Posts by Lisa Ellington

Located roughly forty miles west of the Tuweep airstrip in northern Arizona is the historical Grand Gulch Mine.  History has this as the first copper mine in Arizona, and you can admire the last remaining earthen smelter in the country amongst the ruins of this wonderful site. Taking the cue from aviation historian, and APA member,…

On May 3, 2012, the governors of Minnesota and Vermont signed bills adding aviation to their respective state recreational use statutes (RUS).  These states become the 15th and 16th states to do so.  In Minnesota, Jim Hanson worked hard and long to get a bill sponsored in the House by Representative David Hancock.  The bill then…

Recently, I had the great privilege of introducing Craig Fuller, President of AOPA, to Montana backcountry flying. The flight needed to take place near Billings, Montana.  As a crow flies Billings is over 150 nm from my home in Helena, and even further from the mountains and backcountry airstrips I know very well in western Montana. …

The Minam River Lodge (Minam Lodge sits deep inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area.  Use at your discretion), airlift was an outstanding success, with 25-plus volunteers in 20-plus planes flying multiple sorties between Joseph, Oregon, and the lodge, on April 14th and 15th. The volunteer crews ferried new supplies in and roughly 50 years of accumulated debris out. The effort was a mutual…

One of the great things about being a pilot is there is always a new challenge to meet, a new horizon to cross. It’s the same with an organization like the RAF. Over the last few years, the RAF has worked hard to meet the “basic requirements”: creating and growing the organization while pursing the…

After an incredibly eventful week at Sun ‘n Fun, we closed the RAF exhibit and bid farewell to what was one of our most successful gatherings. Throughout the “Spring Break for Pilots”, we renewed acquaintances with many of our supporters, made new friends and spread the word to many attendees about the RAF’s mission. The center…

Visitors to Sun ‘n Fun have been excited about the RAF’s new Fire Hub project that will raise funds for the RAF mission and give pilots a place to congregate around the campfire. Both Flying magazine and AOPA Online featured the RAF Fire Hub in recent stories from Sun ‘n Fun. Read the Flying story here: http://www.flyingmag.com/blogs/logbook/stoking-romance-aviation  Submitted on March 30,…

Tom Wrobel!!! Congratulations to Tom, this year’s winner of the Garmin aero 500 GPS.  Tom has purchased a Founder Cap every year since the campaign began.  This year Tom’s #21 was the lucky number.  The question remains – was he lucky or just patient? Tom Wrobel was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana.  He…

RAF National Fire Circle Program Raises Funds and Awareness For Recreational Aviation First Fire Hub Built at Sun ‘n Fun and Sponsored by AOPA The Recreational Aviation Foundation today announced the creation of the RAF Fire Hub initiative. The project’s goal is the construction of sponsored Fire Hubs to support the organization’s conservation and advocacy efforts.…

Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium is being held this week in Bismark, North Dakota and TEAM RAF is there. This year’s theme is “Educate to Aviate”.  Be sure and stop by the RAF booth and say hi. Submitted on March 5, 2012.