Archive for July 2022
RAF CELEBRATES WITH EAA AT OSH; HONORS VOLUNTEERS
The RAF kicked off AirVenture week on Monday, July 25 with Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin and Indiana Liaison Bill Steinmetz sharing “The RAF Way” with a captivated audience; Tuesday morning, RAF volunteers served donuts and coffee atop Hartzell’s rooftop booth again this year. “New and longtime RAF friends gathered to share flying stories, talk about the…
Read MoreSTEF GOZA
Alaska State Liaison New Alaska Liaison Stef Goza started flying as a teenager in Iowa’s flatlands, where she was born and raised. She earned her pilot certificate in her 20s and flew for the next few years, but like a lot of us, flying was set on the back burner. “I returned to aviation with grit and determination…
Read MoreUSFS, NMPA AND RAF ADD FEATURES AT NEGRITO
RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reports that volunteers from New Mexico Pilots Association, the RAF, and three US Forest Service Reserve District employees completed work at Negrito airstrip, 0NM7 in the Gila National Forest in mid July. “Rainy weather chased us out a day early, but the work was mostly finished,” Keller said. The…
Read MoreIMPROVEMENTS, WEBCAMS IN EAGLE CAP WILDERNESS
Two popular backcountry airfields, Minam Lodge (7OR0); and adjacent Red’s Horse Ranch (68D) are located within the Eagle Cap Wilderness, that totals over 360,000 acres in northeast Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Ancestors of the Nez Perce Tribe first occupied the region in 1,400 A.D. followed by Cayuse, Shoshone and Bannock peoples. The Wilderness Act of…
Read MoreMICHIGAN’S TWO HEARTED REOPENS AFTER REHABILITATION
RAF Michigan Liaisons Brad Frederick and General Grant announce that Two Hearted airfield, 6Y5 on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was recently inspected by the state and reopened. “Cones are back out and it is mowed. We want to be sure people understand that the grass is delicate for the time being and that small tires are…
Read MoreRachel Thompson
A person doesn’t forget Rachel Thompson. Wife of RAF Oklahoma Liaison Steve Thompson, she steps out of his gleaming Cessna 180 in the middle of the backcountry, unloads all the fixin’s for a week’s worth of baking, and gets to work. Within an hour, the aroma of something wonderful baking is in the air. If…
Read MoreWORK COMPLETED AT STEHEKIN, NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
RAF Washington State Ambassador Ray Ballantyne reports that Washington State Department of Aviation and the RAF joined together to perform the annual cleanup of Stehekin State Airport, 6S9, in the North Cascades National Park in June. Paul Wolf, State Airport Manager and his wife Deanna arrived by helicopter because there is no road access to this settlement above the…
Read MoreRAF COLLABORATION WITH USFS PRESERVES SILVER LAKE
RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes reported that continued collaboration in Oregon between the RAF and the US Forest Service has resulted in the preservation of Silver Lake airfield, 45S. “The Silver Lake Ranger District team recently mowed and re-established its edge markings and the 3,000 foot long runway is currently in excellent condition and ready…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS COMPLETE NORTH FOX ISLAND MAINTENANCE
RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant reported that 13 planes and 20 volunteers landed at North Fox Island, 6Y3 July 8-10 to complete seasonal maintenance. The group accomplished mowing, trimming, and general maintenance of the airstrip and adjacent tie-down and camping area. They relocated the outhouse and filled the previous pit; they split and restocked firewood for camper use, and “Miles of trails were trimmed back and mowed,” he added. Prior to departure, they replenished…
Read MoreSULLIVAN LAKE ANNUAL CLEANUP AND POTLUCK
“Enough work has been completed in past years that this year was pretty light,” RAF Washington State Liaison Dave Whitelaw said of the tasks scheduled at Sullivan Lake state airport, 09S. A group of about a dozen volunteers arrived early on the July 15-17 weekend and joined Washington State DOT Airport Manager Paul Wolf on…
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