2019 RAF GRANT PROJECTS ADD RECREATIONAL ACCESS

The RAF is primarily volunteer-driven, meaning your donations go directly toward on-the-ground projects that further the RAF mission to preserve, maintain, and create airstrips for recreational access.

Volunteer RAF state liaisons identify projects, then apply for RAF funds. A grants committee – made up of State Liaisons, RAF members and an RAF Director – then reviews the application. Typically, the liaison must also organize volunteers to help with the labor required. Often, they call in others who are willing to donate or provide equipment and building supplies at no cost, or at reduced prices.

Here is a summary of recent grants awarded:

Wisconsin: RAF Liaison Jeff Russell will oversee improvements at Cornucopia Airport ( WI23). The project includes construction of a pilot shelter, adding picnic tables, tie downs and bicycles. Jeff worked with the airport manager and local businesses to foster support for investing time and money to make the airport more inviting. “This airstrip has high recreational value due to its proximity to Lake Superior and the Apostle Island National Lakeshore,” Jeff said.

Minnesota: RAF Liaison Kurt Pennuto was awarded a grant to improve Bowstring Airport ( 9Y0). He will complete two campsites, picnic tables, fire rings and an outhouse. From each campsite, campers will be able to access the Chippewa National Forest, area lakes, trails and hunting opportunities. The airport commission has committed to maintaining the campsites and outhouse.

New Hampshire: Liaison John Meade has taken Parlin Airfield ( 2B3) under his wing for preservation and improvements, adding picnic tables, and solar chargers. Its amenities include camping and access to local Sugar Hill Recreation Trails with use of mountain bicycles at no cost. John emphasizes that local personnel do much of the work “which increases broad community commitment and teamwork, while insuring lower operating costs for the town. Parlin has become a regional fly-in destination,” he added.

Colorado: Liaison Tom Haefeli says the cornerstone of his pilot shelter project at Ken Rominger airport ( KRCV) will be the new shower and kitchen area. “This will allow airplane campers, mountain bikers, and pilots a place to refuel, refresh and continue great airplane adventures,” he said. The airport is three miles north of Del Norte, central to many Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico airstrips. “This shelter will also be a great resource for cross country travelers as well,” he added. Rio Grande County is a key partner for the project.

Vermont: Bob Burley is fond of Allenholm Airport ( VT26), and wants to preserve it from possible closure and improve it with funding for mowing and added improvements. Maybe the regionally famous Allenholm Farms pies, pastries, cookies available at the airfield is one reason! This historic 2,400-ft field is located in an apple orchard on an island in Lake Champlain. Within one mile of the airfield is a state park with beaches and watercraft rentals, several B&Bs, and a quaint Vermont village. All within a half- or hour-long flight are scenic mountains and islands, a four- star, 150-year-old lakeside resort, golf course and grass strip. “Allenholm is ideal for both hub and spoke day trips and peaceful respite,” Bob said. Vermont Air National Guard pilots are committed to helping out at Parlin.

Florida: What started out in 2013 as efforts to reopen abandoned Blackwater Airfield ( 8FD3), has developed into ongoing cooperation to improve this popular recreational destination. RAF Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi continues to work with Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association (FSAACA) by adding barbecue grills, and refinishing picnic tables. “These efforts show continued engagement and commitment to foster a positive relationship with the State Forestry Service in preserving and maintaining this recreational airfield,” Bobby said. “Not only was the project approved by State Forestry Manager David Creamer, he was willing to assist with installing the grills,” Bobby added.

Bobby also erected a sign acknowledging participants. “The sign is an investment in advertising for all who worked so hard to get Blackwater open to GA,” Bobby said.

Oregon: RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes has a less tangible need. He was invited to join the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) whose mission is to maintain and improve recreation access into the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area by making recommendations to the US Forest Service. “RAF representation on the HCRC will help protect and maintain public access to the Hells Canyon airstrips, and foster positive collaboration with other river users,” Richard said.

The area encompasses 652,488 acres of rugged backcountry between northeastern Oregon and western Idaho. There are no roads across Hells Canyon’s 10-mile wide expanse. Six backcountry airstrips deep in the canyon along the Snake River are open for public use. Administration of HCRC is funded by contributions from key participant organizations. Richard works entirely at his own expense, but the largest HCRC administrative cost is the salary of the part-time facilitator. Idaho Aviation Association pledged support, and Richard requested a like amount.

Submitted on July 8, 2019

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RYAN MINNICK

August 18, 2026
Posted in Ambassadors , Georgia Ambassador

THE REOPENING OF KEG KNOLL AIRSTRIP EXPANDS THE MAP

By Carmine Mowbray • August 14, 2026
Join the excitement as the RAF continues its momentum Expanding The Map, making these the most exciting years in our history! We encourage you to explore the growing number of destinations where you can share the joys of recreational aviation with family and friends. This time, we’re announcing the reopening of Keg Knoll Airstrip in central Utah, closed years ago by the designation of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area. Thanks to RAF efforts to gather widespread support from pilots and RAF allies, the BLM has allowed this airstrip to be reopened for public access. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig has led the effort over the past three years in advocating for the reopening of Keg Knoll airstrip. Various meetings were organized with the BLM to explore whether the airstrip could be reopened as allowed by the Wilderness Act. After the BLM prepared an environmental assessment of the airstrip, they issued a final decision to approve Keg Knoll airstrip for reopening, subject to a set of reasonable conditions that protect the wilderness area. Keg Knoll Airstrip has outstanding recreational value and offers pilots ready access to a true wilderness experience. Visitors can experience dispersed primitive camping next to their airplanes, hiking around Horseshoe Canyon, and stargazing under the dark skies at night. “One thing that makes Keg Knoll airstrip unique is the accessibility of the relatively easy two-mile hike to Colonnade Arch, also known as Five-Hole Arch,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig points out. Keg Knoll is now open, with a cooperative work party to further improve the airstrip and install a windsock planned for the fall that will include volunteer pilots and the BLM. Since Keg Knoll airstrip is in a Wilderness area, no motorized or mechanized devices are allowed, so volunteers will be limited to the use of hand tools to perform maintenance. Current reports state the airstrip itself is in good shape, but pilots must be aware that the south 700 feet of the original airstrip is closed, and will be marked with rock X’s. What remains open is 2,000 feet of runway length. “We will need help from all the pilots who visit Keg Knoll airstrip to be good stewards to help protect and preserve the Wilderness environment for this special airstrip,” Lessig said. For more information about Keg Knoll, visit our dedicated web page . Submitted August 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

RAF FEATURED PARTNER: NEW MEXICO AIRSTRIP NETWORK

By Carmine Mowbray • August 14, 2026
When a few New Mexico backcountry pilots observed the closure of a backcountry airstrip on public land, they understood the need for a goal-focused group to preserve these valuable recreational destinations — places in the high desert where you could land your own GA aircraft, pitch your tent with panoramic views of ponderosa, piñon pine, and Rocky Mountain juniper, and easily hike into the Gila Wilderness area. New Mexico Liaisons Ron Keller and Larry Filener started the New Mexico Backcountry effort in 2009 and the New Mexico Airstrip Network partnership formed in 2014. “With their vision and a bit of organizing, we got a lot accomplished,” New Mexico Pilots Association former President Joyce Woods says. Their work brought about a historic MOU, formalizing “the collaborative partnership of federal and state agencies, aviation groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to preserve, promote, and enhance New Mexico’s growing inventory of recreational airstrips and related airports.” This document was signed at the USFS Regional Headquarters in Albuquerque in 2016. Thanks to these visionaries, access to choice flying destinations is available to pilots, nearly 20 in number. The RAF has provided grants for improvements at several New Mexico airstrips, and has formal agreements with the Gila National Forest to maintain and improve airstrips within the Forest. Additionally, NM Liaison Ron Keller has put in many hours and weekends organizing RAF and New Mexico Pilot volunteers for work parties. Joyce credits Keller as a “real workhorse", mowing the airstrips and leading work parties. Plan your New Mexico flying adventures, and bring your camping gear and hiking shoes. Lining the trails are 1,500 different plant species like the Wright's silktassel, Apache plume, cliff fendlerbush, mountain snowberry, and manzanita. You can access sites with prehistoric rock art. Spring visitors might hear the sweet song of the warbler during its migratory stop in the Gila. Night brings the darkest skies you’ve ever seen, sparkling with the Milky Way. Enjoy the warmth of a campfire as the desert night cools, and thank those wise and determined pilots who worked to preserve these New Mexico gems among the New Mexico Airstrip Network. Find more about these airstrips using these valuable resources: RAF Airfield Guide New Mexico Pilots Association Submitted August 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

THREAT AND ERROR MANAGEMENT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY - WHY IT MATTERS MORE

By Robert Miller • August 14, 2026
As a career pilot, Thread and Error Management (TEM) has been ingrained in how I fly. I’ve become convinced that Threat and Error Management matters more in backcountry flying than just about anywhere else. Not because the principles are different but because the timeline for decisions is. In “normal flying,” a poor decision often gives you time to recognize it, correct it, and move on. In the backcountry, the chain gets compressed. Threats are closer, mistakes can compound quickly, and options disappear in a hurry. By the time you realize you're behind the airplane, there may not be enough runway, climb performance, or room to recover. That's why TEM isn't about avoiding mistakes. It's about breaking the chain before the situation starts making decisions for you. Most of the threats are familiar. Density altitude. Winds that don't behave as forecast. Narrow strips, rising terrain, soft surfaces, visual illusions, and airplanes that perform a little differently than they did last time. Add a little fatigue, a little confidence from yesterday's success, or an eager passenger, and the margins start shrinking. The interesting part is that accidents rarely begin with one big mistake. They usually begin with a series of small decisions that seem reasonable at the time. "The tailwind isn't that bad." "We'll climb out fine." "The approach will come together." In the aftermath of a near accident or a survived accident, we’ve heard all of these testimonials…sometimes from the voice in our own headset. The best backcountry pilots I've flown with all seem to have one thing in common. They're willing to change the plan early. They don't wait for proof that something is wrong. If the approach isn't shaping up, they leave. If the takeoff isn't developing as expected, they abort. If the conditions don't match what they planned for, they wait or go somewhere else. That's TEM in its simplest form: anticipate the threats, recognize when reality no longer matches the plan, and act while you still have options. One thought has stayed with me over the years: backcountry accidents rarely begin with bold decisions…they begin with delayed decisions. The RAF Safety, Education, and Etiquette team is looking at practical ways to apply TEM in the backcountry, including personal decision gates, arrival and departure briefs, and recognizing the traps that catch even experienced pilots. Let us know by sharing your own tips and ideas in “Comments” below. Until then, ask yourself one question before every approach and every takeoff: If this doesn't work exactly as planned, what's my next move? If you have a good answer, you're probably ahead of the airplane. Submitted August 8, 2026 By Robert Miller, RAF West Virginia Liaison & Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee member

IRENE ESQUIVEL

August 11, 2026
Irene was born and raised in Los Angeles but eventually found her way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where she quickly fell in love with the slower pace of life, the endless outdoor adventures, and the welcoming community. After spending a few years between Mississippi and Los Angeles, she knew Marquette was where she wanted to be and returned to make it home. Travel has always been one of Irene's greatest passions. Her mother once joked that she needed to find a career that could support her expensive travel habit—and she did. As a full-time flight attendant, Irene has had the opportunity to experience incredible places and cultures around the world. About five years into her airline career, a pilot casually suggested, "You should be a pilot!" Just one week later, Irene took her first flight lesson and discovered a passion for flying she never knew she had, and hasn’t looked back since. In addition to working as a full-time flight attendant, Irene is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFII/MEI) who is passionate about helping aspiring pilots achieve their aviation goals while developing the skills and confidence to become safe aviators. She is also preparing to begin her second year as a part-time high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) aviation teacher, where she enjoys introducing students to the various opportunities aviation has to offer. When she is not in the air, Irene enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on motocross/supercross races, and now volunteering with the RAF. Irene looks forward to contributing to the mission of supporting recreational aviation for future generations and cannot wait to meet the members, volunteers, and aviation enthusiasts who make this community so special. Submitted on August 11, 2026