Archive for May 2025
FEATURED AIRSTRIP: FLEURISH FARMS, SOUTH DAKOTA
Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. This month, we’re featuring Fleurish Farms, SD. We’ve all heard of flying farmers, but here’s a spread that a South Dakota flying farmer created for everyone to enjoy. Chad and Christy Heckathorn fashioned Fleurish Flower Farm and Design, an…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS PREPARE LAKEWOOD LODGE FOR FLYING SEASON
A group of 27 volunteers organized by RAF Director Jeff Russell gathered at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge, 14WS near the hamlet of Stone Lake, Wisconsin to prepare the airfield and property for summer flying and recreating. Russell reports that this annual spring work party was a great success in spite of challenging weather. “Regular Lakewood volunteers,…
Read MoreRAF VOLUNTEERS HELP CLEAN UP NORTH FOX ISLAND
General Aviation News reports on cleanup efforts at North Fox Island, MI after a spring storm. Read the article HERE.
Read MoreRAF GRANTS FUNDS FOR REPAIRS TO ALASKA USFS CABIN
RAF Alaska/Michigan Ambassador Rob Aho and Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest and his wife Ambassador Kari DeFreest were awarded an RAF grant toward reconstruction and repairs at the US Forest Service Black Bear Cabin on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. The fly-in cabin is 50 air miles west-northwest of Ketchikan and provides hiking, camping, hunting,…
Read MoreUTAH’S RUSTLER CANYON OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED
RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP) board member Wendy Lessig has announced that Rustler Canyon airstrip near Bears Ears National Monument is the newest backcountry airstrip to be added to the aeronautical chart, and will appear as 09UT on the Denver Sectional and ForeFlight in June. The RAF assisted UBCP in the…
Read MoreRAF TO SERVE DONUTS AND COFFEE AT AOPA’S TOWN HALLS
Join the RAF at Bozeman International Airport (KBZN) Saturday, June 14 for your opportunity to meet AOPA’s new President, Darren Pleasance. He’s touring the country, sharing his vision for GA’s future and AOPA’s exciting mission to promote aviation and protect our freedom to fly. The RAF will be there in our orange shirts, beginning with…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: LYNN MARETH 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 Lynn Mareth, an RAF Ambassador and leader of the Backcountry Etiquette Team. Spring is in the air here in northwest Montana. The swallows have returned to our…
Read MoreBRENT BOX
Day job: Retired Physician. Now, time to travel, see family and fly. Favorite airstrip: X61, Zellwood FL Next Adventure: Backpacking Evolution Loop in the Sierras followed by a rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho.
Read MoreHANSELMAN REMEMBERED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION
Many of us still peruse our copies of the late Galen Hanselman’s pilot adventure guidebooks, Fly Idaho, Fly Utah, Air Baja, and Fly the Big Sky. Driven by his passion for the backcountry, Galen spent countless hours compiling these chunky field guides, full of useful aviation information, seasoned with photos, history, and folksy quips. Regrettably,…
Read MoreRAF SIGNS ON TO AIR TRAFFIC MODERNIZATION COALITION
The RAF has added its name to the over 50 aviation-related organizations, manufacturers and stakeholders that support Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s Air Traffic Control Modernization Plan. The US system handles more than 45,000 daily flights, and the FAA relies on aging radio equipment that air traffic controllers depend on to communicate with pilots. Some of those…
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