Posts by Lisa Ellington

New RAF member Sean Hamlin of Old Forge, NY is my most recent student to earn his private pilot license, on his way to becoming a professional pilot. The day he was presented with his “solo shirt”, he received notice that he had been accepted at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. In spite of…

Director and Vice President Jack was introduced to flying in 1989 by son Devin, who began washing planes for flight time at age 13. Before long, Jack, his wife Patricia, and Devin were all licensed and flying as one another’s co-pilots on weekends, vacations and then college shopping.  When Devin began flying for the Navy,…

Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 8-10 at central Hew Hampshire’s Wentworth AeroDrome (NH96) was again a flurry of airplanes over all of New England.  41 airplanes and three motorhomes camped for the “WAD” Fly-in. Ten more aircraft joined the day’s flyouts, some to the coast of Maine, while eight airplanes visited Murray Randall, owner of Myricks Field…

The RAF is thrilled to have created Trigger Gap, a new recreational airstrip, this time in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. This 3,000-ft airstrip lies on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy above the Kings River, what the TNC calls a “recreational treasure, famous for fishing, swimming and canoeing.” “Our success is the result of…

The RAF has added two new board members, Jack Tyler of Bozeman, MT and Bill McGlynn of Leavenworth, WA. “Recognizing the growing needs of our organization, both Tyler and McGlynn were tapped for their special experience and success,” RAF president John McKenna said. “We look forward to their involvement as we continue to grow in membership and…

Chicken Strip in Death Valley National Park’s Saline Valley is back in operation again, thanks to RAF volunteers. The July rains had rutted the airstrip. As a safety precaution, the Park Service closed it until maintenance could be performed to bring the surface back to a safe condition. Joseph Dier, Pat Fagan and Joseph Bork answered California Liaison Rick Lach’s work…

The work party at Pelican Point (Oregon’s Owyhee Reservoir State Airport, 28U) brought out a highly motivated crew. Seven aircraft from California and Oregon landed and eight volunteers got a start on improving the runway surface.  We filled holes in the surface, removed large rocks, leveled the surface and broadcast grass seed. Volunteers also tidied up the aircraft parking…

The RAF raised funds for this new 3,000 ft. grass airstrip in the beautiful Ozark Mountains through private donations. It’s located on Nature Conservancy lands, and a long-term lease ensures its future. Local RAF volunteers helped construct the airport and have committed to ongoing maintenance. Trigger Gap is located 3.2 nm south of Carroll County…

RAF Georgia Liaisons Eric Davis and Brett Wilkes hosted the first-ever RAF weekend at  Georgia’s McIntosh Reserve September 30 – October 2.  “We had a great weekend with perfect weather,” Brett said. Aircraft began landing Friday, with ten camping overnight, joined by more on Saturday night. A group enjoyed a seven-mile kayak excursion down the Chattahoochee River which runs…

The 8th annual Negrito (0NM7) Fly-in was held in the Gila National Forest Sept. 16-18 and was a great success!  At 8,000 feet and in the heart of the Gila National Forest, Negrito is an incredibly beautiful and remote spot. The event is co-sponsored by the New Mexico Pilots Assoc., (NMPA) and the RAF, and 18 planes…