Pioneer In Early Aviation, Firefighting Efforts

One of Idaho's legendary aviators has died. Jim Larkin passed away on May 9 in Boise, after battling cancer. He was 85.

Larkin was actively involved in Idaho aviation for more than 65 years. He was introduced to aviation by his mother, "Ma Larkin," who loved the thrill of planes. She arranged a ride in barnstormer Eagle Rock biplane for Larkin as a child and he was hooked.

Larkin's flying career took off in 1937 when he completed his military training at the top of his class. He completed Civilian Pilot Training then moved on to United States Army Air Force Instructor School at Randolph Field, TX. He was assigned to the Rankin Aeronautical Academy, flying the Stearman PT-17, then moved on to Air Force Air Transport Command, 6th Ferry Group, stationed in Long Beach, CA where he ferried all manner of aircraft all over the world.

After high-altitude training in the C-46 Curtiss Commando, he was assigned to China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) at Mohanbari, India, flying "Hump Runs" to Western China and Burma. During that time, most CBI flying was supporting Chang-Kai-Chek and Chennault's Flying Tigers.

Larkin's post-war life included the purchase of a 1932 UMF Sport Waco with his brothers that reportedly belonged to movie star and pilot Brian Aherne (1902-1986) at one time. Ever the innovator, when it was realized there was no place to keep the plane, he and his brothers simply converted the family farmland into what is now the Donnelly airport.

Larkin started timber spraying before working for the Johnson Flying Service until 1956 then, later, his own Larkin Aviation. For many years, Larkin's skill and passion made him a highly sought-after backcountry pilot. He provided a critical link for the isolated ranchers and homesteaders in the Frank Church Wilderness and Sawtooth Mountains.

He delivered mail, performed downed-pilot rescue, delivered medical supplies, and served as a lifeline for the mountain communities. He built many life-long friendships and was always willing to share what little he had to help someone else.

Larkin put his backcountry expertise to the test, when he moved to Alaska flying the last remaining Cunningham-Hall PT6-F freighter. The unique abilities of this old biplane led to employment with Region 4 United States Forestry Service in 1957 flying smoke jumpers.

While with the USFS, Larkin was designated director of the Western Zone Air Unit, acquiring the national infrared fire-scan imaging program, the National Radio Fire Cache, and supervision of Region 4's in-house air operations.

In 1964, Larkin joined the newly-formed Boise Interagency Fire Center from which he retired in l978 as Director. The BIFC is now known as the National Interagency Fire Center. In 1960, he made the first "Super Tanker" mission flying on a wildfire near Trinity Mountain, east of Boise.

Larkin also graduated from Army Helicopter School. His early spray work in the Fords and Boeing Stratocruiser led to a 1973 assignment to operate two Army C-47s in Pakistan, to help control a massive outbreak of rice-stem borer that posed an immediate threat to Pakistan's rice crop. Larkin received a Presidential award this successful operation.

Just because Larkin had retired, didn't mean he had given up flying. He continued to fly during fire season, primarily smokejumper operations. He shared his backcountry experiences with new pilots as an instructor with Lori MacNichol's Mountain Canyon Flying Seminars.

He was still flying for pleasure as recently as September 2006.

Larkin's career also included other awards: Quarter Century Award - 1966; Certificate of Merit - Dept of Agriculture; Million Miles of Non Accident Safe Flying - 1960; 2 Million miles of Non Accident Safe Flying; Induction into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame; Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" award; and Safe Pilot Award - 1974.

FMI: www.nifc.gov