The RAF held the 6^th annual donor members only fly-in at Ryan Field the end of June.  We had approximately 60 folk’s Friday evening for brats and beans.  Saturday evening we had 23 aircraft on the field and about 100 avid RAF supporters that were served steak and salad.  Ben and Butchie Ryan celebrated their 65th anniversary earlier this month and they were presented with a bouquet of flowers and best wishes from everyone at the fly-in.   They continue to do well, and spent lots of time visiting around the camp fire and meeting new friends. 

Rebecca Smith oversaw the woodstove bakeoff and Gordon Rock was the winner with his salmon recipe.  2^nd place went to Pete Smith for his dessert, and 3^rd place went to Rick Hauer for his delicious baked beans. Dan Prill emceed the program and we heard messages from; Carl Hicks, RAF supporter, Jon Hudson, President of the Montana Pilots Association; Chip Weber, Supervisor of the Flathead National Forest; Stu Horn, owner of Aviat Husky, George and John Kounis, owners of Pilot Getaways Magazine, and Craig Fuller, President of AOPA.  John McKenna, President of the RAF presented a Golden Pulaski to Gordon Rock for all he has done to support the RAF.  We were quite fortunate to have a volunteer band that the Flying Musicians Association put together for us. 

Great food, good music, new friends and beautiful countryside – what could be better than that!

The weather for the weekend was quite variable but we had no rain and some sunshine.

New Zealand Pilot meets the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) at Idaho Aviation Trade Show

Cessna 180 owners Beverley and Graeme Prankerd from Straford, New Zealand joined Recreational Aviation Foundation friends at the Idaho Trade Show in Idaho Falls, Idaho the weekend of May 20^th and 21^st.   The Idaho Aviation Trade Show was hosted by Aero Mark FBO of Idaho Falls and Bob and Jane Hoff.

The trip over the pond was encouraged by RAF supporter and 180 pilot, Mike Todd of Yelm, Washington.  Upon arrival Beverley and Graeme found they were among friends in Idaho.  Jack Kotaki of the Idaho Aviation Association (IAA) took on the role as official host.  

Shown in the photo are John McKenna, RAF President; Stu Horn, Owner of Aviat Aircraft, Graeme Prankerd and Carl Hicks, also of the RAF.  As is customary, hats from the respective organizations were exchanged.  John McKenna is shown here sporting his New Zealand 180/185 club hat, while Graeme is proudly wearing his new RAF hat.  Read more >>

Every once in a while we all have an opportunity to make a difference relative to the kinds of places we enjoy going.  The United States Forest Service, which is home to many of the airstrips that we call special, has been going thru a multi-year process of redefining the rules that they operate under.  The Recreational Aviation Foundation along with AOPA has attended all of the meetings held in Washington D.C.   In addition, your RAF and its volunteers have attended numerous state and regional meetings on the subject.

Our effort was twofold.   First to be a positive contributor to the process, and second to raise awareness that aviation has a legitimate place at the table.  We believe we have done both of those.

It is now your opportunity to assist in putting some frosting on the cake.  We are confident that our collective voices will tell this agency that we as aviators are interested and responsible parties to the discussion.

Please take a few moments to review the draft RULE and submit your comments to the USFS.  They must be received by May 16, 2011.

Thank you,

John McKenna

President RAF

Read more >>

Blue skies and warm temperatures brought John McKenna to St. George, Utah in mid-April for a week of mountain biking and hiking with his family, but they ended up with a real bonus to their trip.  Longtime RAF supporter and friend, Gordon Rock and his wife Shirley were at their home in St. George, the same week.  Following a week of mountain biking and hiking John took a break and headed to the airport with Gordon.  Read more >>

 At the April board meeting of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, John Nadeau of Maine was elected to the board of directors. John brings the experience gained from his time as the RAF regional representative for the New England States. 

John has also been very instrumental in the Recreational Use Statue (RUS) amendment across the United States.  “The RAF is fortunate to have the quality of individual that John Nadeau represents,” said RAF President John McKenna. Please meet John Nadeau and read about him and his family.