The next stop in our continued adventure to the Airventure air show was a stop at the Big Sky Thunderbird Club flying field. The club has been located near Missoula, Montana in Frenchtown for some 25 years according to their website.
But today was not to be a normal flying day. The Rock Creek forest fire had broken out in the mountains South of the field. So the field was being used as a staging area to refueling firefighting helicopters. In talking with the refueling crew they were very happy to be able to use the field for the emergency. Can anyone argue with such a noble use of a flying field as aiding in a natural disaster? I think not.
But today was not to be a normal flying day. The Rock Creek forest fire had broken out in the mountains South of the field. So the field was being used as a staging area to refueling firefighting helicopters. In talking with the refueling crew they were very happy to be able to use the field for the emergency. Can anyone argue with such a noble use of a flying field as aiding in a natural disaster? I think not. 