My uncle and I had an incredible time...I think his words were, "The trip of a lifetime!" I have to agree and hope that it won't be my last...if it was, I hope that won't be due to USFS action regarding the BC4...although by my understanding of the wilderness act which created the Frank Church even action on the BC4 will leave all other strips open.

However, I am concerned about the debate we've been having, and by continuing to debate it we are becoming victims of circular reporting and inflaming the issue greater than it is. I'm NOT saying that it ISN'T an issue nor should we not be concerned about it. However, I think our focus should be on supporting IAA/IAF/RAF actions in support of keeping the BC4 open for our use rather than all of this Chicken Little "the sky is falling!" crap.

Interestingly, on the IAA website there is no mention of the BC4 on either their front page: http://idahoaviation.com/ or the first page of the Idaho Airstrip Network section: http://idahoaviation.com/idahoAirstripNetwork.php

Same goes for the IAF's front page: http://idahoaviationfoundation.org/index.php as well as the RAF: http://www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org/

Finally, a Google and Bing search of "Big Creek 4" and "Big Creek Four" shows the only relevant pages/discussions (at least in the first 3 pages of search results) to be on BCP, SC, Shortfield (from 2009) and the RAF websites. We are the only ones talking about it!

All of the above confirms my suspicions that although the issue is a concern, it is not as dire as we have made it out to be.

well said 260, i think u r right on...lets enjoy the summer and go flyin'...! if ur gonna do one of the big 4 and havent already gone there, take a really good local cfi with u so as not to crunch you or your bird. not really the advertising we need to wad up on one of those strips...

Hey guys, I'm glad we all had a GREAT time! Seven new strips for me this year!
I was reflecting on the negative build up before our fly-in and the participation of the 2012 picture thread (about half of what the years before have been).
I donate time and money to the organizations that help keep these great places open for us and will continue to do so.
These groups that we support and most of us agree that we should enter our recreational flying discretely......sneaking through the back door won't last very long.
I wish I was smart enough to fix it.

jomac wrote:well said 260, i think u r right on...lets enjoy the summer and go flyin'...! if ur gonna do one of the big 4 and havent already gone there, take a really good local cfi with u so as not to crunch you or your bird. not really the advertising we need to wad up on one of those strips...

X2!! I agree with both you guys and others that are on the same page. I hadn't had time to do some research myself. But looks like 260Driver took some time and did so. I only got a little wound up because what may have been some false info spreading around. That's all from me on the subject until some facts and real information comes along.

Just hope this forum get's back to normal.

There seems to be a great many people with an over developed sense of the value of their opinions, access to the Internet and no life.

Absolutely brilliant !! Seemingly a universal response to the availability of the web...and now I have joined the movement.

"and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime, regardless of whether people are arguing with each other on the boards and even if the feds show up to watch the party.
In other words, I was really relieved to discover that the entire JC thing still is, and will continue to be for me, one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had as a pilot."
Well said! Thanks to everyone for making this possible and keeping the spirit alive.
So what if the local fsdo sent out some guys to check it out? They're just doing what they do. Big deal! Why get all shook up about it. Does anyone have specific knowledge of the feds intent to shut things down?
Fly safe, carry-on and don't attract negativity. We're the lucky ones, eh?