Posts by Lisa Ellington

During his address to the AOPA crowd in Missoula, Montana, Senator Daines announced that he had just delivered a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, requesting he consider re-opening a select number of the original US Forest Service airstrips lying within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. Beginning in the 1930s the USFS established and…

Nine dedicated RAF volunteers drove in for a weekend of work to keep Ryan Field a place we can all be proud of, including Chris Ogden and Margo Sety from Chewelah, WA. Chuck Jarecki assigned tasks, and the crew completed on Saturday what had been planned to take two days.  Montana Liaison Ron Normandeau, assisted by…

The RAF sponsored a volunteer work party at McKenzie Bridge State Airport (00S) June 2 and 3. Approximately 40 volunteers turned out, contributing more than 360 work hours. Most of the volunteers came from Oregon. “We also attracted two RAF members on their way from Florida to Alaska, and an RAF member who flew from Boise, Idaho specifically…

The “Miracle Mile” section of the Platte River lies between Pathfinder and Seminole Reservoirs, and is known as a premier fly-fishing destination in Wyoming. There’s an airstrip there, and RAF Wyoming Liaison Lori Olson organized a work party in cooperation with the Cheyenne and Casper EAA Chapters to restore the original grass strip to a surface…

Over the weekend of May 3-6, the New Mexico Pilots Association sponsored a work party at USFS Negrito Airstrip (0NM7) in New Mexico to replace thousands of feet of downed cattle fence surrounding the airstrip.  The event was hosted by New Mexico RAF State Liaisons Larry Filener and myself; both us are also actively involved in…

RAF Minnesota Liaison Kurt Pennuto wants to thank everyone who took time to respond to a Call To Action regarding Bowstring Airport. The impressive turnout on May 2 included 43 pilots — many of whom are RAF members — a resort owner, and the videographer who produced the Bowstring Fly in video. Twelve airplanes flew in. The…

Mexican Mountain airstrip in southern Utah is considered by some to be the “best backcountry strip in Utah.” It lies within a Wilderness Study Area, and remains open as a “casual use” airstrip. It’s only accessible by air or on foot. Federal WSA lands are managed to retain their “primeval character and influence, without permanent…

The small cow town of Arcadia, Florida had long neglected its airport. That began to change in 2012 when a group of volunteers formed “Friends of Arcadia Airport” or FOAA. They thought a new campground might attract fly-in visitors, but they weren’t sure where to begin since the City opposed the idea. FOAA turned to…

Fifteen aircraft arrived at Grand Gulch in northern Arizona for a cooperative work party on February 3, called by Utah Back County Pilots and the RAF.  Arizona? Yes — there’s a bit of a canyon just south of this place, which makes the destination more logical for Utah pilots, since they avoid Grand Canyon Special…

The first of several fall/winter work parties at Georgia’s Meadowlark, (GA75) took place November 18.  “Neighbors showed up with tractors and graders,” Georgia Liaison Eric Davis said. Volunteers cleared the tall brush from the north end of the runway, which opened it up to the county road, so fencing became a requirement. “So another neighbor,…