Flying the Kodiak in Norway

N106MF Kodiak 100 arrived ENGM at noon Monday, and we did a couple of landings at Haga airfield (590 m grass) before going to ENKJ and ENHA. A great airplane that will help a lot of people.

I had had a fantastic time flying it from the right seat to Hamar, and I am looking forward to share the experience with many people during the three day visit.

Tuesday MAF will do demo flights for press and supporters from Hamar at noon at Kjeller from 6 p.m. More details at maf.no.

• Vårt Land: Fikk sin drømmedag i lufta
• Romerikes Blad: Lite fly - stor jobb
• TV 2 Nyhetene: Faddere for et fly
• Østlendingen: På vingene med MAF
• More images from the visit at ENKJ

See the Quest presentation of the Kodiak 100:

Planning a visit from MAF's new Kodiak 100

My niece Sara at ENHA (image left) joining me on the flight to a planning meeting for next weeks visit from MAF's new Kodiak 100 (large image from service in Haiti).

The ‘mountain rocket’ developed by Quest Aircraft Company of Idaho, USA, is an aircraft uniquely designed to overcome many obstacles of flying in a humanitarian or mission situation.

The pointed cowling maximises the Kodiak’s take-off thrust, and the 4-blade 96-inch propeller contributes to the same goal while having a 19-inch clearance to allow taxiing on rough terrain. Its restricted wingspan permits turning in the tight confines of a small airstrip, and the drooping wing tips give a dramatically lower stall speed.

The 750-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engine is able to pull the aircraft along at a 180-knot cruising speed. Landing is at 60 knots. Load is up to nine passengers. The plane carries up to 320 gallons of fuel – so it can fly 1,200 nautical miles before refuelling.

The Kodiak can also land on a really short runway – needing little more than half the 835 feet required by the Cessna 206.

Landed safe in snow at Hamar after failed attempts for Kjeller and Gardermoen

LN-TFQ (P28A) got lost in snow and bad visibility tonight. After failed attempts at ENKJ and ENGM, a police helicopter escorted the lost pilot to a safe landing at ENHA. The webcam picture was grabbed short before the landing. The METAR at ENGM indicated overcast in 500 feet and 7 km visibility.

BTW, this was my first attempt at covering a live event on Twitter, Facebook, Scanair, and Blogger...

Rusty pilot ground looped

Five years since flying conventional gear, an attempt of banking off some rust ended in a ground loop at Hamar this spring, Dagbladet reports. The Norwegian Accident Investigation Board recommends flying under instruction for pilots feeling rusty, according to the accident report.

This made me start thinking of my own rusty spot: Three years since flying PA38. This is obviously not as different from P28A and C172 as a PA19 Army Cub on conventional gear, but I guess it will not hurt to bring a CFI along next time in the Tomahawk. I am still planning to check out on the tailwheel Cub (thus far I fly PA18 sea), but realizing how crucial regular flying on the type is to be safe.

Thea's first flight

Einar and Thea (15) at Hamar on our evening trip ENKJ-ENHA-Husodden-ENEG-ENSN-ENTO-ENKJ. Thea unveiled her talent as she co-piloted her first flight with me from Skien to Torp.

10 airports after work

We had to cancel our planned Baltic Tour to Tallinn and Riga due to weather, and improvised an evening trip to small airports in Norway and Sweden. No time for meals en route as we had to get back to ENKJ before closing at 10 pm. [see pictures!]

Route: ENKJ - Bøverbru (Vestre Toten)- ENHA (Stafsberg, Hamar) - ENRI (Frya, Ringebu) - ENGN (Grimsmoen, Folldal) - Tynset - Sølenstua - ESUE (Idre) - ESVM (Malung) - ESST (Torsby) - ENKJ.

Toten by Air

(ENKJ-ENHA-ENKJ) Ingebjørg and Hege at Hamar after sight seeing over their family farms in Toten. Perfect flying conditions and my first LN-NAG flight after buying a share in the aircraft.