Wind River Air Owner-Pilot Vindicated

In a remarkable instance that hints at vestiges of temperance and circumspection within a U.S. governmental agency, the Federal Aviation Administration has closed an investigation into a complaint against Wyoming helicopter operator Wind River Air, thereby laying to rest spurious allegations that scenic tour operator and pilot Tony Chambers violated FAA rules by overflying Gros Ventre Wilderness and National Elk Refuge at excessively low altitudes.

FAA aviation safety investigator Derek Smith of the Denver Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) stated in a June 2022 letter: “The outcome of our investigation indicates that there was insufficient evidence to determine that a possible violation of the Code of Federal Regulations by Wind River Air LLC occurred.”

The complaint against Wind River Air—and by extension, Mr. Chambers—was made by Joe Albright, co-owner of the Flat Creek Ranch, a dude ranch located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Albright—via the Jackson Hole Airport Board, to which he has reportedly submitted numerous gripes—accused Mr. Chambers of “routinely flying at unacceptably low altitudes” over sensitive wildlife areas. Albright alleged the flights in question disturbed wildlife and the peace and quiet he believes people hope to find within the wilderness.

“The flights I have highlighted here are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of the persistent problem of WRA’s low-altitude flights over noise-sensitive public lands inside and just outside the park,” Albright wrote. “These public lands are prime habitat for bears, elk, deer, moose, eagles, pronghorn antelope, hawks, and sage grouse. They are also some of the most beautiful places in the world where humans should be able to find solitude.”

That his dude ranch—which lies in the Gros Ventre Range near the helicopter flight paths—profits by public perception of its environs being part and parcel of an idyllic, primordial paradise went unmentioned in Albright’s varied and vehement complaints.

Of Albright’s allegations, Mr. Chambers remarked: “It has absolutely no impact whatsoever. Over the course of the last four years, I think there’s been close to a dozen complaints. Of all, there’s never been a violation or an issue with the FAA. Enough is enough as far as I’m concerned. Albright has personal commercial interest in trying to damage my business.”

Bears, elk, deer, moose, eagles, pronghorn antelope, hawks, and sage grouse indigenous to the Gros Ventre Range did not respond to Aero-News inquiries pursuant to the matter.

FMI: www.windriverair.com