Tundra: Nottoden - Barkost - Skien - Nottoden

[Deleted]

Might be New Years Day, but we're still open for business. We received a small package that is priority for a fellow out near Holmestrand on the coast. It was supposed to have been delivered before the holiday but they didn't make it, so it got dropped at our facility late Saturday. Tundra was hired to get it to him first thing Sunday (today). It so happens the guy's neighbour has a strip on his lot that we could use, but we really didn't know exactly where it was or what shape it was in. Anyway, I figured I'd take a shot at it. Since the package was very light and I figured the strip would be really short, I opted for the 172. Turned out to be a good choice.

It was about a 15 minute flight over to the area of the strip. This strip is not on any charts you'll find so it was a bit of a search finding it, and who knows how long it will be when I do. It was outstanding VFR on the way across so if there was ever a day for this type of flight, today was it. As it turns out, I found it after only about the second pass by coming in at it from Holmestrand. It certainly was short alright, but one end was completely free of obstacles, which was good. Otherwise, we weren't going in. From the air the runway looked deceptively level. I was quickly to find out it was anything but. The flare was more like an overshoot in that we had to get into a steep climb attitude to touch down. It wasn't pretty or smooth, but it was very effective and the gear absorbed the impact just fine. We practically stopped on the spot, which was pretty cool. It also made for a bit of a wobbly taxi to the far end of the strip. I met the fellow, who was most pleased to receive his package (I believe it was medicine of some kind), and I suspect a little surprised to see us. Anyway, we got the goods delivered, and it was then on to Skien where I was to pick up 3 people and take them up to Nottoden.


Getting ready at Nottoden


Ready to roll on the shorted runway (much of the runway is blocked off for traffic as a road runs across its midpoint). I was taking off to the east as there was no wind.


Nottoden as we climbed out


Beautiful day for flying. We finally have some snow as well.


Finally located the runway. Not very long, up on a hill and it **looks** level. It wasn't!


Turning final. The runway is a bit to the left near the top of the frame. I'd be dragging this one in.


Down and unloading. Like I said...

Stay tuned for the run to Skien.

[Deleted]

I was only on the ground for a few minutes at Barkost. Deciding that with no obstacles at the north end of the "runway", I wanted to go back out the way I came in. The strip was steeply slanted down at both ends so it really didn't matter which way I went in terms of runway leveling, so once I was fired up and ready, I simply went from my parking spot. The runway flattens out on top of the hill before dropping away again at the far end. I used 20* flap to get the most lift I could and let her rip. The 172 is a very capable machine, especially when empty with only 3/8ths fuel, and it got airborne well before running off the level part of the strip. After that, it was just a matter of cleaning things up and heading down to Skien. The trip down was beautiful. One interesting note is I carry a Garmin GPSMap 696 with me in the plane and as I was only at 2500 ft with a few good sized hills around, I was watching to make sure I had everything cleared. About halfway down I noticed an obstacle marker right in my path, so I deviated slightly left. Sure enough, as I passed the point where it should be, there it was. I was still above it, but I was glad of the GPS to show me its location. Getting into Skien was a piece of cake and we were slowed to taxi speed long before the turnoff, even without using brakes on the 4900 ft runway.


Well, it was "sort of" level . On the roll at Barkost


Looking back at the airstrip pretty much directly out from our left window. It sure did look level from up here!


My Garmin GPSMap 696. You can see the yellow marker dead ahead that indicates an obstacle sticking up.


And sure enough, there it is just over the altimeter on the top of the hill. We had it cleared pretty well though, but it was nice to have the alert.


Turning final for Skien.


On the ramp ready to go inside and greet my fares back to Nottoden

[Deleted]

With my fares loaded in, we were not far off gross for our return to Nottoden. The aircraft got off in good time though, and climbed nicely to 4000 ft for the 30 mile run. Not much to say on this trip. Very enjoyable.


Ready to go at Skien


Beautiful countryside can be seen on the climb as we head back to Nottoden


It wasn't long before Nottoden and the airstrip were in sight. We touched down on the button and rolled out in plenty of time for the taxiway.

It turned out that I had to take 3 staff members down to Kristiansand this day, and they were waiting for me when I got in from Skien. We'd take the 210 as it had to go down there anyway. Kristiansand is being evaluated as a possible base for us and if it pans out the 210 will be situated there. Anyway, just a couple of shots from that trip for you.


Loading up the 210. A "bit" faster and more powerful than the 172, but a surprisingly capable bush machine as well.


This is the part of the runway that's blocked off for traffic at certain times of the day. We still had plenty of room for this machine.


A shot of the 210 in flight. This is a beautiful airplane - one of my all time favourites.

That's it for now.

[scottb]

Excellent PIREPs as always Glenn, very pretty shots. I opted against getting Norway right now. I have plenty of other stuff I have barely flown as it is . I have hardly used NorCal or SoCal, and haven't flown around the Bozeman, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole area in a long time. Plus, that way we aren't all flying the same places, which should make the PIREPs more interesting . I've been having some ideas for flying out west, and some Alaska stuff, so that should keep me busy for awhile.

For the 210, are you using any tweaks to the flight model? I know there was a lot of debate when it came out about how nose up it flew, and the way it landed. I haven't used it in a long time, and I'd be interested in your thoughts. I always liked the model, but usually used the 206 more.

-Scott

[Deleted]

Nice snaps!! I might wind up with Norway yet. I also need to reload the 210, it needs to go to Cloverdale.

[Deleted]

Hey Scott. Many thanks for the kind remarks 😊 I fully understand your decision on Norway. I think it is a wise decision. I know what you mean about flying in different places, especially when we have an area we haven't seen much of. I'm looking at this from a different perspective as well. I'm re-reading a series of books called Flights of a Coast Dog which about operating out of places on Vancouver Island, mostly on floats. It's just so hard to tear myself away from Norway because of how well done it is, but I'd love to come back to Canada at the same time. I have a lot of Orbx airports in the PNW that I've barely seen and this would get me to a lot of them. So we'll see what happens as I did leave the door open to add other operations with this setup. I have to admit also that I'm really enjoying these older Carenado aircraft! Never thought I'd be saying that but they were really good back then. Wish I knew what happened to them.

I think you're thinking of the turbo 206. It was really bad that way and I have the mod in for that. The 210 sits tail low when loaded but is fine in the air. I REALLY like that plane, both in FSX and IRL.

Thanks crash! Yup, Norway is great. Maybe wait for the next sale like I'm doing with Rhonerville and Murray? Well worth the $$ if you do decide on it 😉

[Bushpounder]

Nice. That scenery looks really nice. I am going to try to fly this week some. Too damned busy this past week.

BP;)

[olderndirt]

Initial reaction to a '210' - where's the gear and lift struts?  I'm sure it was the same with the '195' with their cantilever wing.  The '210' is king of the high wing Cessnas, wish someone other than "C" made it.  Your fourth one down is a beaut.