“Meet me by the old oak at the brown arch”, for the dedication of another Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) “Legacy Rock”, on Wed. July 25^th at 10:00 AM!

Thanks to the foresight and vision of RAF sustaining supporter Gordon Rock of Mercer Island, WA, the RAF now has the opportunity to sell 37 tribute tiles beneath the iconic brown arch at EAAʼs Fly-In at Oshkosh. “Meet me by the old oak at the brown arch," is commonly heard, and the RAF's designated area is strategically placed very near its welcome shade at the historic entrance to the flight line.

There are over 500,000 enthusiasts attending the Fly-In every year and hundreds of thousands of photos being taken at the brown arch site.  In the center of the site a bi-plane is inlaid in the tiles. A spire at the center of the prop indicates the distance and direction to Kitty Hawk. The RAF has termed these memorial two-foot-square tiles, RAF  "Legacy Rocks" with the goal of recognizing and paying tribute to the RAF's large financial partners” who support recreational aviation.  This venture will establish an endowment to assist in the RAF's long term financial stability. It is the perfect opportunity for folks to fulfill planned giving and estate planning.

In 2011, to recognize RAFʼs founders and current directors, two inscribed rocks were permanently placed.  This year, another RAF Legacy Rock will be installed to memorialize Ben and Butch Ryan's donation of Ryan Field to the RAF.   A dedication ceremony will be held on Wed. July 25^th at 10:00 AM, under the old oak tree, and the Ryan’s on hand.  We hope that you will join us.

This will be the ideal launch for the RAF “Legacy Rock” project to pay tribute to our large financial contributors whose generosity insures a generational future for the RAF and its mission.  The RAF has come to a point where much good can come as a result of the hard work that so many have put forth.

We look forward to seeing you at the brown arch under the old oak tree at 10:00 AM on Wed. July 25th!  See you at Oshkosh.

Pictured on the right: Butch (Agnes) and Ben Ryan

On May 3, 2012, the governors of Minnesota and Vermont signed bills adding aviation to their respective state recreational use statutes (RUS).  These states become the 15th and 16th states to do so. 

In Minnesota, Jim Hanson worked hard and long to get a bill sponsored in the House by Representative David Hancock.  The bill then took the most convoluted course of any RUS bill yet.  Jim stuck to the process like a bug on a windscreen.   Jim’s story is as inspiration to keep on plugging even when all seems lost.  To make a very long story short, near the very end of the legislative session it appeared that the bill would die in the committee.  At the eleventh hour Representative Hancock and Senate Sponsor John Carlson were able to get the original RUS bill attached to an Omnibus Game and Fish bill which was passed and signed into law.  This adds “noncommercial aviation” to the Minnesota Recreational Use Statute and is an important first step in opening access to private use airstrips in Minnesota.

In Vermont, our RAF Liaison Bob Burley ran the operation.  Bob seems to knows a few “people in high places,” and expertly worked his magic to convince important folks in the legislature that passage of this amendment to the state RUS was absolutely necessary for Vermont.  Representative Peter Peltz and Senator Richard Westman sponsored the bill, while Representative Victoria Strong and Senator Diane Snelling presented it in their respective chambers.  The bill adds “noncommercial aviation” to the Vermont RUS.  Bob adds that “Governor Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shapleigh Smith … ensured that the stars and planets aligned at the right times.  In typical RAF fashion, the Vermont RUS bill was flown around the storms of other raging legislative controversies, not unlike our own en route diversions to get to our favorite back country trout streams.”

These bills help to address the liability concerns of those private-use airport owners who would like to allow others to use their airstrips.  Recreational use statutes provide a degree of liability protection to landowners who allow others to use their land for all sorts of recreation.  The intent of these bills is to clearly include “aviation” as one of these listed recreational activities.   RAF has a goal to amend the RUS of all 50 states to include aviation.

The RAF has been actively guiding state leaders who want to see such legislation passed.  We gain more wisdom with each state effort, and pass that knowledge onto the next state leader who picks up the baton.  If you would like to lead the effort for your state, please contact the RAF and we will provide you with the guidance and support needed to accomplish this important goal.  

The Minam River Lodge (Minam Lodge sits deep inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area.  Use at your discretion), airlift was an outstanding success, with 25-plus volunteers in 20-plus planes flying multiple sorties between Joseph, Oregon, and the lodge, on April 14^th and 15^th. The volunteer crews ferried new supplies in and roughly 50 years of accumulated debris out. The effort was a mutual gain: Pilots based out of Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California got a chance to visit the wilderness and help out the new owners and hands working to clean up the lodge and in exchange everyone will have cleaner and better facilities

to enjoy for future recreational flying.

"This whole thing came about when RAF contacted the new owner, Barnes Ellis, last fall to request that the lodge and airstrip remain open to private pilots and at the same time asked if there was anything it could do to help," said John McKenna, RAF president. "The concept of the airlift was born through the RAF, with the assistance of BackcountryPilots.org, Oregon Pilots Association and Idaho Aviation Association got word spread and pilots answered the call."

Weather conditions were acceptable with winds increasing in the afternoon. Before operations ceased, the majority of trash had been removed and new mattresses, food and supplies delivered. "It was great to see so many pilots pulling together to keep access to places like Minam," said Mike Hart, RAF Idaho liaison. "When you fall in love with a place like this, you do what you can to keep it open. RAF and other pilot groups are really about putting the spirit of cooperation to good use.”

The volunteer work crew spent the night and had a chance for a little rest and mostly to reflect on the days accomplishments.  New friends were made and great stories told.

RAF would like to extend a big thank you to Bill Ables for his tireless effort and incredible competence in organizing the event and keeping it safe. Thanks also goes to the lodge owners and ground crews, especially crew chief and load master Aaron Gilles. And last but not least, a big shout out to all of the pilots involved in the airlift and all of the organizations that helped get the word out. It was an incredible success.  

RAF Fire Hubs

How It Began

One of the great things about being a pilot is there is always a new challenge to meet, a new horizon to cross. It’s the same with an organization like the RAF.

Over the last few years, the RAF has worked hard to meet the “basic requirements”: creating and growing the organization while pursing the mission of preserving, maintaining and creating recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide”.  Fundamental to all of this is our desire to build community among like-minded pilots and friends, helping them gather together to share their love of recreational aviation.

As with any donation supported non-profit, finding ways to fund initiatives is critical to success.    Last October, RAF supporter Jon Wells, who is president of the Honda Flying Club, Greensboro, NC contacted us to discuss their plan to raise funds for the club and finance recreational improvements for their home field, Sugar Valley (31A). Jon had been thinking back on his days as an Eagle Scout, remembering the importance of a campfire. The Club decided to build what they dubbed a Flyers Friendship Fire Circle, and sell engraved bricks to raise necessary funds.

It was perfect. Throughout history the campfire has served as a gathering place where travelers meet at day’s end to share stories of the day, keep warm and plan the coming day. Many recreational aviation events end the day with just such a fire; cooking food and sharing good times. Nothing better symbolizes the RAF, and the benefits derived from our mission, than the campfire.

During follow up discussions with Jon, it was agreed that a similar concept could serve the RAF’s nationwide mission. With Jon’s blessing we proceeded to develop a program to build 50 very unique campfire sites at select recreational aviation destinations around the country.

Creation of the Fire Hub Design

For the RAF, it was determined that the campfire settings needed an aviation theme that clearly identified each project with the RAF, and incorporated elements that would make each site “fit in” with its location. RAF supporter Carlos Barrios donated the services of his Orlando architectural firm of Baker and Barrios to develop a plan that met all criteria. Their design concept envisioned a 22-foot diameter circle filled with bricks segmented by three 9-foot aluminum propeller blades radiating from a four-foot hub that would serve as the actual fire pit. Constructed of 3/8 steel the vertical “hub” features the RAF logo “cut out” at the east, west and south coordinates. North appropriately depicts the Polaris, the North Star, the sky’s one celestial constant on which men have relied for centuries to guide them; the ideal symbol for our mission. We no longer had just another fire circle – we now had the RAF Fire Hub.

The Plan

A Fire Hub sponsor is selected to finance the construction costs of each project. Volunteer labor, provided by a local civic group, builds the Fire Hub. At each completed site, donor opportunities range from laser-cut logos on the propeller blades to engraved bricks where participant donors can memorialize their participation with their name, N-number or dedication to loved ones, with funds raised going towards the support of the RAF mission.

The First Fire Hub – Sun ‘n Fun

The Fire Hub concept received the immediate full support of aviation community leaders. AOPA, guided by President Craig Fuller, became the first sponsor funding construction of the first Fire Hub. Then John “Lites” Leenhouts, president of Sun ‘n Fun, offered to donate a site in their campground area.

Two weeks prior to opening day at Sun ’n Fun, design plans were finally approved, but the prospects of completing this first Fire Hub were deemed “slim-to-none!” That was until RAF supporter and Orlando contractor Bill Lowery came forward offering the services of his company ICC General Contractors to complete the project on time.  With little more than a week to go, Bill called in experts in aluminum construction and brick masonry as well as his son and fellow members of the Sanford, Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

On site, Sun ‘n Fun “early bird” volunteers set fence posts while Sun ‘n Fun President John “Lites” Leenhouts made sure necessary materials and supplies were available as needed. Grounds manager Don Huey provided everything needed from fencing to sand and graciously hauled away what needed to be removed.  One highlight of the fast paced construction had to be the young volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol.  Sacrificing their spring break from school, they pitched their tents and worked 10 hours days moving dirt, hauling bricks and becoming Fire Hub construction experts.

On Tuesday afternoon the construction was completed just hours before the dedication ceremony conducted by RAF President, John McKenna, AOPA’s Fuller and Sun ‘n Fun’s “Lites” Leenhouts. That night the fire was blazing and marshmallows were roasted for the very first time.

Let the Fund-Raising Begin

Thanks to this incredible effort, the response at Sun ‘n Fun was nothing less than overwhelming. Able to see and use the Fire Hub, all week donors and supporters participated ordering engraved bricks to be personalized and installed well in advance of next year’s event.

But, perhaps even more rewarding was that each night of the fly-in, people gathered at the Fire Hub to enjoy a roaring campfire, share stories about the day’s activities and plan their adventures for the following day. Nothing else could have better proven to us that all the effort was worth it.

All of us at the RAF thank everyone involved in making this first RAF Fire Hub project such a great success. Through their efforts and commitment, the impossible was definitely accomplished. A pilot community grew stronger from building it, and a pilot community grew larger by sharing it. We now are confident that RAF Fire Hubs will help assure the future of general aviation nationwide.

RAF National Fire Circle Program Raises Funds and Awareness For Recreational Aviation

First Fire Hub Built at Sun ‘n Fun and Sponsored by AOPA

The Recreational Aviation Foundation today announced the creation of the RAF Fire Hub initiative. The project’s goal is the construction of sponsored Fire Hubs to support the organization’s conservation and advocacy efforts.  RAF President John McKenna said, “I am very pleased to announce that the very first project is sponsored by AOPA at a site donated by the folks at Sun ‘n Fun in their campground at KLAL in Lakeland, FL.” Dedication ceremonies will take place during this year’s Sun ‘n Fun event March 26th thru April 1st.  

Craig Fuller, AOPA President, said, "AOPA is proud to support the RAF's work to protect and promote back country airstrips. These fields are a truly unique resource that provide unparalleled access to some of the most remote and beautiful land anywhere. Some of my favorite flying experiences have involved spending time with my fellow pilots around campfires at back country strips, and I know many of AOPA's members can say the same. I encourage everyone who knows the joy of camping under the wing at a remote strip to support this project."

John “Lites” Leenhouts, President of Sun ‘n Fun, said, “We are thrilled to be the first location of the RAF Fire Hubs. Bringing together pilots is one of our primary missions and the Fire Hub will be a great gathering place during the convention and throughout the year.”

Each Fire Hub location will reflect the locale of the site, while incorporating aviation themed design elements that clearly identify the location as one of RAF’s Fire Hubs. McKenna said, “By purchasing engraved bricks, RAF supporters can memorialize their name and tail number, include a short quote or honor friends and loved ones.  At the same time, they will show their support for RAF’s mission of preserving, maintaining, and creating public use recreational and backcountry airstrips.”

Explaining Fire Hubs, McKenna said, “Throughout history campfires have served as gathering places. From early pioneers to modern boy scouts and recreational pilots, it is the place at day’s end to gather with friends, prepare food, share stories and plan the coming day. Nothing could be more symbolic of what the RAF is all about; in fact the original decision to start the organization resulted from a camp fire discussion.”

Click here to purchase your brick!