August 2012
WHAT MAKES A PERFECT FLY-IN DESTINATION?
Of course, a good on-field restaurant is a great starting point, but going beyond the average hundred-dollar hamburger, it’s nice to have a museum or other on-field attraction. And if the field is located near one of North America’s top recreational spots, so much the better!
Driggs-Reed Memorial (KDIJ), just a mile or so west of the Idaho-Wyoming border, meets all these requirements. It has an upscale restaurant that goes well beyond the typical airport diner, a small but well-organized museum, and it’s just a short flight from Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Kate and I visited Driggs on the way home from our vacation trip to Jackson Hole last summer, but if you find yourself in the area, it’s an ideal location for a weekend fly-out.
WARBIRDS CAFÉ AND MUSEUM
Starting with the food, Warbirds Café is one of the nicest on-field restaurants I’ve seen, with a full bar and décor including reproduction nose art from a variety of famous aircraft. The lunch menu (available from 11:00 a.m. daily) includes burgers, other sandwiches, soup and salads.
We happened to visit on a Friday, and opted for an appetizer platter of smoked trout which was easily enough for two. Others who have eaten there say the steaks and fish on the dinner menu (from 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday) are excellent.
Right next door is the museum, which includes some 14 aircraft—although, since all are flyable, some may not be on the field when you visit. We saw the U.S. Navy N3N biplane and T-2 Buckeye trainers, a MiG-17, and an L-39C that once belonged to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
The collection also includes two Grumman flying boats: an Ex-Navy Albatross search and rescue aircraft and a Mallard upgraded with turboprop engines. Also on display are an ex-Soviet MiG-15 UTI two-seat trainer and the only FJ-4B Fury jet fighter still in flying condition.
Besides the museum, you’re sure to see a few Aviat Husky aircraft on the field, since Teton Aviation (the local FBO) is a Husky dealer—and you may see some other unusual aircraft. We watched an odd-looking twin come in for landing that turned out to be a Polish PZL M28 Skytruck, used as a parachute jump airplane.
Teton Aviation also runs a flight school that offers scenic tours (in powered aircraft or gliders) and mountain flying training along with the usual ground and flight instruction.
THE CITY OF DRIGGS
Off-field, Driggs is a small town (just 1,100 residents) with an unusually wide range of amenities due to its location adjacent to the Grand Tetons resort area. Skiing and mountain biking are major local activities, and the town has an arts center and sponsors outdoor musical concerts in the summer.
If you’re planning a trip to Jackson Hole, the Teton range of the Rocky Mountains and/or Yellowstone National Park, Driggs is worth considering as an alternative to West Yellowstone (KWYS) or Jackson Hole (KJAC), particularly if you’re arriving from the west—the field elevation is high at 6,231 feet, but you don’t have to cross the Tetons to reach the field. Driggs is significantly less expensive than Jackson Hole ($5.99 vs. $6.70 per gallon for 100LL, as this is written), and unlike West Yellowstone, it’s open year-round.
On a VFR day, Driggs is easily reached from the west (you may want to deviate a little north to avoid high terrain). Arriving from the west or northwest will set you up on a 45 for right traffic to Runway 21, preferred in calm winds. IFR arrival is possible if you’re GPS equipped—the only available approaches are RNAV (GPS) Rwy 03 or –A.
Before contemplating either of those, I’d suggest some time spent studying the plate, en route chart and sectional. Due to high terrain, airways in the vicinity have MEAs ranging from 14,000 to 15,300 MSL.
For anyone flying in the Teton Valley, I highly recommend Driggs, whether for a quick bite to eat or as a base from which to explore the area!
John D. Ruley is an instrument-rated pilot, freelance writer, and holds a master’s degree from the University of North Dakota Space Studies program (space.edu). He is a volunteer pilot with ligainternational.org, which operates medical missions in northwest Mexico. He is also a member of the board of directors of Mission Doctors Association (missiondoctors.org). Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
RESOURCES >>>>>
Teton Aviation
(Warbirds Café and Warbird Collection)
tetonaviation.com
City of Driggs, Idaho
driggs.govoffice.com
Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce (Lodging, Activities)
tetonvalleychamber.com
