About Us
Initiatives
Wilderness Within Reach
Although many of us have the ability to fly into the Idaho backcountry to enjoy what the wilderness has to offer, it has been recognized that there is a large segment of the population who cannot physically or economically access these remote areas. There are those who are physically unable to hike, ride a horse, or float a river, due to age, conditioning or disability. There are also those who cannot afford to take the time off work for a wilderness adventure that could take an extra two weeks without the use of an airplane. About 19 years ago Idaho's pilots and air taxi operators decided to start Wilderness Within Reach, a program that provides free access to the wilderness and remote areas of Idaho for these individuals. Today this program is operated under the IAF, which funds the projects and works with volunteers to organize the annual event.
Lake Cascade Airstrip
This airstrip is located on the eastern shore of Lake Cascade and lies between the communities of Cascade and Donnelly, Idaho. It was a recreational public-use airstrip built in the early 1950's on US Bureau of Reclamation property. In the early 1970's a dispute over access with a private property owner and easement holder resulted in legal action which resulted in the airstrip reverting to private use. This airstrip has been in continual use as a private airstrip since that time. Over the years, several attempts have been made to once again have the airstrip made again available for public use. Recently, ownership of the easement has changed. This has provided an opportunity for the IAF to work with the easement holder and the US Bureau of Reclamation to have the airstrip made available for recreational public use.
Backcountry WebCam/Weather Towers
The IAF has undertaken the development of a tower mounted webcam and weather reporting station that is intended for pilots to view actual backcountry weather conditions through internet access. The prototype unit has been relocated to the Horseshoe Bend area and pilots can now view that general area and Packer John Pass by accessing the Airstrips page of this web site. Once evaluation of the prototype unit is completed and the design is finalized, it is the intent of the IAF to fund the construction of additional units which will be placed in strategic locations throughout the Idaho backcountry.
Idaho Airstrip Network
The IAN consists of owners and users of Idaho's backcountry airstrips. The primary purpose is to establish standards and coordinate projects for all public use backcountry airstrips in Idaho. Both the IAF and the Idaho Aviation Association hold key positions on the IAN steering committee. The IAF has become one of the major supporters of the IAN and has been designated as the entity that receives and distributes grants and donations for IAN projects. For more information see the Idaho Airstrip Network page on this web site.
Garden Valley Airstrip Shower Facilities
This airstrip is a popular mountain area turf airstrip on the eastern end of Garden Valley located in close proximity to the South Fork of the Payette River. Because it is located relatively close to Boise, lies in a very scenic valley, is close to river access and is one of the less difficult airstrips for backcountry pilots to use, the airstrip receives a considerable amount of use. Although there are now camping, picnic and toilet facilities available on the airstrip, there are currently no showers. The IAF is working with the Idaho Aviation Association to fund and construct a shower building at the Garden Valley Airstrip.
Idaho Aviation Expo
The IAF and the IAA have contracted with an event coordinating business to hold a general aviation expo. The Rocky Mountain West Aviation Expo will be held on May 30-31, 2009. Seminars and vendor displays will be at the Expo Idaho facilities in Boise, Idaho and the aircraft displays and FAA WINGS program flights will be on the Western Aircraft facilities at the Boise airport. Additional event information can be found at www.idaho-aviation.com. We hope to see you there.
Reed Ranch Airstrip
The U.S. Forest Service (FS) acquired the Reed Ranch as part of a land exchange in 2006. Prior to FS acquisition the airstrip was privately owned; however, the owner did not stop the public from using the airstrip. Upon FS acquisition the use became Prior Permission Required, however the FS denied all use requests which effectively closed the airstrip. The IAF, along with the IAA and Idaho Division of Aeronautics, has been working with the FS to issue a Special Use Permit which would allow the Division to operate and manage the airstrip as a public use facility.
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