Wyoming Helicopter Tour Operator Cleared by FAA | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sat, Aug 27, 2022

Wyoming Helicopter Tour Operator Cleared by FAA

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 

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC