Archive for July 2019

Not long after those six fellows came up with the idea to form a nonprofit foundation to save backcountry airstrips, one of them bumped into a graphic artist – not surprisingly – at the Bozeman airport. The artist enthusiastically sketched an idea on a napkin. The design was quickly adopted by the new Recreational Aviation…

The 2019 RAF summer newsletter is now available! Issue 24 of the RAF’s biannual newsletter, prepared by RAF Publicity Liaison Carmine Mowbray, contains regional updates from State Liaison volunteers and other mission-related news. To obtain a printed copy of the newsletter, contact your local State Liaison or visit the “News” section of our website to…

RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes and wife Sarah, an RAF Vice President of Appreciation, report a successful fly-in event at Nehalem Bay State Airport (3S7) July 26-28. This year’s event saw 25 attendees in 18 aircraft taking advantage of the weekend’s lovely sunny weather. Most camped overnight and enjoyed Nehalem Bay State Park, the adjoining town of…

Wild Billy Lake is located on 1,100 acres of private land in south-central Oregon. The property sits on a mesa above the Sycan and Sprague river valleys at 4,500-ft elevation. With no signs of civilization, you have a feeling that you are completely alone with nature. The lake is over 200 acres in size and…

This year’s RAF Ryan Field Fly-In hosted a full line up of aircraft, and guests enjoyed the bounty from Lindey’s Steak House catering truck from Seeley Lake. Second-generation chef Mike Lindemer served sirloin steak sandwiches Friday night, and surprised everyone with three kinds of Montana ice cream. RAF ladies added fresh strawberries. Saturday night diners…

If you’re reading this, you probably enjoy accessing the backcountry by air. The privilege of flying into the backcountry is being threatened by those few who “bag” airstrips just to tally up challenging landings in their logbooks. For over forty years, I have enjoyed flying my 1976 Cessna 180 into the backcountry to camp, and…

Volunteers from four states joined RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower at West Yellowstone airport (WYS) on Saturday, June 15 for a work party to improve the campground adjacent to the airport. The group enjoyed nice weather, not always the case in June, as the airport elevation is 6,648 feet. The 22 volunteers replaced crumbling concrete fire pits…

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…