Archive for 2024
On December 31, 2024 the BLM published the official Record of Decision that recognizes airstrips within the San Rafael Swell region of south central Utah. In summary, the decision retains aircraft-only access to Hidden Splendor and McKay Flat airstrips; Cliff Dweller and Sagebrush Bench airstrips are open to aircraft
RAF Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi reports that a total of 26 volunteers signed in for this year’s 2024 work party at Blackwater Airfield (8FD3). Workers applied a fresh coat of bright white paint to the runway tires, installed the new RAF windsock and added the new RAF support sign. The barbecue grills were serviced an
The RAF has awarded California Liaison Katerina Barilov another grant to help fund continued improvements at California’s Lone Pine Airport. This 2025 project will continue the upgrade to the original terminal building that serves as a pilot shelter, meeting room, and kitchen for visitors. The terminal building had fal
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 Andrew George, the President of the Idaho Aviation Association. When I spoke at the 2024 RAF Volunteer Education Conference in Montana, I emphasized to th
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and the National Park Service (NPS) have renewed their cooperative agreement addressing maintenance on the three airstrips within Death Valley National Park for another five years. Originally inked in 2008 and renewed in 2017, this Memorandum of Understanding between the NPS a
The RAF is pleased to announce that as of now, you’ll find over 400 places to explore in the Airfield Guide, the interactive digital catalog showcasing great recreational airfields. In 2016, Arkansas pilots Dave Powell and Chip Gibbons created the Airfield Guide, and by 2023, it included over 300 listings. Powell said,
RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell received a Holiday card from The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Director Roger Manghan. The entire Arkansas staff had signed it, and Roger had penned the following message that we want to share with you: “RAF is such an important org and we are so very lucky for both your partnership & f
Did you know there are now 803 Wilderness Areas covering more than 111.7 million acres in the continental US and Alaska? The US Forest Service manages the majority of these areas, followed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. There are even more Wilderness Study
Visitors to Maine’s Red Pine airfield along the Saint John River can tie their airplane down at the north end and use a new picnic shelter and outhouse nearby, saving the long walk to the camping area on the south end of the 2,354 ft runway. RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe drove in for the October 22 work day to…
Every year I sit down to write this letter and give you a sense of why we do what we do, and how you help. The inspiration for me this year is, “What you see is what you get”, or “WYSIWYG,” coined two decades before the RAF, so we can’t take credit for the phrase. But we’d like you to know that we are an organization with no secrets, no hidden agendas, nor much else you don’t know about us. We just keep it simple. We are an organization of volunteers that set out to do some good work. The RAF asks you to support us, and when you do, we put your dollars to work getting some pretty amazing things done – so much more than we imagined when we started. We have done what we’ve done by listening and learning from you. We’re a better organization as a result, and most importantly, we are what you see – WYSIWYG. So we are asking you again this year. If you like what we do, send us a few bucks; if you love what we do, maybe send a few more. Either way we will continue to make the most with what we have and continue to be the trustworthy organization you’ve grown to know! Sincerely, RAF Board of Directors: John McKenna, Chairman Bill McGlynn, President Tim Riley, Vice President Mike Perkins, Treasurer Bill Brine Joe Brown Pete Bunce Jeff Russell Todd Simmons Steve Taylor To make a contribution to the RAF, click here . The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access. Submitted November 26, 2024.
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Idaho Ambassador
RAF Oregon Ambassador Sarah Brown and RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes have been awarded an RAF grant to rehabilitate the campground at Siletz Bay State Airport (S45), near the small community of Lincoln Beach on the Oregon coast. “Once an extremely popular place for pilot gatherings, this campground saw up to twenty-five airplanes at a time for weekend camping in its heyday,” Brown said. However, the campground has become overgrown and nearly forgotten over the years. Local RAF supporter Bruce Dunlop suggested the recreational potential to Brown. She and Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson explored the feasibility of reviving it; they envisioned the rehabilitation with the help of RAF funds and volunteers. Efforts include clearing brush and removing and chipping dead trees, removing rotten platforms, fire rings, and picnic tables. Volunteers will replace picnic tables and fire rings, lay gravel to help improve drainage, and build a firewood shed. The airport is owned and managed by the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA). “Director Kenji Sugahara is an enthusiastic proponent of the RAF and its mission,” Brown said. RAF's Oregon team has successfully worked with ODA to improve safety and facilities at several other airports with recreational potential, particularly McKenzie Bridge (00S), Owyhee (28U), and Toketee (3S6). Other ongoing collaborations between RAF and ODA include discussions to improve the facilities at Nehalem Bay (3S7). Repaved in 2025, the Siletz Bay airport is a 15-minute walk from beautiful Gleneden Beach, what Brown says is “a great place to walk in the sand, look for agates, fly a kite, surf, or whale watch in the spring and summer.” A 40-minute walk north of the airport takes you to hiking trails at the Alder Island Nature Trailhead. Highway 101 parallels the runway and is known for its scenic cycling. Golfing is another recreational opportunity at the Salishan Coastal Lodge Resort, which is adjacent to the airport. Several nice restaurants are located within walking distance. See the Siletz Bay Airport listing in the Airfield Guide . Submitted March 12, 2025
Opportunity has three components: 1) The effort that goes into its creation; 2) Recognizing the opportunity; 3) Being ready and willing to act on the opportunity. Number one on the list is the sweat equity we have all put into the RAF – each one of you who has given of your time and talent. Campfire conversations that led to work parties that proved our conviction to the RAF mission. We learned what needed to be done, and we learned how to do it together. We were polite and persistent in our approach, which, in time, presented opportunities. Number two is recognizing that an opportunity is presenting itself, and knowing that it is one worth taking on. Over the years, we learned the RAF’s ability to prioritize, begin, and how to go about the best next steps. No backcountry guidebook was available, so we did a lot of “learning by doing.” The RAF has become a respected organization in our area of work. The opportunities that we are seeing on our plate today are not just luck. They were created. That is a tribute to you, the people of the RAF. Finally, when you add one and two, you come to being ready to act. We put much of the early effort into creating opportunities, then gained the experience to prioritize them, found wisdom and strength in allying with like-minded groups, and finally, we are doing our best to take action on the best of them. You are vitally important at this stage since we need you to continue to be a part of the action. The RAF will be asking you for support at many levels as we move forward, and we hope you will find the challenges as exciting as we do. When we call for your help, we only request that you look at the project and decide, is this my time to do what I can? We hope you will join us, and why not bring a new friend to help out? - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted March 15, 2026
Ken is a third-generation general aviation pilot. His grandfather owned a Jenny, and his father a Cessna 195. Ken’s flying background includes gliders of all types, numerous tailwheel, and high-performance aircraft. He learned to fly in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in the 1980s, then flew for commercial glider operations in Aspen and Boulder. He recently got back into flying and enjoys doing so with his wife/copilot, Deb, and dog Moki in their C185. They have a particular interest in mountain and backcountry flying and camping. “Our family enjoys the outdoors and any excuse to travel to off-the-beaten-path locations,” Ken says. They have recently been to all the Colorado airports (excluding Denver International) and most of the airports in Wyoming. “We had a great time participating in the 2025 EAA AirVenture Cup Race prior to Oshkosh, where we placed second in the Skywagon class,” Ken adds, noting that there were only two entries. They camped under the wing of their 185 parked with 100 other Skywagons at Oshkosh, “and met many others with the same aviation affliction.” Ken looks forward to fulfilling his role as a Colorado Liaison supporting the RAF mission. He plans to fly to as many RAF-supported sites as he can to meet and learn from others. He, Deb, and Moki live in Loveland, Colorado, and base their plane at KFNL. “If you plan to be in the area or are traveling through, please give me a shout as I’d enjoy meeting you,” Ken says. He and his family plan many more adventures, so you may come across them when you’re on your own adventure, and if so, please say “hello.” Contact Ken at klong@theraf.org Submitted March 12, 2026
