As the entirety of IFC know by now, retro flying is the answer to my heart! Unfortunately, we pilots don’t have access to many older aircraft that were be used on these routes, including the embraer 120 brasilia so I’ll have to opt for the United CRJ200 operated by regional airline giant… Skywest (oo).
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Driggs Reed airport began expanding and building their current FBO building, talks were happening with Skywest to start service to and from Salt Lake City and Denver. Although the FBO was built big enough to serve as a terminal as well and talks went far enough to the point that the runway was lenghened to almost 8,000 feet, these flights never manifested.
Despite the irl lack of service to DIJ which has forced teton county residents to drive to Idaho Falls or Jackson, nothing stopped us from imaging these flights did manifest.
Flight Info
Airline: United Express (Skywest)
Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ200
Registration: N982SW
Departure Airport: Denver Int’l Airport KDEN
Arrival Airport: Driggs Reed Memorial Airport KDIJ
Flight Time: 1hr 7mins
Altitude: 32,000 (FL320)
Speed: mach 0.77
Enjoying breakfast at Starbucks prior to boarding our 2004 built CRJ200 that just arrived from Canyonlands Utah on an early summer morning flight.
And rotation after a very long 40 second takeoff roll down Denver’s runway 25.
Passing over Greeley CO on our way up to FL320; aka my lovely home away from home while I attend college
Reaching cruising as the brief snack and drink service commences over Laramie Wyoming which is home to The University Of Wyoming.
Passing over Lander Wy on initial descent. In addition to Driggs, Lander was meant to have mixed brasilia and Q400 service to Denver aboard United but those flight never manifested either.
Traversing the lovely Wind River Range right after flying over Lander. This 100’ish mile long ranage is home to Gannett Peak which is Wyomings’ tallest mountain!
Well well well, what do we have here?
Approach about a 7 mile final for runway 4 with the tetons and Grand Targhee resort of the right side of our CRJ.
Short final over the highway
Safely parked on the ramp and time to go enjoy a hearty western lunch at War Birds cafe!