Archive for July 2018

Since 1950, Swank Farms near Butler, OH has continued the American Midwest tradition of productive farming. In 1999, pilot Freeman Swank and his wife Mary added a barnstormer element by building an airfield, converting a turn-of-the-century barn into a picnic pavilion, and opening their farmstead to fly-in visitors.  Freeman is an RAF Ohio Liaison, and…

Morning sun graced the rooftop deck above Hartzell Propeller’s showroom at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh as RAF supporters and friends gathered there Thursday morning, July 26. Attendees came to enjoy not-so-ordinary donuts, piping hot coffee and good company. A team of RAF volunteers served up the decadent gourmet treats.  The event was a departure from the last few…

RAF South Dakota Liaison Ray Jilek supports aviation in many ways. In addition to his responsibilities with the RAF, he is AOPA’s Airport Support Network volunteer for his airport, and is featured in the August AOPA Pilot magazine as the ASN Volunteer of the month. AOPA’ s goal is to have an ASN volunteer at…

To celebrate the addition of another premier recreational flying destination, the RAF held a Grand Opening July 7 at Two Hearted airstrip, in Michigan’s Lake Superior State Forest. “Two Hearted is a spectacular end-of-the-road destination,” RAF chairman John McKenna said, as the ceremonial ribbon was about to be cut. “A must-visit for the adventurous and competent backcountry pilot.…

After one weather cancellation, the series of Creighton Island Fly-in’s continued on the June 22-24 weekend.  Gary Davis (RAF Georgia Ambassador Eric Davis’s father) and Ambassador Amrat Chugani and Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi flew in and while there, found ancient artifacts, among them, a perfectly preserved tomahawk head. The group installed shutters on the bathroom doors, mounted…

When the weather cleared over this year’s Ryan Fly-In in Montana, the sun shone on 21 aircraft, and many drive-in vehicles. Swan Mountain Outfitters catered Friday and Saturday chuckwagon-style dinners. The keg was tapped each evening at 5 o’clock, and folks huddled under shelter while they waited for RAF volunteers to grill the perfect steak on Saturday night. The RAF rounded everyone…

While in Missoula for AOPA’s regional Fly-In, we were visited by Eugene Bodrero, a representative of Dyacon, the Logan, UT-based manufacturer of new weather stations.  Using all the latest technology, Dyacon can put up a full-function weather station – similar to a standard METAR station – at a fraction of the cost. It records and displays…