VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE SEASONAL WORK ON MONTANA USFS AIRSTRIPS

RAF Montana Liaison and Montana Pilots Association past president Scott Newpower organizes cooperative annual work parties prior to flying season on the Flathead National Forest Airstrips. He has reported two highly successful gatherings so far.

The Spotted Bear work weekend was June 7-8 and brought 17 people. Volunteers replaced both windsocks, filled gopher holes, rolled the runway, removed small trees from the runway approach, and removed bushes and small trees in the runway environment. 

MPA Kalispell hangar president Mitch Fontenot helped organize the work party and lined up Chris Lipp from Big Sky Wings and Rotors to provide lunch. “Thanks also to Matt Lindberg from Montana Aeronautics for their support and help at the work party,” Newpower said.

The following Saturday, volunteers showed their support at Meadow Creek by completing needed maintenance. “This work party had one of the largest turnouts in recent memory. We had nearly 30 people fly in as well as hike in to the airstrip,” Newpower said. 

The crew installed new bear box support posts, and new shelves were built under the bear boxes to keep firewood dry. “These shelves were designed and built by Trevert Adkins, son of long-time Meadow Creek visitor and supporter, the late RT Adkins,” Newpower pointed out.

Volunteers cut many downed trees and stacked the firewood, weed whacked three camping areas, filled gopher holes, mowed the entire airstrip, and replaced both windsocks. Some cleared downed timber from the trail to the Flathead River gorge. The Montana Pilots Association provided lunch. “Thanks also to Karen Hallenbeck and Montana Aeronautics for their continued support,” Newpower added. 

The next Flathead Forest work party will be July 19 at Schafer Meadows in the Great Bear Wilderness. Visitors are reminded to be considerate of other Wilderness users, as the runway lies close to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, which is very popular for rafting. Please call Newpower for work party details, 406-670-3169; and see the Airfield Guide for information on Schafer Meadows.

Submitted on June 23, 2025.