Archive for August 2022
LISA BALLANTYNE
Lisa Ballantyne married into a flying family and earned her private pilot’s license in 1977. She flew a Piper Tomahawk until it was sold in preparation for a move to Alaska in 1980. Once in Alaska and since that time, husband Ray Ballantyne (WA Ambassador) has done all the flying in the various planes they…
Read MoreTroy Tirrell
As a kid living in Minnesota, Troy Tirrell was introduced to aviation by his father, a Northwest Airlines pilot. They vacationed in Alaska when Troy was a kid. Troy’s own experience included glider lessons in Australia and Hawaii. His father’s form of recreation included cruising his motor sailboat throughout the Caribbean, Florida’s Keys, and the…
Read MoreGA NEWS ANNOUNCES RAF CALL TO ACTION
General Aviation News reported September 7 on the RAF Call to Action for Florida’s Wakulla County Airport. Read the story HERE. Submitted on September 8, 2022.
Read MoreRAF VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE IMPROVING RED PINE
The RAF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have an agreement allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of Red Pine airfield, located within TNC’s Saint John River Forest in northern Maine just a dozen miles from the Canadian border. RAF volunteers have worked to restore the airstrip to a better condition. On September 7, RAF Maine Liaisons Steve…
Read MoreKEVIN RUDISILL
West Virginia Ambassador Day Job: C-17 Pilot West Virginia Air National Guard Favorite Strip: High Rock, MD Next Adventure: Somewhere in Montana and Idaho
Read MoreENJOY AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE HAVANA (9I0) STARGAZING PARTY
The improvements continue at Illinois’ Havana Regional Airport, 9I0. RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura worked with the local airport authority, and local EAA Chapter 1420, and with leverage from an RAF grant, made this multi-year effort possible. In addition to the new four-season men and womens’ shower/restroom facility, a patio seating area and RAF fire…
Read MoreCALL TO ACTION: WAKULLA COUNTY AIRPORT, FLORIDA
On Monday September 19, 2022 Wakulla County Commissioners are expected to effectively close the Wakulla County airport by terminating the Airport license. This will result in the loss of Wakulla’s only public use airport. Once it’s closed it’s lost forever, a loss to Florida and all pilots who enjoy flying to this Florida airfield near Panacea, FL with nearby Gulf fishing, boating,…
Read MoreUTAH BACKCOUNTRY STRIPS CALL TO ACTION – DEADLINE IS SEPT. 27
The BLM has begun the Public Scoping process to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Utah’s Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument (GSENM). The BLM scoping process is to gather topics that the public thinks should be considered in the EIS and RMP. Your help is needed to encourage the…
Read MoreTERRY CROSS
California Ambassador Day Job: General Counsel for North America operations of a global semiconductor company. Favorite Airstrip: How can you ask that question?! I am constantly dreaming of every airstrip in the Frank Church Wilderness! Next Adventure: My next flying adventure is a return trip to Alaska for one month just flying and fishing with my wife…
Read MoreHEAR THE GLACIER GROAN AT CHILDS GLACIER CAMPGROUND
RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton provided an update on the work that has been accomplished at the airstrip and campground near Childs Glacier, where Clayton says, “You can see the glistening face of Childs Glacier and hear it. It’s always moving and you can hear popping, groaning, and booms like cannon fire. Of course, a highlight…
Read More