Posts by Lisa Ellington

During the past two years Noble County Airport Manager Ed Crock completely leveled, rolled, created drainage, and seeded the area near the trail entrance to adjacent Wolf Run Fly-In campground, providing aircraft parking on turf for campers. RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine reports that it’s in excellent condition. Mr. Crock also designed and built the…

Mackie Ranch lies at 5,642 elevation a few miles south of Enterprise, Utah surrounded by the Dixie National Forest. Owner Justin Mackie opened the airstrip for public use. Mackie, a supporter of both the RAF and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP), has cleared room for aircraft parking, a porta-potty and fire ring. Now he is creating…

You may not have heard of Edgartown, MA but you probably know of Martha’s Vineyard. The Katama Airpark, 1B2 is a recreational turf airfield on the island, and the RAF has awarded a $10,000 grant toward a facility for pilots and passengers to gather, picnic, and enjoy direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. “First opened in…

If your state includes land within a National Forest, the USFS wants to keep you informed of its Forest use public planning steps. RAF liaisons are tasked with tracking their respective Forest planning. If appropriate, RAF Public Agency Consultant Ron Normandeau prepares talking points, and state liaisons let RAF supporters know when public input is…

Word is out about beautiful Ryan Field. The RAF has worked hard to improve this backcountry airfield, and welcomes visitors with appropriate flying skills. To preserve its premier backcountry atmosphere, the RAF is clarifying vehicle use. Ryan Field welcomes under-wing tent camping, and fly-in use of the rustic cabins. Road vehicles are welcome to drive…

New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller was awarded a grant to replace the tires on a vital piece of airstrip maintenance equipment at this Rodeo, New Mexico strip, NM90. Keller and Amigos Del Cielo Airport Manager Peter Jarosak feared that the old, worn tubeless tires on the Ingersoll Rand surface roller could fail, stranding the equipment on the…

RAF Chairman John McKenna and Director Tim Riley traveled to our nation’s capital and met with Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania on Monday, February 28 in his D.C. office. Rep. Thompson is the Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee that oversees the US Forest Service. He said he has interest in seeing additional…

Schafer Meadows, 8U2 is in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness, and maintenance is handled non-mechanically. A video has been released of the ongoing runway work, featuring a team of mules, the use of a vintage grader, a Fresno scraper, and a sickle bar mower.  RAF Liaison Scott Newpower helped coordinate the project with then-District Ranger Deb…

Our friends at AOPA’s Air Safety Institute invite you to attend the first of three backcountry flying safety webinars scheduled this year. The first “Flying the Backcountry: Risks and Rewards” episode is this Thursday, March 17, 7pm EDT.  Joining AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden are Mark Patey and Todd Christensen. Learn their tips on…