Archive for 2020
Managers of Death Valley National Park in California are seeking public input regarding future use of the park’s Stovepipe Wells Village. One of the park’s proposals is to change the Stovepipe Wells airstrip into a dedicated night sky viewing area due to the prohibitive maintenance expense of repaving the runway. This is due to the…
The RAF is pleased to announce that one of the country’s most distinctive airports has been saved from potential closure. Goodspeed Airport, (42B) lies beside the historic Connecticut River in East Haddam, CT. The airport has a 2,120-ft paved runway, a parallel turf runway, and is the only seaplane base in southern New England, listed…
The RAF has granted $14,000 toward the preservation of Minnesota’s Isle Airport, (MY72). Minnesota Liaison Kirk Hiner and RAF Director Emeritus Peter Burwell met with Isle Airport management to agree on cost sharing a project to remove encroaching trees that were threatening to close the airport. In June, the RAF reported that the city council…
A picnic pavilion is going up at Havana Regional (9I0) in Illinois! The project is being coordinated by the Havana Regional Airport Board and members of the local EAA Chapter 1420. RAF awarded grant funds to partially fund improvements at the airport. Additional improvements include year-round showers and a fire pit, f
Campground improvements at Fort Kent Municipal Airfield in Maine are now complete. Camping area additions include two picnic tables and a picnic area shelter just off the west side of the runway next to the trailhead to Fish River Falls. Fort Kent Municipal Airfield is adjacent to Maine’s Fish River, and George Dumond of the Fish River Flying Club has…
The RAF has granted funds to help cover the cost for improvements at Fort Kent Municipal Airfield in Maine. Camping area additions will include two picnic tables and a picnic area shelter just off the west side of the runway next to the trailhead to Fish River Falls. Fort Kent Municipal Airfield is adjacent to Maine’s…
Maryland Ambassador Day job: Product Manager of Digital Air Traffic Tower Solutions at Frequentis USA Favorite airstrip: Far too many to say. Perhaps Alton Bay or KLUA. Honestly, I hope I haven’t found my favorite yet. Next adventure: Backcountry flying in Idaho – hopefully very soon!
RAF grants are used typically to purchase building materials, with much of the labor provided by RAF volunteers. Occasionally professionals must be engaged to complete specialized tasks. When Montana’s Schafer Forest Service airstrip (8U2) needed serious grounds work this summer, RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower outlined the need, and an RAF grant was awarded for the…
A West Virginia RAF member who owns the mountaintop grass airfield Rainelle, (WV30) has worked with RAF West Virginia Liaison Evan Davis to open it to RAF membership for fly-in camping. “There is no place in West Virginia that provides a facility like this that I am aware of,” Evan said. In order to make it…
Maine RAF Liaison Andy Rowe reports that the tree removal project has begun on Cowboy’s Air Ranch (84ME), closing it for the time being. An RAF grant is being used to extend the 2,100-foot long turf airfield an additional 1,300-1,500 feet and equipment is now on site. This airfield is privately owned, and permission is required…
Recent Posts
More than 40 RAF key volunteers were apprised of current AOPA advocacy efforts during an annual online meeting with AOPA’s State Advocacy team of Regional Managers on October 13. Leon Jackler, Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy, began with appreciation for the RAF, saying, “You’re the people actually swinging axes and clearing brush. Thanks for all of your committed volunteers.” He then introduced each AOPA Regional Manager to discuss their specific action items. Common to most of the seven regions was the need for vigilance on taxes and fees, limiting the use of ADSB to extract fees, preserving existing airports, and preventing states from putting aviation fuel taxes into their general fund, called “revenue diversion.” A strong theme in each region was appreciation for the successful RAF-AOPA collaboration. One of several examples of this teamwork was the cooperative success adding “aviation" to Louisiana's Recreational statute, “on the first try.” Collaborative efforts continue to preserve Agua Caliente airport in California, Aeroflex Andover airport in New Jersey, and others. In closing, RAF Chairman John McKenna reiterated the value of this partnership. “I’m proud of the relationship that exists here. We’ve got people who care.” Submitted October 29, 2026 Cover Photo Credit: Jim Stevenson, Knik River, AK
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Cindy Cross, RAF VP of Appreciation.
Michigan RAF volunteers had a very successful work party at Hanley Field (5Y7) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the October 10-11 weekend. Led by Michigan Ambassador Ryan Minnick, the crew, including Michigan Liaison Tanmoy Ganguly, cut and stacked firewood, repaired the sink and water heater, and relocated the airport sign along the road for better visibility. “We had a great weekend and got a good amount of work done. It was great connecting with supporters from the area,” Minnick said. “The assistant airport manager was there and was very happy with the results that came out of the work party.” Fourteen remained to camp Saturday night. Find more about Hanley Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 21, 2026
