new logo for the big creek lodge! may 2018 flyline...larry driskill, lubbock, tx, johnson creek $50...
TRANSCRIPT
New Logo for the Big Creek Lodge!
Welcome New Members: Niels Maier, Cologne, ID
Roger Kubeck, Minden, NV Devin Hightower, Nampa, ID
Tom Richardson, Valley Ford, WA Rick Durden, Bonners Ferry, ID Steve Anderson, Kelso, WA
Leo Unzicker, Buhl, ID Lindsey Crosby, Kelso, WA
Joe Ramaker, Boise, ID Robert Norton, Beaverton, OR
James Moulton, Albuquerque, NM Hal Miller, Nampa, ID
Mark Gehlen, Richland, WA Michael Akers, Burley, ID
John Chambers, Meridian, ID Brian Scott, Sagle, ID
Michael Lasalle, Driggs, ID Richard Frye, Kennewick, WA John Mulberry, Idaho Falls, ID
Chris Miller, Boulder, CO Carroll M. Martell, Seattle, WA (soon to be Boise, ID)
Gary Miranda, Vancouver, WA Clee Lloyd, Canby, OR
Duane McLaughlin, Troutdale, OR Cole Cross, San Carlos, CA
Brad Summers, Leavenworth, WA Rebecca Burghy, Everett, WA Michael Wilson, Everett, WA
Evan Hesselbacher, Hailey, ID Charles Lyford, Bellevue, WA Anne Simpson, Renton, WA Kirk LeDoux, Stanwood, WA
David Woodcock, Sequim, WA Chris Coffin, El Naches, WA
Carl Hicks, Tacoma, WA Fred Meise, Moses Lake, WA
Chris Compton, Heron, MT Wade Cebulski, Seeley Lake, MT Bruce Latvala, Valley Center, KS
Tad Jones, Boise, ID Scott Jennings, Boise, ID
Thank You Donors! Larry Driskill, Lubbock, TX, Johnson Creek $50 Richard Mayes, Bend, OR, Johnson Creek $50
Mark Babcock, Auburn, WA, Big Creek $100 Larry & Lora Davis, Rathdrum, ID, Big Creek $100 Jackson Jet Center, Boise, ID, Moose Creek $300 Matthew Hanson, Pomeroy, ID, Mile High $1000!
New Corporate Sponsors! Seaplane Pilots Association
Wapiti Meadow Ranch (Cabins at Johnson Creek)
May 2018
Events Calendar
May 5 Dug Bar Work Party (Hells Canyon, Oregon side). Contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. May 5 Lewiston (LWS) Open house: EAA 328 hangar. Pancakes 8-10:30 a.m., Old & New Airplanes, Antiques, Homebuilts, Old Engine Club, Tractors, Motorcycles. Train Club, Hot Rod Car Club, Gold Panning, RC Models, Ham Radio Club. Awards; $$ 4 furthest traveled, Best 7 Types. Contact Bud Betz 208-743-5626 or Marlin Israel 206-595-1409 or [email protected]. May 12 Bernard (U54) Work Party: Jay Sammer 208-993-3578. May 18–19 Idaho Aviation Expo, Idaho Falls (IDA): Lots of beautiful airplanes on display in the 30,000 sq.ft. Aero Mark XL hangar, plus seminars, IAA Annual Meeting w/free lunch for IAA members, raffles, give-aways, dinner, guest speaker, and huckleberry ice cream! www.Aeromark.com. May 19 Graham (U45) Work Party: Aaron Hassemer 208-869-8093. May 19 Lord Flat Work Party (Hells Canyon, Oregon side): Contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. May 26 Big Bar Work Party (Hells Canyon, Idaho side): Contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. June 2 Carey (U65) Fly-in & Breakfast: As always, runs from daylight until last pilot served! Carey Rural Fire Department appreciates the support. Come have a great breakfast and a great time rain or shine! Mike Kelsey 208-481-0999, [email protected]. June 9 Cayuse Creek (C64) Work Party: JT 208-859-7959. June 9 Buhl (U03) Fly-in & Breakfast: 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Pancake breakfast, BBQ lunch, spot-landing contest, RC planes, static displays, arts & crafts! More info at 208-543-8999. June 13–15 Aviation Career Exploration (ACE) Academy. Multiple locations. See http://aceacademy.aero. June 15–16 AOPA Regional Fly-In, Missoula, Mont. (MSO): Seminars, airplanes, town hall w/Mark Baker, party, www.AOPA.org. June 16 Rexburg (RXE) “Fire in the Sky” Airshow: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Free! Planes, pyrotechnics, more! www.LegacyFlightMuseum.com. June 16–17 Treasure Valley Chapter Father’s Day Fly-in at Garden Valley (U88): Try Chef Jerry's latest dish and delicious beer batter pancakes and all the fixins'. Camp out the night before and join the potluck BBQ. Joe Grubiak 208-514-9258 or [email protected]. June 28–30 Round-Engine Roundup: [email protected]. June 27–Jul 1 Woman Wise AWEsome Adventures: Cascade (U70). Seminars, fly-outs, and more! Check out these links for more info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t60eyXV8cb8 and https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/march/30/wwaa-weekend-planned-for-june or contact Christina Tindle at [email protected]. July 14 McCall Fly-in and Open House: Free Admission. For more information contact IAA McCall Chapter President, Rob Tucker at 208-908-0120 or [email protected]. July 14 Joseph (JSY) Breakfast: Greg Bales 541- 263-0250. July 21 St. Marie’s (S72) Pancake Breakfast: 8–11 a.m. Carol Koelbel. Email [email protected] or 208-245-2914. Aug 24–25 Cavanaugh Bay Fly-In (66S): Camping, BBQ; call Don McIntosh 208-946-8490. Aug 25–25 Warbird Roundup Warhawk Air Museum Nampa (MAN): We are expecting the P-47 Thunderbolt Dottie Mae to return!
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The Flyline is in FULL COLOR online!
The online version has more photos—just log on to
www.IdahoAviation.com Click on “IAA Newsletters”
for past and present newsletters
Please send calendar and editorial submissions to: [email protected]
Deadline is the 15th of the month
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 Sulphur Creek Ranch Sulphur Creek (254) 378-7473 Frazier Aviation Ontario, OR (541) 889-9197 Stangel Flight Service Enterprise, OR (541) 426-3562 West Fork Lodge West Fork, MT (406) 821-1853 More information available at www.IdahoAviation.com Tell our sponsors “thanks!” when you stop by!
President’s Corner Andrew George
I can’t tell you how excited I am it’s spring, one of my favorite times to fly in Idaho. Why? Weather! It’s powerful, frightening, beautiful and above all, unpredictable. We may know if it’s going to be a sunny, rainy, cold, or hot, but we don't know how the weather around us will look. A close dew point/temp spread after overnight rain can produce awesome
sights. The way clouds roll up and down the sides of hills. The condensation forming around the peaks and off the rivers. The colors! We are getting the green grass poking through the patches of white snowmelt in days of soft grays and blues. So very moving. In my recent Boise-to-Indian Creek flight I had every weather type and loved it. Snow, rain, wind, sun, clouds, calm, fog, you name it, I had it. What I didn't have was a camera—huge mistake. Don't let Mother Nature slow you down; some days when the weather is not so organized, and we get spring storms moving across the landscape, it can be amazing to fly around and look at them. Now of course, I must put a disclaimer in here: weather can kill you if you don't respect it. So, fly your ability and fly your wing. No more no less.
Idaho Expo: Here comes our big annual meeting, hosted by the Hoffs in Idaho Falls. Always look forward to this and I am praying the weather gods don't mess with us. Please try and attend, as we will be changing the format up this year to be more involved with our members. The Board will be on hand as usual to discuss and listen to issues that concern our members—but in a different way. After our guest speaker, all Board members present will gather on stage, and, after some prepared discussions and conversations, we are asking you, the members, to speak up. We want you to let us know what the IAA has been able to provide for you, or, how we can add value to your aviation experience. We will have an open forum for you to ask away. Whatever you want. So, think about what's important to you and what can the most premier aviation association do for you, its members. We will also introduce Tom Tyson, the new VP of Safety & Education. Tom’s resume is endless, and he will present a talk centered around the direction the IAA will soon be focusing on to help you and future pilots be better and safer. He will undoubtedly share some of his experiences over his career as an F-15 Fighter Pilot, his post-military career with Textron, and how those lessons can benefit us all.
The expo will also feature some great lunchtime raffle prizes for all members who attend. We will have a new iPad mini with a one-year ForeFlight subscription installed, a headset (thanks Kerry!—Ed), T-shirts, and a special prize that will be a great surprise for one lucky attendee.
I look forward to seeing you all there and talking about what the IAA will be focused on for the next year. Blue Skies, Andrew 208-794-4480 [email protected] Page 2
District 2 – Lewiston/Moscow
Bill Ables
With the coming of spring, it’s great to get more than one good day in a week to get out and flex our wings and warm those horses up for more than just a few touch-and-goes in the pattern. I’ve been going into Hells Canyon for lower altitudes in which to run my engine to the top end of the green arc to break it in.
On one of those one-out-of-ten days you could fly recently, I was in the Canyon counting elk and looking for bear, as I drew a spring bear tag this year. The winds were coming off the Oregon side at a pretty good clip and causing turbulence. After bouncing my head off the headliner for the second time and seeing numerous metal shavings and a bolt, nut and washer come flying out from behind my dash, I decided my counting was done and I headed for the center of the Canyon. It worked—the air was much better, but my mind was trying to figure out where the “H” that hardware had come from. The rest of the flight was uneventful, but I spent the next two days under my dash, “looking.” I’m going to look under my dash more often now without being prompted by Mother Nature. Yes, I found a few things that needed to be tightened, not from the recent jolt, but just because it’s an airplane that gets used. Food for thought.
The Canyon airstrips are in good shape and being used. We are heading into our spring work party season and our first work party is scheduled for May 5th at Dug Bar. If we get enough airplanes participating on the 5th, we will do like we did last fall and send a couple of the aircraft to each of the other airstrips (Big Bar, Pittsburg Landing, and Sluice Creek). We would then meet back at Dug Bar for lunch. Doing this last fall, we accomplished more work in less time.
For those of you who like to fly places and then put on your hiking boots, I have a place to do just that. My good friend and pilot, Brad Stephens, came up with the idea of flying into Dug Bar and then walking up to the site of the Chinese massacre that occurred in 1887. Some 20+ Chinese miners lost their lives when a few cowboys killed them in hopes of finding their gold. Hiking south up behind the house you’ll find the trail that takes you into Dug Basin, where you will turn down Dug Creek, heading for the Snake River. Once you get to the Snake River, you head upriver a long mile where, at the mouth of Deep Creek, you’ll find a marble plaque in memory of this tragedy. I’m guessing it’s 10 miles by the time you get back to your airplane. You’ll see, turkeys, chukars, songbirds, deer, and elk to name some of Hells Canyon’s inhabitants. A local trails association, the Wallowa Mountain Hells Canyon Trails Association, had just cleared the trail of the thick blackberry bushes that would have made that trail impassable.
Fly Safe and watch those Canyon winds, Bill Ables Page 3
Editor’s Note: The massacre Bill mentions is certainly a low point in the history of the Northwest. A gang of white horse thieves murdered and then mutilated between 10 and 34 Chinese employees of the Sam Yup Company. About $50,000 in gold was reportedly stolen. One year later a trial was held in Enterprise, accusing six men and boys, of the total nine, of murder. It is unclear if any were convicted, but none of them were punished. In 2005, The location was officially renamed from the "Deep Creek Massacre site" to "Chinese Massacre Cove" by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, to commemorate the crime. Each year thereafter, conferences and healing ceremonies have been held at the site by local representatives to remember the deaths of the Chinese immigrants involved in the attack. The granite monument is engraved in English, Chinese, and Nez Perce. “Deep Creek,” an account of the massacre written by William Howarth and Anne Matthews under the pen name "Dana Hand," was selected by The Washington Post as one of the best novels of 2010.
District 4 – Magic Valley
Kerry Requa
Flying at night is something I have always enjoyed. When you can get up high on a clear night and away from the city lights, smoke, and pollution, the stars appear fabulous and clear. The Milky Way is incredible. When I was a kid the night skies in southern Idaho were
generally clear and bright, especially in early spring before the fields dried out and dust was stirred into the air by farming operations and summer fires. We would often lay on the grass and look up at the stars. I have always looked to the sky with wonder and joy. I’m sure those evenings as a young boy stargazing had something to do with my desire to fly. Years later when I got my pilot license I would fly at night, look up, and remember those evenings. I used to fly at night as much as possible, weather permitting. I remember flying high several nights to view the Hale Bopp comet in 1995. That was a very neat thing to see, it was so much clearer at altitude. Then a funny thing happened, well not really funny—I got old. I noticed that night flight was not as enjoyable. My eyes are still good, not as good as they were 25 years ago or more, but still pretty good. Part of what happens is experience. As I got older, I flew less at night in part because I am much more aware of the dangers and gremlins that lurk. Flying a single-engine at night over the mountains is not a good idea in my opinion. In 2016 I had a complete engine failure that resulted in an off-airport landing that destroyed my airplane. Pam was with me and we were fortunate that our injuries were minor. The accident took place during the day, but after the accident I decided night flight was probably something I would no longer seek out. Then I got to thinking about it: I still fly in the mountains, daytime only. So, what was I afraid of? I will save those thoughts for another story, they run deep and deserve careful explanation.
I finally got current again at night, and am enjoying the experience of night flight, over the valley and not venturing too far. Here in southern Idaho you can't go far without ending up over the mountains. Pam likes the night sky, so we have made a few night flights together. I wanted to get some practice in with some gusty crosswinds to challenge my night landing skills. In this part of the country during spring, those conditions are common. So now I have also honed my night landing skills to where I am comfortable and confident. Flying at night must be practiced, not just to be current, but to be proficient. So I’d sum up by saying it seems older pilots who fly single-engine aircraft for pleasure fly less at night than they used to. It’s a funny thing that's really not funny. But then getting older does have advantages, I just can't think of them right now, funny thing I guess? Tailwinds, Kerry Requa District 4 208-221-7417
District 6 – Idaho Falls/Salmon
Mike Hart
The great news from District 6 is that the effort to reopen Hoodoo Airstrip near Yellowjacket Lake and the Big Horn Crags above Salmon, Ida., is close to becoming a reality! This is largely due to the incredible work and energy of Jesse Shallow with the Idaho Fish & Game and our own
IAA President Andrew George. Thanks to these folks, we are getting closer every day. So: Why Hoodoo?
I have talked about hauling elk out of Cabin Creek the last two years, but what makes Cabin Creek, Soldier Bar, and other airstrips in the Big Creek drainage popular is not elk, but mule deer. During mule deer season, camps pop up all over the Big Creek drainage. IDFG sees opening new airstrips as a means of reducing the overcrowding.
Hoodoo airstrip is at 8,428 feet elevation, which would make it the 6th-highest airport in the U.S. It is located outside the Frank Church Wilderness. It could be argued that it lies in one of the most scenic parts of Idaho, one mile from Yellow Jacket Lake.
Opening Hoodoo Airstrip would provide access to new hunting grounds as well as hiker access to the Bighorn Crags long before the grueling 4.5-hour, kidney-banging road opens in July. More to come on this initiative but suffice to say that IAA and RAF will be providing maintenance once it is open.
On the downside, the situation is getting more bleak on preserving Runway 17/35 in Idaho Falls. If you want a rundown of the issues, and possible things you can do, contact Roger Blew, local pilot, AOPA airport rep, and general good guy, at: [email protected].
Contacts State President Andrew George 208-794-4480 State Vice President Website/Secretary/Treasurer Nadine Burak 208-861-9056 [email protected] Vice Presidents: Jerry Terlisner—Activities 208-859-7959 Doug Culley—Membership/Scholarships 208-861-6926 Joe Corlett—Communications 208-890-1819 Don Lojek—Legal Affairs 208-484-2292 Andy Patrick—Commercial Operators 208-383-3323 Tom Tyson—Safety and Education 316-633-1801 Directors: Director-at-Large Dist #1 Don McIntosh 208-946-8490 Dist #2 Bill Ables 541-263-1327 Dist #3 Joe Grubiak 208-514-9258 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
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Idaho Aeronautics seeks Caretakers for Johnson Creek and Smiley Creek!
The job is defined as temporary employment and holidays are worked and paid at time and a half. The current pay is $13 per hour. The normal work week is Thursday-Monday with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. Knowledge of, or experience with, these two backcountry airstrips would be a benefit.
If interested, please contact Todd Glass: 208-334-8893 or [email protected].
Editor’s Note: District 5 Director Greg Cobia sent me the above flyer. There will most likely be several antique round-engine aircraft participating in a special flight to commemorate the inauguration of U.S. Air Mail, 100 years ago. There’s plenty of time to attend and then make your way over to the IDAHO AVIATION EXPO at Idaho Falls (IDA) for further festivities!
Want to know more? Here is an excellent link to more info about the initial days of our first air mail system: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/current/airmail-in-america/us-aerial-mail-service/the-1918-flights.html It’s an interesting story; Army Major Reuben H. Fleet was charged with setting up the first U.S. airmail service. One of the pilots, Lieutenant George Boyle, had only 60 hours total flight time. He finally got his Curtiss Jenny, loaded with 124 pounds of airmail, in the air. But he got lost, ran out of gas, and crash-landed. He got another chance, ran out of gas again, and was removed from the pilots list for
the service.
Don’t forget! May 18–19 IDAHO AVIATION EXPO!
AOPA will be holding a Rusty Pilots Seminar on Saturday, from 9 a.m.–noon. Speakers include: Andy Andrews of Intermountain Aerospace, Colleen Back of the Idaho Aviation Foundation, Wayne McGhee of Garmin Avionics, John Muszala II of Pacific Fighters, Mike Vivion on flying in Alaska, and Cliff Smart of the FAA FASSTeam.
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Big Creek Lodge Update
Colleen Back, IAF
The Idaho Aviation Foundation’s project to rebuild Big Creek Lodge achieved significant milestones during winter, and now signals a planned opening for August 1, 2018. The IAF has unveiled a new website, a new logo (see front page of The Flyline—Ed.), hired caretakers for the coming season, and succeeded in getting small work crews into the lodge site several times during the winter to help complete interior work.
The IAF launched a new website for Big Creek Lodge that was designed and partly donated by Boise firm CLM Marketing. The site captures the essence of Big Creek and even enables visitors to make reservations online (rooms available Aug 1), a first for Idaho backcountry lodges. The new logo better illustrates the historic and rugged nature of the lodge and pays homage to the iconic antlers visitors can see on the old tack shed at the site. The website is www.BigCreekLodgeIdaho.com.
Construction progress has been significant this winter. Small crews were able to snowmobile into the lodge site and work for 3–4 days at a time, using materials that were pre-positioned last fall. Now, most of the flooring is installed and treated, ceilings are in, and most of the walls have been cleaned of dust and sprayed with protectant. When the road is navigable, the completion will continue with installation of kitchen appliances, light fixtures, bathroom fixtures, setting up rooms, getting the certificate of occupancy, and other details. If Mother Nature cooperates this year, the lodge should be ready for guests and meals on August 1. Pilots will be able to enjoy fly-in breakfasts for $25, and overnight at the Lodge for $180/night per person (double occupancy) which includes 3 meals, access to mountain bikes, activities, and taxes. Other lodging options are also available. Details are on the website.
Because the IAF is focused on completion this season, there will be no planned “Breakfast at Big Creek” events until the lodge is completed and opened. However, a grand opening party will be announced later in the spring for a date in July. The party will be open to the public and a highlight will be the sounds of Chicken Dinner Road, a fun and popular Boise area bluegrass band. Members of the media will be covering the event, and it should be fun for all!
IAF recently announced that Mike and Theresa Giery of Emmett, Idaho will be the Caretakers for the 2018 season. The decision process was difficult—21 couples from around the country applied (plus one couple from South Africa). The Gierys bring specialized skills to the role: Mike is an overall handyman and Emergency Medical Technician with a special love of splitting firewood (that last part will serve him well!). He has been with the Emmett City Fire Department for 14 years and has been Deputy Chief for 3 years. Theresa is a teacher and CPR certified. Theresa is the granddaughter of Dewey Moore, a notable Big Creek area figure—she has spent a lot of time at his ranch and fell in love with the backcountry. As she says, “At the ranch, you never knew who would walk in the door, as it was never closed.” The two met in the late 1970s in
Iceland on a blind date and were married in Idaho in 1980. Mike and Theresa will be part-time at the site, starting in June, working on projects to help finish the lodge.
Big Creek Lodge is unique in that it has been a non-profit project, managed by a non-profit (IAF), and in partnership and with the support of the Payette National Forest. As the project nears the finish line, IAF President Jim Davies said, “Big Creek Lodge is about to start its new life after nearly 10 years since the tragic fire, and 6 years after we announced plans to rebuild. The IAF, donors, and dedicated volunteers never lost sight that we would overcome the obstacles of such a challenging project. As a result, the lodge is truly ‘Everybody’s Lodge,’ and we are thrilled the public can visit it later this year to enjoy what we’ve all accomplished together.”
Winter construction at the new Big Creek Lodge
Mike & Theresa Giery
LAST REMINDER! DON’T MISS THE IDAHO AVIATION EXPO THIS MAY 18–19 IN IDAHO FALLS! Admission is free to all IAA members (you can sign up at the door too), and so is the lunch on Saturday. Raffles, prizes, and meet the IAA Board! Lots of beautiful airplanes! For more information, visit www.Aeromark.com.
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Idaho Aviation Association PO Box 2016 Eagle, ID 83616
The FLYLINE May 2018
The Monthly Newsletter
of the
Idaho Aviation Association