Working to preserve Idaho's irreplacable airports and backcountry airstrips.
The Idaho Aviation Association was organized in 1989 to give Idaho a general aviation voice locally and nationally. Our mission is to represent our members in forums where decisions are made that affect general aviation; to inform our members about aviation issues; to work with public and private entities for the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of aviation facilities; and to promote safety, education and public understanding of general aviation in Idaho.
Latest News
Aviation License Plates Available - January 2, 2012
Aviation enthusiasts now have a new way to display their love for flying in Idaho. By purchasing a "Fly Idaho" license plate, they will also be supporting organizations that work to preserve and enhance the airstrips that help make Idaho a special place for pilots.
In addition to the regular registration fee, the specialized plates will cost an extra $35 initially, and $25 at renewal. If your plates are not immediately due for renewal any remaining registration time will be credited to the new plate. Customized numbers and letters, such as an aircraft's N number will cost another $25 initially, and $15 at renewal. Only five characters are available on the plates, so you may not be able to have the "N" on it.
Sample plates, suitable for hanging on your wall (but not on your vehicle) are available for $30. Roughly one-half of the license plate sales proceeds will go to the Idaho Aviation Foundation and the Idaho Airstrip Network, sponsors of the program. The rest will stay with the Idaho Transportation Department for administration purposes.
The plates will be available at the usual county vehicle registration offices and online at http://itd.idaho.gov.
Oregon Pilots Association Needs Your Help - December 19, 2011
The OREGON PILOTS ASSOCIATION (OPA) is actively involved in helping save some of our best aviation recreation areas throughout the state and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
OPA is collecting data on backcountry airstrips throughout Oregon. This data will be used to help justify aviation's place in the planning for the recreational use of public lands in Oregon.
Please help us collect the needed data. If you or someone you know likes to travel into backcountry airstrips please get them to provide us with the following information on each airstrip they know about.
1. What is the common name of the airstrip?
2. Is it on any published charts?
3. What county is it in?
4. What is the nearest landmark?
5. What is the latitude and longitude?
6. Who is the owner of the land? (private, State, BLM, USFS, or ?)
7. How much activity does the airstrip get annually?
8. Are there any improvements on the airstrip? (windsock, restrooms, picnic tables)
9. What recreation is in the area?
10. Is this a lake, lakeside, river, riverside, beach, mountain top, valley, sidehill, in trees, desert, or?
11. General comments about the airstrip. (seaplane only, good surface, rocky, obstructions, expert only, easy access, or?)
Don't feel like you have to answer every question, but just gather as much information as you can. It will all be useful. And don't forget about seaplanes!
We are working with the government on this issue, so the more information we have the better; and the more pilots involved the better. That is why OPA has partnered with the Idaho Aviation Association and the Recreational Aviation Foundation in this effort. It will be a long fight, but together we can win!
Please forward your information to the OPA by email to :
Dennis Smith, OPA President at President-opa@oregonpilot.org
or to Alan Cossitt, OPA Backcountry Chairman, at alan.cossitt@frontier.com,
or by mail to: OPA, 23115 Airport Road NE, #13, Aurora, OR 97002.
Reed Ranch Reminder - September 29, 2011
In accordance with an agreement between the Idaho State Aeronautics department and the US Forest Service, Reed Ranch airstrip is closed except for emergency use from 1 November until 1 May in order to provide for winter elk habitat.
On a related matter, a new toilet has been installed at the Reed Ranch camping and tie-down area in cooperation with the Forest Service and the state aeronautics department will be working to put in a couple of picnic tables in October.
Don’t forget that Rogersburg (D69) is closed November 15th through March 1st per agreement between the State of Washington and the BLM.
Featured Member
Cody Smisek
I was born in Moscow, Idaho where I am currently enrolled in the Moscow Senior High School and am expected to graduate with the class of 2012. The excitement of aviation was brought into my life at a young age when my father received his private pilot certificate. In the summer of 2011 I passed my private check ride and now hold my own certificate with the help of the Shep Rock Foundation Scholarship. When I’m not flying I like to spend my free time skiing in northern Idaho with my friends and family. In the future I hope to join the Air Force ROTC program and finish college with an engineering related degree, while continuing to pursue an aviation related career.