Archive for 2022
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 month’s guest editorial is from Mark Baker, President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. There are many thousands of pilots in this great country, flying millions of miles each
What’s significant about your 20th anything? Most of us can likely recall turning 20 years old; some may recall their 20-year high school or college reunion …. Heck, when my children turned 20, I recalled just how quickly those years had elapsed. So, I am guessing most of us can look at some 20 year benchmarks as just a blink in life’s eye. The same can be said about the RAF. It really does seem like little time has passed since those six of us were sitting around the campfire talking about the need for an organization like the RAF. About all we had were some ideas, some energy, and some vision – and limited resources. But on reflecting on those 20 years, much has occurred. This organization – voted “least likely to succeed” more than once from the established aviation community to the halls of D.C. – grew from six of us to now 11,000. And thanks to all of you joining the mission, we have gained wisdom and resources. What do we feel is most significant about the RAF at 20? We are the recognized leader in volunteerism and very proud of it. We started out as all volunteers, and the RAF has fostered that culture these 20 years. Sure, it might have been easier to do all this with paid help, but we simply had faith that volunteers could accomplish great things for the RAF. And you have proved us right. You have been part of a movement to save special places we call “the backcountry.” And in partnership with others with common goals, we are proud to own that term. You, the donors and the doers can be justifiably proud of the successes we share. We’ve grown up some, gotten an education, and surrounded ourselves with good friends who are smart and generous. So, when we meet throughout this coming year in these special places, let’s celebrate in the spirit of a 20-year reunion. Let’s raise our glasses to the organization, pat one another on the back, thank a volunteer, applaud our partnerships, and celebrate the backcountry. It’s truly an event you’ll want to be part of. Recreational Aviation Foundation John McKenna, Chairman
“We just concluded our phase two work party at Sacaton landing strip, and I think we are about ninety percent finished,” RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reported. Approval must come from the Glenwood District Ranger before Sacaton is open for general recreational use after decades of closure and neglect. As of now, u
“Fifteen volunteers braved hours of rutted out 4×4 roads to come help rebuild Chicken Strip in Saline Valley on November 5 and 6,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. It’s ironic that an airstrip in the driest place in North America suffers occasional flooding, but a regional deluge in July created washou
RAF supporters with the popular O-470 model engine will be thrilled to learn that Hartzell Propeller has expanded the applicability of its popular three-blade aluminum Voyager props. The Voyager is now STC approved for Cessna aircraft powered by Continental 470-A (s/n 41000 and higher) -J, -R, and -S engines. This incl
Not everyone could get volunteers to show up for outdoor work on a Wisconsin airfield on the windy shores of Lake Superior in December. But RAF Director Jeff Russell and Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin were successful gathering a dozen folks who cheerfully helped take on maintenance and improvements at Cornucopia, inclu
RAF Georgia Ambassador and Bonanza pilot Eric Davis and his father Gary evaded poor flying weather and made the four-hour drive and boat ride into Creighton Island in October to make a variety of improvements to the unique fly-in island setting. They have proven to be a multi-skilled “dynamic duo” when it comes to upke
An RAF grant funded improvements in conjunction with a major repaving project at New Cuyama airstrip in California, L88, and as planned, on October 13 folks gathered for a celebration. The ribbon was cut by key volunteers Steve and Nancy Sappington from the Blue Sky Center, who helped drive the project. Alex Guerrero, the craftsman of Warrior…
“Success has many fathers,” RAF Director Tim Riley says, using the proverb to point out that many people put in a lot of time and effort toward preserving Stovepipe Wells airport in Death Valley National Park. The Park Service had planned to close the airstrip in favor of stargazing. After meetings with aviation advocates, and…
“Thanks to an RAF infrastructure improvement grant, California’s Lone Pine Airport now has new flushing toilets and enclosed restrooms with running water,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. The work was completed as part of a greater rejuvenation effort by Friends of Lone Pine, a non-profit group of local volunteers who recognized the potential of…
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Taylor Flat Airstrip, just a stone’s throw from the wild and scenic Green River as it carves through spectacular Utah canyons, is officially reopened. Thanks to a cooperative effort between the RAF and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP), Taylor Flat Airstrip, TF9, is one more recreational destination pilots can once again enjoy as the RAF works on Expanding The Map ! In 2023, dialog was initiated with the BLM to reopen the airstrip. Daggett County got involved, and RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig navigated the required NEPA process. Lessig was instrumental in preparing a right of way (ROW) lease agreement application, coordinating between Daggett County, the BLM, and other stakeholders, and gathering information to assist the BLM throughout the required Environmental Assessment. “Thanks to Wendy taking action as the RAF Liaison, and her professional persistence following through the lengthy public review process, Taylor Flat Airstrip will reopen as another unique backcountry destination," RAF President Bill McGlynn said. The RAF and UBCP teamed up May 9 to revitalize the airstrip, which had lain dormant for thirty years. “The work party was a resounding success,” Lessig reports. ”We are grateful for the twenty-five volunteers who hand-picked rocks from the airstrip, and used them to mark the runway corners and threshold. “
Starting this month, we’re sharing messages from our RAF Safety, Education and Etiquette “SEE” committee. We hope you like the way we present these stories, and most importantly, we hope you’re one of those folks willing to sit around the campfire and help your friends become better at this thing we call backcountry aviation. We all see things that might not end well. We don’t intend to call anyone out for what might already be a bad day in someone’s flying life. In the interest of safety, we’re inviting you to be part of the culture starting with, “see something, say something.” The hard part might be how to politely deliver that message, and even more important, how to react if we are on the receiving end of someone’s comment. It takes maturity to accept input, especially at one of those moments when maybe we realize things could have just gotten much worse for us. I know I’ve been in “that place” when some thoughtful input about my flying or behavior has been offered. Part of flying is to always strive to be better; and when we aren’t at our best, try to own our shortcomings, learn from them, and move forward. I think about this often. I worry that if we don’t work at getting this part right, at best we risk losing access due to bad practices or behavior; and at worst we risk people getting hurt or worse. It’s that last piece that keeps me up at night. Of all the joys that doing this work brings us at the RAF, the risk of people getting hurt is what I think about the most. Safety, education, and etiquette are tied. Getting these right means the best outcome. So, get out there this summer. Get some grass stains on your wheels, get some bugs on your windscreen, get better at your craft of flying the airplane, meet some new people, and for sure start to create those special friendships that begin around a campfire under a starlit night. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted June 16, 2026
By RAF Director Bill Brine and the RAF's Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee. Too many backcountry accidents happen on the third approach. After two unsuccessful attempts at landing, the pilot is tired, anxious, behind the airplane, and making decisions with a brain that has been running down since the first go-around. The airstrip hasn’t gotten easier. Third time’s NOT a charm. What’s driving this is cultural. Baseball is “three strikes, you’re out.” Could this thinking have joined us in the cockpit? We aren’t playing baseball out here. The backcountry does not give you that third strike. It gives you consequences. Our RAF Code of Conduct calls on each of us to establish personal minimums based on sound aeronautical decision-making — before we need them. Decide your limits at the kitchen table. Write it down. Brief your passengers. Commit to it before you start the engine. That’s when the rule does its job and leads to that hoped-for experience you set out on. Here is one worth considering: two attempts, fly away, head somewhere else . Not because your mission failed, but because you made a sound decision. Flying away is not defeat. Head to your alternate. Land, shut down, and let everyone decompress. Unload gear, leave passengers, go back solo, or call it a day. Those are good outcomes. Submitted June 15, 2026 Photo Credit: Scott Newpower
This month, the RAF is featuring our friend Charlie Gregoire, co-founder of innovative Redbird Simulators. Redbird's story is of a few guys who acted on their great idea to make it easier and more affordable for anyone to become a pilot. In 2006, they imagined a flight simulator that made a pilot feel like they were flying a real airplane. “We thought a decaying Cessna Cardinal RG was the perfect prototype,” Charlie said, and “Redbird” was born. “After a few more not-quite-right prototypes, we arrived at our first product, the Redbird FMX.” And driven by the idea to make initial flight training affordable, Redbird FMX is a great primary loggable training platform. Since then, Redbird has delivered over 7,000 aviation training devices to more than 60 countries. From desktop models to full-motion units, “We’re proud of the revolutionary changes our employees and customers are bringing to this industry we are all so passionate about,” Charlie says. Charlie also serves as a member of the special RAF group of volunteers we call the Vy Group. Pilots know that Vy is the “best rate of climb” speed, and these folks help steer the RAF in ways to “gain altitude” efficiently. Redbird and the RAF have partnered on the idea to prepare pilots for the unconventional demands of backcountry flying. Redbird has incorporated backcountry training scenarios, and graciously shares their wide selection of “off pavement” experiences by inviting pilots to try their hand in simulators at aviation events, like AirVenture and Sun ’n Fun. This year we invite you to Redbird’s interactive display at AirVenture, booth 301. While there, enjoy coffee and donuts with the Redbird team and us from 8:30 am to 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 21. Charlie and his team recognize the value of partnerships like ours. He says partnerships are an important part of Redbird’s past and future success. We share a common goal to make GA as safe as possible – wherever, and whatever you choose to fly – and keep it strong with passion, dedication, and commitment. See Redbird’s complete story here . Submitted June 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
We have a BIG announcement planned for AirVenture this year, and you're invited to join us to celebrate the news. Put these special events on your AirVenture schedule for Tuesday, July 21: 8:30 - 10:30 am: Donuts & Coffee at the Redbird Booth, #301 11:30 am - 1:00 pm: RAF Forum - Beyond The Pavement by Mike Goulian, Forum Stage #10 We can't wait to share what our volunteers have been working on. Submitted June 15, 2026
