world - being in the air, helping you master something I'm totally passionate about - I could do this forever'. Repetition is part of the game, and perfect practice makes perfect. It's rewarding - and no less true for the instructor.

I spent about 9 hours in the air with Greg this summer. I came to know him as a person and to enjoy his way of thinking and problem solving. Greg's a good pilot, and I applaud his value system that supports putting in the time, effort, and money to be the best pilot he can be. It's not easy or cheap to do this. As it concerns flying a Super Cub and bush flying, I've (informally) graduated Greg to the ranks of "Cub Driver" and award him a "Cub Driver" tee shirt, as shown in the photo below. Greg - The tee shirt's on it's way!

Cub Driver Tee

Alaska

He's a Cub Driver Now!

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