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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 07:02 pm |
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| I had an accident 7 years ago and sustained a spinal injury. I still can amble around slowly---fair on my "good" days. I built an aircraft last year that I can pilot very easily and that I can afford to operate. It has it's limitations----can't fly in winds < 15 mph. I can sail along at a mere 16-36 mph and consume 3 gallons of fuel/hr. I live close to the Tennessee River and I am looking all over these parts for these elusive creatures. I will find them. God knows I have seen everything else! Will have a camcorder mounted to my passenger seat and a digital camera in hand. Who knows what I will find. Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your forum---Tn.Cherokee--------------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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dwells
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 09:37 pm |
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| TNC WELCOME. I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET AROUND .I HAD BACK SURGERY 1 YEAR AGO,EVERYTHING WAS OK TO START AND ONCE THE NERVE WOKE BACK UP IT STARTED TO ACT UP AND THEN I FOUND OUT I HAG PERMENT NERVE DAMAGE TO THE NERVE IN MY RIGHT LEG AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET AROUND VERY WELL SINCE. BUT I TOO ENJOY THIS SITE. HOPEFULLY I GET JOIN IN ON A TRIP ONE DAY. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FLYING, MAYBE YOU WILL SEE A RFP .
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 11:18 pm |
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| Hello Dwells, Thanks again for the hospitality and your ear. I certainly hope that your back pain and immobility get better. I was an emergency services nurse for 20 years and it's real hard to have to walk away from your profession. Ya'll all have been very inviting and made me feel at home. God Bless----TNC___________
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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White Thing
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 11:50 pm |
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| Great post! I think aerial search has some good advantanges. Keep us posted in anything you find or don't find. If you get a chance, could you "BUZZ" the tower, justonce for me? LOL
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watch1
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Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2008 11:56 pm |
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tennesseecherokee,
I have always wanted to do this. This or hang-glide. Having an engine attached would seem to give you a little more control of things..LOL
Here is a link to a site that has some nice photos. Chatom is our county seat and is not a very big place. You can get an idea of the wilderness that is out there in the surrounding area from some of the photos.
http://perfectflyer.com/flying.htm
Now..if you had some thermal imaging equipment you could locate them and we could send white thing in to hog tie one up. That way we could all get a up close look one..LOL
I had a crazy spell one time and signed up for a mountaineering course while in the Army. The last day we had the nerve test. I can say, I Australian style repelled off a 300 ft. cliff..once..LOL
Maybe thats why I run around in the woods at night looking for something bigger than I am.
Mike (watch1)
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There's something out there talking and it ain't no man!
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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 01:06 am |
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| Hey Mike & White Thing, Ya'll need to add this craft to your hunting arsenal! It is truly a rush to fly this powered parachute --and so easy. I tell folks all it takes is a warm body and a room temperature IQ ! It is my solace because up there I don't have a worry in the world and all is well with the world. I don't have any thermal imaging equipment but I can see for a good distance. It is also the safest form of flying.You cannot stall it like a fixed wing, and it will only desend ay 9 ft/min if the engine quits. That leaves you plenty of time to find an alternative LZ. You can takeoff in 200-300 feet and land in <100ft. My PP looks very similar to the one in the photos you have posted. It's good and very economical even with gas going for over $3/gal. I really liked all the scenery that fella photographed. Pretty country! I'm just one county away from the Alabama State Line----Colbert and Limestone counties. Are ya'll ever up this way? Maybe when we get some springtime weather I can trailer my plane to ya'll's neck of the woods and help you from above.It is very quiet and sneaky!----Much obliged for the comments and keep your eyes peeled and ears wide open--------------Tn.Cherokee-------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 01:09 am |
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| Oh yeah, WT----I'll remember to Buzz the tower----It will be slow though--LOL-------------TnCherokee---------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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Robroy
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 01:21 am |
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guys,,,did i see a rearview mirror on that thing??
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No-Fault/Asphault Insurance
It's just a Thought !
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 02:01 am |
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| Sure did Robroy----You need that to be able to see your parachute inflate and to make sure that you have all the cells inflated.You don't wanna try to liftoff with what's called "end cell closure". If you do get airborne with some cells not inflated it will cause you to loose altitude real quick and could be dangerous if you happen to be too close to the ground.It also helps to keep you from having to bend your neck so much and to prevent you from looking off during takeoff.Come on ---get one and I'll teach you!! Or, you can just climb in the backseat and have a thrill of a lifetime-------------Invitation Stands------TnCherokee--------------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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Robroy
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 04:26 am |
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 kool dude ,,,,,i take a ride ,,,no prob
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No-Fault/Asphault Insurance
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Robroy
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 04:26 am |
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| you man the mirrors i'll just hang on !!!!!
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No-Fault/Asphault Insurance
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JayB
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 05:20 am |
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Great link, Mike, with great pics.
A neighbor had a parawing a while back. Interesting machine. It does everything at 25 mph. Add power, it climbs. Reduce power, it descends. All at 25 mph. It appears to be a real fun machine and the best part is that if your engine packs it in, you're already wearing an inflated parachute. I thought about getting one but couldn't get past the idea of landing, rolling to a stop and have my wing fall down around my ears.
If White Thing CAN hogtie a big'un, he is definitely my hero!
JayB
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JayB
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 06:23 am |
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First of all, welcome TNC! Great to have you here.
I gather from your description you're talking ultralight. True? I have long thought they would be the ultimate search vehicle - especially during the time leaves are off the trees. Certainly sounds as though you're prepared if you find something of interest. Git out there and find 'em! Then be sure to let us know about it, including pics!
Another thing I have wondered about. After one of those big forest fire events in the western wilderness (I say 'western' because that's where they seem to occur most), it may be reasonable to think that one or more of the boogers wouldn't make it. Perhaps some may have given it up due to smoke inhalation and aren't so much as singed. What better way to rapidly survey the area than aerially by helo or, far more economically, by ultralight. 'Course the Feds could (and may well) put the kabosh on something like that.
Anyway, TNC, is your machine readily transportable by trailer? Could you easily bring it to any kind of gathering not too far from your area? This whole topic has me breathing heavily! (At my age, that usually only happens when I walk more than 50'!)
Once again, FIND 'EM! I envy you.
JayB
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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 01:19 pm |
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| Thanks JayB for your warm welcome and sorry if this particular thread has your heart pounding a little too much---well---maybe that's a good thing? Anyway, everyone here has been so gracious and warm and welcoming.I truly do appreciate all ot that but that's what we are here in the South! I can load my machine on my trailer by myself and go down the road at 65-70 if the limit allows. Can do!! I have been interested in these hairy hominids for a very long time---started readind all I could around 1967-68. I have read, researched and examined virtually everything that has been placed on the internet---to date. I've listened to folks debate and scrutinize the subject to death on web radio stations. I don't believe that Sasquatch is a shape shifter or anything like that. It is a flesh and blood animal.I know that we will soon find one for a complete verification----Regards-----TNC------------------------------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 02:06 pm |
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JayB, On the subject of flying over burned over Federal Land or Bureau of Land Management properties, there is nothing that prohibits that legally. You of course can't fly one of these powered parachutes over "congested areas" in towns or outdoor sporting events or in the flight paths on approach or landing at airports. That, to me, is common sense stuff anyway. On the other hand, these Park Rangers, Game Wardens and such can and do violate our civil liberties on a daily basis. Take White Thing, for instance. He was out just trying out some new Christmas gifts---no weapon at all and a Game and Fish Warden confiscated his equipment and wrote him a ticket. That is an unlawful seizure. That officer should loose his job over that one. These laws regarding shining lights around at night need to be re-----written. I believe you should be able to shine anywhere---private land with permission and definitely all public---State and Federal Lands. WE, the taxpayers and citizens of this nation OWN THESE LANDS !! We are being trampled to death. We are causing no harm to our environment and we are not there to take the lives of any animals. If you are carrying no weapon----it should be perfectly legal!!---I believe White Thing should contact the ACLU-----or The Southern Poverty Law Center---I can Take off and land my bird on any basically flat surface---Pastures are great!!-----Sorry I got a little long on the tooth---------TNCherokee--------------------------
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We will be known forever by the tracks we leave behind.
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Robroy
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 03:19 pm |
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| TNC, Well said !! I agree wholeheartedly.
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No-Fault/Asphault Insurance
It's just a Thought !
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Hamrfoot
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 11th, 2008 11:20 pm |
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Wow those are some impressive photos, thanks for sharing! I'm about to spend between 3K - 5K on a pop up camper. If I decided not to go that route and purchased a low end model of your type aircraft would I need a loan or get a refund?
once again thanks
sorry about your physical problems, looks like you are making the most out of a bad situation
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 01:01 am |
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| Hamrfoot, You can get a one seat model complete for around 5k----There is a man in Texas, south of Dallas, who builds them. That price is if you pick it up there.Shipping one to you would cost extra. Go to http://www.airframesunlimited.com--Holler if you need more info-------TNCherokee-----------------
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White Thing
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 02:11 am |
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| I didn't see the pics yet, but was wondering, do you have any flying buddies in Limestone county? I know a few people that fly some sort of aircraft, I guess kinda like a ultralite thing.
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 03:38 am |
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| No WT, I don't have any flying buddies in Alabama at all.There are 4 other guys in McNairy county here that I share this hobby with. Their aircraft are somewhat different from mine but we all fly ultralights. I really need to find some folks around here that are into Sasquatch hunting but it's real hard to strike up a conversation unless you know you are talking with "like minded" individuals. There is a group called West Tennessee Bigfoot but they are not very active and I don't think they have done any field research in years.There is alot of BF habitat here and I know that there have been sightings within a 50 mile radius of here. The Tennessee River is here, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway,lots of forests,cropland, swamps. I need to really find someone to work the ground while I search from above--staying in radio contact. By the way, how is your efforts coming along on retrieving your confiscated Christmas presents.That really has me angered . Contact the ACLU or The Southern Poverty Law Center--they are located in Birmingham,AL.-----Best of luck to you WT---TNCherokee====
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White Thing
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 04:43 am |
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| I got a call saying I would get it back in a day or two. If you send me a pm withsome better locations of where you're at we might try to get out there one day.
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JayB
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 05:05 am |
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TNC, are your UL partners flying fixed-wings? Are your speeds compatable? (You don't have a lot in the way of options in a parawing.) If you could get together with one or two others, you could cover a whole lot more ground than a big bunch of folks on foot. Perhaps after you get to know them really well you may find some who are interested in our subject. If not, maybe you could set up a little 'game search/count' with a couple of them. Those engines don't make a lot of racket but I can't help but wonder how panicky the wildlife may become when they are overflown. Oh, yes, I'm sure you know to plan carefully. A midair could ruin your whole day. Especially if it should happen over a swamp.
Those machines, with their excellent visibility, would be near perfect for this application. Especially in winter when most of the leaves have dropped. Bundle up!
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 05:36 pm |
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| Hey JayB, Yeah, all the other guys are flying parachute type pusher airframes. With the mufflers that we use, the noise is minimal. The expansion chambers we use are packed with a damponing agent that realllllly cuts down on the decibels. There are some new engines available from Honda that are 4 cycle engines and the are even quiter. I generally go to about 1000ft AGL and cut back on the throttle to an idle that gives me me nearly 2 minutes of complete stealth---I mean, unless you would happen to be looking in my direction I would essentially be right on top of you and you would not have a clue that I was there. Then you can cut all power all together and restart ay say 150 ft. The chute is 500 sq. ft.--thats big! It is also very quiet as it gently moves through the air. My chute that I'm using now is sky blue and the airframe is a powder blue---Hard to see--unless you are actually looking. I routinely run over fields with sometimes up to 15- 20 deer and they hardly ever give me even a heads up. I guess alot of it is technique---I started out flying a little fixed wing craft 25 years ago called "The Weedhopper"-----notoriously dangerous--due to their pilots not doing any maintenance and failure to do their pre-flights. I never had problems with mine but they didn't have the inherent safety features built into these powered parachutes----Many lost their lives piloting the weedhopper---I am planning to fly over Tishomingo State Park---Mississippi---in the next week or so-it adjoins the Nor-Western Alabama line. Been several reports of Squatch there.Many caves.Gigantic limestones boulders--pushed up from glaciers--many moons ago----Thanks for your advice-Regards-------TNCherokee------------
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 12th, 2008 05:37 pm |
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| WHite Thing, Will try to send you a PM this Sunday---Regards---TNC------------
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Vincenti
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 04:08 pm |
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You would do well to get hold of a thermal imaging camera. They're expensive, but with sasquatch you might need one to pick them out. Not sure how well they work in daylight.
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 05:12 pm |
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| Hello Vincenti !!! I too thought about that aspect--The thermal imaging camera--but they are way too expensive--at least the ones that I have seen.Do you have access to one? Keep your eyes peeled, ok? Maybe someone out there would like to loan or lend one to our cause.Of course, it would be handled professionally and I would guarantee that it would be returned in pristene condition.If you get any leads or ideas give me a shout.Thanks for the comment--TennesseeCherokee---------------------
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Kite-Squatch
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 05:35 pm |
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tennesseecherokee wrote: Will have a camcorder mounted to my passenger seat and a digital camera in hand. TC, is your 'powered parafoil' {that's the name I use} registered as a Part 103 ultralight, or in the Experimental category?
Maybe you mentioned it in the thread somewhere, but I couldn't find it....
-Allan, aka Kite-Squatch
N.E. North Carolina, USA
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tennesseecherokee
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 27th, 2008 05:55 pm |
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| Kite Squatch, mine is a powered parachute. I use an Elan 500 square foot rectangular parachute and a Fuji 488 cc 2 stroke engine in a pusher configuration.It is under power from takeoff to landing---TNC-------------
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hotrodturbo7
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Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 03:12 am |
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| I have wondered about this, ever since I became interested in RFP( after the Geneva county sightings/hypefest 2007). I live in Ozark, about 2 miles from the east gate of Fort Rucker. Several of my friends are Army aviators or retired aviators. they fly all over about a 5-8 county radius from here, every direction. Has noone ever seen one of these things on thermal or NVG? My hunting partner is an IP at Rucker, and also flies with the Sheriff dept., which has full nightvision equip. on their aircraft. Maybe we can get him on board. I haven't had the b@lls to open the subject with him yet, he may not want to go into the woods with me anymore!
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tennesseecherokee
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