DLS

The Dalles (Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport)

When is an Oregon airport not in Oregon? When it is The Dalles airport. DLS is located in Washington State, but it is run by Oregon and collects Oregon taxes. The airport is on a wide flat spot inside of a river bend. There is plenty of space over the airport, but the gorge narrows a lot just west of the airport and their are ridges to the north and south. Plan to arrive over the river a few miles to the east or one mile to the west, then descend in to the valley and enter the traffic pattern normally. There is a small restaurant on the field with irregular hours. Call ahead if you are expecting to dine on the field. The FBO also has a crew car you can use to get in to the Fast Food joints in town.

If you approached from the east you probably flew over the Bonneville Dam. There are tours at the Dam and at the nearby power station. If you are in to high voltage, big hunks of concrete or salmon then check them out.

The airports main attraction is as a gateway to the fantastic Columbia River Gorge. Just follow the river downstream from DLS to Portland at 2,000 feet for a fantastic view. Stay on the right as the gorge can get busy. Be prepared for a bit of chop as the wind can whistle in the pass but the challenge is mostly mental as most pilots are a bit spooked by flying so low in a curvy pass.

Experienced pilots know that when the rest of the Cascades are impossible to cross that this route can still be fine. Be especially careful in low weather as helicopters still fly up and down the river when the fog is down to the road and there are numerous wires crossing the Columbia. I feel fine entering the gorge when Portland is reporting VFR, the local ceiling is almost
up to 2,000 and I can see down the river. YMMV so be sure to set your own personal limits that you can live with. Flight Watch usually has recent PIREPS on the gorge in marginal weather so be sure to check in with them along the way.

Airnav - DLS
ODA - DLS (broken)

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