Bob & Jane Hoff’s Cessna 120—Thomas Hoff photo

Welcome New Members! Peter Steinfath, Willits, CA Roger DeBolt, Boise, ID

Thank You Donors: Doug & Lianne Marsh, Omak, WA, Johnson Crk Level

Jerry Highland, Nine Mile Falls, WA, Johnson Crk Level Kerry Clark, Worland, WY, Big Creek Level

Jim Thorpe, Coeur d’ Alene, ID, Big Creek Level Douglas Rodrigues, Sparks, NV, Big Creek Level

FUEL/OTHER DISCOUNTS FOR IAA MEMBERS! Print your IAA membership card for your wallet, and call: 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 Back Country Fuel Emmett 861-9055 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 Sulphur Creek Ranch Sulphur Creek (254) 378-7473 West Fork Lodge West Fork, MT (406) 821-1853 More information available at www.IdahoAviation.com Tell our sponsors “thanks!” when you stop by!

Why Do Moose Love Fish Lake? Summer visitors to the Fish Lake airstrip are often treated to the sight of moose feeding in the shallow lake. They are stocking up on water plants that grow there and have 18 times the sodium of other plants moose regularly eat. They need this

sodium to grow and thrive. Just remember: A cow with a young calf, or a bull in the fall, are not to be messed with.

Bring binoculars and enjoy the magic from a distance.

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: editor@IdahoAviation.com

Deadline is the 15th of the month

March 2016

Events Calendar

April 16: Graham Work Party contact Aaron Hassemer 869-8093. April 23: The Art & Science of Flying Ground School 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Jackson Jet Center, BOI. A fun workshop that explores the magic and mechanics of flight, $50 until March 25th; $59 after. Includes lunch, Wings-approved. More information and registration: www.ArtandScienceofFlying.com. More info online & on Page 5. April 23: Bernard Work Party contact J. Sammer, Challis District Ranger, needs volunteers, 879-4113 or jasonjsammer@fs.fed.us. April 30: Dug Bar Work Party contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. May 7: Big Bar Work Party contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. May 14: Weatherby Work Party contact Jerry Terlisner 859-7959. May 14: Carey Fly-In (U65) Carey-er spot landing contest; breakfast, contact Paul Olsen 208-421-5078. May 20–21: Idaho Aviation Expo (IDA) Idaho Falls. Free to IAA members! Booths, seminars, static displays, IAA Annual General Meeting (Speaker TBA), prizes and raffles, huckleberry ice cream! 208-524-1202 or Thomas@aeromark.com. Info on Pages 2 & 5. May 21: Lord Flat Work Party contact Greg Bales 541-263-0250. June 4: Thomas Creek Work Party Jerry Terlisner 208-859-7959. June 11: Chamberlain Basin Work Party call J.T. at 859-7959. June 13–15: ACE Academy (BOI) Intro to aeronautics careers for ages 14–18, class, tours, demo flight, Tammy Schoen 334-8775. June 18–19: Father’s Day Garden Valley (U88) Fly-In potluck dinner on the 18th, breakfast 19th, contact Jerry Terlisner 859-7959.

Online Aviation Magazine

Flyline readers might enjoy taking a peek at the online aviation magazine, Disciples of Flight. (Full disclosure: your Editor is one of their main contributors.) You’ll find all kinds of articles about current and historic aircraft, backcountry flying, travel ideas, great photos, safety issues, and tips of all kinds. Eight new articles about various aircraft are each co-written by pilots whose names you’re familiar with from the IAA: Fly Idaho! author Galen Hanselman and his Cessna 182. Commercial bush pilot Dick Williams and his Super Cub. Former IAA President Larry Taylor and his Cessna 206. Super CFI Rich Stowell and his Super Decathlon. Former IAA President Jim Davies and his Cessna 180. IAA VP of Legal Affairs Don Lojek and his Mooney 20C. Utah B/C Pilot’s Assoc Pres Steve Durtschi and his C-185. IAA District 1 Director Don McIntosh and his Kitfox. If all eight of these articles aren’t posted yet when you go log on, check back, because they will be very soon, and more new stories go up all the time! To see the eight articles described above, go to: www.DisciplesOfFlight.com/author/crista or www.DisciplesOfFlight.com/category/incredible-aircraft. The website home page is www.DisciplesOfFlight.com.

Enjoy!

President’s Corner Kerry Requa

By now I know a lot of you are

getting anxious for the weather to break so we can all start flying with more regularity. I just finished the annual on one of my planes; I am fortunate to have a patient mechanic who allows me to do some tasks myself. I encourage you to do the same. It will give you

a greater understanding of your aircraft and the things that need regular attention. It can also save you some money. Those savings can be used for fuel or upgrades to your airplane. I like to do owner-assisted inspections because I gain knowledge and it gives me a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. As I work on my plane I like to think of the places it has taken me, the sights I have seen and people I have met along the way. I enjoy thinking back to some of the places I have landed and comparing how those places look today to how they looked on my first visit. I have seen a lot of airports that have changed greatly and have new asphalt, new lighting, new buildings, hangars, and the list goes on. Have you ever wondered how those improvements came to be? I have also observed the decline of way too many airports. Have you ever stopped to think about what it really takes to get things done and who is the key person at your local airport? Most people just hop in a plane and go from place to place and never think about those who work hard to promote and preserve our airfields. We need more pilots to become involved and learn more about how all of the things in aviation come together. Consider the backcountry airports that have the most traffic. How many of you have ever thought about who helps to keep them in good condition? Are you interested in learning how they are maintained and where the money comes from? The same applies to our larger airports. I would like all of you to learn more about the process of how things are done. Get to know about third class medical reform, and what it really means to you. How much do you know about the FAA and the funding of the agency? How much do you know about the ADS-B requirement and how it will impact you? Have you had any conversations about the privatization of the Air Traffic Control system? Do you know how much you pay for aviation fuel tax, aircraft registration and how that money is used? Wow, there really are a lot of things to contemplate and talk about. I will tell you where I am going with this: If you do not have good knowledge and a basic understanding of what is happening to General Aviation you will not have a voice in the outcome. Right now, decisions are being considered that may have a profound impact on you and how you fly. As with the owner-assisted inspections, you will gain knowledge, save money, and have a voice in the outcome. We all need to make sure we know and understand the issues facing us today in order to have a clear voice to guide the process. A lot of things that may impact us will be decided on in the near future. Please do some homework and get involved. Your local IAA Chapter is a great place to start the

conversation. The membership of the IAA has grown and our involvement in important issues continues to grow as well. And remember, knowledge is power, and it EARNS respect.

We have submitted our requests for information from the Forest Service with regard to the Big Creek 4 Airstrips and are waiting for the reply. I had hoped to have some news for you before this month’s newsletter came out, but we are still waiting. I am confident we will be receiving the requested information any time now. I am pretty sure we will have a lot of paperwork to sift through once we have it in hand. I am hoping the information we receive will provide a good understanding of how this mess came to be and formulate a clear path to openly access to these historic airstrips once again. As it stands right now they are not shown on sectionals and they are listed as emergency use only, that means you cannot plan to land there. At this point the Forest Service continues to discourage their use.

I will provide more information as it becomes available. Tailwinds, Kerry Requa President, IAA 208-221-7417

Ladies & Gentlemen, make plans NOW to attend the

IDAHO AVIATION EXPO at the giant Aero Mark hangar in Idaho Falls (KIDA) Friday & Saturday, May 20 & 21!

Airplanes galore! Seminars! Raffles! Giveaways! Huckleberry Ice Cream! IAA General Meeting & Speaker!

www.AeroMark.com. Page 2

District 2 – Lewiston/Moscow

Bill Ables

Do you believe that January is

behind us already and February is half gone? I don’t know about you, but my winter’s “to-do” list sure isn’t diminishing as fast as the days are going by. It didn’t help that the recent high pressure system that gave us about a week of calm, warm days lured me to the hangar and beyond.

But, before this system moved into our area, I had cabin fever and a friend and I flew 04D into the Canyon for an overnight working and chukar hunting trip. The winds were gusty and of medium strength when we landed and made camp. After concluding the work party, two of the aircraft left safely, departing upriver due to the downriver winds. Having run a jet boat in Hells Canyon for some 25 years, I have an enormous amount of respect for the waters of the Snake River. I also have that same respect for the winds in the Canyon and that’s why I always conclude these writings with “watch those Canyon winds.” Well, those winds kept us on the ground for an additional night, but made for some wonderful camp stories being told into the night with great company.

I forgot to mention I was sending morning and evening “I’m OK” SPOT reports to Judy back at home that were not getting through to her. Knowing that 04D could make a safe upriver takeoff from here with me and the gear, but not my partner, it was decided that I would take the gear out and return to get him after he made a hike to a longer strip, where I could get out safely. At the time of my takeoff, a good friend, who was now aware of my missing SPOT reports, flew in to check on us. It’s sure nice to have good friends! We departed safely and flew back to our home base, but the weather didn’t allow me to return that day to pick up my partner, who was well equipped to spend the extra night and whom we later picked up safe and sound.

Lessons to be learned here: take plenty of gear and food for an unexpected trip extension, know your capabilities and those of your airplane, give your SPOT or other satellite tracker or PLB plenty of time to lock onto the satellites to send messages, and if someone in your party has a satellite phone, USE it!

All in all, the strips in Hells Canyon are in good shape and are being frequented by numerous pilots. The higher-elevation airstrips like Memaloose and Lord Flat still are covered by one to two feet of snow. I haven’t been east of Hells Canyon to check on the remainder of the strips in District 2, but would think unless you’re ski-equipped, they are still snow-covered as well and not for use.

When you get around a bunch of pilots, take the opportunity to ask them what equipment they carry for

winter flying here in the NW.

Fly safe and watch those canyon winds! Bill Ables

District 3 – Treasure Valley/McCall Andrew George

Distractions.....Distractions can be killers as we all know. You can allow something of the smallest importance to take your eyes off the ball and the repercussions can be final. Especially when the distraction is flying and you have a family, significant other or someone special. A relationship can feel second-place when we as pilots become obsessed with our blind

passion. Passion, there's a good word. Passion is what makes your heart race, your time disappear and your senses overloaded. For many that is what flying is. Others flying is a tool or a transportation. Either way it takes dedication and time to keep your flying safe and enjoyable. I struggle to find the balance between my blind passion for flying and my passion for others who are just as or more important. One goal for the Treasure Valley Chapter is creating a culture of "flying is for everyone to enjoy, not just the pilot." Many attempts last year to bring the passion and relationships together met with weather or smoke challenges and never evolved. On April 9–10 this year, let's try and exercise that passion for both flying and relationships. Bring your spouse, significant other, your dog, or special someone to Sun Valley for a gathering of passion for flying, socializing, skiing, travel or whatever reason you need. The Treasure Valley Chapter invites all to join in revelry at Whiskey Jacques for a social hour on Saturday April 9, where a private room will be held for us, along with hosted food and beverages and no-host bar. We will get discounted room rates at Best Western and coordinate a shuttle to and from the airport. Ski Saturday or Sunday or not, relax, window shop, or just spend time not distracted from your relationship. We will organize a breakfast fly-out as well on Sunday for those who don’t want to sleep in or ski. It will be close to the end of season for the hill and should be a lot of fun. We will automatically contact TV members via email, but if you are not a TV member, contact me and I will put you on the email list for information: andrew@baseconstructors.com.

Canada—we are again planning a trip to beautiful Nelson, British Columbia, just north of Spokane, on July 15–17th. We’ll show you the ins and outs of how to cross the border, Customs procedures, eAPIS, and loads more. We will arrange a rally point time in Sandpoint and then charge across. A cocktail social at the hotel where rooms will be discounted and then a breakfast fly-out to a very special location. ALL types of aircraft can make this trip. We will account for airspeed for everyone. If you ever wanted to learn how to enjoy the northern neighbor this is your chance. Start thinking about it and more info will

come next month or email me now for more specifics.

Blue Skies! andrew@baseconstructors.com

Page 3

District 5 – Blackfoot/Pocatello

Greg Cobia

No radio or radar? No problem. Scattered across Idaho are a network of giant concrete arrows. They are not, in fact, sign of an extraterrestrial invasion. Rather, they—along with accompanying beacon lights—helped guide the pilots of early airmail flights across the nation. Such a system was required because reliable air navigation systems didn’t appear until

the late 1920s, about 10 years after airmail service was born in the United States. The arrow and beacon system was used until the 1940s, when radio and radar navigation became available.

Seven arrows and ten beacons still exist in Idaho. One of the arrows is located at the airport in Dubois, which I visited this past summer. This site is unique in that it still has the complete arrow, the 51-foot beacon, and the original generator shed. Only one other site in the United States still has all three original installations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__RgNRYHYWQ

In Dubois, the electrical boxes that were used for the rotating beacon are still mounted on the interior wall of the shed, with some of the components still inside the boxes. The generator shed is 12 x 14 feet. The exposed portion of the arrow from the end of the generator shed to the tip of the arrow is 43 feet, and the total

length of arrow is 57 feet.

District 6 – Idaho Falls/Salmon

Mike Hart

After the last IAA Board meeting, I’ve been working with the TV Chapter and the Salmon Airport to get a bike shed placed there like the one at McCall. Discussions are still underway, but we hope to be getting the things in place in April. I will keep you posted on progress next month.

It is time to start thinking about the Idaho Aviation Expo. This year’s dates are May 20–21. This is always a great time with lots of camaraderie, give-aways, booths, planes, hangar flying and educational seminars. I have been in discussions with some big names to be our main speakers (Harrison Ford and Burt Rutan) but nothing is confirmed. I’ll just let that teaser stand as it is with no further clarification. If you haven’t been to the Idaho Falls event, you haven’t really lived a full life. Mark your calendar and complete one of life’s greater aviation opportunities.

I have had a number of trips across District 6 flying from Idaho Falls to Richland Washington. For weather and safety, I have flown the route via Boise, Baker City, Ore. and La Grande, Ore., but I have also traveled the route via Moscow/Pullman as well as a direct shot over Johnson Creek, Indian Creek, Upper Loon and Challis. I can report that the back country is whiter than the Oscars.

On two of my three cross-country trips, ceilings and icing conditions prevented me from getting into Richland, Wash. so I opted for ground transportation to complete the journeys. I ended up writing an article for AviationSafetyMagazine.com on the glories of ground transportation options. If you are a subscriber, you will see the article in March, if not, it will likely eventually pop-up on AvWeb.com if you subscribe to their news feed. The upshot of the article is that FAR 91.103 requires “Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.” We all know this is the part that makes it prudent to study charts and get a weather briefing. But it also requires that we know the “alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed.” That part puts the PIC on the hook to know ground transport options. The bottom line is courtesy and rental cars are a tool that can keep pilots from making bad decisions. If you know which airports have ground transportation options, it is no big whoop to abandon your air travel options for safer choices to get there by ground. End of lecture.

At this time backcountry flying is mostly for ski planes, but according to Pete Nelson at Middle Fork Aviation, Thomas Creek and the Flying B have been landable sans skis. Thomas Creek because Middle Fork Lodge plows the runway and Flying B because they use it to feed horses so the runway remains well trod. Now that we have had some warm spells, conditions may have changed and it could be getting slushy so do your own due diligence before striking out into the back woods, but know you still may have some

winter options. Page 4

What is this? A massing of elk in the snow, photo by Mike Hart. To be specific, there are about 460 in this photo….I counted.—Editor Below: A brand-new program called The Art & Science of Flying will debut in Boise April 23rd. Pilots and Non-Pilots! This will be a fabulous program and we urge you to sign up. A special section with full information is in the online Flyline—check it out!

The Art and Science of Flying Ground School will

take place at Jackson Jet Center, Boise Airport on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Hosted by Ponderosa Aero Club and promoted as “a fun workshop that explores the magic and mechanics of flight,” this FAA Wings-approved event includes dynamic discussions, interactive activities, and door prizes.

According to co-presenter Rich Stowell, “In addition to a totally different view of flying for pilots, this is a community outreach program for school teachers and students to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math through the lens of aviation.” The registration fee includes lunch and is $50/person until March 25th; $59/person after. If you’d like to help out with the event, or can assist with procuring sponsors, please contact Sharki Kontra at ArtAndScienceBOI@gmail.com or visit

www.ArtAndScienceofFlying.com.

Idaho Aviation Expo 2016 General Information Doors are open from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Friday the 20th,

and 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on Saturday the 21st. See the Expo schedule for a more detailed description of events.

Pilots flying in to Idaho Falls (KIDA): Aero Mark’s XL building is south of the tower, off of taxiway Alpha. Line personnel will assist you with parking; call Unicom 122.95 to let us know you’re here for the Expo. Driving: Aero Mark’s XL building is at 2000 International Way, at Idaho Falls Regional Airport. Follow the airport signs onto Skyline Drive heading north, then make a left onto International Way. Proceed straight past the F-86 Saber, and the silver building in front of you will be your destination.

Expo admission is $10 at the door, or free for IAA members and students, and includes both days of the Expo, all workshops and refreshments. Lunches will be available at the Expo both days. Dinner, with a special guest speaker, will be available Saturday. Purchase your meals at the kiosk at the expo entrance. All food is professionally catered and of the highest quality. The IAA Annual meeting will be held at lunch on Saturday; also with a special speaker (this is free to IAA members). There are three exhibitor-sponsored breaks during the Expo (did we mention huckleberry ice cream?), as well as cocktail hours both evenings with hors d'oeuvres and a no host bar. Contact information for our recommended hotels: Fairfield Inn & Suites (208) 522-7378 Le Ritz (208) 528-0880 Hilton Garden Inn (208) 522-9500 Residence Inn (208) 542-0000

For reduced rates, please mention “Aero Mark” specifically when booking your room. Each of these hotels has a shuttle service for those of you who fly in.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Thomas Hoff via phone at (208) 524-1202, or email

thomas@aeromark.com. See you soon!

Contacts State President Kerry Requa 221-7417 Vice Presidents: Bill Miller—Gov’t Affairs/Scholarships 853-8585 Larry Taylor—Agency Liaison 855-0261 Jerry Terlisner—Activities 859-7959 Doug Culley—Membership/Scholarships 861-6926 Joe Corlett—Communications 336-1097 Dave Rigby—Awards 343-1985 Don Lojek—Legal Affairs 484-2292 Andy Patrick—Commercial Operators 383-3323 Nadine Burak—Secretary/Treasurer 861-9056 Directors: Director-at-large Jim Davies 859-5537 Dist #1 Don McIntosh 946-8490 Dist #2 Bill Ables (541) 263-1327 Dist #3 Andrew George 331-1774 Dist #4 Kerry Requa 221-7417 Dist #5 Greg Cobia 785-5006 Dist #6 Mike Hart 528-7672 FLYLINE Crista Worthy (310) 560-7324 editor@idahoaviation.com

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Letter From Scholarship Recipient Maggie Kirscher

Excerpt from Letter dated 2/1/16: Dear Idaho Aviation Association Scholarship Committee, I received an extremely generous scholarship from you last spring and I am so thankful for it. It helped me finish my Commercial License! I have since completed my CFI and

am now instructing four students at Cochise College. Thank you so much for your time and your incredible generosity in helping me obtain my goals. Sincerely, Maggie Kirscher Maggie's Background: (written in early 2015)

I had the opportunity to "co-pilot" my softball teammate's private Citation Jet when I was in 8th grade, and from the moment I felt the plane respond to the controls in my hands, I knew I was born to fly. During my junior year of high school I had the opportunity to job-shadow a CFI and I got my first lesson in a C172. That summer I soloed in 7.9 hours and the following summer I obtained my private pilot license in just over 40 hours. I also attended EAA meetings, worked at all of our fly-ins, and volunteered at our local aviation museum.

I am now attending Cochise Community College in Douglas, Arizona to obtain my Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Commercial licenses. I obtained my instrument in December 2014 and will have my Commercial and Multi-by the end of June 2015. In July 2015 I will return to Cochise and get my CFI. I will instruct there until I have 500 hours and begin applying for jobs elsewhere.

In five years I hope to have a Bachelors degree in aviation and be building hours by flying for a humanitarian organization and continuing to work myself out of the debt I have incurred. In ten years I will be flying for an organization overseas to help people have access to things they never could without airplanes and being a spokesperson and advocate for women who are in aviation.

By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to get out in the mission field faster, and begin to help people who do not have access to medical and other life saving supplies. I have always worked for my flying time, and I always will. I have always had a burning desire to help those who have less, and coupled with my passion for aviation, I believe I

am going to impact the world for the better. www.IdahoAviation.com/scholarships.php Page 6

Foggy Night Landing

Crista Worthy

Around 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Night, my husband and I sat aboard a Southwest 737 inbound for BOI from the west. Orion and the other constellations twinkled above as the plane began its descent. I usually pull back the power to descend, while my husband tends to push the yoke forward so we build a lot of speed, which I usually don’t like. That’s how the airlines do it too, or so it seems, racing to their destinations. Arrivals are “firm” to say the least and then the braking leaves me amazed that they don’t need to change the brakes after every landing, yet that seems normal these days.

Not this time though—it was a relaxed descent, maybe because we were the last flight of the night. But as we descended over the western part of Treasure Valley I looked down and saw what you never want to see: thick ground fog eerily lit from below by city lights. I recalled seeing that once on a late night flight to our old home base near the ocean. We diverted inland, rented a car, and retrieved the plane the next day. But where would they take us tonight—Salt Lake City? Normally on a visual approach to Runway 10R or 10L inbound from the west, the jets simply make a long straight-in. Not this time; they flew the whole approach with several turns (still VMC but over the featureless fog). After the last turn we rolled out on final for 10R and then went into the soup. The landing lights made it a complete white-out. I could barely see the wingtip. Sub-consciously I stuck my right foot out, as if to feel for the ground with my toes, because I knew we were very close. And then I experienced a touchdown so smooth it was almost imperceptible. No hard braking, in fact, it seemed we just rolled out to the end. And stopped. On the runway.

Immediately I reached for my phone, turned it on, and called up the BOI AWOS: wind calm, visibility 1/4 (that was very generous), tower vertical visibility 200 feet (more like it). I could see nothing outside and we crept to the gate at a snail’s pace, but what was the rush anyway? The plane would probably stay here until the morning’s first flight, and I was just happy we were down in one piece and at our preferred destination. Finally, figures emerged from the mist like ghosts to tend to the airplane as we approached the gate. I could still barely make out the wingtip.

That was one night you could be thankful to be crammed on an airliner instead of stuck on top in a small GA airplane. Yeah, I know, they have a HUD and/or autoland to complete that Category II or III approach, but still.

Those guys are good.

Fly Idaho! License Plates—Update

Important news about Idaho's special "Fly Idaho!" license plates! A bill that will preserve them has been introduced into the Idaho Legislature and moved from the Transportation Committee to the full House of Representative with a “DO PASS” recommendation. Now WE NEED YOUR HELP! Since their first issue, Jan. 1, 2012, these plates have raised over $35,000 for the Idaho Aviation Foundation!

The IAF uses this money for aviation projects around the state, including the project to rebuild the Big Creek Lodge, put up airstrip webcams, fund Wilderness Within Reach (where volunteer pilots fly veterans and the disabled into Sulphur Creek Ranch for a wilderness experience), establish and maintain the Idaho Airstrip Network (which coordinates projects to maintain the airstrips), build the shower facility at Garden Valley, build firepans at strips so pilots can enjoy campfires safely, and more.

However, current law stipulates that if there are less than 1,000 of these plates in circulation for two consecutive years, the PLATES WILL BE DISCONTINUED! (And eventually revoked). The number has been less than 1,000 for two years now (it's about 730), so they will be discontinued unless this bill, HB (House Bill) 457 is PASSED! Please call and email your House member.

You can find him or her here: http://legislature.idaho.gov/house/membership.cfm You can copy what’s below, but please personalize it! Please state your name, and that you support House Bill 457, which will lower the number of special “Fly Idaho!” license plates required to be in circulation from 1,000 down to 500. This will enable the Idaho Aviation Foundation to continue to receive funds. So far, the IAF has received over $35,000, and a slightly larger amount has gone to the state. The IAF needs this income. Points to make: *There is no cost to the state for this program. It actually provides income to the state. *Idaho has more backcountry airstrips than ANY OTHER STATE except Alaska. These airstrips are known around the U.S. and even attract pilots from around the world. All these people bring their tourist dollars to Idaho. *The Idaho Aviation Association has over 1,000 members, but 50% of those members live outside Idaho and they cannot buy the plates. Of the other 500 in-state members, many of them have bought two plates, with the result that we currently have about 730 plates in circulation. Following are just a few of the things the IAF has funded: *The IAF has funded research necessary for the publication of the Third Edition of Fly Idaho!, a nearly 1,000-page, comprehensive two-volume book that provides critical safety and recreational information about Idaho’s backcountry airstrips. This book was published just last year. *The IAF helped fund the Idaho State Aeronautical Chart, which shows all the backcountry airstrips in the

state open for use, many of which are not shown on FAA charts. In addition, the chart shows many other features, just one example of which are reporting points. There’s no ATC in the backcountry directing traffic, so pilots self-report their positions to avoid mid-air collisions. *The IAF funded webcams at many of our most popular airstrips. There’s no control tower or weather facility at the strips, so pilots can check the webcam to see conditions. The FAA has funded webcams throughout Alaska in critical areas like mountain passes, and they have reduced fatalities there. The IAF stepped up to fund the webcams to increase safety here in Idaho. *Johnson Creek is Idaho’s most popular airstrip because of its excellent facilities and its runway, which is long, wide, and relatively easy to operate out of. To take pressure off this airstrip, the IAF helped fund the construction of a new shower/bathroom/picnic table facility at Garden Valley, another airstrip with a long runway that is relatively easy to operate out of. After its completion, the IAF donated the facility to the state. *The historic Big Creek Lodge, on U.S. Forest Service land, burned down in 2008. The USFS wanted to see it rebuilt, but nobody had the money. The IAF stepped up and has raised funds to rebuild the lodge. The exterior was completed last year. The interior will be finished out this year. The lodge will be open for business next year! Both the new Big Creek Lodge and the facility at Garden Valley are accessible by car so they are not exclusively for pilots. *The IAF funds Wilderness Within Reach, a wonderful program that, for 27 years, has brought our veterans and the disabled into the wilderness so that these people can experience the outdoors at no cost to themselves. The IAF pays room and board and secures volunteer pilots to fly the participants in. To summarize, the IAF needs the plate funds. Idaho airstrips are popular and becoming more so. The IAF helps keep them safe, and helps bring in tourist dollars that total in the millions. Remember, river rafters who run rivers like the Salmon often access these rivers via our backcountry airstrips and they pay thousands of dollars per person for these trips alone. Wilderness Within Reach helps our veterans and disabled. We are not asking for support of this bill so that 500 pilots can keep their vanity plates—we are asking for support of this bill so these 500 or so pilots can continue to pay, so others can play, here in Idaho. These funds help people recreate safely at no cost to the state. On behalf of the 1,000 members of the IAA, both in and out of Idaho, and thousands of pilots around the US, I ask that you all support HB457, so that we may retain our "Fly Idaho!" license plates, and continue to increase their numbers and sales. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

And thank you, IAA member, for contacting your Rep! Page 7

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Idaho Aviation Association PO Box 2016 Eagle, ID 83616

The FLYLINE March 2016

The Monthly Newsletter

of the

Idaho Aviation Association