HANSELMAN REMEMBERED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION
Many of us still peruse our copies of the late Galen Hanselman’s pilot adventure guidebooks, Fly Idaho, Fly Utah, Air Baja, and Fly the Big Sky. Driven by his passion for the backcountry, Galen spent countless hours compiling these chunky field guides, full of useful aviation information, seasoned with photos, history, and folksy quips. Regrettably, Galen passed five years ago in May, but RAF Chairman John McKenna speaks for us all, saying, “We still thank Galen for all that we all enjoy because of his work.”
Submitted May 13, 2025
By Carmine Mowbray
Did you know that, this year, Galen Hanselman will be inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame? The ceremony is planned for December. I nominated him, back in 2014.
Also, did you know that copies of his most recent, and complete, two-volume 3rd Edition of “Fly Idaho!” are for sale at RR Aviation? Those folks purchased the rights to Galen’s Idaho and Utah books. https://www.rraviation.net/
These books are treasures, not only for their indispensable, relevant information and photos, but each book is also filled with fascinating and frankly hilarious stories….pioneers, brave backcountry pilots, homesteaders, miners, gamblers, murderers, ladies of ill repute…yep, and all told in Galen’s folksy style. You’d never know the author was trained as a physicist. Yes, he was my best friend here in Idaho, and I miss him every day.