Posts by Lisa Ellington
Gordon Rock
During the summer of 1964 while on a 3,600-mile Canadian kayak trip, Gordon Rock of Mercer Island, WA learned that he could hire a floatplane to view two falls on the Hay River. “It turned into quite an experience that included landing between the two closely spaced falls. It was that experience that convinced me that I wanted…
Read MoreKEN WARREN
Iowa State Liaison Ken spent his early years in western Kentucky and Tennessee where he learned the joy of outdoor activities from his father, uncle, and grandfathers. In 1994 he moved to Indiana and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University. Since 2002 Ken has lived in eastern Iowa and he is currently employed…
Read MoreCole Pearson
Florida Ambassador Day Job: Fire Department Manager of Lifeguards / Student Favorite Strip: Any strip that has grass and a nice view Next Adventure: Instrument Flight training
Read MoreCHICKEN STRIP RESTORED AFTER FLOOD DAMAGE
“Fifteen volunteers braved hours of rutted out 4×4 roads to come help rebuild Chicken Strip in Saline Valley on November 5 and 6,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. It’s ironic that an airstrip in the driest place in North America suffers occasional flooding, but a regional deluge in July created washouts that closed the airstrip in Death Valley National…
Read MoreWORK CONTINUES AT SACATON, NEW MEXICO AIRSTRIP
“We just concluded our phase two work party at Sacaton landing strip, and I think we are about ninety percent finished,” RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reported. Approval must come from the Glenwood District Ranger before Sacaton is open for general recreational use after decades of closure and neglect. As of now, usage is limited…
Read MoreKevin Johnson
A breakfast when Kevin Johnson was in high school determined his future as a pilot. “My dad had served in the US Air Force Reserve as load master on the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, then got his private pilot license when I was five, so we were around flying. But when he flew me to…
Read MoreLONG TERM EFFORTS KEEP STOVEPIPE WELLS OPEN
“Success has many fathers,” RAF Director Tim Riley says, using the proverb to point out that many people put in a lot of time and effort toward preserving Stovepipe Wells airport in Death Valley National Park. The Park Service had planned to close the airstrip in favor of stargazing. After meetings with aviation advocates, and…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS ADD CABINS; WRAP UP SEASON AT RYAN FIELD
Over extended weekends ending in October, skilled volunteers from literally all over the country met at Ryan Field, 2MT1 to build two more hard-sided camping cabins. The board commited to adding two cabins due to demand during flying season. These cabins are located along the west side of the field, a few minutes’ hike north…
Read MoreJULIE POWELL
Born and raised in Michigan, Julie Powell relocated to Rogers, Arkansas with her husband Dave 35 years ago. They have two wonderful children, both gainfully employed and “off the pay roll” and still in close communication, so life is very good! Julie loves the outdoors; running, hiking, biking, camping, skiing and of course, backcountry flying. Arkansas…
Read MoreLARRY GRENIER
Maine Ambassador Day Job: Project Manager for a Maintenance Contractor at Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Favorite Airstrip: My Home base. Bowman Field (B10) Next Adventure: To Be a camp host at Ryan Field.
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