BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING TOURS

EXPERIENCE THE IDAHO BACKCOUNTRY IN THE AIRCRAFT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR IT

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ANYWHERE FROM 1-7 NIGHTS AT BACKCOUNTRY RANCHES

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4-5 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME PER DAY

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10-15 BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS PER DAY

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AVERAGE COST: $2,000 PER DAY

includes airplane, instructor, lodging and meals

OVERVIEW:

Our “Backcountry Training Tours” are multi-day, tank-of-gas loops through the scenic mountains and canyons of the Idaho, Montana and Oregon backcountry.

 These loops are specifically choreographed to offer you a progression of training with an ever-increasing linkage of challenging un-paved airstrips.  Some public, some private.  Some on the map, some not.  Most sloped with one-way approaches and no go-around abort points.  Most shorter than 2000’ and always with an obstacle on at least one end.  With a choice of over 75 backcountry airstrips it’s just a few miles and minutes between strips.  Just enough time to reflect on the last airstrip, enjoy the scenery at low-level following the terrain then adding those new skills just learned to master the next airstrip.

Each night of your training tour will be spent at a different wilderness guest ranch, often only accessible by air or by foot.  We’ll land each afternoon just in time for a late lunch.  You’ll enjoy warm cabins, friendly hosts and arm-chair flying around the campfire under the stars each night.  These backcountry lodges easily compete with the rates of big city hotels yet offer a remarkable experience that can’t be found anywhere else.

Our objective for your mountain training is multi-faceted.  You’ll learn how to make the decisions required to fly into an unfamiliar mountain airstrip.  You’ll learn skills unique to backcountry flying and how to best apply them.  Additionally you’ll learn how to read the terrain to compare that to the operating envelope you’ve explored in the aircraft in order to determine how to safely fly a confined terrain blind traffic pattern in canyons, below mountain peaks; to a stabilized approach over obstacles; to a precision (spot) landing; to a short sloped narrow uneven airstrip; with limited go-around options.  Emphasis will always be on safety, judgment and control.  As a result, you’ll have the knowledge necessary to minimize risk while being introduced to a world not accessible to every pilot.  This unique experience will give you a taste of the backcountry charter (bush) pilot lifestyle.  Only flying out to civilization for gas, ice cream and maybe to check your cell phone.

Our “Backcountry Training Tours” are not only a fun and challenging way to become a better pilot but also offer you an experience many pilots only dream of.  Spend a day or spend a week and gain the skills to allow for a safe return to the backcountry in your own airplane.

Due to insurance constraints, company liability, and training safety considerations, we do not offer “Backcountry” training until the pilot has shown post endorsement proficiency in a Tailwheel Kitfox.
Then allowing for focus and absorption of the new Backcountry skills being taught, rather than still managing tailwheel airplane procedures and techniques.

WHAT WE FLY:

STi version
Series 7 Super Sport version

 

POWERED BY:

 

  • STi (wing) version: Rotax 915 (141 HP) w/ manual-controlled MT constant-speed prop
  • Super Sport (wing) version: Rotax 916 (160 HP) w/ Manual MT prop

INCLUDING:

  • Garmin G3x panels - auto pilot
  • “Stock Flight Systems" - Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) 
  • Flight instruments presented in tape or analog (round gauge) format
  • Bose active noise-cancelling headsets
  • Airframes Alaska “Airstreak” bush tires & T-3 tailwheel suspension.

DEPOSIT & CONTRACT:

We require a $2,000 deposit for every week of training you reserve on our schedule.  Once we receive your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of your reservation.

Your deposit is non-refundable if you cancel within 90 days of your reservation. We will hold the deposit on account for 6 months in the hopes you will reschedule. Once you start your training, the deposit will be used towards your training balance.

A signed contract is required along with your deposit.  Please include when mailing your deposit.

For a Custom single-Kitfox “Backcountry Training Tour” view the steps in the link below.

Custom tour date availability is based on Kitfox, instructor, and Lodge availability – often requiring advanced planning months ahead.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR A BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING TOUR?
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A TAILWHEEL ENDORSEMENT:
“Backcountry Training Tours” are considered advanced training and offered to Kitfox builders and buyers.  Since you will be flying an unfamiliar airplane (the Kitfox) in an unfamiliar environment, proficiency in a Kitfox is required before venturing into the backcountry.  We require this not only for our safety, but also to offer you the most efficient Backcountry Training experience.  This proficiency “Type” training typically takes 1-2 days if already tailwheel endorsed (depending on the tailwheel airplane endorsed-in, the thoroughness of past instruction, and the hours and currency in a tailwheel airplane).

Your familiarity and comfort in the Kitfox will allow you to focus on the new skills you’ll be taught such as:  Close proximity, confined terrain, stabilized approaches – over tall obstacles (hundreds of feet) – to precision (spot) landings – at the end of quite short, narrow, sloped airstrips with limited go-around options (one way).

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TAILWHEEL ENDORSEMENT:

If you are interested in a “Backcountry Training Tour” and are not tailwheel-endorsed, please seek local tailwheel endorsement instruction first. If you are building a Kitfox and can’t find local tailwheel instruction we have (2) Kitfox-specific referrals:

Halterman Aviation – North of Dallas Texas
Halt-av.com

Adventure Flying – seasonally Cascade Idaho and Reno Nevada
Advflying.com

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST FOR A BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING TOUR?

The following is a SAMPLE calculation to help you budget for your Backcountry Training Tour.  PLEASE NOTE:  These calculations will vary with flight hours and lodges as they’re based on averages.

 

Average costs for each night spent in the backcountry:
4 hours of airplane rental ($235/hour) including 6% sales tax @ $249.1/hour = $996.4/day
Flight instruction when staying overnight in the backcountry = $600/day
Lodging averages $300/night per person (charged for both the client and instructor) = $600/night

TOTAL: $2,196.4 per day/night in the backcountry

 

Average costs for your final day/return to our base:
4 hours of airplane rental @ $249.1/hour = $996.4
4 hours of flight instruction @ $100/hour = $400

TOTAL: $1,396.4

 

Note:
One night in the backcountry = two days of training
Two nights in the backcountry = three days of training
etc.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A KITFOX AND AN INSTRUCTOR TO COME TO ME?

Yes, we gladly offer backcountry training at your home airport (you supply the typical canyon or mountain terrain, and un-paved airstrips).  The following is a breakdown of costs:

OUR KITFOX TO YOU:

Ferry costs to bring our Kitfox to you: $10/hour discount
Kitfox rental for training (your home): Posted retail rates
Instructor: $590/day for ferry AND flight training
Plus reimbursement for:  lodging, meals and travel expenses for the instructor.  (The same expenses you would have for yourself, if visiting us).

YOUR KITFOX (you’ve just purchased (new or used)) TO YOUR HOME:

Ferried @ Day Rate (if overnight)
Plus reimbursement for:  FERRY fuel, hangar, FBO ramp fees, and maintenance (as needed), travel expenses.
Plus reimbursement for:  lodging, meals, and travel expenses for the instructor.  (Again, the same expenses you would have for yourself, if ferrying and follow-up training).

This is a great option for those not able to take the time away from home or work, but would still like the opportunity to train with us.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

We are located at Emmett Municipal Airport
Hangar #54
37 miles (road) Northwest of Boise Airport
Click here for directions

WHEN CAN I COME?

Our “Backcountry Training Tours” are typically available during the months of May thru October.  Please complete our contact form and include your proposed training window.  We’ll check the schedule and either confirm or offer availability options.  We book out anywhere from 3-9 months in advance.  The sooner you get in touch, the more likely we’ll be able to accommodate your preferred dates.

WHERE DO I STAY? WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Once you choose your “Backcountry Training Tour” date window, we already have your Wilderness Lodges reserved – and will send you a reimbursement invoice.  However, you will need to book a hotel for your Kitfox Owner Type training occurring the 1-2 days and possibly the last night once returning from the Backcountry (depending on late-in-the-day airline departures home).

 

Click here for our “Guide to Planning Your Trip”.
See our recommendations for lodging, best restaurants, what to bring, and directions to our location

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME TO BOOK MY BACKCOUNTRY TOUR?

BEFORE WE CAN BOOK YOUR BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING TOUR, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH TIME YOU’D LIKE TO SPEND WITH US AND WHAT BACKCOUNTRY LODGES YOU’D LIKE TO STAY AT:

Please review the Lodge Options (located above this FAQ).  Click on their respective website to get a feel of their character and surroundings.  Please understand it is best logistically for us to make the reservations to coordinate with the training and often we get a discount we pass on to you.

Then decide how many nights out on Tour.  Please realize for scheduling the total # of “Days” out in the Backcountry is always one more than the nights chosen based on a day to return to civilization.

Then decide if you want just one night at each lodge and move to another lodge OR do you prefer multiple nights at 1 or 2 lodges – using the lodge like a base camp and venturing out each day in a different cardinal direction.  This is less efficient but possibly a slower pace (eliminating the unpacking/packing each day).

Then consider, the tailwheel proficiency or endorsement training required before we can safely venture into the Backcountry on Tour.

Now you can offer us your preferred date window that will fit your training goals.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DISCUSS MY FUTURE TRAINING?

Due to the focus (and demand) on Backcountry Training, we are overnight in the Backcountry for multiple days. There is no cell service and only limited satellite internet when @ a Wilderness Lodge for the night.  We typically are unable to have timely communications via phone.  Please proceed to our contact form to submit your details. 

HOW TO PREP FOR YOUR TRAINING:

We ask that you show up prepared and motivated in order to get the most from your training experience.  Below are some suggested resources to help you prepare for your backcountry training tour:

 

MOUNTAIN FLYING EDUCATION

AOPA Mountain Flying
AOPA Backcountry Resource Center
AOPA Safety Advisor: Mountain Flying
FAA: Tips on Mountain Flying
NTSB: Mountain Flying Tips and Resources
Mountain Flying Bible by Sparky Imeson
Mountain, Canyon, and Backcountry Flying by Dick Williams & Amy Hoover
Mountain & Canyon Flying Manual
FLY IDAHO airstrip guide

LEARN ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT YOU’LL BE FLYING

Kitfox Aircraft

ROTAX ENGINES IN OUR FLIGHT SCHOOL FLEET

Rotax engines overview
More Rotax engine videos
915is Turbo
915is Turbo (2)

TAILWHEEL PROCEDURES

Short articles on the How & Why:  The Taildragger
Rich Stowell’s opinion (right on):  Tailwheel Transition Training
Airfacts Journal: Why you must fly a taildragger
Tailwheel Checkout Course (online):  Learn Safe Taildragger Flying
The Compleat Taildragger Pilot:  A must for any Tailwheel pilots library
Learn to Turn:  A Stick and Rudder Approach to Reducing Loss of Control

READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING TOUR?