Idaho Division of Aeronautics introduces "Welcome to Flying Idaho" informational packet for mountain fliers

A Welcome to Flying Idaho packet, featuring safety tips for pilots flying the Gem State's numerous mountains, is now routinely sent to all pilots planning fly-ins to any of Idaho's nearly 100 backcountry airstrips (31 of which are state-owned) and shared publicly at events throughout the state.

The six-page document is the creation of Safety/Education Coordinator Santiago Guerricabeitia (pictured below). It contains items to make any mountain flight a safe one — including a density altitude chart, Koch performance chart, mountain-flying tips, and a helpful links page.

ITD's Division of Aeronautics started compiling the document last summer and finalized it in December. It has been distributed to hundreds of pilots since 2016 began.

"The packet came about because we were seeing an increase in pilots coming to Idaho from all over the country, and we needed something we could give them with information about safely flying into our unique backcountry," explain Guerricabeitia. "Many of them are new to Idaho and to the experience of backcountry flying, we decided to take our pilot tips and tools and put them all together in one document with helpful links.

"Aeronautics always strives to increase aviation safety, and this document is one small way to help out pilots and, in turn, help us achieve our safety goal," Santiago added.

With myriad backcountry airstrips and countless miles of uncontrolled airspace, Idaho welcomes thousands of pilots every year. Idaho remains near the top of any destination list annually in the number of pilots, aircraft and airports. The Idaho Division of Aeronautics has also published standard operating procedures for each of the most popular airstrips to assist pilots in arriving and departing safely.

 


Published 08-19-16