The Recreational Aviation Foundation recently approved a second grant to fund improvements at Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S) near Priest Lake, Idaho.
According to RAF Idaho Liaison Bruce “Sparky” Parker, Idaho Aeronautics has completed major investments in the airport campground, including more tie-downs, interior bathrooms, a new deck, refrigerator, freezer, and covered stainless sink outside for campers’ use, a new coffeemaker, better internet, and an outhouse available during the off-season.
Local homeowners, headed up by full-time Cavanaugh Bay resident Steve Pryor, also pitched in many volunteer days providing maintenance on the airfield.
“I have volunteered myself to help this airstrip to be the best it can be,” said Pryor.
That includes arranging for a technician who donated soil testing to see why the grass was patchy. The analysis showed deficiencies, and in the spring of 2022, the RAF awarded a grant for $1,200 for fertilizer.
Several homeowners applied the fertilizer to the grass.
Later that same summer, volunteers used Pryor’s 45-foot bucket truck and trimmed overgrowing trees along the runway.
The Idaho Department of Lands did some selective logging, and volunteers from IAA and the homeowners group cleaned up the leftovers.
After experimental irrigation all season, the fertilization and irrigation needs were clarified, noted Pryor, who contacted Rain Bird sprinklers and a test of the existing pump demonstrated that there was adequate pressure to operate all 91 sprinklers simultaneously.
The 2024 RAF grant for $10,000 will provide the parts and controls for an irrigation system, fertilizer, grass seed, and chemicals to improve and stabilize the runway turf.
The Cavanaugh Bay Homeowners lent the use of its high-powered thatcher for Pryor to operate over the runway, for better fertilizer penetration into the soil. This annual process will augment the aeration that Idaho Aeronautics conducts each year, RAF officials explained.
Volunteers have also received permission to remove small trees between the campground and airstrip, “so you’ll be able to watch airplanes land from the campground,” Pryor said.
The Idaho Aviation Association donated bicycles, stored in a shed within the camping area. They are free for pilots to use, but donations are encouraged. There also are courtesy cars.
“As you can see, great things are happening to Cavanaugh Bay and it is my goal with the help of the RAF to make it the Johnson Creek of Northern Idaho,” he said.