Chuck Wiplinger, president of Wipaire, Inc. joined RAF Chairman John McKenna in Washington, D.C. to testify before the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations. Chuck packed his five-minute testimony with very persuasive comments including a bit of history on US Forest Service founder Gifford Pinchot, and a life-saving rescue flight out of the Selway. He closed…

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Thanks to the generosity of RAF donors, RAF Grants are available for projects that further the RAF mission. Your continued donations enable the RAF to create, preserve, and maintain airstrips for recreational access. How it works: The RAF depends on its state liaisons to identify and outline a need, and apply for a grant amount. Our…

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Rhode Island and Massachusetts State Liaison Gabriel completed the majority of his flight training in the mountains of western Montana. An avid hiker and camper, he admired the pilots flying into Idaho’s Bitterroot Wilderness and looked forward to joining them once he gained enough experience. One of his favorite strips in the region is Benchmark,…

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The RAF is proud to announce that North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau has been selected for induction into the state’s Aviation Hall of Fame.  The ceremony will be March 5th at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium in Bismarck. The social begins at 6 p.m. and the banquet begins at 7 p.m. For ticket information call 701-328-9650. “Brian Rau…

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After an intense weekend planning session, the RAF Board of Directors is deeming 2019 an exciting and pivotal year for the organization. In January of each year, the Board convenes for a face to face meeting to recap the previous year and define its areas of focus for the future. This year’s meeting took place January…

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Each month we highlight an airstrip that the RAF has positively impacted. We hope that you will get out and enjoy these airstrips. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Johannesburg in California. In 2013, RAF California Liaison Rick Lach initiated conversation with the BLM about reopening Johannesburg Airport in California, a two-runway dirt airport which appeared on…

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Director From a young age, a Cessna was a regular part of Bill’s life, his dad’s way to get from A to B. The family plane was a tool to support the family businesses. Bill was encouraged to learn to fly for practical purposes – not as a hobby or passion. A glider ride 30…

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