Posts by Lisa Ellington

A dozen volunteers pitched in on Saturday, April 6 for a work party at Minietta Mine airstrip in California’s Panamint Valley, just west of Death Valley National Park.  The airstrip provides access to a historic mining district. “There are numerous elaborate mining-era ruins, including Lookout City atop the nearby hill,” event captain Dustin Mosher said. He reported that…

Seventeen volunteers took up tools the weekend of March 22-24 at Florida’s beautiful 4,000-ft turf Blackwater Airfield (8FD3) in the mixed pine forest near Munson, FL. Leeanna and “DC” Nowling started early by delivering tools and materials and made a truck available for the task. Florida RAF Ambassador John Hall arrived, followed by Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi and…

It’s a time honored New England aviation tradition that when the Alton Bay seaplane base freezes, pilots land on the ice of Lake Winnepausakee, getting their Ice Wings.  New Hampshire’s new Governor, elected in 2016, was determined to shrink the State Budget – not a bad thing for taxpayers – but it meant Alton Bay Ice…

Thanks to the generosity of RAF donors, RAF Grants are available for projects that further the RAF mission. Your continued donations enable the RAF to create, preserve, and maintain airstrips for recreational access. How it works: The RAF depends on its state liaisons to identify and outline a need, and apply for a grant amount. Our…

RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller learned of a proposed rule change by the New Mexico Game Commission that would have limited aircraft use, and had the potential to limit recreational aviation. The Game Commission was intent on banning aerial game scouting by eliminating the long standing “48 hour rule”. The new proposal would have…

RAF California Liaison Rick Lach learned in 2011 that Chicken Strip within Death Valley National Park was threatened with permanent closure. Over the years, seasonal washouts triggered the RAF to complete spring maintenance to return the strip to a safe condition. Last summer, the NPS developed five draft Alternatives for the Saline Valley, one of which…

Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge, encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation. Carved by the Wild and Scenic Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon’s west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains.  The…

Oregon recently gained a new backcountry airfield, developed with RAF assistance. The Mountain Views Airfield is located on a working dry wheat farm, about eight miles northwest of Condon, OR. The 1,650 ft x 40 ft turf runway can be challenging on hot, windy days, which are quite common in the area. The presence of 1,200 ft tall wind…

The RAF recently learned the history of an Oregon gem, Pacific City State Airport (KPFC), thanks to David Inman, vice president of Friends of Pacific City State Airport. Nestled in the middle of a small Oregon coastal town, the airport lies near rivers, a beautiful beach, and a picturesque cape.  Fishing dories launch directly into the surf. …

The RAF is thrilled that the FAA officially activated Trigger Gap with a permanent identifier on September 19. Trigger Gap, (17A) is a new 3,000-ft recreational airstrip, conceived and built with RAF leadership through private donations. It lies on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in NW Arkansas’ Ozarks above the Kings River.  “The…