Jim's Biplane Rides

07/18/2025

Today, Dave Underhill flew with his wife Dixie Whetsell from Vancouver WA in celebration of his birthday, which is Sunday. It was a great day to fly with clear blue skies and cooler temperatures, unlike the upper nineties the last couple of days. We flew up to 3500' to view the Washington Cascade peaks and it was just wonderfully cool and smooth. Dave wrote afterwards: "Took a 70th birthday ride with Jim up the Columbia Gore. He's a great pilot and guide. We zig-zagged through the Gorge, saw waterfalls, Cascade mountains and Columbia River. Excellent trip- Highly recommend!"

07/12/2025

Great summer flying weather! Available daily, give me a call to arrange or with any questions.
503-647-1929, Jim.

07/09/2025

Candice Kelly of Rhododendron purchased a hour long gift certificate for her mom Julie Cook also of Rhododendron for her birthday back in March. Today Julie flew with her friend Mary Finnegan. One of them wrote afterwards: "Incredible day to fly!! Jim's knowledge of the aircraft and personality was great. We had a four mountain day!" (actually it was a five mountain day, Mt Jefferson was also pointed out to them) The other one wrote; "Wonderful to see the Gorge in a new way! Thank you."

07/08/2025

Aaron Brown of Portland flew with his father, Steve Brown of Little Falls, MN. They took an one hour flight and we all met early and took off at 9:30am. It was a great day to fly with clear skies, calm winds, with air so smooth it was like flying on glass. Steve wrote afterwards: "Fantastic experience. Visiting from Minnesota. Jim is a fun guy with lots of information. This was fun. I'm 80-yr-old. Would gladly do it again."

07/06/2025

What a beautiful day to go fly! Perfect for an open cockpit flight in a biplane with warm clear blue skies with light, nearly calm winds. The Cascade Peaks are still in white. The local burn bans make for crystal. clear visibilities. Recent lower Columbia River levels have exposed more beach front for the beach goers. After several nice flights last weekend and a couple yesterday, I have not a one scheduled for today . Give me a call if you would like to go up or have any questions. Thanks, 503-647-1929, Jim
These photos are from yesterday Sat June 5th.

07/06/2025

Yvette Chandler of Sisters Oregon purchased a one hour gift certificate back in March. Today in celebration of her husband Victor's birthday in August and their wedding anniversary this June they came and flew. This was arranged as a total surprise for Victor which took some doing. Yvette originally planned on coming two weeks ago, but that weekend got rained out. Today turned out to be just perfect for their flight. Afterwards Victor said he would like to go again next year if I am still doing it. They wrote afterwards: "Wow! What a spectacular day and an amazing experience. Jim make the flight fun and informative! So happy to have gotten to do this!"

07/06/2025

Today Steven Webb flew with his son, Ryan Webb, both of Gresham. Steven's family purchased a one hour gift certificate for his birthday back in April. They first called about doing this back in 2019! Glad they got to fly on this beautiful summer day. This could be my last year doing commercial rides in the biplane. It was a great day for photos as the air was so blue sky clear. Ryan wrote afterwards: "Fantastic!"
Steven wrote: "Happy birthday to me! >76< Looking forward for another ride."

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July! Hope this day and this weekend is a great one for you, family, friends, and country. Safe travels if you are going anywhere. If your staying home, it looks like great flying weather in the Columbia River Gorge. No flights today, although I am available. Tomorrow, Saturday the biplane is booked up from 10am until 1:30. Nothing currently scheduled for Sunday. Give me a call if you would like to go up, 503-647-1929.
God bless the USA.

07/01/2025

Mandy Macleod found my biplane rides two years ago here on Facebook. She arranged a one hour flight with her husband Duncan to fly mid morning today to escapee the hottest day of the week. They are from Vancouver WA and Duncan is a private pilot who flew from the Pearson Airport. It was perfect weather for t-shirt and shorts flying up to 3700' where the visibilities were incredible. A 5 Cascade Peak day with even Mt Jefferson perfectly clear which is nearly seventy miles away. The winds were light and the air was smooth. Mandy wrote afterwards: "Such a great flight! The weather was perfect, the views were amazing. Jim is a great pilot and made the flight really fun. Thank you for a great adventure."

02/03/2025

Happy Ground Hog Day!
Today Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which is a predication of six more weeks of winter. Biplane rides will resume in the Spring, usually mid to late April when the plane and the pilot(me), will be ready to go. It's just too cold to fly in the winter around here.
I have found Michael Snyder's YouTube channel 'Pacific Northwest Weather Watch' both entertaining and informative. He posts daily with occasional live feeds if conditions warrant. Want to know what's current or ahead with the weather? Check his channel out!
I've attached a photo I found years ago of Lieutenant Apollo Sourcek, United States Navy who in May 1929 set a FAI world record for altitude when he flew the prototype Wright XF3W-1 Apache to 39,140 feet over NAS Anacostia, Washington, DC. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this achievement.

12/25/2024