So here is the breakdown on the $25,000 day…
Since the first contract (1,484 lbs.) was a bit too much for my new plane (limit is about 1,400 lbs.) - I split that load off and picked up a second contract so I could carry that full $8,109 contract and a portion of the big one…that meant I’d have to return to base to pick up the balance of the big contract of course…
The departure out of Mud Lake was a bit of an eye opener…it was my first takeoff at max gross weight and that 185F is very twitchy at that weight…hovering at the edge of a stall and climbing very slowly in the high density altitude. You have to nurse the flaps up and be very gentle on the trim and try not to bank much at that max weight…
Coming across Idaho Falls…still climbing southbound…
Soon we are dropping into Simpson, just west of Soda Springs…the airfield is small, but easy to spot because it runs parallel to the highway running through the area…
We drop our goods and I pick up another contract that is headed back to Mud Lake from Soda Springs…just over the ridge to our east. Picking up good on “dead” legs is the most efficient way to make money (obviously)…
I’m already getting familiar with the area - having been to Soda Springs once already it is a quick in and out…
On the way to Mud Lake…passing a wind farm on the way…
Passing over Idaho Falls again…
…before hitting the farmland just south of Mud Lake…
I’m just in time to see our old Maule leaving - repainted for a new customer…
I pick up the rest of the first contract load, plus another one that we’ll drop off in Aberdeen just across the lake from Pocatello. Once again, the near gross load almost bites me and I almost take out the trees at the end of the runway. She pops off the runway pretty quick, but does take a lifetime to accelerate up to climb speed…
Passing the double bumps south of Mud Lake…
Dropping the load at Aberdeen…
And our final leg to complete the heavy contract back over to Simpson. On the way, I spot that tricky little field at the bottom of the ski area where I almost killed myself in the Maule…
Shutting down in Simpson - all contracts fulfilled - and ~ $25,000 in the bank…!
