The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

HOW DO I JOIN?

The RAF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, however, we are not a membership organization. We rely solely on donations to fulfill the RAF mission. To become an RAF supporter, click the Join Now button to either donate or simply fill out your contact information so you will receive our communications. To become a volunteer, click the Volunteer button to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Welcome to the RECREATIONAL AVIATION FOUNDATION

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) was founded by a group of Montana pilots who realized that the threat of recreational airstrip closure was of national concern. They also recognized that there was the need for a unified effort by pilots everywhere to protect public recreational opportunities. The RAF is dedicated to preserving existing airstrips and creating new public-use recreational airstrips throughout the United States.

GET TO KNOW US

The RAF Way

Ryan Barn, MT

Trigger Gap, AR

The RAF implements its mission through these Guiding Principles:

We believe that aviation is a valid form of accessing recreational resources on public and private lands.

We believe in collaboration with both public and private entities to arrive at solutions that provide benefit to all parties.

We value the relationships of all stakeholders – both public and private – and commit to fostering relationships based upon integrity and transparency.

We believe that creation of new recreational airstrips will encourage the general aviation community to get out and recreate as well as provide more dispersed recreational opportunities.

We prioritize safety - from pre-flight planning to the experiences on the ground where our planes have taken us - and consider it a lifetime commitment, rather than an isolated event.

Event Calendar

Team RAF


Support our work with your tax-deductible donation. The RAF is a 501(c)(3) organization.

DID YOU HEAR? RAF supporters will receive a $1,000 discount on the purchase of Hartzell Propeller's Voyager, Pathfinder, Explorer, and Trailblazer propellers through 2025. Read the Press Release!

Latest News

RESTORATION, IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE AT LONE PINE WITH ANOTHER RAF GRANT

January 13, 2025

The RAF has awarded California Liaison Katerina Barilov another grant to help fund continued improvements at California’s Lone Pine Airport. This 2025 project will continue the upgrade to the original terminal building that serves as a pilot shelter, meeting room, and kitchen for visitors. The terminal building had fallen into disrepair over several decades. The nonprofit Friends of Lone Pine Airport, (FLPA) saw its…

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“HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS” — NOT

January 13, 2025

We’ve all heard the phrase when someone had a stupid idea and was about to act on it. As we kick off RAF 2025 it feels like a good time to work towards not being the person at either end of that tag line, joke or not. Seriously, what can we do to make 2025…

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Donn Castonguay

January 10, 2025

From watching a radar screen the better part of his work day, to watching out the windscreen of his 1949 Piper PA-16 Clipper, RAF Supporter Donn Castonguay is very happy to have made the transition to his place in the GA world. He and his wife Suzanne enjoy leisurely flights over the green rolling hills,…

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Volunteer for the RAF

Did you know…the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) achieves its mission almost entirely through the efforts of volunteers?

It's why you learned to fly

Aviators are hungry for new places to go, where new and memorable adventures await.

 

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