PROFICIENCY & EFFICIENCY 102 ADS-B 106 TECHNOLOGY 111 MAINTENANCE 118 NEVER AGAIN >> FLY IDAHO GIVES INFORMATION ON SOME 83 BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS IN THE STATE. Into the wilderness Let's go backcountry flying B Y C R I S TA V I D E R I K S E N W O R T H Y THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS have seen a remarkable increase in the popularity of backcountry flying. While some pilots just need to get somewhere fast, more aviators are discovering the joys of slowing down and taking their airplanes into remote areas for fly-ins or camping, hiking, hunting, or fishing trips. There's nothing like the feeling of descending into a mountain canyon, following the river below, and rolling out onto a gorgeous backcountry airstrip. You park, step out, and smell the pines that tower overhead. All you hear are birds and the river's rapids. You stand in amazement as you realize how quickly your airplane has transplanted you from the city to the wilderness. STEVE DURTSCHI 96 | AOPA PILOT August 2016