Rugged Country, Open Sky By Ranger Pilot Jon Muench The size of Anza-Borrego desert alone boggles the imagination. Its unique beauty and somewhat fragile natural features require protection, and have created challenges for those sworn to protect California's largest State Park. For this reason, the State Park purchased an airplane in 1986 to handle increasing problems related to off-road vehicle use, and further our ability to protect the park and its visitors in general.

Patrol from the air is extremely efficient. A 15-minute flight over the Borrego Badlands, for example, can reveal a potential problem that might take a ground unit a full day to find - if ever. There are simply too many roads and washes to locate effectively from the ground. Of course, once discovered, it takes a ranger on the ground to handle the problem in person. So the plane serves as a ranger's "eyes and ears" to reveal problems as they arise.

Commonly called a "bush plane," the airplane is designed to land in rugged country and to fly low and slow. With a strong enough headwind the plane can virtually hover.

Some of its many uses have been to assist law enforcement efforts in drug interdiction, in search and rescue, and at accident scenes. Equipped with a modern GPS (Global Positioning System) the plane can direct rescue helicopters or ground personnel to the exact locations of off-road vehicle accidents or lost hikers. It has been used to catch fleeing suspects attempting to evade arrest, poachers, and to provide surveillance and photography when needed. In addition, from the air I can easily spot fires and relay vital information to fire department personnel.

One of the on-going resource management programs has been monitoring bighorn sheep that have been outfitted with radio collars. Circling with one wing low, I pinpoint their locations from the air, and this information is then used in scientific studies. In addition to exact locations, I am able to ascertain patterns of movement and locate moralities when they occur.

Since Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® is only one park of six that make up the Colorado Desert District, I also fly to other units within the District such as San Jacinto, Cuyamaca Rancho, Palomar, and Picancho on the Colorado River. In fact, if the plane is needed in any one of California's State Parks it can be used on a priority basis.

Most of the terrain in the Colorado Desert District is rugged and vast. For me, the best way to really appreciate it is from the air. Of course, I'm the California State Park System's one and only pilot - what would you expect?