Cavanaugh Bay! Doug Williams photo

Welcome New Members! Annell Allen, Meridian, ID Leon Davis, Homedale, ID

Kevin Becker, Sandpoint, ID John Brown, Eagle, ID Rob Beck, Cove, OR

Tom Lenze, Hailey, ID Rich Rogers, Lewiston, ID

Charlie Conner, Renton, WA Jason Grimm, Gowen, MI

Richard Stansley, Sylvania, OH Tim Mcgahey, McCall, ID

Vance Simons, Post Falls, ID Roger Fairchild, Fruitland, ID

Mark Burke, Kindred, ND Gary Sturdy, Anacortes, WA

Craig Murphy, Boise, ID Stephen Lohrey, Hayden, ID

New & Renewing Corporate Sponsors: Scalecraft Models Company

Tsuniah Lake Lodge, British Columbia, Canada 20 Years!! Special Thanks to

Kitty Delorey Fleischman of Boise, Idaho, who became a lifetime member in 1999!

FUEL/OTHER DISCOUNTS FOR IAA MEMBERS!

Print your IAA membership card for your wallet, and call: Back Country Fuel Emmett 861-9056 Western Aircraft Boise 338-1833 Turbo Air Boise 343-3300 Jackson Jet Boise 383-3300 Arnold Aviation Cascade 382-4844 Aero Mark Idaho Falls 524-1202 Atlantic Aviation Hailey 788-7511 AvCenter Nampa/Pocatello 866-3740 Reeder Flying Service Twin Falls 733-5920 Rapid Refueling Caldwell 454-1669 Granite Aviation Sandpoint 263-9102 Northern Air Inc. Bonners Ferry 267-4359 Selkirk Aviation Coeur d’ Alene 664-9589 Frazier Aviation Ontario, OR (541) 889-9197 Stangel Flight Service Enterprise, OR (541) 426-3562 More information available at www.IdahoAviation.com

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August 2019

Events Calendar

Aug 5–11 CAF B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and CAF B-25 “Maid in the Shade” at Nampa Municipal Airport (MAN): The planes are targeted to arrive at 11 a.m. Mon Aug 5, be available for tours that afternoon through Thu afternoon Aug 8, and conducting flights Fri–Sun Aug 9–11. See flyer below! Aug 9–11 RAF Regional Mini-Educational Conference: Boise. Call 970-209-5980 or email Erin White at ewhite@theraf.org for info. Aug 11 Huckleberry Festival Fly-In Pancake Breakfast Donnelly (U84): 8–11 a.m. Fly in! Transportation provided to and from breakfast and festival. Breakfast $8. Info: IAA member Ron Keller 505-681-5982 www.DonnellyChamber.com/events/huckleberry-festival. Aug 15–18 Women’s Mountain Checkout! Steamboat Springs (SBS) 208-315-3075, www.WomanWiseAwesomeAdventures.com. Aug 16–17 Cavanaugh Bay Fly-In: (66S) Bring something to grill and something to share for BBQ dinner Sat at 4 p.m. Don 946-8490. Aug 24–25 Warhawk Air Museum 17th Annual Warbird Roundup, Nampa (MAN): 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 208-465-6446, www.WarhawkAirMuseum.org. Sep 14 Oregon Pilots Association Annual Conference, World of Speed Motorsports Museum, Wilsonville, OR: Keynote Speaker Rich Stowell, CFII, National Instructor of the Year & Gold Seal Instructor. Sep 25–29 Woman Wise Awesome Adventures: Cascade (U70). “An Aviation Star is Born: Personal Distinction Unboxed.” Seminars, flight instruction (seaplanes, tailwheel, aerobatics, and more), and fun 208-315-3075, www.WomanWiseAwesomeAdventures.com.

President’s Corner Andrew George This year has been a challenging one so far. Aviation activity is at full speed while numerous issues have led to numerous conversations spanning many topics. We are currently pushing several agendas with the Division of Aeronautics—pushing in a good way. As the Division of Aeronautics begins its search for a new Administrator, it has become

apparent that the Aero staff is ready and excited to resume a strong relationship with the General Aviation public. Myself and others of the IAA Board have spent a fair amount of time with members of Aeronautics and quite frankly it has been really nice! The energy level and overall atmosphere has been a breath of fresh air. I am sincerely excited about the opportunities to work more hand-in-hand with Division in the future. Many things are on the plate that Division has a desire to get taken care of, and they will need our help. So many things are set to change in the General Aviation world and I have been saying for a long time we better be paying attention to the growth. Without a good plan to help establish effective and safe ways to navigate our state’s aviation growth, it could create very negative impressions of aviation for the non-flying public.

I was fortunate enough to stop by Johnson Creek the other night during the International 180/185 Club’s fly-in and hear Mike Dorris talk about some of his backcountry experiences. Really enjoyed listening to him. I was also asked a few questions by the 180/185 club members about current issues. Many I have already mentioned recently. I was asked a question though, “What do you think is the biggest threat right now to aviation?” My answer was a knee-jerk and one that I said without hesitation. I said the biggest threat to aviation quite simply is “US.” I think some people weren’t sure what I meant or couldn’t believe that was what I thought. I explained that, yes, we are the biggest threat if WE are not united into a large voice for our causes, if we fail to respect the land and how it is used, and if we fail to be good stewards of flying. We are our own worst enemy if our overall flying community disregards other users and fails to support advocacy groups. I mentioned how strong the RAF was when dealing with issues at the highest levels of government and that their strength allows us a lot of ability here in the state. Being part of the IAA is also a huge benefit that gives us strength in getting a seat at any table. I specifically mentioned that designated Wilderness Areas need to be respected. They are wonderful access points and trailheads we can use. The IAA will do everything to ensure we can continue to do so. But we have to smart. Bagging strips was also brought up, and of course, who is to say that when I see a plane land at Cabin Creek and then depart, that the pilot was “bagging.” Perhaps he was being checked out in mountain flying techniques and being shown how to conduct himself safely. When you are on the ground, it’s hard to say exactly what a pilot is doing when you see something like this. It’s a very thin line between abusing the area and becoming proficient and safe. But that is our

reality. The perception by others is their reality. We better be prepared to deal with both.

I love to fly, and my biggest regret is not learning soon enough and realizing how much time I have wasted not flying. So don’t ever misjudge anything I say as anything other than, “How am I going to help ensure I can keep flying where, how, and when I want to, period.”

The IAA State Board met last week in Joseph, Oregon the day before the big Fly-in. I was mad I could not stay and enjoy the big show. But I was appreciative of the effort to put on a strong productive meeting. I really enjoyed flying over in the State’s new Kodiak with Ross Engle checking me out on that. We won’t talk about the landing. We were able to get a lot of topics covered and prepped for the next meeting in the fall. As always, if you would like to join us, anyone may sit in and be part of the conversation. Just let us know. I will have a lot more updated next month on action plans and goals implemented.

Now, all of you be safe. We’ve had a few piles of metal already and I don’t want you to have to hear the words, “We are the recovery crew.” Bernard, Stanley, and Sulphur Creek are few places in the last 30–45 days where we have bent metal. It is hot, DENSITY ALTITUDE is real, and don’t disregard it. I want to see you all having coffee or hanging by the fire or soaking your feet in the river. Not watching me tie ropes to your plane to flip it over and get it on a truck. Smoke is bound to start happening and conditions will get harder. Pre-flight, plan, and prepare, and we can enjoy that

beverage around the fire. Fly safe. Andrew 208-794-4480 Andrew@BaseConstructors.com

Contacts State President Andrew George 208-794-4480 State Vice President Website/Secretary/Treasurer Nadine Burak 208-861-9056 Info@IdahoAviation.com Vice Presidents: Jerry Terlisner—Activities 208-859-7959 Joe Corlett—Communications 208-890-1819 Don Lojek—Legal Affairs 208-484-2292 Kyle Green—Commercial Operators 208-284-4575 Ron Graff—Scholarships 360-944-7751 Tom Tyson—Safety and Education 316-633-1801 John Gough—Government Affairs 208-421-1785 Andrew Simmons—Membership 208-473-9566 Directors: Director-at-Large Dist #1 Don McIntosh 208-946-8490 Dist #2 Bill Ables 541-263-1327 Dist #3 John Davis 208-867-4600 Dist #4 Kerry Requa 208-221-7417 Dist #5 Greg Cobia 208-785-5006 Dist #6 Mike Hart 208-528-7672 THE FLYLINE—Crista Worthy 208-906-4471 Editor@IdahoAviation.com

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District 4 – Magic Valley

Kerry Requa Here in South-central Idaho it seems like everyone who wants to fly heads north to the areas that have been traditional destinations for years. I have lived in and flown out of the Boise area, Salmon, Southeastern Idaho, and now Twin Falls. It has been a habit to take off for places

like Big Creek, Johnson Creek, Sulphur Creek, Indian Creek, The Flying B, and so on. These areas are beautiful and highly favored by most backcountry pilots. But there is an area that few pilots tour, and it offers spectacular views and unique places that are fun to visit. I am talking about Southeastern Idaho, that corner of the state often flown over and not given a second thought. My wife and I have been talking about making the flight for a long time and finally decided to load up and go look. I have flown the area before, but it has been many years. From Twin Falls, our first destination was Malad City. Enroute, we checked out City of Rocks and the area South of Mount Harrison. We saw lots of people camped in some very nice spots, enjoying some of what Idaho offers to outdoor adventurists. We then proceeded to Preston. I am amazed at how much the area has grown and expanded in the last 10–12 years. Next, we flew to the Bear Lake area; the lake is a gorgeous turquoise. We made a run for Afton, Wyoming, and were again greeted with spectacular views. The high country was still very green with the creeks running on the high side for this time of year. From Afton it was a short hop over to Soda Springs. You really need to make this stop and visit the Soda Springs Geyser that erupts every hour, to a height of about 100 feet. Our next stop was Lava Hot Springs. This is a private strip, but you can get permission to land there and experience some of the best hot springs you will ever find. This landing strip is not associated with the Lava Hot Springs Resort. From there it was another short flight to Downey. Downey also has a hot spring, plus a large swimming pool with tubes and slides for everyone to enjoy. Downey Hot Springs is about a mile from the strip; call ahead to see if you can have someone from the Resort pick you up. None of these places I am mentioning are in highly populated areas; they are usually not crowded unless they are hosting a reunion or some other event. After Downey we made a quick flight to Bancroft; not a lot of things of interest at Bancroft but again it was about the scenery. After landing at Bancroft it was getting very warm and time to make the bumpy afternoon flight home. We had a great time and visited eight often-overlooked strips. I admit some of the places we went to don’t have much to do or see, but the flight was a welcome change to our usual weekend destinations. All but two of our stops were paved strips and the only concerns are density altitude and surrounding terrain. If the wind is blowing, make sure you are comfortable with that; a couple of these strips could surprise you. Have fun, fly safe, get out of the rut and try new destinations. Flying offers so many opportunities for

adventure! Tailwinds, Kerry Requa 208-221-7417

District 6 – Idaho Falls/Salmon

Mike Hart

Fire Season is upon us. So far, this summer has been excellent. Snow lingered in the high country and even today I flew over lakes that are still more than half ice. But alas, this too must come to an end, ushered in with the smell of smoke. TFRs pop up and the skies fill with fire-fighting aircraft.

When I flew to Boise yesterday, the Canyon Fire near Banner Summit between Stanley and Boise was burning in the crowns of the trees. No aircraft were on the fire and there was no TFR. That changed. Now there is, with lots of helicopters and Air Tractors dumping water and retardant.

If you look closely at the text, most TFRs have a VHF

frequency published (referred to as Victor by the USFS air crews). If you are circumnavigating a TFR to avoid busting it, remember, firefighting aircraft don’t just stay inside the TFR boundaries, they come and go into that airspace with clearance and tend to arrive and depart at altitudes that facilitate separation. If you listen to the frequency, you can get a sense of the work that goes into firefighting, but more importantly, you can gain situational awareness with respect to the coming and going of aircraft. It is also entertaining.

You needn’t interrupt their work, but if you are skirting the border of a TFR, most air attack bosses probably won’t mind hearing from you, letting them know you are transitioning over the top, or along the X boundary at Y altitude. They are pilots and controllers and knowing where traffic is improves safety for everyone.

Recently I flew into Upper Loon, transporting accident investigators and attorneys probing the April 2015 crash of a fully loaded 210 that caught a tree at the end of the runway, killing all on board. While the investigators investigated, I got out my fly rod to taunt the local fish. It’s not quite hopper season, but it’s getting there.

I enjoyed my break. (continued on Page 4) Page 3

I was asked by the investigators if I had ever noted the trees beyond the end of the runway prior to the crash. To be honest, I hadn’t. I described Upper Loon as a relatively long airstrip that is generally good for intermediate mountain fliers who have graduated beyond Big Creek, Johnson Creek, Smiley Creek, and Garden Valley. Upper Loon is like a short Indian Creek. It is deep in a canyon with a blind base turn. It is 2,500 feet long, which is not entirely luxurious, but not super-short. If I was ever worried about trees there, it would be the snags on downwind by the “Bear Claw” cliff. Most people don’t think about worrying about snags on downwind, but at Upper Loon, it is a consideration.

My takeaway is that a pilot in a fully loaded 210 departed

in the afternoon, possibly with a tailwind, possibly without a sterile cockpit, possibly in a hurry. Given the weight of the aircraft, it used up a lot of runway. Given that it lingered on the runway so long, the roughness of the runway further lengthened the ground roll. When the aircraft finally got in the air, it would have had an anemic climb. Pilots who don’t fly full gross weight loads are often taken by surprise at how shallow a fully loaded plane climbs. Finally, the trees that brought the aircraft down were on the pilot’s blind side. As he turned toward the creek to put lower terrain beneath the plane after a long ground roll and a shallow climb, he didn’t see the trees.

We aren’t supposed to speculate, but the above scenario

isn’t too tough to imagine when presented with the facts of this accident. My understanding is the plaintiffs believe the

USFS needs to clear backcountry airstrips to the standards of typical paved runways. That is neither realistic, nor desirable. The backcountry has trees, cliffs, rocks, and streams. It has rollers buffeting us on ridges. It is not friendly in the afternoon. It is fickle and unforgiving when it surprises you with a tailwind or a long ground roll.

My advice is to do your homework. Know your aircraft performance and don’t try things that are too close to the performance envelope. That doesn’t mean stay out of the backcountry, it means come on in—just do so with

deliberate care.

August Safety Tip—TFRs Tom Tyson, VP—Safety

Well, here we are in the summer season again. Not surprisingly, we see a drastic increase in Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). I’d like to discuss the airspace NOT in the TFR. First, a few simple reminders:

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is a regulatory action that

temporarily restricts certain aircraft from operating within a defined area in order to protect persons or property in the air or on the ground. TFRs are issued in a NOTAM. (FAA)

A TFR is a type of Notices to Airmen (NOTAM). A TFR defines an area restricted to air travel due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire FAA airspace. The text of the actual TFR contains the fine points of the restriction. (FAA)

TFRs have become more common in the post-9/11 heightened security environment, and often pop up on very short notice. (AOPA) So, I’ll hazard a guess that everyone reading this knows that you don’t fly into a TFR unless specifically granted permission. Also, folks know many examples of why TFRs are put into effect; wildland fires, football game flyovers, airshows, military events, etc. Duh! What I’d like to focus on is the airfields and airspace around the TFR – those areas, not specifically restricted, but that surround the TFR. By way of example, let’s use a Boise State football game flyover that has a published TFR NOTAM from 1800–1815L, from the surface to 2,000 feet AGL, and within 5 miles of the stadium. I contend there is much more to the scenario than simply staying out of the immediate, designated area for the defined timeframe. To illustrate my point, here are some questions to consider:

1) What airport(s) are the flyover aircraft taking off from?

2) What will be their route of flight, altitude, and airspeed transiting to Boise?

3) Will portions of their holding, run-in, or departure actually extend beyond 5 miles?

4) Could the timing of the event change on short notice?

(continued on Page 5) Page 4

5) Will other aircraft be operating in the local area (news helicopters, banner-tow aircraft, blimps, etc)?

6) How much attention will the participating flyover pilots have to devote to watching for non-participating aircraft?

7) Will adverse weather cause a deviation to the plan? 8) Where will the flyover aircraft land? 9) What will be their route of flight, altitude, and

airspeed transiting to their point of landing? 10) Will the flyover pilots be familiar with the local area? 11) If the National Anthem starts a few minutes late, will

this disrupt the planned timing, route, holding pattern, run-in heading, etc.?

12) Will ATC be coordinating the flyover? Will they continue to control local airspace and instrument approaches, deviations, emergencies, etc.?

13) Will the flyover be too low to be observed by ATC on radar?

14) Will all aircraft in the vicinity be on VFH, or will some only have UHF?

15) Will all aircraft in the vicinity have transponders? ADS-B? IFR equipment?

16) Etc, etc, etc. Ok, that example is just for a football game…what if forests, buildings, and lives are at risk? What if there are 30 aircraft participating in a moving target area, driven by volatile winds, that produces thick smoke? To complicate matters, many of those aircraft are dropping wind indicators, retardant, water, and smoke jumpers. Did I mention that the aircraft involved range in capability from 300-kt+ multi-engine, fixed-wing, jet cargo aircraft, to 90-kt, high-wing, single-engine pistons, to helicopters that land wherever they need to and resupply from lakes and ponds? Let’s not forget that this “TFR event” may have been burning for numerous days or weeks and some of the participants might be dog tired? Last…as with all of us, the participants must deal with low fuel states, mechanical malfunctions, mid-air collision avoidance, bird strikes, changing weather, and communication chaos. My point: Stay away from TFRs, but also be very mindful of the flight operations that are actively supporting that TFR, to include local contributing airfields, transit airspace, active Air Traffic Control, complex communications, etc. One last illustration – when you are flying well-clear of a wildland fire and associated TFR that is 10 miles off your right wing, how much time do you spend looking out your LEFT window? Well, there’s a good chance that is where the next water tanker is coming from. Remember, it is seldom the aircraft that you see that will kill you…instead,

it’s the one you don’t see. Fly Safe! Amber

Phillips photo

Note that the museum has moved from Sagle, Idaho (near Sandpoint) to its new location at Pappy Boyington Field (near Coeur d’ Alene)!

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Four Favorite Fun Places to Fly Now! Crista Worthy, Editor

Tsuniah Lake Lodge, British Columbia—For over 60 years, the Brebner family has provided pilots with one of North America’s finest fly-in resorts, in a remote and pristine setting, open Jun 1–Sep. No landing fee, but call or email appreciated; reserve lodging ahead, emer. avgas avail.

You’ll find Tsuniah Lake 345° and 145 nm northwest of Vancouver International Airport, close to the much larger Chilko Lake. Tsuniah Lake is at 4,000 feet, and the 4,000 x 100-foot turf airstrip is just southwest of the lodge, at the west end of Tsuniah Lake, firm, mowed, with windsocks at each end. Of course, if you arrive via seaplane, you can tie up at their docks.

Eric, Brian, and Bobbie Lynn Brebner are the third-generation owners and operators of Tsuniah Lake Lodge. Fishing for native rainbow trout is one of the biggest draws to this place, but not the only one! You can also ride horses, bike, hike, canoe, watch wildlife, or just relax., www.TsuniahLakeLodge.com.

Wapiti Meadow Ranch Cabins, Johnson Creek, Idaho— I think these are the best-equipped and most-affordable fly-in cabins in Idaho! Wapiti Meadow Ranch sits right along Johnson Creek, 3.8 miles south of the south end of the Johnson Creek airstrip. Diana and Barry Bryant happily provide pick-up and return to your plane as well as local transportation for fishing, accessing off-ranch trails, or the village of Yellow Pine. They offer beautiful one- and two-bedroom cabins, that include a fully-equipped kitchen with refrigerator, coffee/coffee maker, microwave, stove, oven, dishes, and utensils. Immaculately clean, carpeted, with big windows, closets and drawers, great views, and thoughtfully decorated. Nice hot shower, full electricity/heat, even a hair dryer, plus couch, table, BBQ and picnic table outside, and wood stove inside. Bring your own food or ask for a continental breakfast. Diana and Barry understand the needs of pilots (Barry is a high-time retired commercial Idaho bush pilot) and they will help you get the most out of your Idaho recreational flying time. From the ranch, you can fish the river, hike to high mountain lakes, or fish a stocked trout pond on ranch property (no license needed). Visit www.WapitiMeadowRanch.com, call 208-633-3217 or email Lodge@WapitiMeadowRanch.com for the perfect no-hassle Idaho backcountry holiday! Pics and more here: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/july/02/idahos-premier-backcountry-base.

Sulphur Creek, Idaho—Idaho is blessed with an unusually large number of wonderful backcountry fly-in lodges. Each has a particular stand-out quality, but Sulphur Creek Ranch has perhaps the best-rounded combination of attributes fly-in guests want. That’s why, in summertime, if you ask Idaho pilots where they flew last weekend, the most common answer is, “Sulphur Creek Ranch!”

You can see over a dozen large photos and get more details here: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/august/14/sulphur-creek-ranch-idaho.

In the meantime, here are the highlights: an awesome, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast served lovingly by Kiere and Valdean, the caretakers. The menu: “Yes” or “No.” Say Yes! You can relax just outside the ranch house and grade everybody else’s landings. Fish the pond across the runway (no license needed) or make the short jaunt to the creek. Ride a horse. The cabins are lovely. Dinner, for guests only, is superb. And linger late into the evening on the front lawn with the friendly horses as they’re turned out to graze. Seeley Lake, Montana—Seeley Lake is in the Swan Valley between the Mission Mountains and the huge Bob Marshall Wilderness. Fellow aviators Kerry Bennett and Brian Birch own two properties: one with seaplane access and another beside the airport. At the Lodges on Seeley Lake, you can tie your seaplane to their dock and have free access to watercraft—paddle the canoe trail or take a boat to Lindey’s Steakhouse! Four miles away at Seeley Lake Airport (23S) is their gorgeous Eagle Port Lodge; keep your airplane in the hangar and enjoy the same lake access or ride a snowmobile in winter, www.TheLodgesOnSeeleyLake.com.

The Lovely Eagle Port Lodge at Seeley Airport

Not All is Great, Though…We’ve had poor service at the Smiley Creek Lodge restaurant before, but nothing like a couple of weeks ago, when our group stopped for lunch before catching a whitewater trip down the Salmon River. Lunch took over 90 minutes to even arrive; so long, in fact, that some of the meals had to be taken to-go, as we were now running late. All along, our pleas to the waiter were openly scorned, and when the lunch boxes were opened en route to the river, they contained the wrong items. That’s it; we’re never going back to that restaurant.

Luckily, we have so many other happy options! Like Stanley, Dixie Town, Elk City, Big Creek, Flying B, and the

above-mentioned delights. Enjoy! Page 6

AVIATION DESTINATIONS Crista Worthy, Editor

Welcome to the “Destinations” section of The Flyline, where we offer a selection of vacation destinations for adventurous aviators across the U.S. Share this section with your family members and plan your next adventure together today!

IDAHO

SANDPOINT: A Pilot’s Paradise—Pilots in North Idaho really have it good. Beautiful mountains and lakes beckon backcountry and seaplane aviators toward endless outdoor adventure. Sandpoint Airport is the hub of it all—and just minutes from the skiing, boating, fishing, shopping, and restaurants of Sandpoint, which USA Today named one of the best five small towns in the United States. Sandpoint, Idaho lies along the northwest shore of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake at 65 miles long and 1,150 feet deep. The airport sits just north of town, 43 nm south of the Canadian border. Seaplanes may dock at The Lodge at Sandpoint, which sits just to the left of the Highway 95 bridge, lower left in this photo. Photo courtesy Granite Aviation.

Sandpoint’s FBO, Granite Aviation, provides Hertz car rentals, a courtesy car, and courtesy bikes for pilots. Their beautiful new building reflects the fact that Sandpoint is becoming a global force in aviation. Tamarack Aerospace Group fits their revolutionary ATLAS Active Winglets onto bizjets to radically increase performance and fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. Also on the field is Quest Aircraft Company, which manufactures the Kodiak utility turboprop. These successful businesses are driving the Sandpoint economy ahead with good jobs. To help supply the companies with highly-skilled workers, North Idaho College (in Coeur d’Alene) now has a complete Aerospace Center, offering Advanced Manufacturing and Aviation Maintenance Training.

From Sandpoint it’s a short hop to backcountry airstrips like Cavanaugh Bay, Priest Lake, and Magee. Get info about these and many other Idaho airstrips inside the indispensable two-volume book, Fly Idaho! Third Edition. The Idaho Aeronautical Chart, commissioned by the Idaho Aviation Association, shows many strips not visible on FAA

charts. Yes, even a big twin can land at Cavanaugh Bay, but for some folks there’s nothing quite like a tailwheel in the backcountry.

Don’t yet have a bush plane or floatplane? You can fly one here! CFI Lisa Martin provides tailwheel endorsements and backcountry and mountain flying instruction in her Super Cub, based at Hackney Airpark, near the south end of Lake Pend Oreille. North Idaho is the land of deep blue glacial lakes and wide winding rivers. Glenn Smith of Coeur d’Alene Seaplanes provides instruction in his beautifully restored 1946 PA-12S Piper Super Cruiser, which seats three, based at Scenic Bay, at the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille near the town of Bayview.

CFI Glenn Smith and Amber Phillips in the Coeur d’Alene Seaplanes Super Cruiser. The airplane has one seat up front, two seats in back, and amazing visibility on all sides. Photo courtesy Amber Phillips.

If you already have a seaplane, you can fly to Tanglefoot

Seaplane Base on Priest Lake (call first so they can show you around). Or, fly to The Lodge at Sandpoint (a perfect place to stay), on the south bank of the Pend Orielle River, just west of the Hwy 95 bridge. Dock out front and walk right up to the lodge or Forty-One South restaurant. The owners of Tanglefoot Seaplane Base love the crisp wedge salad and savory crab bisque—a $15 dinner with million-dollar lake views. North Idaho truly is a pilot’s paradise.

Take the Highway 95 bridge south across the lake to The Lodge at Sandpoint. Better yet, if you have a float plane, you can just park at the dock! Photo courtesy The Lodge at Sandpoint.

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Other than use it as an unbeatable base from which to fly, what else can you do in Sandpoint? Borrow a bike from Granite Aviation: A lovely paved bike trail leaves the airport and follows Sand Creek down the peninsula, across a short bridge, and into downtown.

Granite Aviation has courtesy bikes for pilots who fly in. The bike path goes right from the airport into town. Photo courtesy Granite Aviation.

Or, rent a road or mountain bike at Outdoor Experience

and they’ll recommend routes. You’re not just going to let that beautiful blue lake sit there, so rent a kayak, paddleboard, jet ski, power boat, or pontoon boat for some fun on the water. Kokanee fishing is great in the lake, or, try fly fishing the Clark Fork River. We, and our kids, absolutely loved Silverwood Theme Park, the Northwest’s largest, with over 70 rides and attractions at a fraction of the price of the SoCal theme parks we grew up with, and no lines the day we visited. They also have a water park, shows, and dining.

I think we rode this Silverwood roller coaster at least 10 times in a row; it was so much fun and there were no lines! Photo by Fred Worthy.

Named the “best-kept secret” by Ski Magazine, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers uncrowded views of Canada’s Selkirks, Montana’s Cabinet and Bitterroot mountains, and Lake Pend Oreille. In summer, you can hike, mountain bike, pick huckleberries, ride a horse, or zip-line, and more.

For swimming and water sports near the center of town, plus the popular Trinity at City Beach restaurant, choose the Best Western Edgewater, right on the lake at City Beach and close to the 9-hole Elks Golf Course. More good eats near the lake can be found at Loaf and Ladle. Craving steak? Choose The Hydra, the go-to for steaks and seafood since 1975. Pizza hounds are right at home at The Hound, on City Beach. For Mexican, locals recommend Joel’s for breakfast or lunch, and Jalapeño’s for dinner. Eichardt’s Pub & Grill is where locals hang out for microbrews, casual

eats, and music. Visit Sandpoint this summer!

MONTANA

HELENA “Queen City of the Rockies”— “…in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that eventually a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it…”

Any fly fisherman will recognize those timeless words from the classic Norman Maclean novel A River Runs Through It and the Robert Redford/Brad Pitt film of the same name. Fly to Helena and fish the rivers of your dreams: The Big Mo (the Missouri River), the Smith River, and the Big Blackfoot River, immortalized by Maclean.

Discover Helena, plus see over a dozen full-color photos (Fishing! Hiking! Mountain biking! Gorgeous cathedral! Spectacular Capitol Building! Historic B&Bs! And CFI Jeanne McPherson!) by clicking here.

MISSOURI HEADWATERS STATE PARK—Just 47 nm south of Helena, you can fly to Three Forks Airport (9S5). Borrow the courtesy car (first-come, first-served, overnight is OK) to drive to the park, which is just 5 miles to the north.

The Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson Rivers merge to form the 2,300-mile Missouri River within the boundaries of Missouri Headwaters State Park. The park is not only the headwaters of the Missouri River, it’s also the spot where Lewis and Clark stayed on their historic expedition in 1805. Meriwether Lewis wrote the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows which appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains. The park preserves much of the region's abundant wildlife and scenic beauty.

You’ll find 17 campsites, tipi rental, foot trails to points of interest, and interpretive displays of the area's cultural and natural history. River floating, fishing, picnicking, bicycling, hiking, and photography are popular activities.

The park is a relaxing spot for adults, but it’s also a great place for kids, where they can run and play without you worrying about them falling off a cliff. The park sponsors a number of summer events, including a speaker series Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. in the park's picnic area. Following each presentation is a marshmallow roast campfire. Presentations are free and open to the public—just bring a chair! Watch this video to see more. Lewis &

Clark Caverns State Park is nearby too! Page 8

WYOMING

JACKSON HOLE—Remember Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass? Really, if you’re of a certain age, you couldn’t forget, because they sold more records than the Beatles. Their happy trumpet music was everywhere in the ‘60s. Alpert still plays the trumpet, but the philanthropist (and former co-owner of A&M Records) also paints and sculpts. See some of his latest sculptures at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, just north of Jackson. I never visit Jackson Hole or Grand Teton National Park without stopping by this museum! Also, through Aug 25, dual exhibitions celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of renowned wildlife artist Carl Rungius. You’ll see eight large-scale paintings that once hung in the Jackson Lake Lodge. The other exhibit includes over 40 works rarely seen in public.

Finally, the 35th annual Fall Arts Festival takes place in Jackson Hole Sep 4–15. Experience one of the premier cultural events in the Rocky Mountain West, featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed artists along with an exceptional array of events featuring music, cuisine, and wine. Meet renowned wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen on Sep 7 at his gallery, where he will share his latest images, visit with collectors, tell stories about his photographic journeys, and sign books and limited edition prints. One of his famous photos is below.

Here is another. Fly to JAC, or, better yet, to Driggs, Idaho (lower prices!)

and drive over the pass to beautiful Jackson Hole.

UTAH

ANTELOPE ISLAND—Utah’s most classically “Western” park is Antelope Island State Park, where the buffalo roam. On Oct 26, hundreds of wranglers will participate in a one-day bison roundup to check the herd’s health. You can rent or bring a horse and ride along, or watch from a distance.

Antelope Island lies in the southwestern corner of Utah’s Great Salt Lake, between Salt Lake City and Ogden. You’ll fly to Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD); I prefer the CB SkyShare FBO, which offers both full- and self-serve fuel and waives your ramp fee with fuel purchase. They’ve got rental cars on the field, plus a BMW courtesy car and local hotel discounts.

The 15-mile-long, five-mile-wide island is accessed via a two-lane causeway. Backdropped by views of the often-snow-topped Wasatch Range, you can mosey along the beach, accompanied by millions of seabirds and some of the 700 bison that live on the island. Mule deer and pronghorn antelope inhabit the grasslands, which are criss-crossed by more than 40 miles of hiking trails. If you’d rather not hike, you can rent a horse or an electric bicycle to explore the island.

Antelope Island was first settled in 1848 by Fielding Garr,

who was assigned by the Mormon Church to establish a ranch on the island as a stronghold for managing the church tithing herds. Brush up on Utah history with a self-guided tour of the Fielding Garr Ranch, Utah’s oldest continuously inhabited pioneer-built home. 2019 marks the park’s 50th anniversary, and several special events are planned. Numerous other ranger-led events take place year-round.

Located at Bridger Bay Beach, Island Buffalo Grill overlooks Great Salt Lake and serves up a fine buffalo burger, open Mar–Oct.

The park has four camping areas; reserve 2 days ahead. Day-before and day-of camping is first-come, first-served. Or, “glamp” in style by arranging to have a custom trailer or canvas tent delivered to and set up at your campsite by Utah Camping Co. Your kids will think you are the coolest guy on

the planet, when they see that trailer all ready for them!

OHIO

Should you find yourself in the Midwest, make a plan to visit the ethereal Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio. Fly to Fairfield County Airport (LHQ) in Lancaster, where you can rent a car from the folks at Sundowner Aviation. From there, it’s an easy 42-minute drive south to the park. Lush, green, and mysterious, this could be a haven for elves. Mist hangs in the air above the cliffs, gorges, and rivers. Ash Cave is a massive overhang cavern interlaced with waterfalls and streams. Digging beneath Hocking Hills’ caverns, archaeologists have unearthed thousands of years of campfires.

Hocking Hills State Park, in Ohio, is filled with waterfalls and cliffs. Getty images.

Dozens of cabins and vacation homes are for rent in Hocking Hills, many of them kid- and/or pet-friendly. You can also camp.

Numerous hiking trails lead to endless exploration; mountain biking trails are also available, either in Hocking Hills or all around nearby Lake Hope, southeast of Hocking Hills. You’ll also find a wonderful dining room in the Lake Hope State Park lodge (the Hocking Hills State Park lodge burned down in 2016 and is being rebuilt). Ancient forests of hemlock surround the cliffs and waterfalls

of Hocking Hills State Park. Visit this summer!

SPLASH-INS/FLY-INS

August 3—Minnesota: Flekkefest Car, Airplane, and Seaplane Show, Elbow Lake Airport (Y63). First Saturday in August since 1998. CTAF 122.9 9 a.m.–2 p.m., free admission and parking. Ribeye steak sandwiches at the Prairie Air FBO hangar. New seaplane base, 5,000-foot-long lake with dock, 100LL fuel avail, Joe LaRue 218-685-6594, joe@prairie-air.net. August 10—Montana: Stillwater Landing Splash-In and Music Gathering. Come by floatplane, helicopter, camper/RV. Stillwater Landing is 15 miles north of Whitefish on Lower Stillwater Lake; CTAF 122.9. Safety seminar Sat 3–5 p.m., BBQ potluck afterwards, $4–$8 for main course, bring sides and beverages. RSVP for BBQ to assist planning. Followed by music on the outdoor stage. Music jams throughout the weekend and several members of the FlyingMusicians.org will be on hand. Camp by your seaplane. No charge but donations appreciated, Bill Montgomery 406-890-4243, bill@stillwaterlanding.com. August 23–25—Maine: Bowman Field Fly-In & Safety Seminar, Bowman Field (B10), East Livermore. Land planes land on the turf. Since 1986! We have a hangar full of games for the kids and a Candy Drop Sat and Sun, where candy falls from the sky! Airplane rides, huge yard sale, raffle, door prizes, t-shirts, hats. Full-service food shack serves all meals, live band Sat night 7–11 p.m., free admission and camping. Seaplane accessible with free shuttle to the airfield, 207-897-5104, kas1@myfairpoint.net. August 24—Iowa: Abel Island Splash-In/Fly-In, Guttenberg, noon–3 p.m. Rain date is Sun. Seaplanes can land on the mighty muddy Mississippi River and step-taxi to the sandy shoreline, or on the backwater on the west side of the island because there is no current and the marina is there with Autogas. Or experience the fun of landing on a well-maintained 2,600-foot turf airstrip (IA23) on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River. Bring your own picnic basket, potluck covered dish, BBQ, and drinks. We provide the grills. Gary Fisher 319-480-0913, flyineyedr@aol.com or log on to www.AbelIsland.com. September 6–7—California: 40th Annual Clear Lake Seaplane Splash-In. The seaplanes will come out of Clear Lake onto land at Natural High Grounds; docks will serve straight-float planes, 122.9. Aircraft unable to land on water more than once are welcome at Lampson Field (1O2); shuttle service available. Aerial demos, seaplane rides, hangar dinner Fri night, BBQ dinner/raffle at Skylark Shores Resort Sat night, movie on the lawn, RC planes, more! September 6–8—Oregon: Hood River Fly-In. Ken Jernstedt Airfield/Hood River Airport (4S2). Hundreds of airplanes! Biplane rides, food, pancake breakfast Sat and Sun 8–11 a.m., Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. Pilots-only night Sep 6, under-wing camping OK. Have a wonderful August!

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The FLYLINE August 2019

The Monthly Newsletter

of the

Idaho Aviation Association Celebrating 30 Years! 1989–2019