Posts by Lisa Ellington

It’s become pretty obvious that, if you own a tent and a plane, one of the best weekends to be had is Arcadia’s Rodeo Weekend.  Arcadia Municipal X06 is this typically small rural airport next to this ‘time stood still’ small Florida town, so what’s the big deal?  Well….the ‘big deal’ comes in two packages.  It coincides with Florida’s oldest…

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) brought two major initiatives to fruition on a mid-March trip to Washington, D.C.. RAF President John McKenna and Public Lands Director Mark Spencer completed national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) documents with the US Forest Service (USFS)  and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The stated purpose of the USFS MOU is to: “develop a framework for cooperation…

Aviation outposts like Benchmark and Cavanaugh Bay will never be confused with LaGuardia, LAX or even Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, where Eric Davis and a group of his boyhood friends once roamed the terminal, imagining themselves as world travelers.A simple airstrip with a simple name like Schafer Meadows contains none of the traffic and congestion of major…

Thirteen year old James Nebrig first realized the need for a picnic shelter at the Payson (KPAN) airport campground when he was visiting the site with his parents Ken and Lorrie. They were there just a few years ago, when a sudden storm came up sending them all looking for shelter. It was at that time…

The Recreational Aviation Foundation was well represented at the 32nd Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show Feb. 21-22 in Puyallup, WA. Beginning on Friday, the RAF was warmly welcomed and lauded for its contribution to aviation along with AOPA, and the National Seaplane Pilots at Washington Seaplane Pilots’ Grounded Hogs dinner. RAF Washington State Liaison, Dave Whitelaw, John…

A highlight of the successful Northwest Aviation Conference weekend was the posthumous recognition given to the late Bob Kay, former RAF Washington State Liaison.  He was lovingly remembered at three different ceremonies with plaques and kind words. The first award was presented by Tristan Atkins, Washington State Dep’t of Transportation Aviation Director; Paul Wolf, State…

RAF member Jim Newton of West Virginia has made several flights in his Super Cub to enjoy camping and fly-in gatherings in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. He became interested in the benefits of adding aviation to the RUS, and got involved in passing it in his state. “West Virginia has wonderful scenery and many…

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), through participation in US Forest Service (USFS) public comment sessions and attending meetings of the Federal Advisory Committee as observers, has secured the documenting of aviation within the Final Planning Directive (FSH 1909.12). The document acknowledges recreational aviation in multiple places. These aviation references clarify and solidify aviation as a legitimate mode…

State Liaison Mike Purpura represented the RAF at the Illinois 99’s Aviation Expo. Attendance was very good and it was a great opportunity to visit with corporate, general aviation and recreational pilots. Many were very interested in the mission of the RAF and were genuinely impressed with the amount of work going on to keep…

RAF President, John McKenna and RAF Treasurer, Tim Clifford were invited to attend a board meeting of the Idaho Aviation Association to discuss issues related to recreational aviation access and challenges faced by both organizations. They thanked IAA for leadership and collaboration and received a heartfelt thank you from the IAA board in return.  Also, in attendance were both…