Event Details and Registration

Join us for an in-depth look at serious mountain flying and back country airstrip operations from an experienced pilot who has been there! John Litton has 40+ years of experience operating at high altitude, mountainous, back country airstrips in California, Idaho, and throughout the West.  He will talk about what you need to safely fly in this environment, including Aircraft Requirements (type, power, modifications), Pilot Requirements (what training you need, where to get it), Proficiency, Preflight and Planning Resources, High DA and Unprepared Runway Performance (real-world vs ideal charts, leaning procedures, loading), and Real-Time Decision-Making (should I attempt a landing or takeoff? Go-around options?)  John has some great videos of high-country landing strips (beautiful and will convince you that you need specialized training), and will include several accident reviews.

From Hwy 14 in Lancaster, turn West on Ave G. Turn right at the Fox airport sign. Turn left onto one-way circular road in front of terminal building.

Seminar Length is 1.5 hours.

Target Audience: This presentation is for any pilot or student who wants to learn about a different type of flying, experience videos of airstrips you have never seen, see how back country pilots utilize remote airstrips in the West, and learn safety and decision-making lessons that apply to ALL pilots. A special target audience are pilots who own their own airplanes who are contemplating back country flying, and other experienced pilots who do not have an appropriate airplane but have considered taking a back country course. John hopes to convince you that back country flying in our wondrous Western states can be challenging, rewarding, and safe, but should NEVER be undertaken without the right aircraft, training, and safety mindset.

Speaker: John Litton was exposed to back country flying and mountaineering by his family as a child. He flew in the Air Force from 1969 to 1992, flying many aircraft such as the T-37, T-38, O-2, KC-135, F-5, and C-23A, including stents at Edwards Test Ops. He settled in Lancaster and joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1994, flying Barons, King Airs, and Aero Commanders as a Lead Plane pilot, and the C-23 Sherpa as a smoke jumper pilot and instructor. He has at least 40+ years of back country flying, in the C-185 and Piper Cub for the Forest Service, and other aircraft such as the C-336, Navion, and his personal C-182. John is currently the Forest Service Supervisory Pilot at Fox Field, and an active instructor pilot.

Meeting Info: The Saturday FLY SAFE meetings are presented by the Antelope Valley FAAST Team, and husband/wife FAAST representatives Donna Knighton (CFII) and Bob Stambovsky (ATP/CFII). Coffee and snacks will be provided by the AV 99s. The terminal restaurant is open from 8AM to 2PM for breakfast or lunch.