Calling women pilots: Build your skills in the Idaho backcountry

The annual Woman Wise AWEsome Adventures (WWaa) will be held June 27 through July 1 at Cascade Airport in Cascade, Idaho. Participants will experience new and different forms of flying, including spin training, paragliding, or backcountry flying. The options are tailored to each participant’s needs so that personal and cockpit goals can be met. Instructors include Stacey Budell, focusing on backcountry aviation; Lisa Martin, focusing on seaplane and backcountry flights; and Rich Stowell, focusing on spin training and aerobatics.

Unique debriefs before and after the flying experiences offer personal development designed to enhance flight skills, confidence, fun, and connection. “Women learn best when they feel engaged, identify personal meaning in learning, feel safe, and laugh,” said organizer Christina Tindle, who is a counselor, author, and pilot.

“We laugh a lot. Our way of learning and style of performing is a focus at WWaa to achieve personal excellence,” Tindle said.

Learning new skills—which Tindle calls “adventure learning”—helps participants connect the dots for inner courage, charisma, and dedication to reach excellence. The skills transfer from the cockpit to everyday life, Tindle said. She said she works hard to match participants with instructors that will help them achieve their goals in ways that best suit their personalities.

The learning sessions are balanced with massage, yoga, and art classes throughout the weekend.

After the weekend concludes, participants can join a free fly-out to put their new skills to work in the Idaho backcountry.

Participants can sign up before April 15 for $695 per person. After April 15, the cost is $749, which includes seminars, unique debriefs, guest speakers, and the optional Indian Creek flyout. Meals and lodging are extra. 

For more information, see Tindle's website, or call her at 208-315-3075.