The above is the email from Frank Lester. Below is the contents of the letter that was attached. He asked to pass it along.

July 13, 2010

To All Fellow Aviators,

It is our responsibility as pilots to ensure an orderly and safe flow of traffic in and around Idaho’s backcountry airports. The FAA Airport/Facility Directory, the Idaho Division of Aeronautics Airport/Facility Directory, and Galen Hanselman’s Fly Idaho are three sources that provide the most current approach and departure recommendations to the most popular airports. Information passed by word of mouth or over the Internet, although well-intended, can skew these recommendations and inadvertently mislead others into attempting maneuvers beyond their abilities or better judgment.

Recent events indicate that misinformation about the traffic pattern at Johnson Creek is being circulated, creating a potentially unsafe situation. The following is meant to correct any misunderstandings as to what patterns are flown, when, and why.

It was Emma Bryant’s graciousness and generosity that provided the land on which Johnson Creek now sits. The Bryant family, whose ranch house sits on the hill at the south end of the airport, fully supports all flying activities at Johnson Creek. However, they have three requests of those flying into Johnson Creek: First, under normal conditions, make all landings to the south and all takeoffs to the north.

Second, landings to the north are permitted whenever the pilot decides, based on weather and not convenience, that a landing to the south is unsafe or unwarranted. However, offset your base leg to the south and final approach to the east to avoid overflying the house.

Lastly, takeoffs to the south are strongly discouraged: your takeoff path is directly toward the ranch house; you are taking off toward rising terrain; and a marginally performing aircraft, struggling to stay airborne, flying passed their living room window is very disconcerting. In the recent past, high density altitudes led to three accidents and seven fatalities, each aircraft failing to out climb the rising terrain to the south. Unfavorable southerly winds generally occur in the late afternoon when aircraft should remain on the ground until more favorable conditions prevail.

As a courtesy to the Bryant family, we should honor their requests.

One last item: noise is our greatest enemy in the backcountry. Most of the airplanes we fly are noisy and sound travels great distances in the canyons. That sound amplifies tremendously when we fly in formation, make low passes, and multiple takeoffs and landings. Johnson Creek and the nearby village of Yellow Pine represent a cross-section of the local population and those that come to enjoy our pristine mountain beauty. Not all of them are pilots, yet all of us share the same purpose and must find a way to enjoy our pursuits without treading on those of our neighbors.

Please enjoy our airports, but also be considerate.

Sincerely,

Frank W. Lester, Jr.
Safety/Education Coordinator
Idaho Division of Aeronautics

Thanks Cory...short, sweet, and to the point!
HC

franks comments are right on the $...thanks frank.

jomac wrote:franks comments are right on the $...thanks frank.

Yes. Very good points and recommendations.

One more note about departing JC from 35 (departing to the north). I've been taught to side step or climb to the right of runway 17 approach path as soon as you can safely do so, in case some one you didn't hear or see is in the approach path for 17 (of coarse, when possible and safe to do so!!). For some aircraft and the right conditions, this may be possible to do once you clear the tree tops. For me in my 182, I can usually move to the right about halfway down the runway under "Normal Conditions" and load. This is what I was taught and in no way I'm I suggesting everybody or anybody else do this procedure. It's going to be different for every make, model of airplanes and pilot skills. Please back up any of my suggestions with an experienced, professional back country pilot/instructor!!

Edit: Opps, don't forget to be aware of traffic that might be on the left down wind for 17!!

I don't mean to throw another curve ball. And I am NOT a flight instructor or experienced back country pilot. I'm just a yahoo, low time, wish I can fly more pilot!!

actually quite a good idea 58...shootin' the notch if u can is also a good one to keep the heck out of the way of oncoming traffic, or if able and done safely, sometimes turn a left 180 up by the notch, and head south on the high right side so as not to offend the house or others...good idea when heading for smiley or mccall for breky...

I think a six page limit is a good idea for this thread.

Tim

58Skylane wrote:

jomac wrote:franks comments are right on the $...thanks frank.

Yes. Very good points and recommendations.

One more note about departing JC from 35 (departing to the north). I've been taught to side step or climb to the right of runway 17 approach path as soon as you can safely do so, in case some one you didn't hear or see is in the approach path for 17 (of coarse, when possible and safe to do so!!). For some aircraft and the right conditions, this may be possible to do once you clear the tree tops. For me in my 182, I can usually move to the right about halfway down the runway under "Normal Conditions" and load. This is what I was taught and in no way I'm I suggesting everybody or anybody else do this procedure. It's going to be different for every make, model of airplanes and pilot skills. Please back up any of my suggestions with an experienced, professional back country pilot/instructor!!

Edit: Opps, don't forget to be aware of traffic that might be on the left down wind for 17!!

I don't mean to throw another curve ball. And I am NOT a flight instructor or experienced back country pilot. I'm just a yahoo, low time, wish I can fly more pilot!!

Hey 58,

That is pretty common if you watch people fly in and out of there and that is how I fly it too.

so, I take it, the suggestion that the "Bryants should donate the rest of their property and move" was a bit extreme and out of line.

I agree
I dont think I've seen more over reactions and misconceptions on such a easy request.

Fly Around The House Not Over It

which is not only comon curticy but comon sence.
Takeing off to the south and landing to the north, going over the house is the most
dangerous way in and out. going around the house is alot safer and a no brainer.
And some pilots here are advacating to do just that. WOW

Reply I made on the "Accident @ Johnson Creek 7/11/2010" thread:

58Skylane wrote:The one other thing I hadn't read by any one is pattern speeds (unless I missed it). All too often I see and hear planes blasting into the pattern overhead, or downwind. Slow down well before getting close to the strip (at least within a five miles)! Learn/practice slow flight in your plane. This will give you plenty of time to hear and see other aircraft/obstacles possibly in the pattern or on the field. Two notches of flaps and 70-75 MPH usually works good in my 182 (of course, all planes are different).

Also, most all back country airstrip freq. are 122.9. Some can be 122.8 or even 122.7. Before I fly into any unfamiliar strip/airport, I do exactly what Z had mentioned above. I read the sectionals (taking special attention to the topo lines of the canyon/hill lines, if that's the proper term), Google Earth and of coarse, Shortfield.com for any video and pictures. And of course, any advice from local pilots and some trusting souls on this forum.

Nevermind, not sure what the hell I was thinking.

I made the video and even I don't get it.

You rebel
More fun that direction though!