Re-open Riggins, Idaho Airstrip?

[lesuther]

Riggins used to be a great area for family fun. I wouldn't count on a great work party in the middle of summer though...it's even hotter and dryer there now than when I was a kid in the area.

The winds are absolutely nuts at the confluence at midday in the summer. And the down canyon winds can be insane in the evenings. I remember bow waves going downstream at 430 in the afternoon!
It might make for a fantastic September work party though, for safety and temps...

The strip was a lot longer than 1500' back in the day if I remember.

[Super-Maule]

The strip was a lot longer than 1500' back in the day if I remember.

Backcountry Pilots,
There is a barb-wire fence across the middle of the former runway. I guess we will find out from the owner how much ground we would have for a runway. As far as the runway length goes 500 feet would be fine by me, there are no obstructions. However 1,500 feet would work for most airplanes. 2,500 feet would require more work and upkeep.

This airstrip will be rough, not an irragated, mowed, rolled runway like Johnson Creek. (not for everyone). The sumer heat and winds do make this a difficult airstrip too. It's like any other mountain airstrip, pick your flying times, winds and weight.

This should be real interesting project.

James

[Grassstrippilot]

I think it would be a missed opportunity to not try to get as much length as you could while all the parties involved are already at the table and talking. Not all of us are flying Maules. I don't think anyone is expecting another JC, most strips aren't, but more than anything I think length will affect the amount of use the strip will see...and consequently, the amount of business that would come in. A good point to be made.

Good luck with it and please keep us updated!

[OregonMaule]

In a perfect world I think a good little business for the town or a private person would be a jet boat to take you back and forth.

I know about the Coast Guard rules for that and it would never pencil out.

[piperpainter]

The strip was a lot longer than 1500' back in the day if I remember.

Backcountry Pilots,
There is a barb-wire fence across the middle of the former runway. I guess we will find out from the owner how much ground we would have for a runway. As far as the runway length goes 500 feet would be fine by me, there are no obstructions. However 1,500 feet would work for most airplanes. 2,500 feet would require more work and upkeep.

This airstrip will be rough, not an irragated, mowed, rolled runway like Johnson Creek. (not for everyone). The sumer heat and winds do make this a difficult airstrip too. It's like any other mountain airstrip, pick your flying times, winds and weight.

This should be real interesting project.

James

I think you're better off with at least 2000ft. If you want to have people use it then you need to make it comfortable for those that don't fly into small strips often. Yes more upkeep but I'm sure you'd have more people to come in and help if you could get more of a variety of airplanes in and out of that area. Also if it was 2500ft I know they have a pack trail to the East of it and this could turn into an area outfitters fly into then take a shorter jet boat ride as opposed to Slate creek. I'm sure you could find people to do the upkeep on the larger strip, and yes more work initially but worth it in the long run!

V/R
Bryan

[whee]

Riggins would be a awesome place for a strip! I've looked that bench over a couple times when I was in town and always wished someone would reopen the strip.

I agree with GSP, the strip needs to be as long as possible. 1500 feet is doable for most planes but not most pilots. If the owner wants to see any benefit to his business it needs to be as long as possible. Its not like the strips require much maintenance; most of the Idaho strips haven't had a thing done in years.

If we were all flying Maules then the only thing we would need to do is put up a windsock...

[qmdv]

Riggins would be a awesome place for a strip! I've looked that bench over a couple times when I was in town and always wished someone would reopen the strip.

I agree with GSP, the strip needs to be as long as possible. 1500 feet is doable for most planes but not most pilots. If the owner wants to see any benefit to his business it needs to be as long as possible. Its not like the strips require much maintenance; most of the Idaho strips haven't had a thing done in years.

If we were all flying Maules then the only thing we would need to do is put up a windsock...

Is there any slope to the strip. Usually upriver/up slope. 1500 ft up slope is quite a bit for a 182. Most on this forum have planes with better short field than a 182 or I have been told that.

Tim

Tim

[whee]

From what I remember it is almost level.

[Grassstrippilot]

1500 feet is doable for most planes but not most pilots.

Thanks Whee. That's the point that I was trying to make.

[piperpainter]

I know it slopes up to the East!!! But the strip looks pretty level according to Google earth

[Super-Maule]

If we were all flying Maules then the only thing we would need to do is put up a windsock

Hello Backcountry Pilots,

I spoke with the Carlson's from Salmon River Helicopters today. They are going to the Riggins,Idaho City Council meeting this week regarding the bridge. Later this month I will probably speak with the land owner about how much land is availble for the airstrip. It seems like there is interest in making it at least 2,500 feet long, and thats OK, just more work for the "volunteers". Anyway just trying to keep you all in the information loop. This will be a good thing for the town of Riggins and backcountry pilots.

James

[iceman]

does the forestry service, IE the feds have to be involved in this?..just a thought... you know they are wanting to close the back country to general aviation.. they are already trying to limit access to the Big Creek strips..and last time I talked to the head ranger at Moose creek a couple years ago she was major anti back country flying of any kind, except of course for the convenience of the forestry service...

[jomac]

great work James...lets stay in touch here and i think we can get some good help there...specially' from us Idaho locals...!

[Super-Maule]

Hello Backcountry Pilots,

Got a call today at the office from an elected Idaho State Representative, Mr. Shepard. His district includes the Rigggins area. Anyway I think he will be of help re-opening the Riggins Airport. Just wanted to keep those of you interested in the loop.

Thanks,

James

[iceman]

wow that's great James,,, good luck...

[Skywagon pilot]

It might be worth a call to the Idaho Division of Aeronautics to see if they'd have any interest in the project. I stopped in to visit with them a year or so ago and they were looking for ideas for a lower elevation airport that would have a longer season than Johnson Creek.

[Super-Maule]

double post

[Super-Maule]

It might be worth a call to the Idaho Division of Aeronautics to see if they'd have any interest in the project. I stopped in to visit with them a year or so ago and they were looking for ideas for a lower elevation airport that would have a longer season than Johnson Creek.

Hello Backcountry Pilots,
If Riggins got as much traffic as the 100 plus airplane events that Johnson Creek has I know the locals wouldn't like it much. I think the key to keeping Idaho's backcountry airstrip's open is consistant "low profile use". The Idaho backcountry airstrips have become an "airborne off-road-park" for a lot of pilots.

It is fun to get together at Johnson Creek as a group, but when 100 + airplanes take off every morning like a flight of locust this is not keeping a low-profile. There are inevitable accidents that occur from these events and the commercial mountain flying schools too. Accidents and the over use factor gives ammunition to the government agencies and enviromental groups who want to shut down these incredible airstrips.

Sorry for the rant,

James