_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Del Norte County Historical Society; 2023 video by Aisling Bludworth}

The weather in Del Norte County is notoriously fickle, which makes chartering helicopters a costly proposition for a nonprofit business. 

With no local helicopter services willing to go to the St. George Reef Lighthouse on a touring schedule, perched six miles off the Del Norte coast. The preservation society that cares for the 134-year-old structure has to contract with agencies from Red Bluff, California or Molalla, Oregon to get there.

These agencies charge repositioning fees to fly the helicopter to Crescent City and back, which must be paid regardless of if a tour to the lighthouse occurs or not. Repositioning fees pay for fuel, crew hours, airport fees, and applicable taxes. Usually these fees are paid by the preservation society through ticket sale revenue, but it is always a gamble with the weather according to President John Zimmerman, of the St George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society. With lighthouse tours anticipated to start again in March of 2027, these fees come to the forefront of the budgeting process.

Continue reading County Donation Helps Lighthouse Preservation Society Ensure Helicopter Flights For Volunteers, Visitors Will Continue →