Archive for 2016
Big Bar airstrip is located on the Idaho side of the Snake River within Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America and Big Bar is the only airstrip within that National Recreation Area. The RAF and the Oregon Pilot’s Assoc. supported the Idaho Aviation Assoc. (IAA) to conduct autumn…
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) joined representatives of federal and state agencies, aviation groups, landowners, and other stakeholders at the U.S. Forest Service Regional Headquarters in Albuquerque on November 10 to sign a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a partnership called the New Mexico Airstrip Network (NMAN). The groups will collaborate to preserve, promote,…
Sugar Creek grass airstrip, four miles from Bentonville, was christened October 8 with a fly-in celebrating Summit Aviation’s tenth anniversary. Together with our partners Summit and Tailwind Foundation, we have the airport in great shape. About 100 customers, friends and family visited, some exposed to the airstrip for the first time. Visitors enjoyed volleyball, horseshoes, beanbag throws, live music…
The RAF is thrilled to have created Trigger Gap, a new recreational airstrip, this time in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. This 3,000-ft airstrip lies on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy above the Kings River, what the TNC calls a “recreational treasure, famous for fishing, swimming and canoeing.” “Our success is the result of…
The work party at Pelican Point (Oregon’s Owyhee Reservoir State Airport, 28U) brought out a highly motivated crew. Seven aircraft from California and Oregon landed and eight volunteers got a start on improving the runway surface. We filled holes in the surface, removed large rocks, leveled the surface and broadcast grass seed. Volunteers also tidied up the aircraft parking…
The RAF raised funds for this new 3,000 ft. grass airstrip in the beautiful Ozark Mountains through private donations. It’s located on Nature Conservancy lands, and a long-term lease ensures its future. Local RAF volunteers helped construct the airport and have committed to ongoing maintenance. Trigger Gap is located 3.2 nm south of Carroll County…
Ragmuff is the first airstrip within the privately-held North Maine Woods to open for public use. “We’re considering this a test case, the first step in working with North Maine Woods ownership as other owners are watching,” said RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe. The source of its singular name is murky, but the beauty and proximity…
The North Fox Island work weekend on June 17-19 was a huge success according to Michigan State Liaison Brad Frederick. Seventeen aircraft brought 24 volunteers who cut brush and trees and mowed grass. RAF president John McKenna and board member Alan Metzler found their niche removing ant hills. George Stevens delivered the port-a-john and assembled…
RAF joins its aviation industry friends to sign FAA Reauthorization Letter. On June 8, a letter was sent to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act. The letter states that aviation is vital to the U.S. economy, “contributing nearly $2 trillion in…
For pilots flying the Northwest, summer flying season is off to a great start! And the Recreational Aviation Foundation is “open for business” – that is, the serious business of safe and memorable recreation! Maybe you are headed north to Alaska and are looking for great places to land and camp or explore in Montana.…
Recent Posts
We have a BIG announcement planned for AirVenture this year, and you're invited to join us to celebrate the news. Put these special events on your AirVenture schedule for Tuesday, July 21: 8:30 - 10:30 am: Donuts & Coffee at the Redbird Booth, #301 11:30 am - 12:45 pm: RAF Forum - Beyond The Pavement by Mike Goulian, Forum Stage #10 We can't wait to share what our volunteers have been working on. Submitted June 15, 2026
“It's hard to describe the emotions associated with this effort,” said RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov of the restoration of Monache Meadows airstrip, on the Kern Plateau south of California’s Mount Whitney. This High Sierra airstrip had been accessed for recreation for years until the US Forest Service unofficially closed it in the 1970s citing the Wilderness Act, although the strip is not in a Wilderness area; it lies between the Golden Trout and South Sierra Wildernesses. The RAF is thrilled to announce that Monache Meadows is officially charted as L80, and has been brought back into safe operation after many years of neglect. It is open for public access, thanks to years of effort and support by RAF volunteers and donors. RAF California Liaison Rick Lach first learned of the airstrip in the 80s on a Jeep excursion planting trout in the High Sierras. Lach became an RAF Liaison in 2011, and determined ways to approach the appropriate land managers about restoring the airstrip for use after being abandoned. Persevering for 15 years with respectful communications with a series of District Rangers, he finally delivered a breakthrough in 2024 when the Forest Service agreed to include Monache Meadows in its scope of work, allocating some funds in cooperation with RAF volunteer efforts. "After years of patience and persistence, I am glad to announce that we have restored Monache Meadows back to safe operation to be enjoyed by pilots once again," said Lach. Both Lach and Barilov organized repeated work parties, seeing as many as 20 volunteers making the arduous drive to help. A Monache resident and RAF supporter donated the windsock. The remote area is popular for camping, hiking, and fishing, and up until now was only accessible seasonally by a rough and rocky road, requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles. The road becomes soft and impassable during wet conditions and closes due to snow. Barilov said, “We appreciate everyone's help. The strip ended up nearly 2,400 feet in length, is very flat, and is covered with grass. Frankly, it looks like one of the best grass airstrips I have ever landed on.” The airstrip lies at an elevation of 7,874, so those wishing to access it must consider density altitude, and that it seasonally gets heavy snows. The RAF's Expanding the Map initiative is a nationwide effort focused on opening, improving, and restoring access to airstrips, helping connect aviators to more of the places they love to explore. Learn more about Monache Meadows Airstrip and how the RAF is Expanding The Map . Submitted July 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
By Matt Foster - Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee Chair Your backcountry adventure likely involves a heavily loaded airplane, a short strip, challenging terrain, and limited options. Your practice should reflect those realities – at your home airport. Weave exercises into your normal flying, and consider bringing someone along to observe and keep you honest. Make your normal operations backcountry-ready operations. Seek out an instructor with backcountry experience or challenge your local instructor to learn about your upcoming mission and play a role in your preparation. Load the airplane as you expect to fly it. Bring the camping gear, survival equipment, and ballast that simulates your expected weight and center of gravity. You’ll learn more about how the airplane performs when it's configured for the mission…not when it's empty and light. Make all your landings “spot” landings (remember: your “worst” landing is your standard). Know your performance for takeoff distance and power settings. Learn to lean for density altitude. Practice these calculations for your aircraft. Fly non-standard patterns where airports allow. Practice go-arounds with varying flap settings. Practice slow flight and canyon turns. You can do many of these on every local mission with only a little more thought and purpose…and it can be fun and rewarding. Visualize the adventure, and practice before you launch your adventure. The backcountry is no place to discover your limitations. Submitted July 14, 2026 Photo Credit: Bill Brine
The annual Meadow Creek, Montana cooperative work party occurred on June 20. Volunteers from Montana Pilots Association, Montana Aeronautics, and the RAF flew in to do seasonal maintenance together on this popular NW Montana Forest Service airstrip adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
RAF New Hampshire Liaison John Meade originally came on board as Liaison in 2016 and has recently volunteered to add Vermont to his Liaison role. We are thrilled to have his help in both states going forward. John grew up in New York and had the Navy take him away; eventually depositing him in Massachusetts. John’s father-in-law was a pilot, and in the late 80s, John got bitten by the flying bug as well. Eventually, a SuperCub on floats became his pride and joy. It became a convertible with Bushwheels, skis, and floats. He credits his association with SuperCub.org for coast-to-coast friendships and finding a cadre of local New England pilots in search of backcountry adventures. John’s current airplane is a Bearhawk Patrol that he built. John and his wife Jennifer split their work week between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where they have a home and airfield. Their Wentworth Aerodrome – affectionately known as the “WAD” – is located 12 miles from Vermont, where he flies routinely. John has one son and five grandchildren. RAF NH/VT Liaison John Meade can be reached at jmeade@theraf.org . Submitted July 14, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
