Ice Road

BlueStar · Post by **BlueStar** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:06 pm

Hi all,

I was just wondering how is or was the condition of the ice road in YZF this year? Were they able to get most or all the loads out? Better than last year?

Thanks!!

young grasshopper · Post by **young grasshopper** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:19 pm

Pretty much anything would be better than last year! Hahaha. Seriously though - there seems to be a whole bunch of big rigs in town these days, and we had a cold December and January...so I imagine that the ice road season should be a good one. Who knows though - things can change pretty quick!

27pilot · Post by **27pilot** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:56 pm

Does "big rig" mean tractor trailor or some other kind of rig?

I don't know much about Yellowknife. My understanding is that there are very small rigs that drill for diamonds or rock samples. Is that right?

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:57 pm

Big rigs in regards to ice roads are semis.

Drills are... drills.

Phillip Banks · Post by **Phillip Banks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:58 pm

you know the other day I was standing around a bunch of pilots who were bitching about their jobs when I thought of my Grandpa. The guy worked every day of his life harder and longer hours than I can imagine. Driving truck and building all kinds of structures. A real hard nosed guy. I thought what would he think if he knew the lifestyle a pilot leads...and what would he think if he heard me bitching about it.

That last post made me think about spoiled pilots who don't know the meaning of a real job.

hotspur666 · Post by **hotspur666** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:56 pm

Real Pilots load 50 gals oil drums in their bushplanes by themselves...

for skidoos, you may ask the old lady for a hand.

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:06 am

Real Pilots load 50 gals oil drums in their bushplanes by themselves...

That looks to me like a 45 gallon drum you are loading!! Are you still apprenticing to be a REAL PILOT!!

Yep the old rope trick, used it many times myself. Sure saves on the back!

Adiabatic · Post by **Adiabatic** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:51 pm

It's fun loading 15 drums into a dc3, darn slanty floor

hotspur666 · Post by **hotspur666** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:03 pm

That looks to me like a 45 gallon

45 gallons?

What the hell is that?

This is FIFTY gallons, BY THE MAKERS/OWNERS...Imperials is from
those folks whose Empah self-destructed under
the Pet(fart) Water-hole's guidance...
I went south of the border then...wouldn't know how many liters
the thing hold...

Are you still apprenticing to be a REAL PILOT!!

In the Norseman days, a ramp was considered sissy...

You grab hand with the helper, catch the bottom of the drum
with the other hand and Hop! in the plane.

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:36 pm

Drums Drums more drums the horror the horror!

Opps srry flash back from last summer

v1rotate · Post by **v1rotate** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:02 pm

Phillip Banks wrote:you know the other day I was standing around a bunch of pilots who were bitching about their jobs when I thought of my Grandpa. The guy worked every day of his life harder and longer hours than I can imagine. Driving truck and building all kinds of structures. A real hard nosed guy. I thought what would he think if he knew the lifestyle a pilot leads...and what would he think if he heard me bitching about it.

That last post made me think about spoiled pilots who don't know the meaning of a real job.

What kind of work did your grandfather do?

hotspur666 · Post by **hotspur666** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:19 pm

Are you still apprenticing to be a REAL PILOT!!

No, I'm at the point where you lie about your
flying hours...(too many to be hired)

The circular files, it's for the applications with less than 1,500 hours
or more than 15,000 hours...

hotspur666 · Post by **hotspur666** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:20 pm

Are you still apprenticing to be a REAL PILOT!!

No, I'm at the point where you lie about your
flying hours...(too many to be hired)

The circular files, it's for the applications with less than 1,500 hours
or more than 15,000 hours...

Rudder Bug · Post by **Rudder Bug** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:36 pm

Hi Hotspur,

I'm in the same case than you and I carry drums all day. Not only my total time gives a clue of my age, but on top, I am built like a shrimp, size and weight wise.

I've hurt my back years ago but still have to make a living hauling drums - without pain. I draw today a sketch of a simple drum lifting tool that can live in the plane forever. My gadget will probably weight 25-30 lbs at the most. I will go the the welding shop as soon as able this week and have it made for a few bucks and a couple hours.

I'll send you a photo and the measurements for a Otter when I get it if you wish to have one made for yourself.

In these days of SMS implementation, that cheap device will save many old and even younger backs. There is no point for an experienced pilot being grounded for days in big pains because of one drum.

I improvised some kind of prototype last summer, using a piece of 2 x 4 and a strap and the slight increase in leverage made a significant difference. I could work all day and enjoy.

CYOX · Post by **CYOX** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:00 pm

hotspur666 wrote:
That looks to me like a 45 gallon
45 gallons?

What the hell is that?

This is FIFTY gallons, BY THE MAKERS/OWNERS...Imperials is from
those folks whose Empah self-destructed under
the Pet(fart) Water-hole's guidance...
I went south of the border then...wouldn't know how many liters
the thing hold...

Are you still apprenticing to be a REAL PILOT!!
In the Norseman days, a ramp was considered sissy...

You grab hand with the helper, catch the bottom of the drum
with the other hand and Hop! in the plane.

Then it should be 55 gallons south of the border.