Posts by Lisa Ellington

In spite of a weekend full of rain, everyone attending the 2014 Ryan Donor-appreciation fly-in (Ryan Field 2MT1) enjoyed the company, abundant food and flying. Nineteen airplanes picked their way between rain showers to arrive and camp at the field. Some folks enjoyed the warmth of the nearby Belton Chalet. Jeanne MacPherson and Bill Gallea gave a safety…

Sacramento, Calif. —Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law Senate Bill 1072, which amends the California Recreational Use Statute (RUS) to include recreational aviation. Since the RUS now protects landowners from liability arising from recreational use of their property, airstrip owners will likely be more receptive to transient pilots. ​California becomes the 24th state to include such…

The visitors were as welcoming as the balmy Anchorage spring weather, and the RAF signed up new members and answered questions all day Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4 during the Alaska Aviation Gathering. RAF Board member Steve Johnson had reserved a double booth in an ideal spot adjacent to the food court, and shared half with the RAF. His…

Ninety-three folks participated in the RAF’s Red Rock Roundup in St. George, Utah April 21-24, coming from as far away as Maine, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Many flew in and enjoyed the free tiedowns and discounted gas at St. George’s FBO, Above View Jet Center.  The evening began poolside at the Mariott Courtyard with…

We are pleased to announce this year’s RAF Founder’s Cap Raffle winner – longtime RAF supporter Dr. Bill Gallea of Helena, MT.  He was delighted to win the Zulu2 and the Sierra headsets, his preferred brand. Here’s what Bill said, and it would be hard to put it in better words:“I am thrilled to have won…

It took two years, but we finally got Wisconsin’s Recreational Use Statute (RUS) amended to include noncommercial aviation. The new language protects owners of private airstrips. There are 177 private airports in the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics database and many more that have not been registered with the FAA.    The RAF wishes to thank a number of these…

Not every RAF success story is tied in with remote backcountry airstrips.  Sometimes it can be about partnering with more ‘traditional’ aviation groups for the betterment – and fun – of everyone.  One such example was the recent RAF Rodeo Weekend held in Arcadia, Florida.  A local airport support group blossomed at this orphaned municipal airport with the…

Its springtime and time once again for Sun ‘n Fun!.  The RAF will be there in Lakeland, FL again but don’t come looking for us at our old “on-the-pavement” location, we’ve moved to the woods, lakeside, under live oak trees draped with Spanish moss – that’s where we belong and that’s where you’ll find us; out…

Words cannot describe the sense of loss we felt at the news of the sudden passing of RAF Washington State Liaison Bob Kay. Bob was known by many RAF supporters, and set a high bar for the position of Liaison. He regularly organized effective work parties, collaborated successfully with Washington State Dep’t of Transportation on airstrip…

 At the recent Montana Pilots Association’s (MPA)30th annual gathering the RAF’s own Ron Normandeau was the recipient of the Spark Plug Award. This particular award is given to an individual who energizes the membership of the MPA. Ron was recognized for his behind the scenes efforts to lead the planning effort on numerous United States…