Iron Creek Flying Club continuing to promote air travel in the region

A small but excited group of passengers from the Wavy Lake 4-H club visited the Flagstaff Regional Airport on Thursday, April 5. Thanks to a great working relationship between Flagstaff County and the Iron Creek Flying Club, the airport is a jewel in the region, and both the facility, and the strong and active flying club are the envy of pilots across the region. Local pilots took Wavy Lake members up Thursday for a tour of the region through the COPA for kids program. Later this month the club will open up the program to any youth in the region who want to experience flying.

The Iron Creek Flying Club, based out of the former Killam-Sedgewick Airport, now the Flagstaff Regional Airport, has a long history of promoting air travel in our region.

In recent decades, the group has worked with the municipal owners of the airport to turn it into the jewel it is today to visiting pilots, and those passing by.

Gary Steadman, Club President, praises Flagstaff County, who own and maintain the airport, for working with the club and pilots when considering maintenance and upgrades.

Thanks to grant funding, the airport recently got new runway lights, and the county is also installing the electronics necessary for bad-weather flights.

With membership at nearly 50, the club is very active, both with pilots, airplane owners, and air enthusiasts.

The youngest member of the club is just eight years old, says Steadman. “It’s all about comradery, where like-minded people come together to enjoy flying.”

The club meets monthly, and Steadman says the membership is very active.

Once a month, on the third Saturday, Iron Creek Flying Club hosts a fly-in get together, with club members and visiting pilots, and members often group together to attend events put on by other clubs at other airports.

Steadman says the fly-in events hosted by the club are very well received by visiting pilots. “They are quite jealous of our active club, and our airport facilities,” he says. “The airport is held in very high esteem.”

Thanks to the club, the Flagstaff Regional Airport now has a new, separate and parallel grass runway. “That appeals to different types of pilots.”

Steadman says club members often hold informal flying skills competitions between themselves, and chance visiting pilots have enjoyed these STOL competitions, short for short takeoff and landing, so much they are now asking for invites to come watch the next time the club.

Steadman says visiting pilots often come not just to watch, but to fuel up at the airport’s cardlock fuel.

“The club is always doing informal fun things. We’re always cautious, and safety is always our top priority.”