Archive for August 2021

At 3,793 foot field elevation, Ingalls Field (KHSP) in Hot Springs, Virginia is one of the highest elevation airports east of the Mississippi River. RAF Virginia Liaison Alan White reports that since 1931, locals have traveled to the top of the mountain for the cooler temperatures, beautiful vistas and nighttime star gazing. As with other bygone…

Toketee State Airport, (3S6) a 5,350-ft turf airstrip in Oregon’s Southern Cascades within Umpqua National Forest is close to the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River. RAF Oregon Liaison Mayes says the river offers spectacular steelhead fishing, adding, “The airfield provides a quiet spot for fly-in camping with access to hiking trails and a nice summer swimming hole…

RAF Southeast Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest  has concerns that some of the 140 US Forest Service cabins in the vast Tongass National Forest are in jeopardy of closure. These cabins are open for public use at very affordable fees, but perceived lack of usage has caused the Forest Service to re-consider continuing to preserve them. “These cabins are a true treasure in…

Red’s Wallowa Horse Ranch airstrip, (68D) in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area has acquired a new sickle-bar mule-drawn mower, and the airstrip was recently mowed, thanks to collaboration between the US Forest Service, the Wallowa County Pilots Association, the RAF, and Oregon Pilots Association volunteers. Wilderness restrictions prohibit the use of mechanized equipment, and the…

Our friends at Lightspeed are celebrating their 25th year, and want to spread the joy. Beginning with their first rollout at AirVenture in 1996, Lightspeed has continually offered an improving line of noise cancelling headsets. Now Lightspeed is offering 200 limited edition 25th Anniversary Zulu 3 headsets, as a way to raise money for several aviation…

The RAF has been successful in its mission to preserve, improve and create airstrips for recreational access. Here’s our latest report on our most recent projects. There could be one in your state! We are proud of our relationships with like-minded groups and together we’ve accomplished a great deal from Alaska to Florida. You’ll find it…

Each month we highlight an airstrip where the RAF has had involvement. We hope that you will get out and enjoy these airstrips. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Bowstring (9Y0) in Minnesota. Enjoy autumn’s changing colors at this beautiful airfield in the heart of Chippewa National Forest. Airfield campsites feature tent pads, RAF fire rings, firewood, picnic tables, and an outhouse…

The RAF and Tailwind Aviation Foundation are pleased to announce that the Airfield.Guide now lists over 300 airfields, with destinations in each US state. “The Airfield Guide began as a challenge to find all the grass strips in Arkansas,” RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell said. Powell and RAF member and IT developer Chip Gibbons took up the challenge.…