MOUNTAIN TAKEOFF with an audience 🫡 

Really Appreciate you walking through the thought process, assessing the risk, diving into the problem solving. Aeronautical decision making is hard to teach, so I appreciate the insights.

Heard you on the pilot to pilot podcast, liked your story and wanted to subscribe. Working through flight school myself.

Regarding your closing sentences: I love your videos precisely because you explain your thought process and decisions you make. The in-flight footage might be nice to look at and mildly interesting, but it would probably be pretty much the same every time. The decisions you make for takeoff, approach and landing are the really interesting content. Please keep doing it this way.

AWWW dang. You made it to Bryce Canyon?!?! You were right in my backyard of Cedar City, UT

Everyone's talking about their love life like Josh didn't absolutely butter the bread on that landing.

These videos are so good.

Any particular reason for not using the wingtip strobe lights?

I think we would enjoy more of the trips vs the flying. More of how you utilize the plane for your adventures. Great Video!

Dude - She reached over to you, hugged you, and said, "I had a great time with you." You responded, "and this is how we're going to take off." ?!? And she's smooth on the radio.

Life changes? Lock it down already. lol. You're perfect for each other.

Josh, LSA pilot here, but haven't done any flying for about 8 years. I've been a full time caregiver for my wife until March 6th, 2024 when she sadly passed away. It's taken 6 months to find my way again and my daughter and nephew have convinced me that I need to get out and get back to doing something I enjoy and love. So I'm looking for an aircraft to purchase. I've been watching your videos for a number of years now and my favorite coffee cup is my Aviation 101 cup! ! ! Thank you for taking all of us on this trip. I really enjoyed it. Someday I hope to be able to fly to such wonderful places in my own plane and take Anna Marie's memory with me. God bless you both. Brian

She loves you Josh! Hug her back, we’ll turn our heads!

Finally got started on flight lessons in a 172 last week, thanks to you and your videos! Just had a 1.5-hr session today with 2 landings. Keep inspiring others Josh and thanks!

Josh, the efforts you put into your productions certainly show. They are fantastic.

Please Josh, just pop the question 🙏 you're not going to find another beautiful, smart, AMT, who loves the same thing you do. Comon' man!!

Marry that girl Josh!

Awesome video! That was a good explanation about using flaps. And the terrain is also wonderful! This isn't an ordinary airfiled . At 16:20-that was an excellent landing 🤗

Your landings are the smoothest I've ever seen on RU-vid.

Josh, now you know why we live here. By car, train or plane we are lucky to live here and enjoy all California has to offer.

Thank you JOSH and CHELSEA wishing God's blessings Don

Hey Josh, how do you record your cockpit audio? @Aviation101

I absolutely love y’all’s content! Please keep it coming!

Great video! I graduated from Cal Poly and got my PPL in '83 at San Luis Obispo (SBP) airport, when it was a single strip uncontrolled airport. Now it's a towered jetport.

3:24 she wanted a hug and a kiss.... You missed the moment

I was going to say " wow ' she is beautiful " , looks like its been well covered !

Great video, Josh! I really really enjoyed this one, but as is the norm I enjoy all of these videos of yours! Keep it up Wishing You Blue Skies & Tailwinds! See you at Oshkosh! -Caleb’s Aviation 😅

Great channel you two! Well produced professional content. Keep it up!

As Always, another GREAT show, entertaining and educational. OH, by the way, you two make a great couple, and would be a beautiful family.

Josh, thanks for what you do. So many of us get so much enjoyment from your hard work and dedication to beautifully shot and amazingly edited pieces.

Hey you used the same 210 gear shot as in my channel intro video 10 years ago. Cool to see you still making videos 😎 🚀 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3JKFSBab3yo.htmlsi=GxaHEdD5-MwcXJ-b

Good content and great production value, as always. Interesting to see the flaps recommendations for the older 172 model. I looked again into our 172S manual, and just as I rememberd, it says that 10º of flaps shortens both the takeoff roll and the distance over 50ft obstacle by 10%. Flapless takeoff is also a normal procedure, but we usually do 10º, because it has no real disadvantage on the "SP".

Beautiful vid of a beautiful area - CA is so awesome in the winter. Morro Rock is one of a chain of old volcanic plugs called the Nine Sisters that run in a line to the SLO area. Bummer there was a Pipstrel Alpha that crashed at Halter a few weeks ago, but fortunately no injuries.

Would be interested to hear a little bit of the story behind the 'gear-up' landing of 80991 from 50yrs ago.

Did he say 1 to 2hrs editing for every minute??????

Got my private and subsequent ratings out of Torrance (KTOA) years ago..weekend trips up north were a treat...runs up to SBA for lunch at the Elephant Bar was a sure fire date win ..keep up the great content folks

A back-country trick for short, bumpy runways, like Happy Canyon for instance, is no flaps until close to rotation speed then 10 degrees, or more if you have a Johnson bar, to get off the ground. This insures quick acceleration and then a jump into ground effects..

Well done as usual. Thank you for all you do. Sharing all of the work that you and Chelsea do has really helped my 15 old nephew realize his potential. Thank you !.

That landing didn’t look like it had 15kt direct xwind. Maybe I misunderstood…or you’re that great of a pilot! Anyway, nice work once again!

10 degs flaps will short the take off BUT have very little" drag" on climb out and on the 172 rarely necessary as so much lift but in doubt, you want to get off and pick up speed fast as you can and then you have the air speed to climb steeper over obstacles while taking the flap off bit at a time. More so when you start with say 20 degs but thats rare and dragy. 10 degs very little negs just even more lift for iffy takeoffs from mt dirt short fields. 172 is very good with zero flap and its the 150's that need 10 or 20 when heavy loaded anyway.

Enjoy your videos. My Dad rebuilt a Cessna type plane when I was in elementary school. He was an airplane mech in WWII. So I got to go flying with him as a kid. But the bug never bit me. I turned into a golf rat instead.

I drive Lyft to the wineries in this area. Halter Ranch has an interesting history. A previous owner was looking for a way to earn more money in the late 60's. He started a fly in bed and breakfast which became popular with celebrities. I have ran across a photo of Ronald Reagan's plane parked alongside the runway. He flew up to Halter Ranch to announce his reelection campaign for California Governor. The oroginal farmhouse was used for scenes in Arachnophbia. On a personal note, before it became the current winery, my brother scouted out the closed runway at Halter Ranch for a possible testing place for his race car.

You two looked like you had an amazing trip, looking forward to seeing what else you've got in the pipeline!

The interpretation of the POH really got me thinking. I had a hard time getting by the RV though. I was still thinking about the months accident reports I saw last night. An RV had to ditch in the water. By all account he did a good job, but flipped it onto its top at the end. Very little damage, but, he couldn't get the canopy opened, and never got out, he drowned. That really bothered me more than most for some reason. There are no good fatals, that one just struck a nerve. 8( --gary

I really hope you two made it to Avila Beach. As a youth, if I wasn't in school or working, that's where I would most likely be.

You make the best content, simple. So informative, enjoyable and stunning videography and editing. Nice !❤

Very cool video. You are both consumate Professionals!

what app do you use for your EFB? that doesn't look like firelight?

Terrible decision to forego Monterey! I hope you can make it back like you said because it and the surrounding area is some of the most beautiful in all of Ca.

Agree w the people below: You won't find anyone more beautiful. Hope she agrees to marry you!

I used to live in Monterey, it's so beautiful there, definitely worth a visit

We all appreciate all the quality content and adventures but you could do again what you used to do 12 years ago, and thats posting more casual flying videos we wouldnt mind it. Thank you for all the content you are making for us and for showing us all those places.

Thank you for sharing this lovely experience with us!

Great video quality; did you upgrade to new cameras?

With how good your content is im surprised you don't have a million subs by now

Awesome video. Do you have a minimum altitude that you add the final set of flaps on final?

Geez put a ring on that finger LOL

1-2 hours of work, for each minute of video?

You flew over my house on final about 2 miles out. 😊

Flew today into a somewhat hidden runway in between hills that itself was on a plateau, and I’ll tell ya, watching your “runway on the sky” and the Grand Canyon episodes came to mind…… and the cautions proved to be true. While we shouldn’t try to learn from watching YT, the tips really do help. Made for a great day.

You two are definitely a dream!

Fantastic video, as always, Josh. Looking forward to the next video in this series. Excellent work portraying unmatched adventure possible with an airplane, evolving your story with Chels, and being a superb model for other pilots to emulate when it comes to aviation safety.

Primo content; thanks for the hard work 👌

Quality stuff as always. Great job. You are must see for me. Thanks,

Yes, Cal Poly is a cool place to go. I miss SLO.

So I understand your rationale to not use flaps, but could you get the benefit of the flaps on the runway, and then bring them up once you're airborn and at Vy? Or are you climbing Vx, and that's why you don't want to have flaps out?

the short field flap usage explanation is so valuable .. Thank You for pointing that out ... wow

Wonder when he puts a rock on her finger

You’re a master pilot, and yet so humble which will keep you away from mishaps. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the awesome content.

Does he ever show her any affection?

Love your quality. Thanks Josh and Chelsea!

you need to marry that girl!

Do you consider a 3300 foot runway a “short field”?

Did you get lucky?

NEVER GET MARRIED!!!

Great video ❤

As I’m watching this video, I’m paying attention to not only what is happening but also where you have cameras placed. Hopefully, we’ll bump into each other again at OSH25.

Such a Smooth Landing Dude!!! Another ACE!!!!!! Love the videos!!!!! You going to do the walls and doors with new interior? Just wondering. And i know you don't reply to comments. Enjoy you guys!!!!!!

Excellent Video Josh & Chels. Your videos are expertly produced and well thought out. Great flight!! You are an excellent imbasitor for general aviation. Please remember to treat Chels with the same passion you have for aviation. I wish only the best for you and Chels. ❤❤

A+ guys!!! 👍🏻👍🏻😎😎😎

KSEZ @ Sunset. Probably Time! Procrastination in the cockpit is never a good thing. Marry that kid!

I thought Citation Max RU-vidr had good video quality and sound. You are an exceptional Pilot and have demonstrated good knowledge of Aircraft, but also with the Video Quality and Audio. Plus the Editing Features you do are Fantastic. Talking out loud when Flying is just what I want to hear and see what you're doing. Don't ever lose that edge. You're extremely smart and know how to keep our Audience Entertained and filled with great stuff. Thanks and keep the Videos coming.

Josh, I have a thought for you. You are a stickler for checklist usage, as you should be. However, you do something that I always found to be antithetical to proper usage of a checklist. On your Pre-Landing checklist, your next-to-last item is "Flaps......Set As Required". In your videos, you check that item as complete, when, in fact, it isn't complete. In your 172, it might not be a big deal if you were to land with partial or even no flaps, but in come aircraft, you could get a configuration warning at low altitude that could be startling. Maybe it would be best if you moved that item to the end of the checklist and left it unchecked, i.e., the checklist incomplete, until the flaps are in fact set to whatever setting you briefed when you briefed your approach. This sets up a good habit pattern for any possible future checklist usage to always complete items before you call a checklist complete.

Another beautiful flight guys, you really are blessed to be able to enjoy those spectacular views👌

TY for an amazing presentation. Learning to fly in the 70's I had no where near the content we have today - which can only make us a better pilots. Although I'm a retired professional pilot, I still enjoy aviation with the passion that I had as a child - Thanks again for bringing me back to my aviation basics - always great memories.

I’ve been busy with boats, so I was just able to binge your last four. All fabulous! And as always, that you for your important thoughts and fun times! B

172 has a big wing and lightly loaded, its happy to take off 50ish knots and you wont ever have any probs unless you are really high density altitude. Remember one time moving over to it, i was landing half tanks and myself on hotish day and it just floated and floated , so that wing unlike the 150, really gives you good lift.

You achieve your content goals in spades! All your videos are as informative as they are entertaining/interesting to watch. Just keep 'em coming, that's my ask!!

Great decision making, I never get tired of the shoutouts of the Airplane Flying Handbook and other FAA publications. Good info all around - the iPad screen overlay is great for the viewers SA too!

Question, you mentioned that if the engine stopped you'd have better glide performance. Have you tested that in your plane and confirmed it to be true? I know a *windmilling* propeller produces more drag than a stopped one, but I remember Trent Palmer did some tests proving that an *idling* prop caused less drag than a stopped one.

Are you making a version of this video for the Cockpit Club?

In the Cardinal we use 10 degrees on virtually every takeoff, accelerate to best rate and retract.

I’m wondering why, when the tower told you a plane was on 5 mile final , you didn’t slow the plane down at that moment and put in flaps. This would’ve kept you from having to fly so far away from the airport on downwind. Just a thought👍 thanks for the great vids!

Love the videos hands down my favourite RU-vid channel. Thanks for putting in all the effort to bring us along with you. Happy flying

Thanks for sharing these videos with us, its really entertaining and informative. Saw ur Cessna taxi past us a few months back at KHYI. Was pretty cool seeing that plane go by!

GD you guys have the most amazing life! i always wanted to fly but i cant due to issues with the eye`s

always not only wonderful, but so worthwhile ...thank you so much

I am not a pilot myself but, your content is well thought out, interesting, and professionally presented. I'm pretty sure that pilots appreciate the open door into your decision making process also. The time that you invest in every video shows and is appreciated. In addition to being informative, they are entertaining. A great combination.

91.119 sucks for helicopters. Even tho D (1) says "may" be operated at less than minimums, they always do. There's a red robinson that leaves the lakeway airport that goes to the salt lick and flies literally 100 feet over all the houses in the area for several miles. Disrespectful and unnecessary.

I really like this series. I grew up in Santa Maria, but haven't been back in 25 years.

Always great content - much appreciated..