TONI WRIGHT

Vice President of Appreciation Toni Wright gave up milking cows for a faster-paced profession in flying.At age 53, her major career change began with a commercial rating and aerial photography for the US Soil Conservation Service. Her first part 135 job was with Exec Air in Montana flying checks across the state. “Fourteen takeoffs and…

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AVIATION ACCESS TO BE IMPROVED AT CHILDS GLACIER, ALASKA

The Recreational Aviation Foundation is pleased to announce good news for Alaskans and visitors to Alaska seeking access to a US Forest Service campground facing Childs Glacier. On January 31, RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton received approval from the US Forest Service for his RAF request for $50,000 to improve and expand the small airstrip…

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QUITE A LIFE – BUTCHIE RYAN TURNS 100

January 3 is Butchie Ryan’s 100th birthday. To honor this remarkable woman, we’re sharing a few highlights of her very full life. The RAF will be forever grateful to Butchie and her late husband Ben for donating their Ryan Field property near West Glacier, Montana to the RAF so it can be enjoyed by all.…

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CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TONGASS CABINS CONTINUES

RAF Southeast Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest has motivated volunteers to help preserve some of the 140 US Forest Service cabins in the vast Tongass National Forest. Some are in jeopardy of closure due to perceived lack of use. “RAF volunteers delivered our USFS approved RAF informational letters throughout August, September and October to seventeen of these…

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RAF PRESERVES CALIFORNIA OCEANSIDE AIRSTRIP

The RAF is pleased to announce the preservation of Las Trancas airstrip, (17CL) located on the Pacific Ocean north of Monterey Bay. This beautiful airstrip provides pilots an opportunity to enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and easy beach access for recreational opportunities. The RAF signed a lease with the airstrip owners, Big Creek Timber Co., to…

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ALASKA LIAISON’S CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TONGASS CABINS

RAF Southeast Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest  has concerns that some of the 140 US Forest Service cabins in the vast Tongass National Forest are in jeopardy of closure. These cabins are open for public use at very affordable fees, but perceived lack of usage has caused the Forest Service to re-consider continuing to preserve them. “These cabins are a true treasure in…

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MARCY FIELD SECOND SAFETY GRANT AWARDED

Marcy Field, (1I1) is a 2,390 turf airfield near Keene, NY in the Adirondack Mountains, and has been awarded a second RAF grant to enhance safety. Locals have expressed concern about the potential for planes hitting cars or pedestrians on the runway. “This seems to be an issue especially on Sunday when the farm market…

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RAF PARTICIPATES IN ALASKA NPS DEDICATION, MAY CREEK WORK

The bars, brothels and hospital, school, and gymnasium are long gone in what was formerly the bustling town of McCarthy, Alaska, at the foot of the Wrangell mountains adjacent to the Kennecott mine, but its history is intact. And now, just across a footbridge, a series of “wayside” panels commemorate the many miners who lost their lives in the dangerous…

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RAF HELPS MONTANA PILOTS ON AIRSTRIP WORK

On Saturday, May 29 approximately 20 people representing the RAF, Montana Pilots Association, and Montana Aeronautics helped maintain Spotted Bear Forest Service airstrip, (8U4) along the South Fork of the Flathead River, just south of Hungry Horse Reservoir in northwest Montana. RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reported that most drove in and camped. A few flew in,…

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PAVILION NEARS COMPLETION

The Trigger Gap pavilion is nearing completion, thanks to many generous donors and volunteers who gave their time at multiple workdays earlier this month. We’ll announce the opening once the lovely stonework is complete, and the public can enjoy using the new pavilion. Find details about Trigger Gap in the Airfield Guide. Trigger Gap airfield, (17A)…

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