Archive for May 2016

The RAF Razorback Rendezvous, an every-other-year event, is designed to bring State Liaisons, key volunteers, and interested stakeholders together to educate and inspire the mission of the RAF.  This year’s conference was held in Bentonville, Arkansas May 12-14. The Rendezvous was jam-packed with a score of presentations, Q&A, breakout sessions, networking and socializing. Over 100…

Despite the storms, the Idaho Aviation Expo at Idaho Falls May 20-21 was very successful. The RAF booth stayed busy with lots of Civil Air Patrol youth flying the Red Bird SIM. RAF Michigan Liaison Brad Fredrick bought one aspiring young pilot a new RAF hat! Brad attended Expo to share the North Fox Island…

Wisconsin State Liaison Jeff Russell hosted the traditional “WFO” Winter is Finally Over (or something to that effect) hangar party May 21 at his hangar in Middleton, WI.  While this is the third year of this annual gathering of local aviators and friends of aviation, it is the first year it included an RAF fundraiser.  A native…

The Green River Chapter of the Washington Pilots Association and the RAF held their annual work party at Greenwater/Ranger Creek Airport (21W) on Saturday, May 7.  About 40 volunteers and 15 planes showed up to get the airstrip ready to open for the season. They cleared the runway, raked, pulled weeds and tree sprouts, and replaced windsocks. A team assembled…

Team effort between the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the Arizona Pilot’s Association is producing great results! The process of placing the Grapevine airstrip back on the Phoenix sectional, replacing the closed airport symbol that has marked the place of the Grapevine for nearly 20 years has begun! In  my mind, it seems like just last…

​Homesteaded by George Stevens and his Apache bride in 1878, under the Desert Lands Act, the Double Circle Ranch was once one of the largest cattle ranches in the southwest. It’s place between Willow and Eagle creeks at 4,800′ made it a coveted place by not only the ancient pueblo Indians, but by the then…

The Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering the weekend of April 29-30 was a wonderful opportunity for the RAF to chat with aviators. The RedBird flight Simulator drew a crowd to our booth. Pilots of all ages practiced their skills, flying in and out of some fun recreational airstrips, coordinated by RAF volunteer Smoky (Debra Folsom). RAF Minnesota…

RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton and Press Liaison Carmine Mowbray hosted the RAF booth at the 19th annual Alaska Aviation Gathering at Ted Stevens Airport, (ANC) in Anchorage April 30-May 1. The event maxed out at 275 exhibitors, including cutting-edge bush aircraft and rare vintage models. Folks from as far away as Florida milled about…