Winter 2013 Vol 59, Issue 1

See BackcountryContinued on page 3

Serving Idaho’s Aviation Community for over 65 Years

Medical Matters ................ 7

Big Creek Lodge ............... 8

Color of Aviation ............ 10

Calendar ......................... 12

Radio Chatter ................. 13

Compass Rose ..................16

AERONA U T I C S

If you haven’t picked up a copy of“Bound For The Backcountry” yet, thenprepare yourself for a real treat. AuthorRichard Holm Jr. just published thisfascinating 557-page history bookchronicling the pioneers and aircraftassociated with the development ofIdaho’s backcountry airstrips. Additionalchapters document Backcountry FlyingIn Film, World War II Military AirplaneCrashes In The Backcountry, Travel Air6000s, and Ford Tri-Motors In TheIdaho Backcountry. Demand has beenhigh and Holm is working hard toproduce a second edition, which willalso be available in paperback soon.

The copy in our office, alreadycareworn, has been enjoyed by pilotsand non-pilots alike. Admittedly, I havenot made my way through its entirety;but rather, I am methodically savoringmy slow journey from beginning to end.Nearly everyone who visits us has heardabout it. In fact, some of you may haveread the article featuring Holm and hisbook in the Lewiston Tribune and theIdaho Statesman last month. ReporterVirginia Hutchins of the LewistonTribune wove together a description ofthe most thrilling events highlighted byHolm, and began by providing thefollowing overview:

The book’s early chapters put Idaho’sremote flying into the context of

hunters, fisherman, and pilots; theprimary focus of the publication is thehistory of each airstrip,” stated Holm.He offered the following disclaimer aswell, “The book does include someairplane crashes that are consideredhistorically important and interestingairstrips; but hundreds, if not thousandsof incidents and accidents that haveoccurred in the backcountry wereomitted. Also, many of the airstripsincluded in the publication are privateand not open to public use.”

One of the accidents described in thebook, highlighted by Hutchins in theLewiston Tribune article, retold the tragic

Bound for the BackcountryBy Laura Adams with excerpts fromthe Lewiston Tribune’s article titled“Author chronicles Idaho’s remoteairstrips” on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013.

tale involving a blown cylinder onDC-3 148Z’s right engine near MooseCreek in 1979. Hutchins offered asummary of the book’s synopsis of thecrash, as well as an account of one ofthe many heros.

The flaming engine tore away fromthe wing, and the right landing geardropped. The pilots maneuvered thewounded aircraft through the wallsof the Selway canyon, Holm writes,but when the left wing struck a tree

1930’s fire suppression;the shift of backcountryhomesteads from servingminers to attractinghunters and angler; theexplosion of whitewatersports; and TheWilderness Act of 1964.But the bulk of this thickvolume is devoted toheavily researchedaccounts of individualairstrips: how and whythey were built, who wasinvolved and anyinteresting tales, funny ortragic, attached to them.

In my recent interview withHolm, he warned me that thisis neither a “guide book,” nora “how-to book.” “While thebook covers a vast amount ofbackcountry history relatedto homesteaders, firefighters,outfitters and guides, rafters,

I N S I D E

Bookworm

You!” Please keep sending your articlesmy way. With that, I’ll step aside andlet the newest member of ourAeronautics’ team introduce himself. Ipresent to you, Cade Preston . . .

It’s funny how we end up in the placeswe do. One day my wife, Natalie, and

Page 2 Rudder Flutter

I are talking about how we are tiredof living on the smoggy and crowdedWasatch Front, in Utah; and a monthlater, we are buying a house near Boise.When we moved from Salt Lake Cityto Boise, I was flying for SkyWestAirlines. A couple months after movinghere, I was driving to the Boise airportto catch my weekly commute to workin Denver. As I took the airport exit,I saw the green Idaho Division ofAeronautics sign. “Hmm”, I wonderwhat that’s all about,” I thought. Imade a call to the Division and wasput in touch with Mike Pape. We spokefor a while and when we were through,I was intrigued. I thought to myself,“That has got to be a great job!” Andso, here I am!

I was not the kid growing up that knewhe wanted to be a pilot; rather, Ithought I wanted to be an engineer.But while taking some engineeringclasses in college, I realized this wasundoubtedly not the career path forme. In the midst of exploring fourother majors at Utah Valley University,I stumbled across the AviationDepartment. The next step was toconvince my wife that being an airlinepilot was the best career choice.Shortly thereafter, I enrolled in myprivate pilot ground and flight courses:that was the summer of 1999. Aftergraduating with a Bachelor’s Degreein Aviation, I worked as a CFI for theuniversity, then as a flight instructorin California and at Embry-RiddleAeronautical University, in Prescott,AZ. In September 2005, I was offereda pilot position at SkyWest Airlines,

EMB-120 Brasilia First Officer. Whilea First Officer, I also accepted aninstructor position in the SkyWestground school. As a ground schoolinstructor, I taught FAA and companyregulations and Brasilia aircraftsystems to new hires and captainupgrade pilots. After nearly four yearsin this position, the opportunity tobecome a CRJ First Officer came myway. I then left the ground schooldepartment to “fly the line” full-timein the right seat of the CRJ. It wasabout this time, my wife and I decidedto move from Salt Lake City to Boise,and give commuting a try. A yearlater I found myself back in theBrasilia, upgrading to Captain. Thepinnacle of my SkyWest career camewhen I was offered the position ofBrasilia Check Airman. This was themost rewarding position at SkyWest;as it gave me the opportunity to returnto my CFI days, training new hiresand captain upgrade pilots, one-on-one, while actually flying.

Now I am excited to be the Directorof Flight Operations for the IdahoDivision of Aeronautics. It’s beennearly three years since my wife, ourfour children, and I moved to Idaho.We love living here and plan to stayfor a long time, if not forever.

–Cade Preston

New Staff at Division of AeronauticsI was tickled withthe abundance ofsubmissions forthis issue. Theaviationcommunity hasspoken! In orderto make morespace, I willsimply say “Thank

On The Fly

and we movedback to Utah.

During myseven and ahalf years atSkyWest Iworked up theranks and hadtheopportunity toserve in manycapacities. Istarted as an

By Laura Adams, Editor

AERONA U T ICS

Winter 2013 Page 3

From theAdministrator:

What is the valueof an airport?

Few people wouldgive muchthought to such aquestion. Sinceairports are publicinfrastructure, wewould never see a

billboard boasting of their importance.Here at the Division of Aeronautics,those many non-descript runways takeon a whole new meaning.

A pilot in Idaho has access to 126 public-use airports, making Idaho a nationalleader in the ratio of population toairports. We rank fifth per capita. Theeconomic impact of these airportsexceeds $2 billion dollars and boastsover 23,000 jobs. Statistically, a typicalvisitor to a public airport spends over$700 during their stay. How did Idahogrow into such an airport friendly state?Simple; there was really no othercomparable transportation.

Over 150 years ago, during the massivemigration to the West, the territory thatlater became Idaho was surprisingly noton anyone’s destination list. It was anafterthought state, hewn from itsneighbors. The geography was notconducive to future roadways. This leftIdaho’s population base, which wasconcentrated in the far corners, separated

business aircraft flying executives toinvest much-needed dollars into localindustries. Airport Planners Bill Stathamand Melissa Kaplan earn their wingsevery day by assisting Idaho airportsin planning, projects, and grantassurances. Their teamwork with Idahoairport sponsors enables our state toreceive as much as $30 million infederal funding annually, and weencourage even the smallest airport inthe state to tap into their expertise.

by nine million roadless acres. Do yourealize that Idaho is the ninth largestand sixth “longest state?” (The firstperson to email me with the five longerstates gets a cool airplane hat!).

As Idaho developed into a state with alow mileage of freeways and fewresidents to pay for them, and a lot ofinhospitable terrain in between, it wasairports that connected the many isolatedcommunities and provided access to thestate’s mines, forests and homesteads.Aircraft became the only reasonable wayto travel in a day from Bonners Ferry toPreston (a distance greater than NewYork to Chicago). So, what became theone steadfast investment that made anIdaho community viable? You got it:The local airport.

I remind my highway engineer friendsthat we can build a mile of highway forabout the same cost as a mile of runway.That extended highway will get a travelerone more mile down the road, while anairport runway will offer a traveler theworld. The most important main streetin an Idaho town is the airport runway,and everybody wins when business andGA aircraft are assured access to allcorners of our state.

At the Division of Aeronautics weespecially value the importance of airaccess to the backcountry, air ambulanceservice to small communities, and

BackcountryContinued from page 1

they lost control. The images capturedby a newspaper photographer showthe outline of the DC-3 and smoketrailing from the falling engine belowit. The crash killed both pilots andeight of the 10 passengers.

But the history has its heroes, too.Among them, helicopter pilot RodSnider, who descended through thicksmoke, flames, airborne embers andintense heat –over and over- to rescue

trapped smoke jumpers four at a timein 1961 near Grangeville. Holm tellsthe story with enough technical detailfor aircraft-savvy readers toappreciate the difficulty of the feat,but with all the humanity that anotherreader might crave.

I love the description of Idahobackcountry pilots that Holm offered toHutchins, “as humble, understated folks.”And after sitting down to talk with him,I’d say Richard Holm Jr. certainly fitsthat description. A recent University ofIdaho graduate and pilot, his interest inthe history of the Central Idaho

wilderness inspired him to explore “howaviation…shaped what we think of aswilderness areas.” On behalf of theDivision of Aeronautics and the pilotsof Idaho, we applaud you, Richard.Furthermore, we’d like to express ourgratitude for offering us the mostcomprehensive, one-of-a-kind book onIdaho backcountry aviation yet.

Bound for the Backcountry, A Historyof Idaho’s Remote Airstrips can be foundat select local bookstores orwww.coldmountainpress.com. Pleasecomment on facebook orboundforthebackcountry@gmail.com

Mike PapeITD Aeronautics Administrator

The Idaho system of airports meansaccess, economic opportunity,commerce, tourism, safe transportation,and mobility for our 1.6 millionresidents. What’s the value of an Idahoairport? Simply put: priceless.

Melissa Kaplan Bill Statham

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Do you own an approved FAA-certificatedaircraft with STC4 automotive fuel? Weare concerned you may not besubmitting the Idaho Tax CommissionForm 75 to report the use of ethanol-free automotive fuel utilized in anaircraft. Submitting this form returns18¢ per gallon to the purchaser, andtransfers 7¢ per gallon from the highwayfuel tax account to the aviation fuel taxaccount. Currently, filing this form isnecessary (though not required)regardless of whether the fuel ispurchased at one of the two on-fieldmo-gas pumps (Payette or BuhlAirports) in the State, or if fuel ispurchased off airport and transportedin portable containers to the aircraft.This also applies to home-built,experimental, and light sport aircraft.Simply put, if mo-gas is burned in theair, then the taxes on the fuel need tobe collected at the lower rate and the

proceeds directed to the Division ofAeronautics to support airports andaviation in the State of Idaho.

We are concerned that many ownersfind the Form 75 and associated recordkeeping to be cumbersome and may notbother with it, and may also assume fuelfrom on-field mo-gas pumps is taxed foraviation use, which is not already thecase. The EAA and Peterson AviationInc. have reported over 800 STC’s forauto fuel have been sold to aircraft inIdaho. The Idaho Tax Commissionreported less than 25 Form 75’s werereturned in 2011.

We request users of mo-gas, regardlessof aircraft type to contact the Division ofAeronautics and let us know how manygallons of mo-gas you use in your aircraftduring the year, and whether you filedthe form with the tax commission.

Attention Aircraft Owners!We will use this information todetermine if some change in the taxcollection process is worth pursuing.The Division feels that tax revenuerightly due to airports and aviation inIdaho is being inadvertently directedto support highways. Please help usgrasp the scope of this problem.

In October, Western Aircraft constructedand donated a cockpit simulator to beused as a learning tool at Idaho StateUniversity’s (ISU) College of Technology.Western Aircraft has a history ofsupporting ISU’s Aircraft MaintenanceProgram financially, as well as hiringAirframe and Powerplant (A&P)technician graduates from the program.

The cockpit, which is valued atapproximately $83,000, was built byten employees and took about 650 hoursof engineering to design and construct.

“We are committed to growing theaviation industry in Idaho,” said WesternAircraft Avionics Manager JohnSchnefke. “We feel the practical

experience gainedthrough the trainingcockpit will give ISUstudents an edge inthe marketplacewhile competing fora job, and makethem more preparedand productive afterthey start.”

“It’s an amazingpiece of

Local Avionics Company Helps Grow Aviation in Idaho

the faults and repair the discrepancies,giving them a practical sense of whatit’s like to actually work on avionicsequipment installed on an aircraft.

Western Aircraft began as the corporateflight department for MorrisonKnudson, but is now owned byGreenwich AeroGroup and boasts beingthe largest aircraft service company inthe Pacific Northwest and world’s largestPC-12 dealer. The full-service FBO andFAA certified repair station is locatedat the Boise Air Terminal. Their servicesinclude maintenance, avionics andinterior refurbishments, aircraft sales,charter and management, partsdistribution, and fixed base operations.For a virtual tour go to:www.westair.com.

By Kasey Baker

equipment,” said Aircraft MaintenanceProgram Coordinator and AirframeInstructor Gary Shipley. “I can nowprovide entry-level training to a wholeclassroom at once versus just onestudent at a time. And because thebackside of the cockpit is open, thestudents have the rare opportunity to

see all the wiring,which you never getto see in an actualaircraft.”

Shipley added thatwith the fullyfunctional cockpitthey can alsointroduce faults.Students will learnhow to troubleshoot

Please contact:Mark Lessor,AviationTechnician208-334-8895(leave a messageif I’m out) or byemail atmark.lessor@itd.idaho.gov

Winter 2013 Page 5

ov (click on Aeronautics, calendar, and“application” under ACE Academy).

The academy is capped off with flightsto nearby airports, including Idaho City,Garden Valley, and Prairie. Each studentwill have the opportunity to experiencea flight under the guidance of a veteranpilot. Upon return to the TreasureValley, students will tour the WarhawkAir Museum in Nampa.

For years, Frank Lester spearheaded oursummer ACE Academy at the Divisionof Aeronautics. When he retired, webegan to wonder how to continue thiscommunity outreach. Tammy Schoen,who assisted Frank over the last 11years, has volunteered to be our newACE Academy Coordinator.

On June 24-26, thirty high schoolstudents (ages 14-18) will have theopportunity to participate in theacademy. The deadline for submittingapplications is May 31, 2013.

During the three-day academy, studentswill hear from experts in various aviation-related fields, as well as representativesof regional and national aeronauticalschools. Tours of the Boise Airport, localaviation businesses and flight operations,and the Idaho Army and Air NationalGuard are also scheduled.

Summer ACE Academy

we participated in the Montana SearchClinic obtaining the necessary skills tobecome Search Volunteer Leads. InSeptember we plan to send anadditional four pilots. Please call meif you have an interest in becoming asearch volunteer pilot or observer. Ineed your help!

I’ll also be participating with the IdahoCAP during two of their exercises thisyear, in addition to the Division ofAeronautics conducting two externalSAR exercises per year: Districts 3 and4 (Southwest Idaho) are scheduled for2013, and districts 1 and 2 (NorthernIdaho) are scheduled for 2014.

Also mark your calendars for:• The Idaho Aviation Expo being held

in Idaho Falls May 17-18, 2013.Please stop by our booth to say hello. 

• Boise’s 5-day Inland SAR Course onOctober 21-25. Let me know if you’dlike to attend. There is no fee for thistraining.

Dan Etter (208) 334-8777

Hi! I am Dan Etter, the Idaho Divisionof Aeronautics’ new safety guy. Mycurrent mission is to manage both theinternal and external aviation safetyprograms, serve as the Senior SARCoordinator for the Division, and pilotthe Division’s King Air and Cessnas.My background includes 21 years inthe U.S. Army and Army NationalGuard with experience flying the C-12King Air, C-23 Sherpa, UH-60Blackhawk and UH-1 Huey. I haveserved as an Aviation Safety Officer,Tactical Operations Officer and SafetyProgram Inspector.

About a year and a half ago, my trainingand assistance team was assigned toinspect the Blackhawk and ApacheSafety Programs in Boise. Previously,I had been stationed in Georgia; butin anticipation of my 2011 retirement,my wife and I dreamed of moving outwest, near the mountains.Unexpectedly, I discovered Boise asthe ideal place to raise our two smallboys. Within a couple of months ourdecision was made to relocate and settlehere, and then, in October 2012,I accepted the job with Aeronautics.

Safety Speak

I’d like to offer my thoughts aroundthe word “complacency.”

Complacency happens when weperform many functions on a continualbasis. Many of our jobs are repetitivein nature, and the more we repeat atask, the greater the chance we haveof becoming complacent with respectto the details of that task.

How many times have you heardsomeone say, “We’ve always done itthat way,” when questioned about whythey performed a task a certain way?Since it has stood the test of time, thenit must be the correct way to completethe task properly, right? Well, that’snot necessarily true. The very fact thatthe task is repeated often can draw usinto the complacency trap. We learnto expect proven results until one daythe outcome changes for the worse.

Always be willing to re-examine, refine,and learn from others. Stay alert, stay

alive, and remain diligent in youraccident prevention efforts.

I look forward to meeting many of youthis year at our pilot safety briefings andoutreach programs.

Save the Dates

The following events are part of myagenda moving forward; and I anticipatemeeting as many Idaho pilots as I canalong the way.  In May, I’ll be attendingthe EAA Chapter 1441 meeting inSandpoint where I plan to cover Idahoaviation accident statistics and nationaltrends.  In 2012, Idaho had 39 generalaviation accidents with 5 fatalities.  Overthe past several years Idaho’s annualnumbers have ranged between 34-39accidents with 5-14 fatalities. Let’scollectively work towards reducing thesenumbers for 2013.

We’ve built a solid base of Search andRescue Pilot Volunteers and Observersin Idaho and now have a SearchVolunteer Lead Pilot in all 6 ITDDistricts. Last year was the third year

Meet Dan, Your New Safety GuySafety Wire

By Laura Adams, Editor

For moreinformation, callthe Division ofAeronautics at(208) 334-8775or emailtammy.schoen@itd.idaho.gov.Our application isavailable atwww.itd.idaho.g

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Winter 2013 Page 7

You Don’t Have to be Crazy to be a PilotAviation Medical Matters

By: Paul Collins, MD, AME andMike Weiss, MD, MPG, AME, CFII

treatment, which can include one of thefour favored Serotonin Specific ReuptakeInhibitors (SSRI) drugs: Prozac, Zoloft,Celexa, and Lexapro. However, otherdrugs or a history of treatment withmore than one drug, a diagnosis ofpsychosis, suicidal ideation, or treatmentwith electro-shock therapy are stilldisqualifying. Completing the specialissuance process is still fairlycomplicated and can be expensive.Under the old rule for depression, whichis still applied in many cases, theapplicant’s physician is required tosubmit a statement indicating fullresolution of symptoms after themedication has been discontinued forthree months.

The new requirements includesubmission of two statements, the rawdata results from specific psychologicaltesting, and an evaluation andrecommendation by a specialized AME,with a Human Intervention MotivationStudy (HIMS) certification.

submits their evaluation to the SpecialIssuance Federal Air Surgeon (FAS), theFAS will either make a determinationor request additional information.

One last point: Depression and dysthymiamay be casually diagnosed by a well-meaning family physician who may notunderstand the implications for a pilot.If you have any questions or concerns,call your AME immediately because onceeither of these diagnoses is on your record,you will be grounded for at least threemonths. Counseling could be an adequatealternative treatment that will not groundyou for the summer. However, if you doneed further treatment, then by all meansget it! Major depression interferes withevery aspect of your life, not just flying.Suicide is the ninth leading cause of deathin the US. Medications and counselingdo help and are necessary for any otherserious medical condition. If you want tocontinue flying with a medical certificate,please know that your AME can help youwork through the process.

Maybe it is because some people havean irrational fear of flying in small planesthat the idea of a pilot with apsychological problem makes themquiver. In the past, the FAA respondedto this by making it mandatory todisqualify any class of medical certificatefor diagnoses of personality disordermanifested by overt acts or psychosis(mental condition that affects one’s senseof reality). This included depression,which occurs in about 10% of thepopulation, but often resolves over timeor treatment with counseling and/ormedications. Yet, use of any of themedications, no matter how effectiveor free of side effects, was disqualifyingfor U.S. pilots. No doubt this may havediscouraged some pilots from seekingappropriate and timely care. Andironically, this type of FAA policy is notthe case in other countries or theInternational Civil AviationOrganization (ICAO). Internationalpilots are allowed to fly in U.S. airspacelegally using these same medications

Recently, the FAA changed their policy,and now allows consideration forSpecial Issuance for these specificmental health diagnoses:• Single or recurrent, mild to

moderate major depressivedisorders: at least two weeks ofconstant hopelessness and despairwith loss of interest in relationshipsand normal activities.

• Dysthymic disorders: severe upand down moods.

• Adjustment disorders: inability tocope with stress with depressed mood.

Special issuance may be granted oncethe symptoms have resolved with

The applicant’sstatement must reflectno change orexacerbations on astable dose of one ofthe four approvedmedicines withoutany side effects for afull year prior to theapplication. Adescription of thehistory ofantidepressantmedication usage andmental health statusalso must be included.

The secondstatement, from thetreating psychiatrist,must describe thediagnosis, length andcourse of treatment,dosage ofantidepressantmedication and anycurrent or past sideeffects. Once the AME

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In 2014-2015, the Idaho AviationFoundation (IAF) is planning to rebuildthe historic Big Creek Lodge, part of atiny settlement area in the PayetteNational Forest, just outside Idaho’sfamous Frank Church River of NoReturn Wilderness. The lodge wasoriginally built in the early 1930’s andserved backcountry pilots, hunters,fishermen and other recreationists untilit, and an adjacent cabin, burned to theground in October 2008. The IAF hasapplied for a Special Use Permit fromthe Payette National Forest and intendsto operate the new Big Creek Lodge forthe public after it is built. Public service

Beloved Big Creek Lodge

Davies explained. A future phase mayinclude small cabins for rental adjacentto the lodge.

The IAF will host several open houseor breakfast events in 2013 at the BigCreek Airstrip. “Between now and theend of 2013, a great deal of work willbe going on in the background thatmost people won’t see or realize ishappening,” stated Colleen Back. “Fourcommittees run by IAF Directors arefocused on the project, and a timelineand budget are in place,” she added.

Everyone’s input and help is needed.The Big Creek website will launchsoon, including a blog to keep sitevisitors up to date on the project, ahistory section, and interactive areasfor people to share their favorite BigCreek memories, photos and stories.It will also include donation andvolunteer information.

The Idaho Aviation Foundation’s (IAF)mission is to fund projects that maintain,improve and develop airstrips and theirfacilities, improve access and promotesafety at backcountry airstrips andrecreational airports in Idaho. The IAFconsists of a 9-member volunteer Boardof Directors and maintains productiverelationships with the state Division ofAeronautics, the US Forest Service,Idaho Aviation Association, plus manyother agencies and organizations. Fundsfor the IAF’s projects, like rebuildingBig Creek Lodge, come from publicdonations and various incomeproducing initiatives. The IAF is a taxexempt 501(c)(3) corporation.www.idahoaviationfoundation.org.www.RebuildBigCreek.com

free for only fourmonths of the year.Adjacent to thelodge site is achallenging state-managed airstripwhich necessitatesa pilot to have theappropriate aircraftand mountainflying skills.“Although the ‘big

challenge is part of why itis so special—if it wereeasily accessible, itwouldn’t be Big Creek.We’ve planned for thedifficulties and consultedwith experienced buildersand backcountryoperators on our budgetand timeline,” said Davies.

The fundraising effortshave already raised$410,000, led by a$250,000 commitmentfrom the IAF and otherpublic donations of$160,000 thus far. The

functions will be hosted at the existingfacilities at the lodge site between nowand completion of the construction. TheIAF has already developed an executionplan, acquired the remaining buildings,and improvements on the Big Creeksite, started fundraising efforts, and willlaunch a website to get the publicinvolved. By late January 2013, IAF hasraised over 50% of the $800,000budgeted for the project.

“There are thousands of pilots andoutdoor recreationists who have happymemories at Big Creek Lodge,” said IAFPresident Jim Davies. “When this projectis complete, the public can begin tomake new memories at this historic siteso many of us love.” Yet, the project isfull of challenges. The lodge sits at nearly6,000’ elevation in rugged terrain withlimited access by road—which is snow

$800,000 objective includes provisionsfor designing, engineering, meetingpermit requirements, transportingmaterials, constructing and opening thelodge plus funding to operate the lodgelonger term. Should donations exceedthe $800,000 goal, they will be appliedto future lodge operations.

The old lodge at Big Creek was apremier destination for visitors fromIdaho, the US and around the world.“The plans for the new lodge call fora two-story log structure that will havea comfortable seating area for servingmeals, big windows to take advantageof the mountain views, a few rooms torent, caretakers’ quarters, and spacefor small retreats or training sessions,all of which will be built to fit into thenear-wilderness scenic environment”

town’ of McCall (population 2,900) isonly a 15-minute flight to the southwest,it takes 3-4 hours to drive there. Thelogistics alone are challenging, but the

Winter 2013 Page 9

At Aeronautics, we were sad to hear ofthe passing of Bill Parish who was apivotal figure in Idaho aviation as wellas our Idaho community at large.

The following excerpts and photosare from the “Lewiston Tribune”obituary on Jan. 1, 2013.

Bill was chairman of the IdahoDivision of Aeronautics advisoryboard for 16 years and was amember of the Moscow-PullmanRegional Airport Board for manyyears. His love of aviation was wellknown to all, especially his childrenand grandchildren. He was neverhappier than behind the controls ofan airplane.

Almost as important as his love ofaviation was his passion for skiing.He and wife, McGee, skied well into

their 80s, and they cherished spendingtime at their cabin in McCall andskiing on Brundage Mountain.

Bill was born in Grinnell, Iowa, in1920 and attended high school inGrinnell and college at Iowa StateUniversity. He graduated with adegree in electrical engineering in1942. Bill learned to fly in collegeand spent time prior to and duringWorld War II in the U.S. Army Air

Corps as a flight instructor. Hemarried Magdalene (McGee) Carnsin 1943, and they celebrated their69th anniversary just prior to hisdeath. Bill and his wife, McGee, havebeen fixtures in their belovedcommunity of Moscow and served theUniversity of Idaho and Moscow inmany capacities for the past 60 years.

Bill and McGee moved to Moscow in1947, where he became a professor ofelectrical engineering. Bill was afounding member of the historicUniversity Heights housingdevelopment, where he and McGeebuilt their home and resided for 62years. Bill retired from the Universityof Idaho in 1983, and since then,devoted his time to family, theUniversity and community.

Remembering William Robert Parish1920-2012

Page 10 Rudder Flutter

See MacNicholContinued on page 11

and dams at various strips. She flewwith them learning from her ownmistakes as well as theirs. Her nichewas found.

In that niche, she founded McCallMountain/Canyon Flying Seminars, LLCin 1996. For 16 years, as her vision andreputation grew, so did her company.She has been invited to appear ontelevision in programs like “Outdoor

My mom, Lori, began flying in anunusual way; pushed into it bynecessity might be a better description.Having grown up in Los Gatos,California, shortly after her twenty-third birthday she decided to breakfrom the busy California lifestyle andconstantly congested traffic. She movedto McCall, Idaho, and immediately fellin love with the outdoors that had beenjust beyond her reach for so long.Adoring the climate and easy access tothe surrounding backcountry, she grewto be an avid fisherwoman, often hikingto secluded lakes and her very ownspecial fishing holes, whenever therewas opportunity. Soon she realizedthat as she met more and more peopleon her hikes, her “secret” fishing holeswere not so secret after all. Curious asto how far one would have to hike toavoid the competition, a quick look ata map of the Idaho backcountryconvinced her that it would be a verylong walk. What now? An epiphany—I could fly. Never one to give up, shedecided that a private pilot license wasthe answer to her quest. Ha! She wouldshow those fish whose boss! And so,in 1982, from an instructor namedJane Lemar in Redding, California, anew career was born.

Like every new student, Lori has a few“beginning to fly” stories, but the oneshe likes to tell the most goes a littlelike this: on her second solo, the airplaneshe normally rented had flown theprevious evening and was wrecked.

Lori MacNicholThe Color of Aviation:

By: Madison MacNichol

Eighties Mom

dismay, that the crosswinds at theairport had picked up significantly.Upon landing she was blown so far offthe runway that she ran over three taxilights, a taxi sign, and mowed overmultiple rose bushes. Unharmed buthumbled, she was severely scolded uponreaching the tie downs, and, thanks toher less than sterling arrival, the airportreceived more than one angry phonecall from the grounds crew. She wasnever caught eaves-dropping over theradio again!

Of course, one thing led to another, andLori became more and more interestedin the specialized experience necessaryto safely fly the backcountry. Afterlearning of several airplane accidents inthis ruggedly beautiful but dangerousand unforgiving environment, shedecided that there was something moreto wilderness flying than fish. She begantalking to the “Old Timers” and thosewho cut their teeth on this type of flying:taking notes about canyon turns, snagsat the ends of runways, slopes, bumps,

Idaho” and “Modern Marvels” and hasbeen featured in magazines like “Planeand Pilot,” “AOPA Pilot,” and “PilotGetaways.” My mom traveled to tradeshows and spoke about airplane safetyand operations in the backcountry. AnIdaho aviation ambassador and a globe-trotting proponent of safety, she hastraveled from Utah to Indonesia andeverywhere in between, teaching canyonturns, Dutch rolls and safe operationson short, austere mountain airstrips. In2005, she and her staff flew a combined1600 dual hours with 114 pilots withouta single incident: an impressive trackrecord by any measure.

In 2010, the US Air Force signed acontract with McCall Mountain/CanyonFlying Seminars to train pilots inwilderness flight techniques. Idaho’sbackcountry shares many of the samecharacteristics as those found in themountains of Afghanistan. Beginning in

While flyinganother aircraft,she heard aconversation overthe radio aboutthe wreck thenight before.Becomingcompletelyabsorbed in theradio chatter,time slipped awayfrom her. Shefinally noticedthat her hour wasalmost up, andshe needed toreturn the plane.However, whenshe arrived shediscovered, to her

Wilson Bar 2003

Winter 2013 Page 11

July, the First Special OperationsSquadron arrived, taking to the Idahosky in an M28 Sky Truck. To this day,the presentation to Lori and her schoolof the unit’s flag was one of her proudestmoments as an aviator. She was burstingwith pride.

As all pilots are, she was originallyinspired by the tales of those who flewbefore her. She often talks about femaleAlaska bush pilot Poncho Barnes. “Hervivacious personality is irresistible,” saysLori, “Every female aviator should pickup a copy of her biography; it’s totallyawe-inspiring.” It is through PonchoBarnes’ exploits and similar stories thatgive us the strength to believe that ourability to succeed in any environmentis possible.

Lori admits it’s not all fun and gamesall the time. With each new student andnew airplane she is presented with an

calling in life. She has worked tirelesslyin the effort to keep the wildernessopen to airplanes; she has experienceda few close calls and lost good friends,but through the years her passion hasnever diminished. Not once. Not ever.

It radiates from her like the jet washof a departing Boeing 777, seen andfelt by anyone near her. Thanks to mymom and her instructors thebackcountry skies are safer, and thefish fear for their lives.

MacNicholContinued from page 10

array of new challenges. “Itcan be difficult meshingdifferent personalities;everybody has a differentcomfort level,” she says.“But my job is to take themjust far enough outside thatcomfort level to deliver thebest possible flightinstruction I can. Theydeserve that much forbeing here.” She admits itis difficult to find young,qualified instructors, andis fortunate to have awonderful staff whocontinue to make herproud and inspire her.

Throughout her entirecareer Lori has neverdoubted aviation to be her

Lori at Mile Hi airstrip.

Winter 2013 Page 13

about the acquisition of this one-of-akind simulator recently made local newsin the Bonners Ferry Herald. WithinIdaho, the next closest simulator likethis is in Boise. It is really four planesin one with interchangeable panels thathelp pilots of all skill levels. Students

News from Bonners Ferryby Ashley Glaza

The Boundary County Airport wasrecognized by the FAA in 2012 for itsoutstanding efforts toward airport andcommunity improvements. In addition,our local Bonners Ferry EAA Chapter757 also deserves recognition forhosting delicious Huckleberry PancakeBreakfasts throughout the summermonths to raise money for Youth FlightTraining Scholarships that are offeredto local Boundary County residents.This year the club raised enough fundsfrom the breakfasts to offer two youthflight scholarships. Their effortsinspired others to donate as well, anda total of four scholarships were offered,although only two applications werereceived. Trevor Schneider and DalinHubbard both received $3,000 towardflight training in Bonners Ferry. Twoadditional scholarships of $500 wereawarded to last year’s scholarshipstudents, Nathan Negoi and KatherineBoger, to help them continue with theirflight training.

Trevor has aviation in his blood. Hismother, Darlene, and older brother andsister, Travis and Tanna are also pilots.Tanna received the EAA Youth FlightScholarship award in 2009, and she iscurrently attending Air Traffic ControlSchool in Anchorage, Alaska. Trevor isexcited to start his journey and seewhere aviation takes him.

Dalin is an ambitious young man whogrew up on a farm in Boundary Countyand is no stranger to hard work, goodgrades and sense of community. Hewas drawn to the crop dusters soaringup and down the valley, maneuveringfor their next line. He always enjoyedthe Free Flight Day put on by the EAAand is eager to obtain his pilot’s license.

Katherine Boger, winner of one of the2012 scholarships, made her first soloflight on Sept. 26, 2012. Whilecontinuing her flight training atNorthern Air, she will be able to takeadvantage of the new FAA testing centeras well as a brand new Redbird FMXfull motion flight simulator. Excitement

Boundary County

Lewiston

Gorgeous Private Lodge Now Openby Crista Worthy

How many times have you flown toAtlanta, at the base of the SawtoothMountains, and wished you could landat that perfect, 3,400’, and very privateairstrip less than a mile to the east? Well,this year you can do just that. The ownersof the spectacular 450-acre property willopen their runway and 17,000-sq. ft.lodge to fly-in guests with reservations,beginning this spring. Greene ValleyRanch will surely be regarded amongIdaho’s most scenic fly-in retreats.

See Radio ChatterContinued on page 14

enjoy practicing the majority of theirflight maneuvers, emergencies, andprocedures in the warm, safe comfortof the simulator despite the winterweather. Once they are ready for thewritten exam, the new center will savethem from driving the two hour trip toSpokane or Kalispell.

Bonners Ferry is a beautiful place to fly.If you’ve never been here, stop insometime and see why we love it uphere! Northern Air and the BoundaryCounty Airport can be reached at 208-267-4359, visit us on the web atwww.northernair.biz or find us onFacebook.

Atlanta: GreeneValley Ranch, Idaho

Katherine Boger

View of the Redbird FMX FlightSimulator from outside (above)

and inside (below).

Greylock Mountain’s sharp graniteprecipices rise abruptly 4,000 feet abovethe valley’s ponds, streams, and pines.Relax in the lodge’s Great Room with itssoaring ceiling, heavy wood beams,towering rock fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows, 17 spacious king and

By Ron Sarbacher

Patty Betz, Coordinator for Octoberfest2012, has created a new event for theEAA Chapter 328 in Lewiston, Idaho!“Art Along the Runway” will be a Fly-inBreakfast and Artisans Festival held May4, 2013, at Lewiston Airport’s EAA hangar(270 O’Connor Rd. in Lewiston, Idaho).There will be live music, helicopter rides,local artisans, arts & crafts, and a smallbusiness show and sales, not to mentiona great breakfast with each $5 donation.General admission is free, and we inviteeveryone to join us!

Radio Chatter

Page 14 Rudder Flutter

See Ninety-NinesContinued on page 18

tennis and volleyball courts, horseshoes,archery, skeet shooting, andshuffleboard offer family fun. Fish theprivate lake without a license, fish theMiddle Fork of the Boise River, whichruns through the property, or use thelodge as a base for off-property hunting.Hiking is terrific in any direction: alongthe Middle Fork, up the valley, or upGreylock Mountain for jaw-droppingviews. For more information visitwww.greenevalleyretreat.com.

Idaho Aviation Expo 2013by Thomas Hoff

The third Idaho Aviation Expo, formerlyknown as Trade Show Aviation Idaho,will be held on Friday and Saturday,May 17-18, 2013. Held in conjunctionwith the Idaho Aviation Association’sAnnual Meeting, the Expo is open foreveryone interested in general aviation.The expo will have vendors, workshops,guest speakers and special events. Lastyear’s show featured 37 vendorsincluding new aircraft displays byBeechcraft, Cessna, Piper, Quest, andAviat. Entrance to this year’s expo willbe $10 at the door, or free for IdahoAviation Association members. To getmore information, please visitaeromark.com. Please direct vendorinquiries and questions to Thomas Hoffat thomas@aeromark.com.

Florida, and was put up for salealmost immediately. Brian Burnett, apilot born and raised in Anchorage,Alaska, now residing in Boise, ID,seized the opportunity to acquire thefamous plane. Burnett, along withfriend and fellow Husky pilot RossParton, went to Florida and retrievedthe Tornado Husky and flew it hometo Caldwell, ID, where it will bebased. With more backcountryairstrips than any other state in thelower 48, the Husky is finally, truly,at home. Look for it around the statethis year. You can keep up withN40WY on the “Tornado Sightings”tab at www.tornadohusky.com.

New Aeronautical 4-H Groupby Amanda Vansickle

There is now an Aeronautical 4-Hgroup in Ontario Oregon. I welcomeand encourage kids from Idaho whoare interested in aviation to join..Contact Amanda Vansickle at:vansickleamanda@yahoo.com or541-450-4075.

queen rooms await visitors; gourmetmeals are prepared in the professionalkitchen. Outside, you’ll find a full-sizeswimming pool of clean, clear, naturalhot spring water, as well as a hot tub.Soak at night and crane your neck inawe of perhaps the brightest Milky Wayyou’ve ever seen. A one-hole golf course,

Radio ChatterContinued from page 13

Caldwell

Ontario

See Radio ChatterContinued on page 18

Idaho Falls

“Tornado” Husky Finds a Home inIdaho, by Crista Worthy

As most pilots are aware, the AOPAgives away a Sweepstakes airplaneeach year at its AOPA Summit fly-inand convention. The Sweepstakesairplane is usually an older aircraftwith sound airframe and engine, butbadly in need of TLC. AOPA thenspends a year refurbishing the aircraftbefore giving it away to a luckymember. The 2012 Sweepstakesairplane was a virtually brand-newaircraft. Officially known as the“Tougher Than a Tornado” Husky -it has become the most famoussweepstakes airplane ever. TheAOPA, in partnership with theRecreational Aviation Foundation(RAF) and Aviat Aircraft, rescuedN40WY after it was damaged in thefreak tornado that blasted throughSun‘nFun in 2011. After on-siterepairs to make it airworthy, theHusky was flown from Florida to itsbirthplace at the Husky factory inAfton, Wyoming, for completerepairs. It spent much of 2012 flyingacross the U.S., gathering thousandsof fans along the way. The airplanewas won by an AOPA member in

Winter 2013 Page 15

Page 16 Rudder Flutter

Instead I turned my attention towardother interests: college, marriage, andchildren. Still, an obvious voidremained, because I had not yetaccomplished my number one goal ofbecoming a pilot. It was time to dosomething about it. On my 30th

birthday, I enthusiastically made anannouncement to my friends aboutfinding an airport and learning to fly.They just chuckled, thinking that mywish was not realistic.

Three months later I got my privatepilot’s license and realized that I’d beable to make a living as a pilot if I hadmore ratings and certificates. Soon Iobtained my commercial instrumentrating and flight instructor certificate.Now I could earn a living and fly everyday. Life was good; and it was about toget even better as I discovered the 99s

In 1974, at age 30, I began to fulfill mylife-long dream and learned to fly. Asearly as the fifth grade, I had drafted astory about my plans for adulthoodwhich included becoming a pilot,owning horses, and living in themountains. Model airplanes hung frommy bedroom ceiling so I could pretendto fly them.

I asked myself, “How could I learn tofly?” after discovering that it wouldrequire a pile of money to do this onmy own. So after graduating from highschool, naturally, I investigated flyingoptions with the Air Force. To mydismay, the recruiter informed me thatthey would be happy to have me, butI would not be flying their jets. Untilthen, I had no idea my gender wouldbe perceived as a liability by the militaryat that time, or others, for that matter.

smugly reminded them that they wereoutfitted with parachutes.

The 99s are an exceptional group.Honestly, I had never been with a groupof women who made me feel so welcomeas a part of the group. It was not justaviation either, but the adventuresomespirit and zest for life that attracted me.I met Maybelle Fletcher and Mary Ablewho both owned and operated FBO’sin the area. I met new pilots who wereinterested in advancing in aviation andmet other pilots who had been flyingfor many years. At a section meeting, Iwas introduced to Edna Gardner White,a legendary flight instructor. Thesewomen were so inspirational to me,because I understood what they hadgone through to enter the field ofaviation. The descriptive thatimmediately comes to mind was “grit.”The act of setting out to do somethingdifficult and just sticking it out; this wasa common denominator.

Hazel Jones, a Flight Service briefer fromDallas, especially cheered me on. She wasa gem who did not care what peoplethought of her and certainly spoke hermind. I distinctly remember one sectionmeeting when she expressed the utmostpride for the female airline pilots on thepanel and forecasted that career for me.Three months later I was hired as the firstwoman pilot at Metro Airlines in Houstonflying DHC6 Twin Otters. Ten years laterI was flying 747s for United Airlines.

Right off the top of my head, I don’t knowhow many female airline pilots there arenow, but only 4% of United Airline’s pilotswere women when I was there. By 1960,there were 12,400 total female pilots, or3.6 percent of the pilot population. Todaythere are more than 40,000 female pilots,and we make up 6 percent of the totalpilots in America.

Women of GritCOMPASS ROSE

and instantlybonded with theselike-mindedaviators in Houston,Texas. They werethrilled that I wasan instructor andoffered me a wealthof knowledge andencouragement,which I had neverbefore experienced.

In contrast, themen at the airportwhere I had learnedto fly thought it wasquite a novelty toinstruct a femalestudent. And, in1979, when I washired by theMontana ForestService as the firstfemale pilot to flytheir Twin Otters,some of thesmokejumpersobjected to awoman pilot. I

See GritContinued on page 17

Winter 2013 Page 17

By BJ Carter, 99s Vice Chair

The Idaho Chapter of the 99s will hosttheir Flying Companion Seminar in thespring of 2013. The seminar is designedfor the non-pilot spouse, friend, orbusiness traveler who would like tolearn more about flying and become amore comfortable, helpful passenger,especially in an emergency situation.Seminar topics include…• Aerodynamics: how and why a

plane flies• Radio procedures: how to use the

radios and emergency frequencies• Navigation: how to read charts

and help navigate• Aviation Instruments: what those

gauges can tell you• Checklists: what are they for

and how can the passenger helpwith them

This seminar will help your companionenjoy flying and assisting in the cockpit.

For information please email:bjcarter88@gmail.com or go towww.idaho99s.org

FlyingCompanionSeminar

Get ready, get set, and mark yourcalendars for some spectacular flyingfun and one of the best GA promoevents of the year – Fly It Forward2013!

Fly It Forward (FIF) is the brainchildof Women of Aviation Worldwide. Abrilliant idea for attracting women andgirls to aviation, FIF is celebratedglobally by hundreds of individual pilotsand flying clubs. At the heart of thecelebration is the availability of freeairplane rides to women and girls whohave never before flown in a smallaircraft. However, each pilot or clubsponsoring an event has completefreedom to custom design theircelebration in any way they see fit.Ponderosa Aero Club (PAC) has createdan aviation fair to showcase the rides.PAC’s debut into FIF last year was sucha success that the Club will be joiningthe fun again in 2013.

This year’s activities will be expandedto include more static display aircraft,more aviation booths, and more flights(75 seats will be available versus the50 that were available last year). Inaddition, Idaho Aviation Hall of FamerGene Nora Jessen will give aninspirational presentation and signcopies of her autobiography. For those

who care more about land side activities,the Airport Firefighters will drop by todemonstrate their water truck, and thetower controllers will be on hand tomeet and greet. In other words, therewill be something to enjoy for everybodyinterested in general aviation. All arewelcome to attend regardless of whetherthey’re eligible to fly or not.

FIF will be held on Saturday, March 9,from 10 A.M. – 3:30 P.M at Jackson JetCenter on Gowen Field, Boise. This year’stheme, as set by Women of AviationWorldwide, is “Women In Space.” If yourorganization would like to participateby having a booth or making a donationto help defray costs, or if you wish tosign up for a seat, please contact WilliamFoote or Sharki Kontra atwww.ponderosaaero.org or (208) 344-5401. Or, you may contact JenniferChristiano at (208) 860-6077. Firstreserved, first served! FIF is entirely freeand provided as a community serviceoutreach by PAC.

By Jennifer Christiano, CFIIPilot and Board MemberPonderosa Aero Club

Nowadays, my best friends are all pilots.I met Gene Nora Jessen on the Boiseramp during a charter flight fromBozeman. My co-pilot Lynne and I werein the middle of trouble shooting a

heater malfunction in our Cessna 303when a well-dressed womanapproached us, introduced herself as apast president of the 99s, and offeredto take us to lunch. That was a lifechanging event as we have become goodfriends and fly together whenever theopportunity arises, including the AirRace Classic.

The experience on the ramp is aclassic example of how approachablethe 99s are with each other: Instantfriends willing to help fellow pilotswith anything. Now as a retired airlinepilot, I would encourage all womento join the 99s for the friendships andthe encouragement from those of uswho have been flying for years andstill love it.

COMPASS ROSE

GritContinued from page 16

Get Ready for 2013Fly It Forward!

Payette Airport’s Courtesy Carby David Koeppen

A surplused 1999 Chevrolet Luminawas repositioned from the PayettePolice Department and donated toPayette’s airport. The Friends of thePayette Airport recently donated thelogo and paint scheme.

Events at Moody Aviation Hangar,KSFF, by John Townsley

MSI & Moody Safety SeminarWhen: Thursday & Friday,March 7 & 8, 2013Where: Moody Aviation Hangar -6719 East Rutter Ave, Bldg 68,Spokane, WA 99212Contact: (509) 535-4051 orallison.peening@moody.edu

Radio ChatterContinued from page 14

Payette

There is no fee for participating inthis event. Pilots and others interestedin aviation are invited to the MissionSafety International (MSI) and MoodyAviation annual safety seminar. MSIis the “NTSB” of Christian missionaryaviation safety. It works with nearly50 missionary organizations aroundthe world. Since Moody Aviation wasestablished 65 years ago, it has trainedmore than half of the missionary pilotsin the world. Every year theMSI/Moody safety event assembles aprogram of highly experienced pilotsand leaders in aviation. 

Pre-registration and seminardescriptions for the free FAA Wingsseminars will be available online atwww.faasafety.gov by Feb. 14, 2013.This two day event is a look atsignificant issues that affect flight safety.Speakers cover a range of topics.Previous annual events discussed VGdiagrams, weather, post-crash survival,fight physiology, fatigue, decisionmaking, pilot and mechanic error,personal security, emergency upsetrecovery, tire maintenance, and a hostof other pertinent topics. No matter

Inspection Authorization (IA)Renewal Seminar (for mechanics)When: Saturday, March 9, 2013Where: Moody Aviation Hangar -6719 East Rutter Ave, Bldg 68,Spokane, WA 99212Contact: (509) 535-4051 orallison.peening@moody.edu

There is no fee for attending this IArenewal event. Participants whoattend all of the seminars in this day-long event will earn a completioncertificate needed for fulfillment ofrequirements to renew their IA. FAAWings credit may also be availablewith some of the seminars and willbe listed online at www.faasafety.govby Feb. 14, 2013.

Spokane

how skilled or experienced, pilots willfind these seminars extremelyworthwhile. 

Page 19Winter 2013

Winter 2013

Name This Airfield Contest!The photograph posted last issue wasindeed Bradley Field. Congratulationsto Herb Gehlken, Bruce Parker, Rex andBev La Brie, Chester Bolstridge, KevinSublett, Greg Eagy, Scott Fuhrman, TadJones, Bill Scherer, Bob Wells, and lastbut not least, Frank Lester, for namingthat airport. Herb, please call us toprovide an address to mail your firstplace prize.

FYI: Bradley Field, built in 1946, waslocated approximately 1,500’ south ofthe horse race track at the Western IdahoFairgrounds in Garden City. It providedsupport to mining operations north ofBoise and was privately owned andoperated. In 1955, a total of 3,310transient aircraft were serviced with 803guests lodging at the “Skytel” hotel onthe field, and 97,132 gallons of fuel wasdispensed. It closed in 1973.

The first accurate response to laura.adams@itd.idaho.gov will receivea prize, and the first ten accurate responses will be published with thecorrect answer in the next issue.