Archive for April 2021
OREGON AIRSTRIPS RECEIVE FUNDS FOR CONTINUED MAINTENANCE
“McKenzie Bridge Airport in the Central Oregon Cascades is popular with recreational aviators. It provides access to the McKenzie River, mountain bike trails, and remote camping,” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes says. To ensure the continued utility of the airport, Mayes has been awarded an RAF grant to employ a contractor to mow the airfield.…
Read MoreJEFF DEFREEST
Alaska State Liaison Jeff DeFreest started flying early in life – logging his first hours in 1972 – but his flight training stalled until he was well into his career as a professional geologist with the US Forest Service (USFS). He worked in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah before transitioning to Alaska in 2001. Before moving…
Read MoreLOCALS PITCH IN ON CORNUCOPIA IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements are continuing this spring at the RAF-supported Cornucopia, WI airstrip, W123. Cornucopia is the northernmost village in Wisconsin and sits on the south shore of Lake Superior, adjacent to the magnificent Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “Not only is the scenery absolutely spectacular, but there are also incredible recreational opportunities in the area including kayaking…
Read MorePresley Melton
After years of experience flying his Boeing Stearman, Decathlons, an RV8, his award-winning 1943 Howard DGA, and a variety of other aircraft, RAF Ambassador Presley Melton of Arkansas says he has the most fun in his open-cockpit AirCam. Years ago, Presley journeyed out west in his RV8, enjoying Idaho’s groomed turf airfields, but realized he wanted something that he…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS RAISE PAVILION AT TRIGGER GAP
The open air pavilion is nearing completion at Trigger Gap Airfield in Arkansas, 17A. Volunteers came from 12 states representing RAF members, the Tailwind Aviation Foundation, and local Fly Oz friends, most of whom are also RAF members. “We had a very successful work party,” RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell said. “All had a great time and enjoyed…
Read MoreHARTZELL PROPELLER, RAF AGREE TO INCENTIVES FOR BACKCOUNTRY PILOTS
The following is a press release announced by Hartzell Propeller. Hartzell Propeller has reached an agreement with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) to offer a special $1,000 discount on all new Hartzell backcountry propellers sold to RAF members. The RAF is a national organization headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., which is dedicated to preserving, improving and…
Read MoreJOHN NADEAU
National RUS Liaison After ten years of flying pavement to pavement around New England, John Nadeau and his wife Ann Marie acquired property near his family vacation home in Maine. An abandoned airfield laid in the backwoods that he and friends reclaimed over a summer, and John landed on a grass runway for the first time on…
Read MoreRAF Podcast #9: Richard McSpadden
This is a great discussion about “Spad’s” 20 year career in the Air Force, including leading the Thunderbirds, transitioning to General Aviation and civilian life and now his third career as the Director of the Air Safety Institute and the joint initiative between the ASI and the RAF to reduce accidents in the backcountry.
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