Our outoftheway airstrips often lead to shelter, camping, showers, and a means of entry to untrammeled wilderness and unbelievable recreational possibility. The caretakers mow and water the field, maintain the facilities, and generally keep johnson creek, known worldwide as the countrys premier backcountry airstrip, in pristine shape. Aviation enthusiasts have another way to display their love for flying in idaho. Twin falls, idaho ap twin falls pilot steve mulberry flipped through an idaho authors thick new book on backcountry aviation, pausing at a 1970 photo from a mountain airstrip. They require special skills and equipment beyond what is anticipated for general aviation. The idaho aviation foundation benefits general aviation in idaho by supporting initiatives and projects designed to maintain, upgrade and develop airstrips, improve access, and promote safety at backcountry. By purchasing a fly idaho license plate, they will also be supporting organizations that work to preserve and enhance the airstrips that help make idaho a special place for pilots. Idaho airstrip webcams protecting idahos backcountry. The first photo of each airstrip shows the overview. Stories from real people who are blending the outdoors with the everyday, the latest information about gear we love, advice to get you into a new activity or take your passion to the next level, and trip reports to help you plan your next adventure. If you live in a part of the country you believe would benefit from inclusion in the airfield guide, drop us an email. While the book sheds some light on the lives and times of some prominent local families, holm includes an appropriate disclaimer. Please check first if your new topic fits better into a more specific forum before posting. Atlanta is a cool little mountain town with a one room school and currently two bars.
Idahos bestknown mountain range, the sawtooths remain surprisingly, pleasantly uncrowded. The backcountry is our backyard, especially when you take a birdseye view. A guide to adventure in the idaho backcountry by galen l. Chapter two uses and benefits of backcountry airstrips. While this was the groups first trip into big bar on the wallowawhitman national forest, the association did a great job at helping out this backcountry airstrip. Discover backcountry airstrips through idahos gateway to. Idaho backcountry lodging and meals packages for flyin groups add a layer of adventure to your backcountry stay. A friend is looking for someone well acquainted with central southern idaho backcountry airstrips that would be willing to ride around in the back of a supercub to pass on his her experience. The idaho backcountry has the most unique mountain and canyon flying found in the lower fortyeight states. If you need to print pages from this book, we recommend downloading it as a pdf. A two book package, with rugged spiral bound and a slip case. Previous care was done some years ago by the mccall chapter.
Backcountry airstrips serve an important role in alaskas aviation system. We think the airfield guide complements these resources. The idaho aviation foundation big creek lodge idaho fly. The largest private airstrip in idaho backcountry pilot. I took a 6 12 yr old ram along the middle fork of the salmon a few years ago on a fly in backpack selfguided hunt. Backcountry pilots season episode 1 outdoor idaho pbs. We are also obviously very comfortable on long wide paved runways. I have flown into a number of different airstrips in the frank church wilderness largest wilderness area in the lower 48. There are several instructional books available on mountain flying. The federal bureau of land management blm, which manages the 375,000 acres of land in the upper missouri river breaks national monument, is moving forward with a proposal to allow landings at six of the 10 backcountry airstrips in the monument. Backcountry airstrips pacific northwest region fire.
Pilots of all skill levels will truly enjoy the exhilaration and adventure of idaho backcountry flying at its best with. We know there are some excellent books on backcountry flying in idaho and utah, and online resources for many other states. Just enough time to reflect on the last airstrip, enjoy the scenery at lowlevel following the terrain then adding those new skills just learned to master the next airstrip. In the tradition of its predecessor, bound for the backcountry ii contains well researched historical information on the creation and ownership of these remote airstrips. His extraordinary and beautifully created works are considered the holy grail of adventure pilots around the world. Clients typically book three days and sometimes request itineraries that include stays and meals at one of more backcountry lodges. By purchasing a fly idaho license plate, they will also be supporting organizations that work to preserve and enhance the airstrips that help make idaho a. A novel is a story of love, murder, and high adventure set in montanas glacier national park. Author chronicles idahos remote airstrips northwest. Ive taken backpacking trips on gorgeous weekends at the height of summer without seeing more than a few other hikers, walking below cliffs and through pine forest strewn with glacialerratic boulders that often reminds me of the high sierra or the tetons. Funding and ongoing maintenance costs for the webcams at sulphur creek was provided by. Air section there are 71 airstrips photographed in color. Our location, on the edge of the idaho wilderness, provides quick access to legendary airstrips. The book covers the airstrips of the wallowa mountains eagle cap wilderness, the middle snake river hells canyon dam to cache creek, and the lower salmon river american bar to.
Twin falls pilot steve mulberry flipped through an idaho authors thick new book on backcountry. The recreational aviation foundation raf released the results of a recent study. Even when half the 150footwide field is being watered, you still have 75 feet, which should be plenty. For the first time a comprehensive history of nearly one hundred of the states isolated airstrips has been compiled, detailing the construction and historical events of each. Flying to the back country airports was a huge bucket list item. Book description the idaho backcountry has the most unique mountain and canyon flying found in the lower fortyeight states. This meticulously researched and footnoted book has hundreds of. The primary purpose is to establish standards and coordinate projects for all public use backcountry airstrips in idaho. Fly idaho is the most comprehensive book about flying the idaho backcountry. First published in 1998, fly idaho introduced the world to backcountry flying and. Twin falls twin falls pilot steve mulberry flipped through an idaho authors thick new book on backcountry.
Includes detailed information on the proper approach to each strip, and what to do once you have arrived. The idaho aviation association iaa has a full listing of state webcams and weather near airstrips. The book is invaluable in selecting which airstrips to visit and what to do once. These bulletins were produced by the apa and raf to provide information. Fly idaho a guide to adventure in the idaho backcountry. In the 557page hardcover bound for the backcountry. The ian consists of owners and users of idaho s backcountry airstrips. Sep 22, 2012 flying north idaho s public airstrips highcountryair. Beth blanchard, a recently divorced, burntout former prosecutor from tucson, arizona has quit the law, under extenuating circumstances, and has moved to west glacier, montana to get away from things, relax and write a book. Oct 22, 2016 backcountry flying backcountry aircraft, equipment, and safety info. Backcountry pilots season episode 1 26m 48s welcome to the fascinating world of the backcountry pilot, the ones who have made a career out of landing on small dirt airstrips. We fly the back country idaho transportation department.
Note this website and map are not intended to replace official sources, navigational information or charts required for safe and legal flight. Idaho backcountry airports i08, cabin creek usfs, idaho id. Backcountry flight school mountain canyon flying seminars. With a choice of over 75 backcountry airstrips its just a few miles and minutes between strips. The largest private airstrip in idaho a general forum for anything related to flying the backcountry. Galen hanselman specializes in producing the highest quality pilot guides and charts for the unexplored regions of the american frontier.
It is our way of helping to maintain these airstrips, said jerry terlisner with the idaho aviation association. Unfortunately, this book cant be printed from the openbook. He will also offer advice on the dos and donts of flying in these remote areas. For the first time a comprehensive history of nearly one hundred of the states isolated airstrips has been compiled, detailing the.
These are the books youll find in virtually every backcountry pilots cockpit. Our pilots are all trained to operate on unimproved airstrips. The location of the airport, the runways, aprons, buildings, roads and parking places were updated. Idaho has plenty of those for pilots with the skills and equipment to safely operate in such conditions.
Pilots book chronicles idahos rural airstrips deseret news. For the nervous nellies, his books present an inspiration to get out of the pattern. Johnson creek is simply the cadillac of idaho backcountry airstrips. A must read for adventure pilots longing for or planning a trip to the backcountry. The book contains the histories of more than 40 isolated airstrips in west central idaho and eastern oregon, including those in the eagle cap wilderness, the middle snake river hells canyon dam to cache creek, and the lower salmon river american bar to the snake river. Please click on the link below to open the webcams page. This is a history book, not a guide or a howto book.
Clients typically book three days and sometimes request itineraries that include stays and. Idaho has by far the largest number, mostly due to the diligence of idaho pilots who have banded together to work with state and federal agencies and land owners to keep airstrips open on public and private lands. Our idaho backcountry map allows you to explore the targetrich opportunity at our doorstep weve included more than 70 airstrips. This is the best option for those wanting to focus on specific topics or airstrip environments. One is private, however and is called the greene valley retreat. I know of two dedicated backcountry pilots, one in montana and one in idaho, who each own and fly a vtailed bonanza into remote backcountry airstrips. Train with us in idaho, the holy land of backcountry aviation. Together, we create a general training outline, and then proceed with ground and flight training over the reserved days. Back country flying and back country airstrips of sw idaho. Discover backcountry airstrips through idahos gateway to the wilderness march 18, 20 grangeville idaho is often thought of as a gateway to the beautiful wilderness areas of the central idaho backcountry via the air, with plenty of opportunities for hobby pilots and outdoor recreationalists to pursue their activities for outdoor fun. The greatest concentration of backcountry airstrips in the continental united states is found in the northwest. Ray arnold, owner of arnold aviation, cascade, id has flown the us mail to remote areas in and around the mccallcascade area for the past 40 years. If you like the site, please support it through donation or by purchasing gear from the store.
Large private tracts of land can be considered backcountry, many are available for recreational use, and some of them have airstrips. Sp aircraft is equipped and specializes in short non paved runways. Explore scenic wilderness, vast pine forests, and steep canyons in search of pristine beauty and the next runway challenge. We offer oneonone, comprehensive training tailored to your experience, pace and desires. The quintessential backcountry destination is a short, challenging airstrip beside a river, deep inside a canyon. For my own education, and to share the state i love with others, ill be poring over maps charts internet grandparents barflys cowboys and pilots young and old to attempt to compile a list of wyomings best, or least known probably long forgotten dirt, grass or sagebrush airstrips. The best sources of detailed, accurate information about virtually all the available airstrips in idaho and utah are the books written by galen hanselman, entitled fly idaho. This is the definitive book for operations at idaho backcountry airstrips. This person doesnt need to be a cfi just experienced with most of these airstrip arrivals and departures. For information concerning instruction into the idaho backcountry airstrips, call or email lori macnichol, 20863444. Twin falls twin falls pilot steve mulberry flipped through an idaho authors thick new book on backcountry aviation, pausing at a 1970. Landing simonds strip in the idaho backcountry 900.
A history of airstrips in the wallowas, hells canyon, and the lower salmon river. The book covers the airstrips of the wallowa mountains eagle cap wilderness, the middle snake river hells canyon dam to cache creek, and the lower salmon river american bar to the snake river. Almost with every picture i recognize something it brings back a memory, mulberry said, spotting pilots names and aircraft models as he scanned the pages. It is jampacked with updated advice, lore, science, and wisdom. The forest service has designated both of these airstrips for emergency use because of their condition and location. The goal of is to provide pilots with tools for documenting and sharing information about backcountry landing sites. While the active designated airstrips on federal and state land are generally open to the public, a good portion of the airfields chronicled within are on. Both the iaf and the idaho aviation association hold key positions on the ian steering committee.
Increased interest in backcountry aviation helped spur the creation of the recreational aviation foundation. Federal aviation administration, the objective of the study is to inventory the uses, benefits, and threats to backcountry airstrips, and identify useful practices and. Here are a couple of cool videos of landing a plane in remote areas of idahos back country. With our nearly 100 backcountry airstrips and vast uncontrolled airspace, idaho hosts. Idaho is unique in the fact that it has so many airstrips to access its remote and rugged wilderness. He has extensive experience flying into all of those back country airstrips and will be sharing his experiences. His thoroughly researched books have enhanced the reputation of backcountry flying immensely, as an activity to be enjoyed responsibly. Flying north idahos public airstrips highcountryair. Our location on the edge of the idaho backcountry stretches every training dollar. Raf and their preservation and creation of backcountry airstrips nationwide. The book includes a detailed description of each airstrip, along with a general area photograph, a final approach photograph, and list of activities in the area. And while camping under the wing of a bonanza is not really practical, i did enjoy looking out of my tent each morning to see the trusty vtail.
Each book contains color pictures of over 70 airstrips. The scenery includes realistic textures for runways, aprons and taxiways. Flyouts to other backcountry airstrips will be at the pilots discretion and depend on runway conditions at the higher elevation strips based on snow melt and weather. It is some of the most rugged, remote and tough sheep country you can find. Jan 18, 20 new book explores idahos remote airstrips by virginia hutchins the timesnews. Mackay bar airstrip, in central idaho along the south bank of the main salmon river, is an incredible backcountry getaway for pilots. Visit some of the best backcountry airstrips in the rocky mountains. This edition contains 16 pages of color photos operating into some idaho backcountry airstrips. First, do you need a specialized backcountry airplane to fly in the backcountry. This is your opportunity to acquire one of the most useful books for your library personally autographed by. A history of airstrips in the wallowas, hells canyon, and the lower salmon river holm, richard h on.
Idaho aviation foundation protecting idahos backcountry. The new mountain flying bible revised contains 100percent new information. New book details history of idahos backcountry airstrips. This is landing simonds strip in the idaho backcountry 900 long at 5243 elevation by leigh on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and. Twin falls twin falls pilot steve mulberry flipped through an idaho authors thick new book on backcountry aviation, pausing at a 1970 photo from a.
Johnson creek is a beautiful backcountry airstrip, and along with the rest of the trip, i really tried to capture the feel of. Johnson creek airstrip, looking north on a perfect sunday morning in. You flyin to our private airstrip and enjoy the amenities of things to see and do in this wilderness location. Strongly suggest purchasing galen hanselmans book fly idaho which details the idaho backcountry network. The airstrips in these videos are part of the idaho airstrip network. To search for airstrips, enter the name or id into the search field on the tab below. The information presented about the idaho airstrips is not intended to replace flight instruction from a competent instructor for flying to or landing at any of the airstrips presented.