The accident occurred shortly after the pilot, a family friend of the group members, reported an issue with the autopilot and a loss of control.

ADS-B data shows that the trip—which ultimately covered three time zones—originated at 9:24 a.m. EDT from Georgia Regional Airport (KCTJ), stopped at Nebraska City Municipal Airport (KAFK), where a local news outlet reported it took on 200 to 300 gallons of fuel, and departed for Billings Logan International Airport in Montana at noon CDT.

About two hours into the flight, while cruising at 26,000 feet, tracking data shows a series of altitude, speed, and heading fluctuations. The pilot reportedly told controllers he had an autopilot issue and was losing control.

At one point, the ADS-B data recorded on FlightAware showed a descent rate of 5,545 feet per minute. The airplane crashed near the town of Gillette, Wyoming, about 1 p.m. MDT, sparking a small fire that was reportedly quickly contained. No one on the ground was injured.

The pilot was identified as Larry Haynie, board chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections. The 2010 model, 11-seat PC-12/47E (N357HE) was registered to Haynie Enterprises of Henderson, Nevada, on August 31, 2020. Haynie’s wife, Melissa Haynie, was also on board.

Among the other passengers were three members of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame quartet, The Nelons, as reported to the Associated Press by the fourth member of the group. The victims included Kelly Nelon Clark, co-founder of the group, and her husband and band member, Jason Clark. Their daughter, Amber Nelon Kistler, also a member of the group, was killed, as was her husband, Nathan Kistler. Melodi Hodges, identified as a family friend, was the seventh victim. The fourth member of the quartet, daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, confirmed the identities to AP.

“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday,” Autumn Nelon Streetman said in a statement. “Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”

According to a statement from the Gaither Music Group, which features a number of gospel performers including the Nelons, the final destination was Seattle, where the group was to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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The helicopters, which are manufactured by partners Boeing and Leonardo, are scheduled to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1N Hueys that perform missions such as off-base nuclear weapons convoy surveillance and routine missile site support. The service has operated the military variant of the Bell 212 since 1970.

• READ MORE: MH-139A Grey Wolf Training Unit Activates at Maxwell AFB

“Aircrew from the 550th Helicopter Squadron took the MH-139 for a spin yesterday, marking the occasion as the Grey Wolf’s first flight from Malmstrom AFB,” Air Force Global Strike Command said in a March 21 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The squadron activated last year and is responsible for Air Force Global Strike Command’s training and conversion to the MH-139 Grey Wolf. The first helicopter arrived at the air base earlier this month.

• READ MORE: Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf Progresses into Flight Testing

“The aircraft will play a crucial role in a variety of missions, including intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) security operations, search and rescue efforts, and personnel transport,” the Air Force said.

The Air Force, which initially planned to order 80 MH-139s, has reduced its projected buy to 42, Air and Space Forces Magazine recently reported. Malmstrom AFB is one of three ICBM bases where the helicopter will be stationed. Malmstrom, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Minot AFB, North Dakota, will each receive 11 of the aircraft.

Grey Wolf in a Blue Sky

Aircrew from the 550th Helicopter Squadron took the MH-139 for a spin yesterday, marking the occasion as the Grey Wolf’s first flight from Malmstrom AFB. @usairforce @US_STRATCOM @BoeingDefense pic.twitter.com/xdXXjVoamb

— Air Force Global Strike Command (@AFGlobalStrike) March 21, 2024

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The Silo House fly-in rental in Kalispell is conveniently situated near the area’s attractions but benefits from its tranquil location at Sky Ranch Airport (MT95). The increasingly popular accommodation is owned by Tom Bass and Susan Jasmann, longtime residents of the area who individually share a passion for aviation and horses.

“We opened the Silo House four years ago,” Bass said. “Two months later, COVID hit and every reservation was canceled. We thought we were going to go broke but actually did quite well during the pandemic because of what you can do here.

“Montana’s number one economic source is recreation, and people flock here because of all the things to do. People that stay at the Silo House for a week spend two or three days at Glacier [National] Park and the rest with all the activities Flathead Valley has to offer. There are places to ride horses, fly fish, hike, float the rivers, zip lines, rent RVs or boats, and many other things. Flathead Lake, which is only 2 miles from the Silo House, is 50 miles long and is about 6 miles wide on average.”

The fly-in rental features a unique architectural style. It is a memorable starting point for a pilot’s adventures in northwest Montana.

“One of the four lots we own was the original farmhouse for the section of land that MT95 is built on,” Bass said. “The farmhouse was 100 years old, and we took it down to the studs and doubled its size. The farmer’s original grain bins on the lot needed to be repurposed and the Silo House was born. All of the exterior is rock, barnwood, and silos. The interior is industrial modern with dramatic steel beams, lots of glass, stunning views, and custom wood furniture. With the patio, an acre of grass, and stunning views: This is the place you want to come home to at the end of the day. The initial goal of the house from day one was to be designed from the ground up as a vacation rental.”

• READ MORE: Keller Brothers Airport Remains a Family Affair

The project’s website provides an overview of its amenities.

“The Silo House has an open floor plan with plenty of room to entertain, with windows overlooking a wetlands pond and the dramatic Rocky Mountains,” he said. “There are two large bedrooms with comfy king-size beds, a round loft with three twins (for kids or adults), two bathrooms, and private study with a twin which is in the silo over the master bedroom. A round fully stocked kitchen is a phenomenal place to cook, and there is a stunning bar area. The beautiful rustic wood kitchen table comfortably seats 10.

“You can enjoy your cup of coffee in front of the fireplace or out on the beautifully appointed patio, which has an outdoor bar area and fire pit for both summer and winter nights. Also, bring your binoculars for sightings of all sorts of animal life, bird watching, and horses in the pasture next door.”

Bass contends that the unique project has continued to be successful, post-pandemic, for several reasons. More than anything, having a rental home with direct runway access is a rarity in northwest Montana. Pilots have taken notice of the ease of taxiing to their accommodation.

• READ MORE: Fly-In Camping at River Bend Aero Ranch

As a point of reference, Kalispell City Airport (S27) is 6 nm northwest, and Glacier Park International (KGPI) is 12 nm to the north of Sky Ranch Airport. When you land at the Silo House, your hosts will take you to one of several car rental locations and help with your luggage.

Bass, a Cessna 180 owner, offered an overview of some of the notable airstrips in the area. He is happy to help curate a list of “must-sees” for pilots visiting, both on land and the water. He has been to Alaska 15 times on floats and frequented many of the Idaho backcountry strips. If you need help in planning your dream flying adventure, he will be there to help you.

“I am familiar with all of the local runways around here, including backcountry runways,” he said. “There are four backcountry runways less than 40 miles away that all have great camping locations. Three of them—Schafer, Meadow Creek, and Spotted Bear—are a few hundred feet away from spectacular fly fishing spots. Flights over the mountains in this area will give you breathtaking views.

• Spotted Bear (8U4) – 27 miles; 3,672 feet msl; 3,800-foot runway
• Meadow Creek (0S1) – 35 miles; 3,993 feet msl; 2,800-foot runway
• Schafer (8U2) – 38 miles; 4,854 feet msl; 3,200-foot runway
• Ryan Field (2MT1) – 23 miles; 3,660 feet msl; 2,500-foot runway

“These backcountry strips are all in the mountains and should only be attempted by pilots with mountain flying experience. For those that are not seasoned backcountry pilots, there are instructors around here that seriously know what they are doing. They know what they’re doing because daily they help a lot of people who are flown into these strips as a place to start their hikes.”

The well-manicured grass runway at Sky Ranch Airport is much less intimidating to the visiting pilot, sitting at an estimated 2,905 feet msl. According to Bass, 100LL fuel is typically available for guests so that they don’t have to fly to another airport to fill up. 

“MT95 is the biggest grass strip in Montana,” he said. “It’s 5,000 feet long and 220 feet wide, but we have designated a 50-foot taxiway on each side. There are no obstacles, so it is easy to get in and out of.”

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The recent deal adds to the company’s U.S. SAF sales through its FBO at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), which began in 2019. Jet Aviation, which is a unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), said it plans to continue expanding SAF availability at its facilities. The company also offers SAF at FBOs in Amsterdam and Singapore.

• READ MORE: Gulfstream Aerospace Completes First Transatlantic Flight on 100 Percent SAF

“I am delighted to be able to offer customers traveling to Bozeman, Scottsdale, and Van Nuys the choice to fuel with SAF on-site,” said Richard Layson, vice president of regional FBO operations with Jet Aviation. “As two of the newest additions to our FBO network, Bozeman and Scottsdale represent our continued efforts to offer our customers a range of services. We will continue to partner to increase SAF access and availability across our network in areas where our supplies are easily accessible.”

Jet Aviation said it is committed to contributing to the aviation industry’s efforts toward cutting carbon emissions. The agreement with World Fuel is an example of the collaboration needed for success, the company said.

• READ MORE: Stockton Airport Partners with Atlantic Aviation, Avfuel to Offer SAF on Demand

“We are proud to partner with Jet Aviation in enabling increased access to SAF supply across their FBO network,” said Brad Hurwitz, senior vice president of fuel supply and trading at World Fuel Services. “Through actions such as these, we are collectively showing the power of collaboration in helping achieve the aviation industry’s 2050 net-zero goals. At World Fuel Services, we are focused on broadening the availability of lower carbon alternatives, and we see SAF as a key enabler for taking immediate action to support the decarbonization of air travel.”

Based in Miami, World Fuel Services is a unit of World Kinect Corp. (NYSE: WKC), a global fuel and energy management company.

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Military officials suspect the high-altitude balloon, initially spotted Wednesday in Montana, is of Chinese origin, NPR reported. The state is home to Malmstrom Air Force Base, one of the nation’s three nuclear missile silo fields.

“The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday during a press briefing. “The U.S. government, to include NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command), continues to track and monitor it closely.”

• READ MORE: How High Do Planes Fly?

The balloon was traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic as of Thursday, “and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground,” Ryder said.

It’s also not a new strategy, according to the Department of Defense.

“Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information,” Ryder said.

A senior defense official would not comment on the spy balloon’s exact size, saying it was large enough to lead to damage on the ground if it was shot down. 

“We did assess that it was large enough to cause damage from the debris field if we downed it over an area,” the official said. “I can’t really go into the dimension — but there have been reports of pilots seeing this thing, even though it’s pretty high up in the sky. So … it’s sizable.” 

This is a developing story.

The post Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Detected Over the U.S. appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Of the sites, 63 have “national park” as part of their official names, and this is the category from which we chose our list of six with nearby airports that make them ideal destinations for general aviation pilots. Of course, there are many more that are just as flyable.

The idea is to avoid being overwhelmed by the number of choices and just start planning visits. See how many you can fly to in a year, and then keep going.

Be sure to check the National Park Service website for information about park conditions, temporary road closures, guided tours, and suggestions that can help you plan the visit.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Airport (KWYS), West Yellowstone, Montana

This is the biggie, the top dog, the first national park, having opened in 1872, and the one people tend to think of first. It covers 2.2 million acres and has a diversity of wildlife and landscapes, and a wealth of geysers. The airport has an 8,400-foot runway and sits only about three miles from the west entrance to the park. The airport closes for the winter, so check its status before planning to fly in. 

Glacier National Park

Glacier Park International Airport (KFCA), Kalispell, Montana

Known for Going to the Sun Mountain—a peak of more than 9,600 feet in the Lewis Range—the park also has a road of the same name with dramatic scenery. Hikers can explore more than 700 miles of trails. During the summer, Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille tribal members share knowledge of their history and culture as part of the “Native America Speaks” program, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park Airport (KGCN), Tusayan, Arizona

Just about everyone wants to see this magnificent hole in the ground. To make the most of your flying privileges and the airport’s convenient location, it is best to avoid visiting during busy times like spring break or during peak hours in the summer. Lines at entry points tend to get long between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The airport is two miles from the park entrance and seven miles from the South Rim, which is currently open (the North Rim is still closed for the winter season). 

Everglades National Park

Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport (X51), Homestead, Florida

Boating, fishing, and paddling canoes and kayaks are among the popular activities for visitors, who need to be especially careful to respect the many species that live in the area. The instruction to “stay at least 15 feet from alligators and crocodiles” leaps off the page listing various warnings about wildlife. The airport is less than 10 miles from the park’s eastern entrance. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Kent State University Airport (1G3), Kent, Ohio

Known as a refuge for native wildlife and plants, the park also has a transportation history theme. Visitors can walk or ride bikes on a trail that is part of the old Ohio and Erie Canal towpath. The park’s trails total more than 125 miles and include part of the statewide Buckeye Trail. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway offers rides through the park on a vintage train from the 1940s.

Acadia National Park

Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport (KBHB), Trenton, Maine

It’s less than 10 miles from the airport to the park, which borders bustling Bar Harbor but offers quiet escapes on miles of forest hiking trails. Acadia is a particular joy for bicyclists, who can tour for hours on the park’s 45 miles of carriage, a gift from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., built between 1913 and 1940. You can also ride or drive up Cadillac Mountain for dramatic views of the harbor and surrounding hills.

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