I started flying the Idaho Backcountry after learning to fly here at Gowen Field in Boise in the year 2000. Fast forward to today I am a Multi Instrument Commercial Pilot with close to 3000 hours flying everything from Cubs, 172, 180, 182, 206, 210, 336, 340 B200 and a few hours in the 550. Currently operating Boundary Aviation as a Single Pilot Part 135 operator in a Cessna TU206 for backcountry missions.
It has been one of my greatest thrills to give back to Idaho after discovering all that it has shared with me since moving here in 1995 from Texas. Aviation is not only a large part to how the backcountry was developed and survived for the past 100 years, but it is a mainstay of approved access per the Wilderness Act of 1980. It is a fragile balance that for the past 5 years you have been entrusting me with helping lead the way on protecting this valuable resource. I travel the skies in my personal aircraft be it a C180J Skywagon or my rare C336 Skymaster. I make my living off the growth in Idaho as a General Contractor building custom dreams and commercial buildings. We try to put the planes to work as much as possible in remote locations every year. It makes me keenly aware that we need to manage our growth proactively and continuously for us all to enjoy the aviation access we love today. It must never leave our thoughts that no matter how hard we try the pressure of civilization will always threaten our access and freedoms. Please feel free to let me know how you as members feel about the job being done or the direction we should go. Happy flying and I will see you in the backcountry.
I grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico knowing I always wanted to be a fighter pilot when I got older. That dream ended with needing eyeglasses to get through school. In college, the cheapest way to be around small airplanes was to join the skydiving club racking up a total of 98 jumps. I graduated the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Civil/Architectural Engineering and went to work for a national general construction company. In 1980 I got married and also joined the Tucson Soaring Club where I could rent one of their many gliders for a screaming $4.00 an hour. I received my Private Pilot Glider rating in San Antonio, Texas in 1984 and earned my SEL rating in San Diego in 1988, but continued to fly mostly gliders until moving to Sandpoint, Idaho in 2002. In 2005 I ordered my Kitfox Series VII kit and completed it in 2009 while working full-time and doing the commute to/from Coeur d’Alene every day. The Kitfox and I now have over 800 hours together, more or less attempting to get to all the backcountry and small strips in Idaho, western Montana and eastern Washington.
I was raised in Pendleton, Oregon where I spent the majority of my early life. My father flew on a limited basis, but built and flew many RC aircraft, which we all got to watch and enjoy. With all Dad’s airplane magazines lying around the house and his constant talk about airplanes the seed was easily planted. As a youngster, I used to flag for the crop dusters around Pendleton and after days of listening to those radial engines go roaring by only feet away, I was destined to fly someday. After graduating from Oregon State University in Wildlife Science and landing my first job in Ontario, Oregon I was able to attain my PPL there in 1975. After a job transfer to Enterprise, Oregon in 1976, I joined Oregon’s oldest (still active) flying club, the Chief Joseph Flyers and flew their Skyhawks and Skylanes. Then after some 20+ years of club flying I sold my club membership and in 2004 purchased the red 170B that I currently fly. After retiring from my 28-year career with the Oregon State Police as a backcountry game warden in Eastern Oregon, I now get to fly 04D into many of the places that my work took me in Oregon and on into Idaho, which is right in my backyard, just a bit east across Hell’s Canyon. It’s my goal to do my part and keep all of these gems we have here in the Pacific NW open for all of general aviation to enjoy for years to come.
I was born in NY but raised in the UK. In 1978, aged 17, I received a flying scholarship and PPL from the Royal Air Force. Later, after earning a degree in International Relations, I was commissioned into the Royal Navy as a pilot, training at the Britannia Royal Naval College along with various other air force and navy bases and ships. Between regular and reserve service, I spent 10 years in uniform. I worked for several automotive and aerospace companies before joining Boise based ECCO, where I managed their European business for 8 years. I moved to Boise as Group CEO in 2009, seeing growth from $80M to $300M. After years of exhausting travel, I stepped away in 2016 to spend time with Kerry and our teenage sons. Over the past 8 years I never quite got round to going back to work but devoted my time to helping non-profits such as Bogus Basin, a local school, youth sailing program, and a Caribbean post-hurricane rebuilding organization that I set up with a friend there. I resumed flying in 2016, acquiring a wonderful C182 and a fun C150/150. Our youngest son gained his PPL in 2022 and aims to follow me into the Royal Navy, while our eldest son is in the USMC and just enrolled at ISU studying for his A&P. My poor wife Kerry is stuck with a family of military/aviation/naval guys! Meanwhile, we have fallen in love with Idaho and the aviation environment from local airports, backcountry airstrips, fly-ins, social scene, weather, freedom, and more.
I was born and raised in Twin Falls and have lived in Idaho my entire life. I’ve been a fan of Idaho and the outdoors from a very young age; hunting, hiking, camping, birdwatching, and backpacking my way across many areas of the state. I developed an interest in aviation very early, daydreaming of joining the air force and becoming a pilot. But hard reality put me in the family construction business, and I never really looked back. My older brother and I eventually became partners. When our budget allowed some discretionary spending, my wonderful wife Beth encouraged me to look at flying again, and the old dreams were reignited! Fast forward several years, we own a Cessna 172B with the Avcon engine and propeller upgrade and love every minute of our time flying and accessing places that would be out of reach any other way. The opportunities we have in Idaho are tremendous, and worth maintaining. I’ve been privileged to fly with and meet some very good Idaho pilots, and their generosity in sharing time and advice was a big factor in my training. When our former District 4 Director, Kerry Requa, encouraged me to take over his position with IAA, I knew I wanted to help. I hope to do my part to preserve, protect, and advance the opportunities we have to enjoy Idaho, especially from the air.
I have been a member of the IAA for about 10 years, having come from a background in aircraft maintenance. I graduated from the Idaho State University Aviation Technician School longer ago than I care to think about. My first job as a freshly minted A&P was at LaGrande Air Service, Baker Aviation and Columbia Airlines (does anyone remember the early days of airline deregulation?) From there I went to Idaho Falls and worked for Red Baron Flying Service (RB-51, RB-104 and world records); an interesting time. Then it was on to Salt Lake Beechcraft in the big city for a couple of years. I came back to Eastern Idaho, where I spent the next 31 years working for the Naval Reactors Facility on the Idaho National Laboratory Site. I have a love of vintage aircraft, so I volunteer with the good folks at the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg. I was also able to serve on the Rigby Airport Board until I term limited out after nine years. I’m vested in this airport since that is home to planes that I am the caretaker of: a 1948 Stinson 108-3, a 1950 Emigh Trojan, and pieces and parts of other project planes. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the District 5 Director and hope my life experiences will bring value added to the table. Please reach out to me with aviation issues as you become aware of them. You are the eyes and ears of our organization whose function it is to promote and protect aviation in Idaho.
After being a member of the IAA since 1991, I guess it’s about time I stepped up to help with some management. Since moving back to Salmon in August of 2017, after 30 years of professional flying in the Treasure Valley, I’ve settled right back into Cub flying in the backcountry. Not that I ever quit doing that, but retirement certainly offers more time for it! I’ve owned the same Cub since 1981, now N881RW. The number reflects both the date I purchased it and the birthdate of my son, also Richard Williams (He goes by his second name, Patrick), who is also a long-time member with his own Super Cub. I am proud to represent District 6 for the IAA. I think our main current issue is the re-opening of the Hoodoo Meadows airstrip, which I have personal experience on. But I also intend to bring the Leadore Airport (U00) more into the fold, which is at 6029’ elevation and below the Gilmore Summit (7169’) along Highway 28. It currently has a very rough surface and no lights. We may be able to get some federal funds for improvements. It could be an important bad weather alternative. I certainly have an open door. Please feel free to contact me with issues and ideas.
I am a Southern Idaho native. Having a lot of family involved in aviation, I caught the bug at a young age. Growing up building models of military aircraft and flying RC airplanes added to my desire to one day fly.
One of my earliest memories of flying in a small aircraft was with my dad, circling my grandmother’s house in his 1947 Luscombe. When I was 19, dad taught me to fly in that same Luscombe. The experiences provided me with an education that few young pilots get. I learned important lessons about density altitude, emergency operations, and tailwheel aircraft. For my first job out of college, I did mechanic work and loaded chemicals for the local crop-dusting outfit. By day I followed the turbine Ag-Cats around, loading chemicals and fuel, and once that was over, I helped their IA perform maintenance. I found my way to the flight school and spent every dime I had getting instruction. After a few years of travel, I moved home to Twin Falls and bought a water pump business.
In 2018 my dad and I bought a Bearhawk Patrol kit and started a 4-year, 4-month journey of building our own airplane. Dad put the first flight on it in January of 2023. It’s a pretty incredible machine and it allows us to go places that were not much of an option with his other aircraft. Our next project is an RV-10 that is still a few years away from being complete. I was asked if I’d be interested in a position with the IAA, and after a conversation with Dave Irvin, I agreed to finish his term. The work the IAA has been doing is very important and must continue so that we can protect what many of us hold so dear. My experience with volunteer organizations is somewhat limited, but I am hopeful that I can be an asset for the IAA and its members. I hope to see and meet many of you at a fly-in or work party. Come say “hi.” I’ll be in the blue Bearhawk.
Kelli’s first job right after high school was at a flying club at Auburn Airport, CA. Ten months later, Kelli’s mom was her first passenger. Kelli was a founding member of the Placer Gold Ninety Nines, Bay Cities Chapter chairman, helped teach Right Seat Companion clinics, and was the 99s Southwest Section’s pilot of the year in 1998.
Over the years, flying moved cyclically from the front burner, to the back. After meeting her husband Mike, also a pilot, flying was front again. They’ve adventured throughout the West, Mexico, Alaska, Chicagolands, Canada, and Grand Cayman in their B35V Bonanza.
After retiring from software development, they built a home at Trinity Center Airport, CA. Here, Kelli began working with government agencies. On the Trinity County Collaborative, citizens and timber representatives work with state and federal agencies to develop forest management projects. Kelli was appointed to the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group where stakeholders provided input on the federal and tribal Trinity River Restoration Program.
Kelli’s election to the Trinity Public Utilities District board in 2011 required many trips to state legislative offices and USFS, Reclamation, Senate, and House offices in Washington DC. She served on the American Public Power Association’s Policy Makers Council for four years. Kelli was appointed by two governors to the CA North Coast Region Water Quality Control Board that regulates water discharges across ten far-north California counties.
Downsizing life, Kelli and Mike moved to Hailey ID in 2021. They continue to explore the Idaho backcountry in their Cessna 182A and take long travels in the Bonanza out of Hailey and Gooding airports. Kelli was introduced to IAA by pilots at Gooding. She serves on the Gooding Airport Advisory Commission.
Joe, an Idaho native, started flying out of Bradley Field in Garden City, Idaho at the age of 13. While working as a commercial real estate appraiser and broker, Joe uses his 1957 Cessna 182-A to access properties throughout the northwest. Joe flew for nearly 20 years as a charter pilot in the Idaho backcountry as well as flying corporate aircraft for local companies. He is currently a shareholder in the Flying Resort Ranches which owns the Flying B and Root Ranches. He is also a former partner in the historic Campbell’s Ferry Ranch on the Salmon River. In 1989, he was a founder of the Wilderness Within Reach program that allows those with disabilities to access and enjoy the wilderness areas of Idaho. That program will continue to promote air access into the remote areas of Idaho. Joe currently serves as the vice president of the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame
Cindy is a true Idaho native, born and raised in Lewiston, ID and now resides in the Treasure Valley. Growing up, Cindy was lucky enough to get to spend summers at her family’s cabin in Dixie, Idaho. She spent countless hours watching small airplanes take off from the dirt strip in town, that just so happened to be located directly across the creek from the cabin. It is no surprise after watching these airplanes her entire childhood that she was destined to be a pilot someday. Cindy and her husband love spending time enjoying all that Idaho has to offer and dream of one day having their own airplane to play in the beautiful Idaho backcountry. You can find her around the Boise Airport at Glass Cockpit Aviation as the Operations Manager as well as in the sky as she has her PPL and looks to keep adding additional ratings!
Born in Montana, raised on a ranch in South Eastern Washington, 5 miles from the Idaho line, and a graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Civil Engineering, I never planned to leave the Northwest but life has a way of changing your plans. I accepted a position out of college with Shell Oil and thus a 40+ year career in the energy industry began. I was retrained by Shell as petroleum engineer, designing drilling and production operations. I’ve drilled wells from the Williston Basin in North Dakota, where we operated in temperatures as low as -40 degrees and it didn’t get above 0 degrees for 45 days, to drilling offshore the coast California in 800 ft of water, to South Texas, where my deepest well was over 23,000 ft. (nearly 4 ½ miles).
I began flying about 20 years ago, some 35 years after the military draft skipped me, and kind of upset my plans to join the air force, to avoid the army. So, flying was put on hold, until my wife presented me with an introductory flight as a birthday gift. One thing led to another and today we fly a turbo Skylane out of KEUL. As a youth, most of my recreation was in Idaho, as my family had a cabin on Coeur d’Alene lake. In retirement, we couldn’t get back to Idaho fast enough. It’s been nearly 10 years now and we just can’t seem to get enough time in the backcountry. So, if you come across our T182T (1815U) back there, be sure and stop to say hi – I’m always excited to talk about all things Idaho and airplanes.
Don Lojek is an attorney specializing in aviation law. He has practiced law in Idaho for 45 years and has appeared as lead counsel in numerous cases at all levels of the state and federal court systems. He has been appointed by the AOPA as a panel attorney for the AOPA Legal Plan and routinely represents those involved in the aviation industry. A Mooney owner and pilot with approximately 2,000 hours,he responds to IAA’s legal needs as they arise.
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Aaron was bit by the aviation bug early in life. While still in high school, he began working at the local airport as a lineman and shortly after turning 17 he earned his private pilot license. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force as an F-16 Avionics Technician and earned his A&P license. After his first active-duty enlistment, he joined the Idaho Air National Guard working on the A-10, and retired from there after completing 20 years of service.
Over the years Aaron joined in with a small Boise based flying club with several other local pilots who owned a Cessna 182a and P206. This allowed Aaron to further learn about aviation and also explore, appreciate and help care for various runways in the backcountry of Idaho.
After earning the required ratings and gaining sufficient experience, in 2015, Aaron began working full-time as a flight instructor giving basic, advanced and backcountry flight training. Since then, he also has worked in corporate aviation for Part 91 and 135 operators, including operations in the Idaho backcountry.
Pilot licenses Aaron currently holds are Commercial Helicopter, CFI & CFII in helicopters and single and multi-engine airplanes and ATP ratings for ASEL & AMEL. He currently flies numerous makes and models of aircraft such as various Cessna single engine aircraft, Kitfox, Pilatus PC-12, Pilatus PC-24, Kodiak 100 and a Beechjet 400a.
There is someone in every organization that does all the odd jobs, and generally assists everyone. For Idaho Aviation Association that is Cindy. Cindy was born and raised in Idaho and after a lifetime of outdoor adventures… aviation seemed like the next logical step. Cindy is a commercial rated pilot and owns and flies a Cessna TU206F. Cindy previously worked as a restoration ecologist repairing wildfire damaged lands and says, “the best ecology classroom is 1000 feet above the ground”. She is glad to discuss Idaho’s backcountry, ecology, wildfire, and go flying with you.
A California native, Crista Worthy was introduced to Idaho by Galen Hanselman in 2001. After numerous happy visits to Fish Lake, Wilson Bar, and other Idaho airstrips in their Cessna 210, Crista and her husband Fred moved to Idaho in 2011, settling in Hidden Springs, an unincorporated township north of Boise.
Crista began serving as Editor of The Flyline, the monthly publication of the Idaho Aviation Association, in 2011. The author of over 500 articles about aviation, travel, bodybuilding, and wildlife, Crista has written for AOPA Pilot, Flying, Audubon, High Country News, Writers on the Range, and other publications, and is the former managing editor of Pilot Getaways magazine.
In 2021, to help further the goals of the IAA and IAF, she wrote the book “Idaho Aviation” (Arcadia Publishing). With 277 photos, the book brings to life Idaho’s unique aviation story: How and why Idaho’s world-famous backcountry airstrips were built, the daring pilots who pioneered backcountry aviation, and the hardy homesteaders who built the first fly-in ranches. Other chapters cover the development of smoke jumping, ag planes, airport courtesy cars, Idaho’s role in military aviation, how airmail/commercial aviation began here, how airplanes have been used for wildlife management, Idaho’s aircraft manufacturers, brilliant inventors, plus aviation advocates from our CFIs to organizations like the IAA and IAF.
this could be you
Vice President, Technology Advancements
This Could Be you
Vice President, Commercial Backcountry Operators
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