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MSO GA NEWS Summer 2014
Transportation of accident victims and patients
requiring specialized critical care throughout Montana is
now being provided by an air medical program based at
the Missoula International Airport. Northwest MedStar
and its aviation operator Metro Aviation, Inc. began
operations on April 2, 2014.
Providence St. Patrick Hospital, with input from
Community Medical Center, entered into an agreement
with Northwest MedStar to provide critical care transport
services, previously provided by the Life Flight air
ambulance program. Both air medical programs utilized
services from Metro Aviation, Inc. of Shreveport,
Louisiana.
The air ambulance
programs of Missoula have
gone through transitions that
parallel those that occurred
more than twenty years ago in
Spokane, where the leadership
at two hospital systems agreed
to merge separate air
emergency medical programs
into one. The reason for
Spokane’s merge is in line
with Missoula’s - offer greater
efficiency and functionality in
providing critical care transport
services.
Northwest MedStar, the preferred provider of critical
care transport for St. Pat’s and Community hospitals, is
building on the quality reputation the former program was
See Metro (Continued on page 3)
“Inside this issue”
Aviation has a place at the National Museum of Forest Service History, p. 4
MSO’s great digs: East GA ramp and an outdoor deck at the Terminal, p. 5
Homestead Helicopters expansion, Museum of Mountain Flying, p. 5
GA BBQ Saturday, September 20, noon to 4 PM: Don’t miss it! p. 6
West Fork Lodge airstrip: Don’t miss it either! p. 7
The Missoula Airport Authority’s Honorary Commissioner is a respected and
informed presence at the Airport’s Board meetings. As are all Commission members,
Louie is attentive, informed, and up to date on Airport business. His active interest at
the age of 93 years is a bit unusual. He brings to the table a background rich in unique
experiences few would guess from his quiet, modest participation at Board meetings.
Louie grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and as a high school student was a member of
the Naval Reserve. He attended the University of Nebraska where his Reserve
experience led to leadership positions in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.
With the encouragement of his superiors, Louie applied for the Naval Academy and
was accepted.
His training as a Naval Midshipman was in the field of engineering. With his vision
not being 20/20 he was selected for a specialty in the Supply Corps, which is the
business and logistics arm of the Navy. After graduating from the Academy he attended
Harvard Business School along with 75 or so other Navy personnel for training as a
Supply Officer.
During active duty Louie served as Supply Officer aboard a destroyer, troop ship, and hospital ship. His duties
See Knudsen (Continued on page 2)
Metro Aviation and Northwest MedStar at MSO By Gary Matson
Louie Knudsen Brings Unique Experience to Airport Board Meetings By Gary Matson
Missoula Airport Authority Honorary Commissioner Louie Knudsen. Gary Matson photo.
Metro Aviation Lead Fixed Wing Pilot Ken Griffith. Gary Matson photo.
Page 2
included procurement of all the equipment, spare parts,
clothing, and general supplies needed for his ship.
Assignment to his first ship, the destroyer USS Gatling
(named after the inventor of the gatling gun), came near the
end of the war. He boarded the destroyer in Honolulu as it
was headed for the shipyard for repairs. After its return to
sea, it fired its guns on a Wake Island Japanese
emplacement but was not involved in major action before
the end of the war.
After the end of the war,
Louie was assigned to the
troop ship Deuel, which
carried military personnel on
maneuvers. It was during his
third ship assignment, on the
USS Haven, that he
encountered an experience of
a lifetime: Atomic bomb testing in the Marshall Islands.
Operation Crossroads was conducted to evaluate the
effects of an atomic bomb like the one dropped on
Nagasaki, Japan. The USS Haven was a WWII hospital
ship converted to provide quarters and laboratory space for
scientists studying the effects of the atomic explosions. On
the day of the test, July 25, 1947, 900 guests including
Congressmen and dignitaries were aboard the Haven at its
observation location out to sea some distance from the
target area. The Navy’s target area was ninety Five ships
anchored in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll. Two bombs were
detonated. The first was dropped from a B-29 and
exploded 500 feet above the surface. A second exploded
underwater, sending skyward a column of sea water and
spray. The tests helped answer the world’s questions about
this new and spectacularly lethal weapon. To have
witnessed these tests as Louie did was indeed an
experience of a lifetime!
After serving on the Haven, Louie was stationed at the
Navy’s Regional Accounts Office in Washington, D.C. His
duties included handling accounts for military contractors
and managing travel expenses for Navy personnel. His
service included work in a special department that
collected amounts of excess profits from contractors and
requiring these amounts to be paid back to the government.
During Louie’s service in Washington, D.C. he met his
future wife, Elaine. She was the daughter of Vladimir K.
Zworykin, an engineer, inventor, and pioneer of color
television. After their marriage in 1949, Louie and Elaine
lived in several cities because the Navy’s standard tour of
duty was two years. They raised four children, each being
born in a different city and each attending at least two
different schools.
One son, Peter, was born in Iran in a U.S. Army
hospital across the street from the Shah of Iran’s palace.
Louie served in Iran as an advisor on the several support
ships provided to the Shah by the U.S. Navy.
At the end of his 20-year Navy career, Louie went to
work for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena,
California. As in the Navy, he was involved with logistics
at JPL. Under contract to NASA, JPL engaged in “Task
Orders” for the design and conduct of projects in
unmanned space exploration. One program involved the
“slingshot” effect. That is, a spacecraft is directed to a spot
where a planet’s gravity would accelerate and redirect (as a
slingshot) the spacecraft to a another planet farther out in
the Solar System. Examples of successful programs using
this effect are Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
Louie’s career at JPL spanned 24 years. After JPL, he
and Elaine moved to Missoula where their son, Peter, and
daughter, Valerie lived. Louie heard from an acquaintance
about an opening on the Missoula Airport board. The
position sounded interesting with needs that closely
matched those of his military and JPL careers so he applied
and was accepted. During his 16 years as an active Board
member Louie served as Chairman for a year. He became
an Honorary Board Member about 6 years ago and still
regularly attends meetings, occasionally offering a
comment or observation. Thank you, Louie, for your
service to your Country, science, and your communities!
Knudsen (Continued from page 1)
From an anniversary publication of the U.S. Naval Academy.
From the book documenting “Operation Crossroads.”
Page 3
known for. The same critical care team configuration, a
registered nurse and nationally registered paramedic, staff
each transport.
The Metro Aviation staff at MSO remains the same.
Metro Aviation has been the aviation services provider and
operator to St. Pat’s since 2000 and to Northwest MedStar
since 1994. Northwest MedStar will continue to serve
Missoula’s hospitals as well as others in the state. Each
medical facility keeps a list of contacts for emergency
medical transportation need. MedStar responds to requests
from all regional medical facilities and EMS
organizations.
With the base being relocated to MSO, all MedStar and
Metro modes of transport and staff are now stationed at
their leased hangar. MedStar medical teams are housed at
Minuteman; fixed wing and helicopter pilots in the hangar.
Metro employs 4 fixed wing pilots and 4 helicopter pilots
as well as additional maintenance staff. MedStar medical
personnel will reach 16 when staffing is complete.
Northwest MedStar invested in a new Airbus (formerly
Eurocopter) EC 135 helicopter for its Missoula base. The
helicopter replaces an AStar AS350 . The twin engine
EC135 offers some advantages to the AStar.
On the fixed wing aircraft side, Metro currently flies a
1984 Beechcraft King Air. A new Pilatus PC12NG aircraft
is being considered. The Pilatus’ turbine powerplant is
among the most reliable in the industry and has a state of
the art avionics suite, more capacity for an additional
patient or family member, and greater short-field
capability. Patients can be brought through a large rear
cargo hatch and moved by an overhead crane instead of
manually, a great help to EMS personnel.
Air ambulance services to the Montana region remain
unchanged. The helicopter responds to on-scene accidents
and emergencies. The fixed wing aircraft accommodates
patients needing longer distance transports and during
inclement weather when the helicopter is unable to fly.
MedStar also provides critical care ground transports.
Patients are transported to the most appropriate facility to
provide the needed care. This decision is based upon the
medical providers on scene or in the hospitals.
Lead FW Pilot Ken Griffith could not say enough about
his employer, Metro Aviation for whom he has worked
since 1999. Prior to that time, he was a contract pilot to
UPS and has flown extensively throughout Montana.
His experience has made him very aware of the
importance of aviation safety, an awareness that is
prevalent in the safety conscious culture of Metro and its
crews. Here is a quote from a letter to Metro aviators from
the company president on the subject of safety: “…despite
a strong safety culture, advancements in technology, and
advanced training – the decisions made by our crews
before and during a flight remain the key to our success.”
Those of us who have the pleasure of sharing interest
and activity at MSO can expect to see continued growth
and development at the Metro hangar site. For more
information about Metro and MedStar:
http://www.metroaviation.com/
https://www.nwmedstar.org/
Metro (Continued from page 1)
Metro Lead Fixed Wing Pilot and RIC (Rider in Command) Ken Griffith shows good “cockpit resource management” by cycling with a proficiency consultant. Also shown is a Pilatus PC-12NG which Metro expects to someday be using in place of its MSO-based Beechcraft
King Air. Photo courtesy of Metro’s Nicole Stewart. ☺
Metro’s Airbus/Eurocopter EC 135. Photo courtesy of Metro Aviation.
Page 4
A robust national historical and educational
development neighboring the Airport is well underway
just northwest of the departure end of Runway 29. A multi
-faceted, 36 acre museum campus will include an
impressive structure, the National Conservation Legacy
and Education Center. There has never before been a
central place where Forest Service historical artifacts
could be stored, preserved, displayed, and interpreted. The
mission of the Museum and its Center is to provide a place
for the stories and artifacts of the Forest Service and its
conservation legacy.
Those of us familiar with our Missoula International
Airport (MSO) know about the essential and growing role
aviation plays in the Forest Service. MSO GA News staff
Gary and Judy Matson recently enjoyed a visit at the
Museum campus with Dave Stack, Museum Vice
President and
Executive Director.
Dave himself has an
aviation connection.
He served in the
Navy as a CIC Watch
Officer & Bridge
Watch Officer aboard
the aircraft carrier
USS America CVA-
66 before he began
his full career with the
Forest Service. Now
“retired,” he is the
Museum’s full time Director.
Dave brought along a unique aviation historical artifact:
A panel from the fuselage of the first “Flying Fire Truck,”
the Boeing Stearman Caydet N75081. The year was 1955.
Dave gave us documents describing a pioneering event.
Forest Service Fire Control Officer Joe Ely had witnessed
the loss of 15 firefighters in a major Mendocino National
Forest wildfire. “Ranger Joe” knew there had to be a way
to fight fires without such loss of life. He asked crop
dusters Floyd and Vance Nolta (Willows Flying Service,
Willows, California) if they could modify their Stearman
crop duster to drop water. They could, and they did. After
successful tests the aircraft made the first airdrops on
wildfires. It later became Air Tanker No. 1.
The Stearman panel and thousands of other artifacts are
currently being stored in Forest Service warehouses and in
the Museum’s offices now housed on 14th street in the
structure that was once the Missoula trolley barn. Among
the more unusual artifacts is a wedding dress made from a
parachute. During WWII, some conscientious objectors
served as Smokejumpers. One of these fellows took his
parachute home with him to Ohio after his service. His
bride used the fine silk fabric for her wedding dress.
Artifacts like these come to the museum when donors
discover it as a place for their historical pieces.
Aviation dreams? There are some. One idea is to
construct a small aircraft parking area adjacent to the
Museum and accessible to fly-in pilots and their
passengers. It could even include a camping area (in our
dreams!). Another link between the airport and the
Museum could come via an extension of the frontage road
beyond the Smokejumper base and Fire Lab. Another idea
is a visitors’ shuttle from the FBO’s or terminal to the
museum. As always, the realization of these dreams will
depend largely upon funding.
Want to take a look at the present Museum? Go
almost exactly 1 mile west past the Airport Broadway
entrance. Turn left into a driveway just past the brick
DeSmet School building. The site is not yet open to the
public, so the gate is locked. However, you can see the
broad acreage and two structures now on site. One is a
Bungalow Ranger Station Cabin moved from the
Clearwater National Forest in Idaho. It was beautifully
remodeled by Museum volunteers and will eventually be
furnished to show visitors how a USFS Ranger and his
family lived and shared duties as forest managers and
caretakers. A second structure visible from the gate is the
Fire Lookout of the type found in the 1930s. It was a
display for the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival, moved
and reconstructed here.
The Museum has gotten good traction in its $14.5
million fundraising effort. About $4 million has been
raised so far. Once there are enough funds, the National
Conservation Legacy and Education Center will be built. It
will house exhibits, meeting rooms, classrooms, a theater,
and other facilities. It will be a “green building” with
LEED Gold Certification. Its construction, climate
See Museum (Continued on page 6)
Aviation and the National Museum of Forest Service History By Gary Matson
National Museum of Forest Service History Executive Director Dave Stack and the Bungalow Ranger Cabin relocated from Idaho’s Clearwater National Forest. Gary Matson photo.
Fuselage panel from Forest Service Tanker No. 1, a Boeing Stearman Caydet converted sprayplane which made the first successful water drops on a wildfire. Gary Matson photo.
Page 5
The most attractive new digs award goes to the
recently completed outdoor deck upstairs at the terminal’s
gate area. Passengers waiting to depart now have a close-up
view of aircraft and airport operations while enjoying
outdoor leisure and snacks. The deck is another example of
the continuing efforts to make our Airport a most pleasant
travel companion. The number of airports nationwide
having outdoor observation decks can be counted on the
fingers of one hand. Two of them, Atlanta (ATL) and New
York (JFK), have decks accessible only to Delta Sky Club
members. Ours is open to all the air traveling public.
Two construction seasons later the east GA ramp
reconstruction near Northstar Jet has been completed!
Runway 25/7 is again open after having been closed during
construction but having served admirably as a taxi route to
Runway 29/11.
Digging never seems to stop at our progressive and
developing Airport! Further east ramp GA construction is
now underway with completion expected sometime this fall.
The reconstruction will enable increased traffic and will
accommodate larger aircraft at that end of the Airport.
There will be another period of runway closure later this
fall when rehabilitation of the apron at the Washington
Corp. hangar will take place. The FAA requires closure of
Rwy 25/7 whenever there is construction activity within
120 feet of the Runway’s centerline.
Great Digs at MSO By Gary Matson
The MSO terminal outdoor deck is one of fewer than 5 in the nation and possibly the only one with free access for the flying public. Photo courtesy of Shaun Shea, Morrison-Maierle Inc.
Homestead Helicopters expands
Increased operations at Homestead created the need for
more hangar space. A new hangar is under construction
adjacent to the existing one and will be completed sometime
this fall. Congratulations to owner Todd Donahue and to the
Homestead staff for their dynamic roles in growing general
aviation at MSO!
Museum of Mountain Flying
The Museum’s July newsletter announced the donation
of a Bell 47 helicopter which is now on static display. Two
of these historic aircraft were owned by Missoula’s Johnson
Flying Service. Jack Hughes of JFS became the first
licensed helicopter pilot in Montana. Join the museum and
support the work of its hard-working volunteer staff at this
unique MSO asset:
http://www.museumofmountainflying.org/the-museum.html
A new hangar is under construction adjacent to the existing one at Homestead Helicopters and will be completed sometime this fall. Gary Matson photo.
Extensive reconstruction of the east general aviation ramp near Northstar Jet is now complete! The apron is now larger and stronger. Photo courtesy of Justin Hubbard, Knife River.
Page 6
Missoula GA Organizations
EAA Chapter 517 meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of
each month, January through November, scheduled at the
hanger at Stevensville Airport (32S) odd-numbered months
and at the conference room in the Missoula airport terminal
(MSO) even-numbered months. For information, contact
Sherry Rossiter, President, [email protected] or visit the
Chapter web site www.eaa517.org
Montana Pilots Association (MPA), Five Valleys Hangar
meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month. For
information, contact Jim Younkin, President,
conditioning systems, and other aspects will make it the
first “Green Globes” certified building in the State of
Montana and the first Green Globes certified museum in
the nation.
Want to give a boost to a wonderful project and
growing asset to our Airport and the Missoula
Community? Go to the Museum’s web site to not only
learn about lots of cool Museum stuff but also to become a
member or contribute!
http://www.forestservicemuseum.org/involved/membership.html
Museum (Continued from page 4)
The lookout tower on the National Museum of Forest Service History campus. The departure end of Runway 29 is in the background. Gary Matson photo.
GA BBQ – The tradition continues Saturday, Sept 20
You won’t want to miss this annual FLIGHT, FUN, AND FOOD event! The finest burgers and brats expertly prepared
by our own Chefs Extraordinaire Airport Director Cris Jensen and Deputy Director Brian Ellestad. Saturday, Sept 20,
noon to 4 PM, Runway 25 Hangars. The hangars are located on
the east side of the Airport right by an entry gate. Turn off West
Broadway onto Aviation Way about 0.8 mile east of the main
Airport entrance. The hangars are a short distance uphill from the
turn.
Highlights include the beautifully restored or modified cars of
the Garden City Rods and Customs car club. Hangar doors will be
open for looks at aircraft. There will be displays from the Museum
of Mountain Flying and from neighboring Northstar Jet. Big Dipper
Ice Cream will be there to add to the enjoyment. For the first time,
the “GA BBQ” will be advertised to invite fly-in guests from
around the State. Hope to see you there for this most enjoyable
celebration of general aviation at the Missoula International Airport.
Chef Cris and Chef Brian hard at work creating BBQ cuisine at the 2013 BBQ. Roger Shaw photo.
Page 7
West Fork Lodge – Close, challenging fun for aviators
The News asked MSO pilots to recommend their favorite nearby destination. Chuck Bloom right away named the
West Fork Lodge (4U7). The News staff decided to investigate and one fine summer morning saddled up the staff
Cessna 150 and headed south on the 70 mile jaunt. As always, the Bitterroot’s valley and peaks offered fine scenery.
Como lake passed below, then our trusty GPS pointed us towards a distant valley. At first invisible nestled among trees
the grass airstrip was soon revealed. After enjoying Missoula’s almost 2 miles long Runway 29/11, the Lodge’s 2600
feet was a bit intimidating to our staff pilot. A long downwind for Rwy 20 with a very short base and long final worked
out just fine and the landing was “uneventful.”
The reward of landing in an unusually challenging spot was quickly outweighed by the friendly welcome from Tex
and Heidi Irwin, owners of the Lodge. We enjoyed a fine breakfast served in a most pleasant dining room. Before long,
we were joined by a group of backcountry fliers arriving in 4 planes. They had been camped at the Moose Creek airstrip.
We enjoyed being with this good-natured bunch, toured the Lodge interior noting its attractive furnishings, and then bid
our farewells. We agree with Chuck and give this destination and its people a high recommendation. The usual cautions
about weather, wind, and weight should be applied even more diligently for this trip. Inexperienced pilots should make
their first flights with an instructor. Overall, flying doesn’t get more fun than this!
http://www.westforklodge.com/
5225 HIGHWAY 10 WEST MISSOULA MT 59808
MSO GA News thanks Louie Knudsen; Ken Griffith, Metro Aviation; Dave Stack, National Museum of Forest Service History; Justin Hubbard, Knife River; and Shaun Shea, Morrison-Maierle for contributing to this newsletter! If you have something interesting to write about we'd like to put it in the newsletter and share it with the Missoula aviation community! Long (about 500 words), short, funny, serious, whatever. The News is published intermittently. Interested in contributing? Contact the editor (see below). MSO GA NEWS is published in Missoula Montana by Missoula International Airport and The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 517.
Editor and reporter: Gary Matson, Box 308, Milltown MT 59851 • 370-6584(c) • [email protected]
Missoula International Airport: 5225 Highway 10 West, Missoula MT 59808 • 728-4381 • www.flymissoula.com
EAA Chapter 517: [email protected] • www.eaa517.org
MISSOULA AVIATION WEB SITES Missoula International Airport: http://www.flymissoula.com Homestead Helicopters: http://www.homesteadhelicopters.com/ Minuteman Aviation: http://nkmamuzich.wix.com/minutemanaviation Neptune Aviation: http://www.neptuneaviation.com Northstar Air Express: http://www.northstarmso.com
Aerotronics: http://www.aerotronics.com/ Museum of Mountain Flying: http://museummountainflying.org/ Nat’l Museum of Forest Service History: http://www.forestservicemuseum.org/ Metro Aviation: http://www.metroaviation.com/ MedStar: https://www.nwmedstar.org/ EAA Chapter 517: http://www.eaa517.org MPA: http://www.montanapilots.org/ WINGS: http://www.faasafety.gov
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