November 2019 - Recreational Aviation Foundation

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS FROM THE RAF

Happy Thanksgiving Week To You All. Recently I was reading a blog that I follow, and true to form, I am a shameless plagiarizer. I give credit to Seth Godin for some of the words and the general thought. I tell Trish (the one who really runs this outfit) that when someone writes down concisely…

RAF FIRE RING POPULAR AT DELAND SHOWCASE

It was cold, and sometimes rainy, but a tight knit RAF crew persevered through the weather at the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase, held at the DeLand Municipal Airport (KDED). “Having a [camp]fire there was a real godsend during the cold, misty nights,” said Florida Ambassador Amrat Chugani. Florida State Liaison Bobby Capozzi and Ambassadors Lynn…

NEW UTAH STATE LIAISON: WENDY LESSIG

Please welcome Wendy Lessig, who joins current Liaison Wayne Loeber in advancing the RAF mission in Utah. Wendy was introduced to aviation as a five-year-old when her family transferred overseas, but she had no dream of becoming a pilot. That all changed when, as a solution to a transportation problem, she took her first flight…

PATTY BUNCE

Vice President of Appreciation Patty and her husband Peter Bunce – who serves on RAF’s Board of Directors – are long-time friends and supporters of the RAF. Patty received her B.S. in Occupational Therapy, magna cum laude, from Mountain Mary University in Milwaukee, WI. She has worked in a variety of school and medical settings,…

BENTONVILLE DISPLAY INSPIRES BACKCOUNTRY AVIATION

If you’ve been to Thaden Field in Bentonville, AR (KVBT), you’ve seen its exceptional Fieldhouse right on the field. RAF members Chad Cox and Chip Gibbons along with Fieldhouse staff and Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell set up a “Backcountry and Recreational” display and promotion for Fieldhouse hangar visitors. “Pilots and non-pilots can see and envision…

AIRFIELD.GUIDE APPRECIATION LUNCH

RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell reports that on November 23, local airstrip owners who have allowed their airstrips to be included in the Airfield.Guide were hosted for lunch at Thaden Field, Bentonville, AR (KVBT). Airstrip owners were updated on the progress of the Guide, and were offered suggestions on ways to control their own airstrips. “Most importantly,…

FLORIDA’S BLACKWATER FLY-IN

RAF Florida Ambassador John Hall reports that with ideal weather, the November 8-10 weekend Fly-In brought 17 aircraft to Blackwater airstrip (8FD3) near Munson, FL. Aircraft ranged from kit planes, Cubs, retractables and a new Kodiak with only 18 hours logged. Thirty people attended with a mix of RAF members and their families, active duty Air Force…

COMMUNITY TURNS OUT IN FAVOR OF AIRFIELD

As reported, the Selectboard meeting and public hearing about the possible closure of Maine’s Charles A. Chase Memorial airfield (44B) in Dover-Foxcroft took place November 12. The town manager and at least one select person wanted to close the airfield and construct a solar farm on the site. “There was a very large turnout of local…

PHOTO CONTEST RESULTS ILLUSTRATE RAF MISSION

The 2019 RAF Photo Contest has concluded, again with breathtaking results. Close to 200 submissions came from five geographic regions, including an International category. Our judges had difficulty selecting just one winner from each region, finally settling on nine winners and three Honorable Mentions. We are pleased that photos came from several airfields where the RAF has…