Kodi, Author at Recreational Aviation Foundation

JEROME MORRISON “JERRY” CAIN

Director Emeritus Thoughts After Retirement When I raised my hand at the Montana Pilots Association’s (MPA) Board of Directors retreat in Bozeman in September of 2003, I had no idea what I was getting myself into! I had been following the MPA’s Recreational Airstrip Committee for several years and watching them try to raise money.…

ALAN METZLER

Director Emeritus Alan’s business acumen and impressive experience on professional boards qualified him for a RAF board position. But he demonstrated his sleeves-rolled-up dedication to its mission when he flew from his home in Pennsylvania to Ryan Field for a work party. Raised in Pennsylvania, Alan began flying for his diversified forest products business in 1994. His…

STEVE JOHNSON

Director Emeritus Steve “SJ” Johnson came to aviation from an unusual direction. Fear of flying on commercial airliners led him to confront the fear and start taking flying lessons in 1997. A rocky start – including an accident as a low-time pilot – fueled his determination to learn all he could about flying. Now a…

BOISE RMEC WEST FEATURES RESULTS OF COLLABORATION

Twenty-four RAF volunteers spent a full Saturday on August 10th learning ways to further the RAF mission at the second of three 2019 RAF Mini Educational Conferences (RMECs). The August 9-11 regional meeting was held in Boise, Idaho, and several attendees flew in to Gowen Field, where Western Aircraft graciously provided a fuel discount and waived tiedown fees. Friday…

RAF TEAMS UP WITH AOPA FOR A FUN WEEKEND AT TULLAHOMA: SEPT 13-14

There are many reasons to head to Tullahoma Municipal Airport (KTHA) September 13 and 14 for the AOPA Fly-In! Start each day with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. AOPA’s paid workshops and free seminars start at 9. Friday’s Flightline Cookout dinner includes STOL demos and a night drone show. Enjoy other exciting aerial activities,…

MONTANA’S MEADOW CREEK MOWED; BEAR BOXES ADDED

The Meadow Creek airstrip (0S1) work party in late July had 19 folks show up, including Paul Johns and Vicki Pauli from Australia. We installed two bear boxes, mowed the runway and parking area. A big thank you to Paul for what Australians call “whippersnipping” the parking area and the runway cones. Both windsocks were replaced, and we cleaned…

FEATURED AIRSTRIP

Each month we highlight an airstrip that the RAF has positively impacted. We hope that you will get out and enjoy these airstrips. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Bowstring in Minnesota. Bowstring, (9Y0), is a 2,500 ft grass strip in a beautiful setting just east of Bowstring Lake. The airstrip offers recreational opportunities like camping, fishing and hiking,…

SUMMER NEWSLETTER

The 2019 RAF summer newsletter is now available! Issue 24 of the RAF’s biannual newsletter, prepared by RAF Publicity Liaison Carmine Mowbray, contains regional updates from State Liaison volunteers and other mission-related news. To obtain a printed copy of the newsletter, contact your local State Liaison or visit the “News” section of our website to…

CLEAR SKIES FOR OREGON COAST FLY-IN

RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes and wife Sarah, an RAF Vice President of Appreciation, report a successful fly-in event at Nehalem Bay State Airport (3S7) July 26-28. This year’s event saw 25 attendees in 18 aircraft taking advantage of the weekend’s lovely sunny weather. Most camped overnight and enjoyed Nehalem Bay State Park, the adjoining town of…

NEW OREGON AIRSTRIP IS MORE THAN WORLD-CLASS FISHERY

Wild Billy Lake is located on 1,100 acres of private land in south-central Oregon. The property sits on a mesa above the Sycan and Sprague river valleys at 4,500-ft elevation. With no signs of civilization, you have a feeling that you are completely alone with nature. The lake is over 200 acres in size and…