Posts by Kodi

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. The September Featured Airstrip is Lakewood Lodge Airport in Wisconsin. Bob and Judy Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge Airport, 14WS checks a lot of recreation boxes. Originally a resort back in the 30s-40s, its historic namesake lodge burned, but the…

The RAF kicked off AirVenture week on Monday, July 25 with Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin and Indiana Liaison Bill Steinmetz sharing “The RAF Way” with a captivated audience; Tuesday morning, RAF volunteers served donuts and coffee atop Hartzell’s rooftop booth again this year. “New and longtime RAF friends gathered to share flying stories, talk about the…

RAF Washington State Ambassador Ray Ballantyne reports that Washington State Department of Aviation and the RAF joined together to perform the annual cleanup of Stehekin State Airport, 6S9, in the North Cascades National Park in June.  Paul Wolf, State Airport Manager and his wife Deanna arrived by helicopter because there is no road access to this settlement above the…

RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant reported that 13 planes and 20 volunteers landed at North Fox Island, 6Y3 July 8-10 to complete seasonal maintenance. The group accomplished mowing, trimming, and general maintenance of the airstrip and adjacent tie-down and camping area. They relocated the outhouse and filled the previous pit; they split and restocked firewood for camper use, and “Miles of trails were trimmed back and mowed,” he added.  Prior to departure, they replenished…

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reported that 18 planes showed up and about 25 people helped during the annual MPA/RAF/USFS cooperative volunteer work party at Shafer Meadows, 8U2. “Thanks to Montana Aeronautics and Karen Speeg for supporting this year’s work party again,” Newpower said.  The group completed several projects including replacing the sign board near…

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. The August Featured Airstrip is Barrows Field, Virginia. The RAF is pleased to be a supporter of Barrows Field, VA04 along Catawba Creek in Fincastle, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Barrows is home to R&B Aircraft, makers…

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. The July Featured Airstrip is Russian Flat, Montana. Russian Flat was just a twinkle in the eyes of recreational flying enthusiasts in 2003, and since 2010 when this brand new airstrip opened, has been the place for…

The RAF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have signed an agreement allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of the Red Pine airfield, located within TNC’s St John River Forest in northern Maine. RAF volunteers have worked to return the airstrip to a safe condition for backcountry use. Red Pine, a remote 2,470-ft paved…

RAF supporters spent a day July 9 on repairs and maintenance at both Rager Guard Station airfield in Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest, and Big Rock Flat airfield in the Umatilla National Forest. “These two Forest Service aviation assets provide pilots with opportunities to access remote backcountry areas in Central Oregon,” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes said. Visitors…

Not many folks could find “Winifred” on a US map, but your RAF directors did, and engaged in their three-day board meeting “close to the heart and start of the RAF,” Chairman John McKenna said. Some flew in and landed on the turf at 9S7, and filled the local Winifred Hotel, just a mile from…