Take flight with pancakes

BONNERS FERRY — Imagine being able to fly to eat out on a whim. Load up the airplane with family and friends, and take a quick trip to an ocean-front restaurant and eat freshly caught seafood.

The regulars at the Boundary County Airport have no problem making a quick jaunt down to breakfast at their favorite restaurants early in the morning during the week. Some of these folks are involved not only in their flying hobby, but assisting with teaching others the in’s and out’s of flying and the benefits it brings.

With licensed pilots becoming more rare, there is a larger demand for those qualified to operate an airplane, making it an adventurous career.

In December of 2018, Kambiz Kamiab was appointed president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), following in the footsteps of his predecessor who decided to move on with another chapter in life.

“We have a very small club here,” said Kamiab. “There are very few regular members, but we have a lot of volunteers at the breakfasts to help us raise money.”

The Young Eagles is a program in place at the Boundary County Airport that gives learners the opportunity to get up into the air and get a feel for how the airplane works and flies.

“EAA has multiple reasons for existence,” said Kamiab. “It originally started out for people that wanted to build experimental aircraft to have a forum where they can share ideas and knowledge.”

The EAA has been an organization for many years supporting youth and adults in their flying adventures, be it building or learning to operate an aircraft.

The Bonners Ferry Chapter 757 of EAA was established about 15 years ago, and with there being a need for their knowledge and services, there are not many members.

The previous president of the club was the only one who had attempted the task of manufacturing an experimental aircraft.

“He did that to create more interest in the club,” said Kamiab. “Unfortunately, people around here were either too busy, too many things to do, some don’t live here year round, so we just don’t have a lot of attraction. However, as far as fundraising and scholarships, we are a lot more successful here.”

In comparison to other places, Boundary County has raised eyebrows in surprise as to the amount generated by their ‘summer’ monthly fundraiser. The community hears of a need and money toward a good cause, and jumps on board to help. They have a huckleberry pancake breakfast the last Saturday of each month from May through September.

They give out about $2,500 in scholarships to each student, and they currently have five, putting this chapter at about $11,000 in scholarships for their students.

They have five students currently, one young lady is going through ground school and taking private flying lessons. Two students finished ground school and have yet to begin the flying schooling. Another student has taken ground schooling and is in flying lessons. Last, but not least, is the student who is going for her second license.

The first license means that one can fly at night or during the day during clear conditions, the secondary license means that the pilot can safely operate the aircraft in low visibility conditions and basically navigate from the aircraft control systems.

“The second lessons are about Instrument Flight Requirements (IFR), which is where you can fly with your instruments, because once you’re in the clouds, you can’t see anything and your ear lies to you, you think your going too fast, so you pull up and start turning.”

The Pancake breakfasts bring funding in for the EAA program and through that, people are able to be encouraged and learn to fly, which is a skillset that is in ever growing demand.

The next breakfast will be Aug. 31 from 8-10 a.m. at the Boundary County Airport. For more information visit www.757.eaachapter.org or call 208-267-3711.