The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

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HOW DO I JOIN?

The RAF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, however, we are not a membership organization. We rely solely on donations to fulfill the RAF mission. To become an RAF supporter, click the Join Now button or click the Donate button in the website menu. To become a volunteer, click the Volunteer button to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Welcome to the RECREATIONAL AVIATION FOUNDATION

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) was founded by a group of Montana pilots who realized that the threat of recreational airstrip closure was of national concern. They also recognized that there was the need for a unified effort by pilots everywhere to protect public recreational opportunities. The RAF is dedicated to preserving existing airstrips and creating new public-use recreational airstrips throughout the United States.

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GET TO KNOW US

The RAF Way

Ryan Barn, MT

Trigger Gap, AR

The RAF implements its mission through these Guiding Principles:

➢ We believe that aviation is a valid form of accessing recreational resources on public and private lands.


➢ We believe in collaboration with both public and private entities to arrive at solutions that provide benefit to all parties.


➢ We value the relationships of all stakeholders – both public and private – and commit to fostering relationships based upon integrity and transparency.


➢ We believe that creation of new recreational airstrips will encourage the general aviation community to get out and recreate as well as provide more dispersed recreational opportunities.


➢ We prioritize safety - from pre-flight planning to the experiences on the ground where our planes have taken us - and consider it a lifetime commitment, rather than an isolated event.

DID YOU HEAR? RAF supporters will receive a $1,000 discount on the purchase of Hartzell Propeller's Voyager, Pathfinder, Explorer, and Trailblazer propellers through 2026. Read the Press Release!

Latest News

WORTH THE READ: WENDY LESSIG GUEST EDITORIAL

February 16, 2026
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 guest editorial is by Wendy Lessig, a pilot and an RAF Utah Liaison.

VOLUNTEERS WORK TOWARD REOPENING FLYING M RANCH AIRSTRIP

February 13, 2026
RAF Nevada Liaison Julian Pridmore-Brown has been working with Nevada State Parks to make improvements to reopen the historic Flying M Ranch airstrip in western Nevada, 18 nm west of Hawthorne. The famous ranch was owned by hotel magnate Barron Hilton, who turned the property over to the State of Nevada on his passing. Hilton, widely acknowledged as an accomplished pilot himself, hosted guests from around the world at the ranch, including many famous pilots and astronauts. The ranch is well known in the glider community for the Hilton Cup, a multi-day competition bringing glider pilots from every continent, and thousands of spectators. Pridmore-Brown organized a work party for the February 7-8 weekend as part of an America 250 event supporting the surrounding Walker River State Recreation Area. “This weekend was a huge success on several fronts,” Pridmore-Brown said. About 32 RAF supporters and a dozen additional volunteers from Nevada, and from as far away as California and Oregon, helped. Several of the Park’s top management were on hand working side by side with volunteers, pounding posts in rocky soil and stringing barbed wire nearly 3,700 feet around the crosswind dirt runway. They cleared brush from a nearby fishing pond using a dump trailer supplied by an RAF volunteer. “The State Park folks are very committed to this project and it was clearly evident,” Pridmore-Brown reported on his visit to the project site earlier. Three semi trucks of supplies had been brought in, and he said about 15 people were on site getting things prepped, and installing the fence corners. 

RAF WELCOMES BRUCE LATVALA TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

February 12, 2026
Bruce Latvala was selected to step up from his role as RAF Ambassador to a seat on the RAF Board of Directors. The opening of Trigger Gap (17A) in northwest Arkansas exposed him to the RAF. Since 2018, he has volunteered as a Kansas Ambassador and enjoyed traveling the country to many RAF-supported airstrips, and helping at work parties. Professionally, Bruce is a Production Test Pilot for Cessna Citation aircraft. He holds multiple type ratings and instructor certifications. His previous professional roles include design engineering and engineering flight test. “Starting my career at Cessna in June of 2008, the 2009 downturn was a mere one year away,” Bruce says. “The silver lining was that a good friend and former coworker moved to Idaho, and he introduced me to backcountry flying.” Their first stop was Moose Creek (1U1). Since then, Bruce says he was hooked and has enjoyed multiple trips flying the northwest United States. RAF President Bill McGlynn said, “We are fortunate to have Bruce allocate time out of his busy life to help us champion the RAF mission. He brings some important analytical skills to the board while also being a great guy and a strong supporter. It will be a pleasure working with Bruce.” Outside of aviation, Bruce enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. He lives in Wichita with his wife, Nicole. Submitted February 12, 2025
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Volunteer for the RAF

Did you know…the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) achieves its mission almost entirely through the efforts of volunteers?

It's why you learned to fly

Aviators are hungry for new places to go, where new and memorable adventures await.

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