Archive for June 2024
RAF-BRANDED HUSKY STOPS IN AT RYAN FLY-IN
The conversation was as lively as June’s dynamic weather for the June 28-30 Fly-in this year at Ryan Field near West Glacier, Montana, especially when RAF Director Tim Riley landed and parked the spectacular RAF-branded Husky in front of the barn. Matt Hoefeldt from Aviat had arranged for this special aircraft to make an appearance…
Read MoreSEASONAL WORK COMPLETED AT LAKEWOOD LODGE; UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Nearly 40 volunteers pitched in for what RAF Director Jeff Russell called, “A very successful RAF work party,” in early June at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge, 14WS in northern Wisconsin. “One small measure of this success was the turnout of so many volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and dig in to help. Attendance was more than…
Read MoreCONNECTICUT AIRFIELDS AWARDED RAF GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements at two Connecticut airfields, Goodspeed, 42B near East Haddam, and Waterbury, N41 near Plymouth have been funded by RAF grants, thanks to RAF Connecticut Liaison Brian Thomas. At Goodspeed, Thomas has lined up volunteers, and will use the grant to purchase materials for four 10-ft x 10-ft tent platforms to establish a desirable camping…
Read MoreIMPORTANT STEPS TO SAVE BACKCOUNTRY FLYING – CLAY SIMMONS PODCAST WITH BILL MCGLYNN
Fourth-generation pilot, aircraft broker, and builder Clay Simmons sits on the RAF’s new Backcountry Etiquette Team. The group formed out of concern for the growing impact of increased backcountry activity by a variety of users. On the RAF podcast hosted by RAF President Bill McGlynn, Clay explains experiencing Idaho’s backcountry as a very young passenger. When his dad survived a serious airplane…
Read MoreCALL TO ACTION: SAN RAFAEL SWELL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN
We need your help to preserve Utah’s scenic backcountry airstrips. Due to the 2017 lawsuit settlement with an environmental group, the BLM is obligated to revise 13 Travel Management Plans (TMPs) in Utah. Each requires public comment periods. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig says, “Please hang in there and keep sending your comments. Every voice counts.” Draft San Rafael Swell TMP…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS CONTINUE IMPROVING HISTORIC WATERBURY
“Thanks to a group of thirteen volunteers, we were able to have a successful RAF work party,” Brian Thomas, RAF Connecticut Liaison reported of the June 23 gathering at the Waterbury Airport, N41. He reports that the airport owners are very appreciative of the collective efforts from the local pilot community to keep Waterbury looking…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: SCOTT HECK GUEST EDITORIAL
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 by Scott Heck, a longtime RAF friend and supporter. It was the early 2000s when John McKenna asked me to fly into Ryan Field with him and Chuck…
Read MoreRAF Podcast #14: Important Steps to Save Backcountry Flying
For RAF Podcast #14, Bill McGlynn sits down for a discussion with Clay Simmons of the RAF Backcountry Etiquette Team on how to help sustain flying as an acceptable means of accessing the backcountry.
Read MoreEDIE WELLS
While Edie is not a pilot, she has somehow managed to surround herself with them. A college boyfriend took her on her first date in a Cessna 150. Her brother earned his private pilot’s license in his teens just for fun but loved it so much he made aviation a lifelong career. Edie met her…
Read MoreFIVE HELLS CANYON AIRSTRIPS GET ANNUAL MAINTENANCE
RAF Oregon Liaison Bill Ables reports that in May, thirty volunteers completed another successful work party on five airstrips within Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. “This has been a long-standing Idaho Aviation Association work party, and they provide food and drinks for the volunteers,” Ables said. “Nineteen aircraft arrived at Dug Bar at…
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