Deadly wake turbulence. Loss of IFR options. Complicated approaches. Harvest Hills Wind is the biggest threat Palouse aviators have ever faced.
Wake Turbulence
Each of Harvest Hill’s massive turbine blades is longer than two C-5 Galaxy or Boeing 747 aircraft placed wingtip to wingtip. These blades aren’t just impressive—they are potential death traps for pilots flying in their vicinity. Imagine your picture-perfect Palouse flight interrupted by an invisible, unpredictable force field creating the equivalent wake turbulence of over 400 widebody aircraft. This wake turbulence lingers, unlike the traditional wake generated by aircraft, which eventually dissipates after the plane has moved on. Harvest Hills’ turbines create a continuous disturbance in the air—turbulence that will remain a threat until the blades stop spinning.
Aerial applicators, often flying just feet above crops, are among the most vulnerable. Faced with these invisible whirlwinds, many will likely refuse to fly in the region. What happens when they encounter wake turbulence at low altitude? The danger is real, and many pilots could be caught off-guard. The effects of this wind shear aren’t just theoretical—they’re deadly.

The Threat to VFR Operations
The Palouse is known for its picturesque landscapes and wide-open skies, offering general aviation pilots some of the best scenic flying in Washington state. Most of this flying is conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), relying on clear skies and minimal obstructions. But the introduction of 700-foot turbines from the Harvest Hills project changes that equation entirely.

Pilots operating under VFR minimums will now have to contend with wind turbines that tower over the landscape, affecting visibility and increasing risks, particularly during low-altitude operations. The proximity of these turbines to existing airstrips—like the one at S94, the Colfax Airport—creates additional hazards. VFR pilots may find themselves boxed in by giant obstacles, forcing last-minute course corrections or, worse, facing disorientation in rapidly changing visual cues.
Future IFR Procedures? Forget about it
Think the challenges posed to pilots by Harvest Hills are too much? We haven’t even looked at flights operating under Instrument Flight Rules. The FAA has already approved the initial site plan for Harvest Hills and is no longer accepting public comments on the project. Pilots can expect increased altitude requirements for IFR flight near Pullman and Colfax.
Even more concerning, with turbines sited just off the departure end of S94 (Colfax Airport), the likelihood of any future instrument approach procedures being developed for the area is slim to none. With turbines scattered around key departure and arrival corridors, pilots may eventually face increased minimums for safe approach at Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, severely complicating operations, particularly in marginal weather conditions.
FAA Obstacle Clearance Process: Pilots Left Out of the Loop
You might be wondering, how can this happen? Doesn’t the FAA prevent dangerous obstructions near airports? The answer is both yes and no. The FAA’s obstacle clearance process is designed to protect critical flight paths around airports, ensuring adequate safety buffers for both VFR and IFR operations. However, for projects like Harvest Hills that fall outside of primary approach and departure paths, the rules are far less stringent.
When it comes to wind turbine farms, the FAA evaluates structures over 200 feet tall under Part 77 of its regulations. However, once a wind farm proposal passes initial review and no public objections are lodged, it’s usually smooth sailing for developers. The FAA already signed off on the initial site plan for Harvest Hills, meaning pilots and local residents are left with no further say in the matter.
The End of Aerial Applicators?
Aerial applicators, who serve the vital role of providing crop spraying and other agricultural services to the region’s vast farmlands, face an existential threat with the arrival of these wind turbines. Flying at low altitudes to cover large swaths of land, these pilots depend on clear airspace and unobstructed fields to do their jobs. With Harvest Hills wind turbines generating continuous wake turbulence, these pilots will be risking their lives every time they attempt a spray run.
Many may simply refuse to operate near the wind farm. The Palouse, known for its wheat, lentil, and chickpea production, could see significant disruptions in its agricultural services, affecting both crop yields and the local economy. Harvest Hills isn’t just a danger to the skies—it’s a direct attack on the Palouse’s way of life.
The Skies Over the Palouse Will Never Be the Same
The Harvest Hills Wind Project represents a seismic shift in the future of aviation over the Palouse. Whether it’s the invisible killer of wake turbulence, the loss of IFR options for regional airports, or the complicated VFR approaches over towering turbines, pilots face more threats now than ever before. The FAA may have closed public comments, but the battle for the Palouse skies is just beginning.
Pilots, both local and visiting, should be aware of these challenges and prepare for the reality of flying in an increasingly hostile airspace. The winds of change are blowing over the Palouse, and they’re far from friendly.