Friday, July 30, 2004

Fly-in to sharpen pilots’ skills

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By PAT MURPHY
Express Staff Writer

Pilots and flight instructors from throughout the Northwest—and a few from overseas—will gather in McCall in mid-August for the annual Northwest Mountain Family Fly-in that mixes serious study with family fun.

At least 300 are expected for the Aug. 13-15 gathering organized by the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, the Federal Aviation Administration, the city of McCall and McCall Area Chamber of Commerce.

This is the fifth year for McCall to host the fly-in, which over its 18 years has been held in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon.

Complete program and lodging details, as well as activities requiring fees, can be found online at www.familyflyin.net or by calling the Idaho Division of Aeronautics at 208-334-8775 or toll free 800-426-4587.

On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 13 and 14, several pilot seminars will be held. One will focus on mountain and canyon flying, canyon meteorology, global position satellites and backcountry survival. Another will deal with the effects of density altitude—the combination of temperature and altitude—that affects aircraft operating characteristics.

The FAA also will have experts on hand for pilots to fly with volunteer flight instructors to sharpen their skills conduct.

The Idaho 99s, an organization of women pilots, will hold a ground school "flying shotgun" course for non-pilot spouses and friends.

Volunteer pilots from the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program will provide courtesy sightseeing flights from McCall Airport for young people 8 to 17 years old.

Static aircraft displays include a World War II P-40 used in the movie, "Pearl Harbor," a UH 60 Army Black Hawk helicopter, a Stearman PT-17 World War II trainer, a 1930s Beech Staggerwing, and a St. Alphonsus Life Flight helicopter.

For families, fly-in organizers have arranged tours and hikes in the area, children’s games and a 90-minute cruise around town and in Payette Lake in a World War II amphibious DUKW.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.