Heli-tour company investigated for low-altitude flying in park

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Conservation Alliance, in partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association, filed a formal letter of complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), asking for an investigation into low overflights by scenic helicopter tours over Grand Teton National Park.

Wind River Air is the only scenic helicopter tour company operating in Grand Teton National Park. Approval of the business was heavily contested but even though park officials and the Jackson Hole Airport did not want to grant permission to WRA’s Tony Chambers, FAA regulations were on Chamber’s side.

After a comprehensive flight record analysis, Jackson resident and owner of Flat Creek Ranch Joe Albright determined that Wind River Air, LLC flew below 2,000 feet for nearly 31 miles within the park between September and October of 2021. These low-level overflights did not occur during takeoff or landing, when such flights are necessitated by the situation of the airport within park boundaries.

“I am not talking about flight segments during takeoff and landings, which necessarily cross a portion of the park. Rather, I am talking about flight segments that were measured as having taken place at least three miles away from the Jackson Hole Airport at altitudes much lower than 2000 feet above ground level,” Albright stated in an address to the airport board last December. “These findings are not rooted in rumor. They are based on flight track data transmitted to the Jackson Hole Airport from inside the cockpit of the WRA helicopter.”

The FAA has responded to the Conservation Alliance and NPCA’s request and stated that an investigation of these low park overflights is underway.