D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 9
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More than 15 years later, I found myself
living in the Rockies of Colorado, having
brought a 1949 antique airplane with me.
A product of three generations of family fly-
ing, it is a light aircraft weighing less than 800
pounds powered by an old 100-horsepower
I
N THE LATE 1990S, A STUDIOUS AND CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE REPORTED THAT A
STUDY OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ESTIMATED THAT THE PARK WOULD BE DE-
VOID OF GLACIERS BY 2030. I knew essentially nothing about Montana but the first thought
that came to mind was the immorality of the glaciers melting, and how I needed to see them before
they disappeared. My imagined Montana included glaciers, and that's how it needed to be.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OF
article and photos by GARRETT FISHER
Built in 1949, the aircraft used for the project is a Piper PA-11, also known as a "Cub Special." It is variant of the iconic Piper J-3 Cub, which was used in World War II
for initial military pilot training, also placed into service for aerial reconnaissance. Weighing in at 766 pounds empty, it is a light two seat aircraft with minimum legal
instrumentation, lacking heat, any form of electronics, or a starter. The configuration of clamshell side door, side window, and wing strut placement makes it an ideal aerial
photography platform.
