Take Flight with Teton Aviation

Circling high above the Tetons used to be an experience reserved for the red-tailed hawks, osprey and eagles of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, but the Teton Aviation Center out of Driggs uses their fleet of small planes to change that, offering scenic flights that give locals and visitors their wings. Just a quick drive over Teton Pass from Jackson, a visit to the Aviation Center offers unparalleled views during the excursion as well as a day of learning about planes at the Warbird Airplane Museum and a post-flight lunch right off the runway at Forage, the on-site café. 

A scenic flight offers the unique chance to take in the entire landscape in the space of an hour, glimpsing Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the whole Teton Range. Up in the air, you’ll become acquainted with the many faces of the Grand Teton as your vantage shifts, gaining a deeper appreciation for the mountain’s shapeshifting style than you’d get by simply looking up at the Cathedral View from Grand Teton National Park. 

Colleen Schooley, the chief flight instructor, pointed out that the trip is also rewarding for those that have taken on the landscape by foot. Hikers can use their time in the air to either scope out a potential route or take in all they’ve accomplished as the plane swoops past spots like local hikers’ favorite peak, Table Mountain. When Colleen is in the air, she’s on the lookout for the small mountain lakes that form in the spring. “They will take on a beautiful aquamarine color contrasting with the snow,” she said. Viewing these gemstones of the mountains usually requires an intense day of hiking, scrambling, or bushwhacking, but they’re easy to spot from above. 

While the views are stunning, many who’ve gone on the trip note that getting to know their pilot was one of the highlights. That’s because the crew at Teton Aviation Center are both knowledgeable about the area and have fascinating paths to flying. Dr. Mark Hervig, one of the part-time pilots, is also an atmospheric scientist who works on satellite experiments for NASA. Another pilot you might meet is Commander Dillon Krapes who came to flying as a Naval Aviator and recently retired to be a full-time commercial pilot and part-time scenic pilot.

On the day of your flight, it’s helpful to arrive fifteen minutes before departure to get settled before embarking on the hour-long adventure. Like all activities in the Tetons, it’s best to dress in layers so you can stay comfortable in the quickly shifting temperatures. Flights take off as early as 7:30, and early risers are rewarded with cooler, smoother air and less risk of a classic Teton afternoon thunderstorm raining out the trip. If you’re committed to sleeping in, the last flight takes off as late as 4 p.m., offering the chance to pack in a scenic flight with other activities in the Teton Valley area. 

Aviation aficionados will get to take their pick of the four different planes in the scenic flight fleet including a Cessna Hawk XP, Diamond DA-40, T-34 Warbird and a Quest Kodiak. Which plane the team selects largely comes down to the size of your group and the weight limits used to keep you safe in the sky. The Kodiak is the best fit for large groups and families as it accommodates up to seven passengers and children as young as six. For couples or solo fliers looking to up the adventure, Colleen noted that the fully glass canopy of the DA-40 lets you take full advantage of the breathtaking views, and the Cessna is a hit with photographers as the fully operable windows allow them to shoot without the distortion of glass. Regardless of which plane you enjoy, this is a trip that demands to be photographed, and you’re welcome to bring a professional camera or just your smartphone to do the job. (You don’t even have to put it in airplane mode, though you likely won’t have great service up in the sky.) 

When asked about her favorite memory of the scenic trip, Colleen immediately said, “It always gets exciting when someone plans their marriage proposal for a flight over the Tetons.” So, if you’re looking for a venue for a truly unforgettable proposal, there’s a crew of pilots at Teton Aviation cheering for you to get that enthusiastic “yes!”