How One Cessna 310 Pilot Found Camaraderie Along the Snake River

Dave Palmer moved to the airport full-time in early fall after an exhaustive search of on-airport homes in the U.S. and beyond. 

“I lived in Southern California and actually found the airpark on Google,” Palmer said. “I have access to a runway down in Mexico, which is on the Colorado River. I wanted something that was also on a river and was looking all over. When I found ID40 from an aerial, I thought it looked so cool and flew up there to check it out.”

The combination of aviation amenities with access to one of the nation’s most significant rivers was an easy sell for the Cessna 310 owner. The people there also made Palmer’s decision easier to make.

“The guy [Ed] who I bought the house from has lived here for quite a while,” Palmer said. “He moved across the runway and didn’t leave—just wanted a smaller house. Quite a few of the other residents have lived here for years as well. It’s really about the people, and that’s what sold my wife and [me].

“It is really neat living with a lot of like-minded people that you wake up in the morning to a text saying, 'We are going to go to Oregon for breakfast,’ then five of us take off and go there. The community is really neat, and anyone is able to fly in on Friday mornings, when we do coffee in somebody’s hangar. We also have events throughout the year. The whole community gets together on the Fourth of July, and we just did an Oktoberfest event as well. There is always something going on.”

In addition to the spoils of flight, residents enjoy a multitude of hobbies—some from their backyard. 

“I’m not just a pilot, so when moving to an airpark, I didn’t want to just be flying,” he said. “I wanted water and got it. The fishing has always been really good over here. We have bass, sturgeon, trout, crappie, and other fish.

“I have a dock with a boat, then we also have a community boat ramp where those on the other side of the runway [not on the river] can have access to the river. So if you’re not flying, you can take the boat out and enjoy some fishing and be back before dinner.”

Boats share the waterway with another vessel, floatplanes. At an average of 150 to 250 feet wide (and five to 40 feet deep) in the area adjacent to Sunrise Skypark, the Snake River is a suitable landing site for these flying watercraft.

“I used to joke with people all the time when they would ask how long the runway is at the airport. ‘Well, it’s 1,200 miles long; on the water at least,” Palmer said. “So, we have the best of both worlds here. I don’t fly seaplanes but have a [Cessna] 310 and the [paved 2,892-foot long] runway here is perfect for me. And this is a nice central spot to fly in and out of in the area, with [backcountry] runways all around us.”

Location wise, Sunrise Skypark is removed from the city. But not so much that it negatively impacts those that live or visit the community. The airpark is located about 15 minutes from the town of Marsing, where there are several restaurants, a grocery store, and a gas station.

Outdoor recreation is a hallmark of the area, with hiking, biking, hunting, riding, and backpacking opportunities within close proximity of the community. There are also many other recreational offerings in the area, including a number of fresh bodies of water, museums, shopping, and more. 

“What is interesting is that the Oregon Trail went right next to the airpark,” Palmer said. “Givens Hot Springs, which is still owned by the same family, is one of the places where the settlers stopped and decided to plant roots. You can see that from here, even the ruts where the wagons went through. Also, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail is right near our home with 19 wineries. We really have enjoyed the Idaho wines near our home.”  

And weather wise, the winters in the area are milder than many would assume and is a true four-season climate. Most days, the weather is "ceiling and visibility unlimited" and beckons residents to take to the skies. After all, pilots live at airparks to fly—and in Palmer’s case, also to fish.