Kalispell hosts Montana Search Pilot Clinic this weekend

Kalispell City Airport will host the 2012 Montana Search Pilot Clinic this weekend, with classes, training flights and evening lesson talks starting Friday and continuing through Sunday.

The clinic is put on by the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division and offers certification for search and rescue pilots and their crew members.

The clinics have been held in Helena for years.

“We welcome them back to Kalispell after being gone for 10 years, and hope they make this their home base for search clinics from now on,” Airport Manager Fred Leistiko said.

Based out of Hangar A5, the search clinic teaches pilots how to find emergency location transmitters and handle in-flight emergencies and also covers survival techniques, emergency medical care and weather. The weekend-long clinic includes hands-on flight training and advanced mountain flying.

About 30 pilots from Montana, Idaho and the Civil Air Patrol signed up for this year’s clinic.  

Montana’s air search and rescue program has certified 480 volunteer pilots around the state, with eight of them always standing by to fly when needed.

Dave Hoerner, chief of the safety and education bureau, rescue coordinator and chief pilot for Montana Aeronautics Division, said he’s glad to see the clinic back in Kalispell.

“It’s the place to put on search and rescue clinics. The airport is in the right spot with high mountains all the way around. And with the restaurants and motels, it’s just the perfect location,” said Hoerner, a former owner of Red Eagle Aviation.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.