Posts by Lisa Ellington
GUESTS APPRECIATE ISLE AIRPORT AND FLY-IN BREAKFAST
Last fall, the RAF granted $14,000 toward the preservation of Minnesota’s Isle Airport, (MY72). Minnesota Liaison Kirk Hiner and former RAF Director Peter Burwell had learned the airport was facing closure due to encroaching trees. They met with Isle Airport management and agreed on a cost sharing project to solve the problem. The work was…
Read MoreNORTH FOX WORK PARTY A SUCCESS
“Twenty-four aircraft arrived . . . coming in from Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and as far away as New York and Utah,” RAF Michigan Liaison Brad Frederick reported of the July 9-11 weekend work party at North Fox Island. Michigan volunteers had begun mowing the runway on Thursday, completing the task Friday afternoon when brush cutting began. Campers…
Read MoreCHRIS SULLIVAN
A lifelong resident of Greenville County, South Carolina, Chris Sullivan started flying in 1991 largely inspired by his Uncle John who had been a Marine Corps fighter pilot in the Pacific theater, and later flew a Mooney for business. Chris explains that back in the early sixties, Greenville was still a sleepylittle Southern town.…
Read MoreWORK COMPLETED AT SPOTTED BEAR IN THE FLATHEAD NF
On Saturday, May 29 approximately 20 people showed up representing the RAF, Montana Pilots Association, and Montana Aeronautics to help maintain Spotted Bear Forest Service airstrip 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,…
Read MoreTIM RILEY
Vice President Tim Riley has devoted many volunteer hours organizing and assisting on airstrip improvements in Idaho and Montana. He has also worked closely with the US Forest Service to foster cooperation and support RAF goals on public lands across the country.Riley is a native of upstate New York. His introduction to aviation was as a…
Read MoreENJOY THE NEW CAMPGROUND AT BARROWS FIELD
Barrows Field (VA04) is an RAF supported grass airfield near Roanoke, VA in the Shenandoah Valley along the Catawba Creek. Barrows is home to R&B Aircraft, makers of Bearhawk aircraft. To make the field more of a recreational destination with amenities, owner Bob Barrows requested a little help from the RAF. RAF Virginia Liaison Alan White…
Read MoreNEW MEXICO AIRSTRIP ONGOING MAINTENANCE
The RAF cooperates with New Mexico Pilots Association, and during the weekend of April 30 to May 2 volunteers from both organizations met at Me-Own Airstrip, (1NM0) for a work party. This remote airstrip lies at an elevation of 7,554 and is special in that it is close to the Gila Wilderness Area, and immediately…
Read MoreOREGON AIRSTRIPS RECEIVE FUNDS FOR CONTINUED MAINTENANCE
“McKenzie Bridge Airport in the Central Oregon Cascades is popular with recreational aviators. It provides access to the McKenzie River, mountain bike trails, and remote camping,” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes says. To ensure the continued utility of the airport, Mayes has been awarded an RAF grant to employ a contractor to mow the airfield.…
Read MoreJEFF DEFREEST
Alaska State Liaison Jeff DeFreest started flying early in life – logging his first hours in 1972 – but his flight training stalled until he was well into his career as a professional geologist with the US Forest Service (USFS). He worked in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah before transitioning to Alaska in 2001. Before moving…
Read MoreLOCALS PITCH IN ON CORNUCOPIA IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements are continuing this spring at the RAF-supported Cornucopia, WI airstrip, W123. Cornucopia is the northernmost village in Wisconsin and sits on the south shore of Lake Superior, adjacent to the magnificent Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “Not only is the scenery absolutely spectacular, but there are also incredible recreational opportunities in the area including kayaking…
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