About Us
The Idaho Aviation Foundation conducts the following activities:
Improvement of Airfields
The Foundation provides funding for work in conjunction with the United States Forest Service, State of Idaho and other public agencies toward improving, maintaining and operating airfields on public land that will provide better access for the General Aviation community. The Foundation focuses on airfields in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and the recreational and back country airfields of the State of Idaho.
The Foundation's charitable purposes are furthered by funding airfield safety projects which increase safety through improving visibility of runway thresholds, removing obstacles from runway approach and departure areas, and providing wind direction indicators. Typical work includes rock, brush, and tree removal, minor earthwork digging and filling; the installation and painting of runway threshold and boundary markers; the installation of runway drainage collectors; and the construction and maintenance of airfield wind socks.
Aviation Education
The Foundation sponsors courses, conducts consultation, and publishes articles in order to educate the public and pilots on proper use of the wilderness and recreational airfield areas to increase public safety and minimize conflicts between the various types of users. Courses are offered at major pilot meetings to pilots using or planning to use wilderness and mountain airfields. Instructors are experienced mountain pilots and FAA certified instructors. Topics generally cover wilderness over-flight procedures, mountain navigation, methods of identifying user conflict locations, mitigation measures for reducing user conflicts, mountain flying safety, and mountain survival. Articles on the above topics, as well as on the Foundation's purposes and projects, are published for aviation newsletters and provided to mountain pilot instructors. Foundation officers consult with Idaho pilot organizations to encourage them to promote and educate their members on the Foundation's objectives.
In addition, the Foundation provides information on how the Wilderness areas can be accessed by the handicapped. Currently, due to the vastness of the Wilderness area and the lack of road access, certain disadvantaged individuals are unable to either float or ride horses into the Wilderness areas.
Developing Education Materials
The Foundation has brochures announcing its existence, and will continue to develop brochures, course outlines and instructor guides, and articles.
Aviation Assistance To Science
The Foundation consults with scientific institutions and organizations to identify wilderness and mountain area research relating to access problems that can be addressed through aviation. Feasibility of aviation for scientific surveillance or remote transportation are examined.
Soliciting Donations
The Foundation works to solicit donations or gifts from the public to assist in its educational activities.
Future Considerations
Improving Airstrips
The Foundation furthers its work with the United States Forest Service in improving, maintaining and operating airstrips of National Forest Lands other than the Selway and Frank Church Wilderness areas. The Foundation also works with Idaho state agencies for the same purposes.
Developing Additional Programs
The Foundation continues to enhance and/or develop its educational courses and training seminars.
Funding Activities Conducted By Other Organizations
The Foundation is considering funding or providing grants for the conducting of activities consistent with the educational purposes of the Foundation by other organizations.
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