November 2020 - Recreational Aviation Foundation

RAF GRANT HELPS SAVE ISLE AIRPORT

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…

HAVANA PICNIC PAVILION IN PROGRESS

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, for those who want…

TWO NEW TAX LAWS MAY BENEFIT DONORS

The RAF has some good news for those who are considering their charitable giving prior to year end; and those with IRAs or workplace retirement plans. In response to the widespread financial setbacks the pandemic has caused, Congress modified two tax laws to help ease taxes, and give investors more time to take Required Minimum…

FT. KENT CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE

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…

NEXT BACKCOUNTRY BOUTIQUE ITEM COMING DECEMBER 5

Be watching for our next Backcountry Boutique item, which will debut on Saturday, December 5th! On or around the 5th day of every month, you’ll see a new RAF logo item advertised for sale on the RAF website and Facebook. We will be selling small quantities of each item. When they’re gone, they’re gone! We welcome photos of supporters…

RAF’S FIRST STATE LIAISON ASSUMES NEW ROLE

Ron Normandeau of Montana, the RAF’s first State Liaison, is assuming the title of Public Agency Consultant. In this new RAF role he will serve as advisor to RAF Liaisons when approaching public land management agencies. Normandeau is highly qualified for this transition. His civilian career includes 22 years with the U.S. Geological Survey in…

…IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

The 2020 RAF Photo Contest concluded, again with striking results. We added a new category this year, “RAF Mission” that produced some very appealing images of what we do and why. There were more than 200 submissions this year, topping the response from last year. Your response illustrates that the RAF is fulfilling its mission…

Duane Francis

This photo is unusual because Duane is standing still. He has rarely been seen standing still since he landed his Cessna 205 at Ryan Airfield in the Spring of 2018, and immediately began helping maintain the place. Duane’s high school job was as a country-western radio DJ, but he saw more of a future in…

FEATURED AIRSTRIP IS FLORIDA’S BLACKWATER

Each month we will be highlighting an airstrip that the RAF has had an impact on. We hope that you will get out and enjoy these airstrips. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Blackwater Airstrip in Florida. Blackwater Airfield 8FD3 is a Florida Forest Service(FFS) airfield to which the FFS is willing to permit public access on a ‘request’ basis, should…