VOLUNTEERS WORK TO IMPROVE GRAVELLY VALLEY

Nine volunteers, including RAF California Ambassadors Alan Cossitt and Jason Brand, flew and drove into Gravelly Valley airstrip, 1Q5, in the Mendocino National Forest over the October 19 weekend to install a new windsock and paint the runway threshold markers to make them more visible. District Ranger Frank Aebly and Forestry Technician Mark Sampson represented…

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RUNWAY PLOWING WORK AT SCHAFER MEADOWS

In recent weeks, RAF Montana Liaison and Montana Pilots Association Past President Scott Newpower helped coordinate the delivery of equipment to Schafer Meadows USFS airstrip in time for this fall’s plowing project. The plan to shift the runway surface laterally within the clearing is underway, so the current runway surface can recover from use. Schafer Meadows lies…

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SOUTH DAKOTA’S CUSTER STATE PARK DECISION

In late 2022, Custer State Park Airport’s asphalt surfaces were determined to require extensive maintenance. RAF South Dakota Liaison Karl Jungclaus reported that the financial burden would have been placed upon the Park. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) determined closing the airport was the best option.  The RAF, South Dakota Pilots Association…

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ROB AHO

Alaska and Michigan Ambassador Day job: Civil/environmental engineerFavorite strip: Meadow Creek (0S1)Next adventure: Annual SE AK lake cabin RAF work party trip

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HAVA HAJDAR

Michigan Ambassador Day Job: Assistant manager at our family restaurant, New Boston Coney & Grill. It’s because of the pilots that stumbled into our restaurant that I saw a future for myself in aviation. We’re closest to DTW, check us out sometime! // Student at Skywalker Flying. Favorite Airstrip: North Fox Island (6Y3)  – Fun fact: If you…

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JOE BROWN

Director Joe Brown spent 33 years in the aviation industry and in a family business with his father and brother. Until 2023, he and his brother owned Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Engine Technologies and Hartzell Aerospace Welding. His professional life, social life and family life are deeply connected to aviation, “and the friendships that unfold in…

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“SHANGHAIED TO MOOSE CREEK”

Read Journalist John Dowd’s unexpected overnight adventure while helping the RAF and other volunteers to make repairs to Moose Creek Airfield. Read the story HERE.

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RAF Podcast #15: Philipp Kureck

Philipp came to the US from Germany to build ticket time. He used the RAF Airfield Guide to fly around the Western US and learned what backcountry flying was all about. You can view Philipp’s photos of his adventures at instagram.com/philipp.kur

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BARRY PORTER

Day job: Slowly retiring from my Wind Tunnel Test Engineer job Favorite airstrips: Las Trancas, CA – Ryan Field, MT – Stehekin, WA, Nokai Dome, UT Next adventure: Heading north for the Ryan Field Fly-in

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