EcoFlight’s mission is to educate and advocate for the protection of wild lands, wildlife habitat, watersheds, and culturally important landscapes using small aircraft. The aerial perspective and our educational programs encourage an environmental stewardship ethic among citizens of all ages. Flight has proven to be a catalyst that spurs action, creates advocacy, and instills commitment. EcoFlight is a non-profit that works with over 400 partner organizations to bring the aerial perspective to conservation and public lands issues throughout the West.
EcoFlight uses a single-engine Cessna 210 because of its ability to fly relatively low and slow, allowing passengers to get a unique perspective of the land. This five-passenger airplane is a great platform for photography and videography, as it is high wing with no struts, and offers an objective platform for dynamic in-cockpit conversations, which smaller capacity planes cannot provide. Our professional pilots, Bruce Gordon, Gary Kraft, and Chris Benson, are commercial and instrument rated, and collectively have 65+ years of experience flying in bush and mountainous conditions. Additionally, Bruce and Gary are certified flight instructors and ATP rated. EcoFlight’s pilots and airplanes meet or exceed rigorous maintenance and safety standards. Bruce Gordon is one of the founders of conservation aviation.
PREPARING FOR YOUR FLIGHT
EcoFlight asks that passengers make firm commitments to join flights, and to provide your cell phone numbers to both EcoFlight and your flight organizer, in case of any last-minute changes or weather.
It takes environmental and economic resources to put the plane in place for each flight, so we work hard to ensure that each mission is impactful and that those resources are used for good. It is very important to us that passengers show up.
An on-the-ground organizer, usually one of EcoFlight’s partner organizations, will serve as passengers’ primary point of contact. Flight organizers will extend flight invitations, collect passenger information, and ensure that all passengers know exactly when and where to meet.
EcoFlight requires passengers’ height and weight so that we can adjust weight and balance in the plane.
Pilots diligently monitor weather using detailed aviation forecasting software to maximize comfort and safety. As professionals, they are the ultimate judge of safe flying conditions and will be the ones to make any and all weather-related adjustments.
ON FLIGHT DAY
Please arrive on time and take care of personal needs before you meet your pilot.
Expect to be in the plane flying for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. Space is limited, please leave personal bags on the ground.
Flight organizers may lead additional on-the-ground presentations or discussions after your flight.
Either your pilot or another passenger will act as the “guide” to point out key landmarks, boundaries or issues, and explain the landscapes you are flying over. We also encourage all passengers to share knowledge or questions throughout the flight.
Communicate with the pilot: let them know how you are feeling during the flight, make sure you can hear and be heard by other passengers through the headsets, and point out landmarks of special interest!
AERIAL PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Passengers will be provided with the edited photos EcoFlight shoots during your flight, and will typically receive them a week after their overflight. If requested beforehand, EcoFlight can also supply GoPro footage from the plane, and/or an audio recording of the cockpit conversation during the flight. If you need immediate turnaround on images, footage or audio, let us know. Please credit EcoFlight.
Planning to take photos during the flight?
Let your pilot know if you are planning to take professional photos or video, or have specific media requests.
Please wear dark, solid colored clothes to help reduce glare reflection on the windows.
Familiarize yourself with the landscape beforehand – landmarks come and go quickly (up to nearly 200 mph!) so be ready to shoot, you may only get one chance.
A smallish camera with a wide-angle lens will be easier to keep steady in the airplane.
Remember to tag EcoFlight in your social media posts!
