Navigation to the Crowe Bar
The closest place with an FAA designator for Navigation is 2K9 (Haskell) which is 4.8 Statute Miles SE (167 degrees) of us.
According to Google Earth
35 53’ 50.78N 95 41’ 32.31W
Best major landmark for “Texaco Navigation” is the Highway 72 Bridge over the Arkansas River South of the City of Coweta, the bridge runs N/S and is known as the “Coweta Bridge.” We are located 2 miles West of the Bridge and up on the high on the South bluff of the river, look for the cut in the trees at the end of the runway and the green roofed hanger mid-field.
Landing our place is fun, just be ready for SINKERS on final as the air slides off the hilltop.
My comments on what I do are as follows,
remember you’re the PIC.
Landing South – Make a good approach, if not turn out early or go around this is not one to try and salvage. There are sinkers and It’s an UPHILL landing.
Landing South is very much optically deceiving due to the elevation change (140’) off the end of the runway. Fly a LEFT PATTERN lining up over the tree line East of the two big ponds (I’m usually a bit high so I can see the windsock) and
set your elevation/decent while looking at the runway as once you’re on base if you look down you’ll feel high and if you correct that you’ll be LOW on final, if that happens just turn out and go again. Remember to look back at the runway to judge your base and final turns.
Don’t try to hit the end of the runway as being short would really suck. There are cones at the corners /end of the runway and there will be another set 150’ up which marks a good touch down point.
If there is any wind you
will encounter a SINK on final (just as you are looking at the bluff ahead ��). It’s usually short lived but can be strong in moderate winds I so carry some speed (usually at 60+ mph in the Super Cub with a bit of RPM and one or two notches of flaps). I use the SINK to dissipate energy but if you need more give it a shot of power, if you much more then GO-AROUND. For myself, immediately upon exiting the SINK I pull full flaps, throttle back, then Fly THRU the cut in the trees (if you go over them it takes a bunch to get down and that combined with the UPHILL runway makes many opportunities for spectacular bounce pics) then land.
Keep on the runway, its 40’ wide (there will be some short cones for a guide) as the ground slopes away on both sides and if you end up off left (it happens) watch out for the windsock.
IF YOU ARE NOT FIRMLY ON THE GROUND AND GOING TO BE WELL SLOWED UP BY THE WINDSOCK GO AROUND.
If the winds are out of the South East, keep your head, feet and hands working as there can be rotators coming over the trees. If so, just carry a little extra speed, fly thru them for a little longer landing length. Don’t like it GO-AROUND.
Landing North – Make a good approach, if not go around. It’s an slight uphill landing that transitions (just past the hanger) to a DOWNHILL roll out.
Fly a RIGHT PATTERN over the tree line East of the two big ponds (again I’m usually a bit high so I can see the windsock) and set your elevation/decent while looking at the runway.
Don’t try to hit the end of the runway as being short would really suck (it’s a theme). There are cones at the corners /end of the runway and there will be another set 150’ up which marks a good touch down point.
I turn and fly a rounded base well inside of the line of pine trees on the hill so that I don’t get too near the neighbor’s house. Remember to keep looking at the runway to judge your base to final banana turn.
Once converted to Final and I have the runway made then full flaps and down over the canyon but still a bit of power as if there is much wind there will be a (lesser than the other end) sinker on short final, (a little speed thru it works wonders.)
If you don’t like the way it looks go-around.
Fly thru the cut in the trees to land because if you’re high, you will be long, and you need to be on the ground well before the hanger.
IF YOU ARE NOT FIRMLY ON THE GROUND AND GOING TO BE WELL SLOWED UP BY THE WINDSOCK GO AROUND. Yes, another theme.
One last thing. I’m a big believer in Carb heat, I turn it on early before pulling the throttle back in the pattern and once I turn final, I turn it off, so I have better throttle response in case need because go-arounds are good piloting.
I have a couple of handheld radios and will try to be on 122.75 for arrivals just call
“Crowe Bar Traffic.”
Notes about the River-
Don’t fly low over
ANY of the bridges.
Landing is your decision, and if you do avoid the wet sand and watch for sticks logs and other debris.
There is a Bald Eagle Next about every mile on each side of the Riverbank and will be numerous eagles around, most now are mature so easier to spot but there are still a few teenagers around.
There are WIRES:
- At the Bixby Bridge located 11.5 miles WNW (upstream) RED and White towers on each bank
- At the Haskell Bridge located 6.0 miles SSE (downstream) These can be difficult to see but they are there.
- At the end of the sod farms 11 miles SE. (that’s downstream) and about 5 miles after the big bend in the river at the sod farms.
There are occasional houses along the Riverbank from the Coweta Bridge to the Haskell Bridge, please give proper separation.
Where I fly: Upstream (left turn if departing North) and go a couple miles and turn around at the first bend but you can go on just don’t go past the second bend down low as there is a big soccer complex and lots of cameras and civilization begins.
Downstream (Right Turn if departing North) follow the River and climb up over the Coweta Bridge (2.0 Miles) then follow the river downstream (now going South) looking at stuff then climb to clear the Haskell Bridge and it’s WIRES then drop back down and follow the River to the next bend and around and turn (now going Eastish) around when the crop/sod fields on the left play out watch for the WIRES.
FUEL
HASKELL – (2K9) 4.5 miles @ 165 degrees. SS at $4.65 but no credit card machine so you’ll need to leave a check in the box and fill out the log on the clip board. The Manager is a good guy and knows about the fly in and will likely be around Friday afternoon and Saturday. They have good N/S paved runway and a parallel grass strip located immediately East of the main runway about midfield and it’s about 1100’x30’. There are access points to the main runway at each end.
There is another N/S grass strip immediately East of the Haskell airport that is private which we are working on gaining access to if it gets DRY.
The main strip has non-standard lighting that is timer controlled. Parking is South of the big hanger
OKMULGEE (KOKM) 21.5 miles @ 222 degrees. SS @ $4.05. They have a mowed grass landing area located between the Taxiway and Runway towards the North end. It begins just south of the Second taxiway if landing South and if landing South is downhill and there is an exit area at the South end.
MUSKOGEE (KMKO) 25.0 miles @ 131 degrees. SS @ $3.95. The SS fuel is located a couple hangers South of the terminal. Lots of pavement here.
CLAREMORE (KGCM) 28 miles @ 202 degrees. SS @ $3.99. They have a mowed grass landing area located between the Taxiway and Runway North of the Taxiway to the ramp.
SAND SPRINGS (KOWP) 32 miles @307 degrees. SS @3.85. They have a mowed grass landing area located between the Taxiway and Runway North of the Taxiway at the ramp.
PONCA CITY (KPNC) 100 miles @ 300 degrees. SS @ $3.90.