Posts by Lisa Ellington

The “Chicken Strip” at Saline Valley in Death Valley National Park, which was recently closed for safety reasons, should reopen soon due to quick action by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) with the full support of National Park Service (NPS) managers. Death Valley Chief Ranger Brent Pennington reported that a local volunteer, Lizard Lee, had…

In Fort Kent, Maine a small group of pilots has contacted the town requesting that they be allowed to re-open the local municipal airport near the Fish River.  They formed the Fish River Flying Club and have now signed a lease agreement with the town to repair, maintain and operate the 3,200 foot grass runway.  John Nadeau of the Recreational…

On July 7, 2011 Pennsylvania became the ninth state to include aviation in its Recreational Use Statute (RUS).   House Bill 870 was sponsored by Representative Garth Everett and strongly supported by Representative Tina Pickett along with twenty two other co-sponsors, and was approved last week by Governor Tom Corbett.   HB 870 added the words “recreational noncommercial aircraft…

The New Mexico Pilots Association Recreational Airstrip Committee (NM-RAC) has organized a work party for April 29 through May 1, 2011 at the Negrito Airstrip (0NM7) in South West New Mexico.  A rain date is set for the following weekend.  The Negrito Airstrip is located at N33° 31.253667′ W108° 32.570200′ (estimated by AirNav).  Its elevation is…

Thanks to the hard work of RAF Member Ron Krohn, and support from many others, the Governor of New Mexico signed into law House Bill 12 on April 6th.  This law adds “operation of aircraft” to the state’s existing Recreational Use Statute. “This is a great step for the recreational pilots, the backcountry, and of…

Century Companies of Lewistown, Montana was awarded the Gold Pulaski by the Recreational Aviation Foundation at the Montana Aviation Conference held recently in Helena, Montana. The Gold Pulaski is the highest award given by the RAF. It signifies an outstanding contribution by a company or individual for work on the RAF mission. Century Companies under, the…

Download the press release here Submitted on September 17, 2010.

Following years of work and discussions, on July 2 Abigail Kimbell, Chief of the U. S. Forest Service, signed a directive acknowledging the long and proud history of aviation use and airstrips on forest service lands, and asked USFS managers at all levels to inventory and maintain existing facilities, and to support aviation as an…

The Ryan Field fly-in and dedication was held on Saturday June 21st 2008. Submitted on June 30, 2008.

Four years spent cooperating with the US Forest Service, planning, building trust and credibility has resulted in a new site for a recreational airstrip in the beautiful Russian Flat of central Montana, a short walk from the south fork of the Judith River where anglers enjoy catch-and-release fishing. Dan Prill of Sand Coulee, Montana, took…