Projects
Current Projects
Idaho Airstrip Network
Backcountry WebCams/Weather Stations
Wilderness Within Reach
Past Projects
Reed Ranch Airstrip
Garden Valley Airstrip Shower Facilities
Lake Cascade Airstrip
Current Projects
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 Airstrips page on the Idaho Aviation Association website.
View looking east from web cam at Sulphur Creek RanchBackcountry WebCams/Weather Stations
The IAF has undertaken the development of tower mounted webcams and weather reporting stations intended for pilots to view actual backcountry weather conditions at selected locations in southwestern and central Idaho. Many locations are now in operation and can be viewed by accessing the Webcams page of this website. The IAF is reviewing the feasibility of continuing such operations in the future and to the extent that such services are desired and utilized by the pilot community, they may be continued. In 2011 one webcam was moved to Sulphur Creek and gives pilots a good view east from the lodge.
2011 Wilderness Within Reach, a program IAF funds to enable handicapped/disabled to fly and experience the backcountryWilderness Within Reach
Although many have the ability to fly into the Idaho backcountry to enjoy the wilderness, it has been recognized that there is a 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. Over 20 years ago several Idaho pilots and air taxi operators, cooperation with Boise Parks and Recreation Department, decided to start Wilderness Within Reach, a program that provides air transportation to the Idaho backcountry at selected airstrips for such individuals. Today this program is sponsored by the IAF, air taxi operators and volunteers along with the Boise Parks and Recreation Department to conduct the annual event.
Past Projects
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 allowed the public to use the airstrip with permission. When the Forest Service acquired the airstrip, an initiative was launched by the state Division of Aeronautics in the Idaho Transportation Department to acquire a Special Use Permit. The Forest Service granted the permit in 2010 and the airstrip was officially opened to the public again in the summer of 2010. A short video of the opening ceremonies is available. The reopening of Reed Ranch airstrip is yet another example of cooperative efforts yielding positive results when public agencies and private interests unite for a common purpose. The IAF will continue efforts to assist the state Division of Aeronautics with improvements at the site to enhance the user experience.
Garden Valley Airstrip Shower Facilities
The Garden Valley airstrip is a popular mountain area turf airstrip on the eastern end of Garden Valley located adjacent to the South Fork of the Payette River. The Garden Valley airstrip is located approximately 30 miles north of Boise in a very scenic valley. The airstrip is more easily accessible to backcountry pilots than Johnson Creek and Smiley Creek and has camping, picnic and toilet facilities available on the airstrip but no showers. The Idaho Aviation Association, Treasure Valley Chapter, annually hosts a Father's Day Fly-In Breakfast which is always well attended. To remedy the shower situation the IAF worked with the state Division of Aeronautics, the Idaho Aviation Association and many volunteers in order to construct facilities at the Garden Valley Airstrip. The shower and restroom facilities were completed for use in July of 2011, and rival other Idaho airports which attract pilots from all over Idaho as well as the rest of the United States and Canada.
Lake Cascade Airstrip
This airstrip is located on the eastern shore of Lake Cascade between the communities of Cascade and Donnelly, Idaho just to the west of state highway 55. It was a recreational public-use airstrip built in the early 1950's on U. S. Bureau of Reclamation property. In the early 1970's a dispute over access with a private property owner and easement holder and resulted in being closed to the public. Over the years, several attempts have been made to reopen the airstrip for public use, all to no avail. Presently, the easement holder has halted discussions and there is little likelihood the airstrip will be open to the public.