Council Hosts Fly-In
The Council airport hosted their third annual fly-in with short takeoff and landing (STOL) clinic on May 2. New this year was the addition of an open house to attract more pilots and show off the airport’s facilities. Airport Manager Kathy Hughes said that 16 planes flew in for the event on Saturday which is about double from what they had last year.
In addition to pilots and planes (and even a gyrocopter!) flying in from Baker City to Nampa, representatives from the city of Council were present, including Mayor Gabe Wilson. Idaho Transportation Department also had representatives on scene from their Aeronautics Division.
Hughes said that they raised $3,500 for the Adams County Pilot’s Association, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. For a $100 donation, donors were given one of the airport’s old runway lights as a keepsake. One of the first projects the fund will help with is a new pergola near the display board and fuel tanks for airplane watchers and others to sit in the shade.
The old airport lights were able to be given to donors because starting May 4 the airport will have new pilot controlled LED lighting installed. Hughes said this was made possible due to a grant from the state. The airport will be closed from May 5 to May 29 while this work is completed.
Next year’s fly-in will be on May 1. Kathy said she is working on making next year even better.
