DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK CLOSURE; CHICKEN STRIP CLOSED DUE TO MAJOR FLOOD DAMAGE
Death Valley National Park is under a full park closure, due to the fringes of Hurricane Hilary that brought over a year’s worth of damaging rain on August 20. While Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek have not sustained any notable damage from the flooding, at Chicken Strip in Saline Valley, 60% of the runway experienced a complete washout.…
Read MoreRAF RE-OPENS RYAN FIELD
While rains have closed Chicken Strip in Death Valley, recent rain has somewhat helped the region around West Glacier in Montana, and the RAF announced the re-opening of Ryan Field in time for folks to enjoy Labor Day weekend there. Click here for the required safety briefing, and more information on amenities, and cabin availability. Ryan Field…
Read MoreANNUAL WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS WORK PARTY AT MAY CREEK, ALASKA
RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton reports that on the June 16-17 weekend, ten RAF and EAA volunteers in six aircraft based overnight at his Fireweed (0AK8) airstrip in preparation for the work party he organized at May Creek, (MYK), about 11nm southeast of Fireweed, (and McCarthy, PAMX.) “We enjoyed good food, beverages, live music and…
Read MoreNORTH FOX ISLAND DRAWS VISITORS
Michigan’s North Fox Island, 6Y3 is seeing a healthy increase in use, in great part because of the improvements and maintenance RAF volunteers and new friends continue to take on. RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant reports that volunteers began landing Friday, July 7 to continue the work. By Saturday, 14 planes had brought more than 20 volunteers…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: CRAIG FULLER GUEST EDITORIAL
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This month’s guest editorial is by Craig Fuller, a dedicated RAF supporter and the former President of AOPA. RAF – Just Doesn’t Get Any Better: Only a few weeks had passed from the…
Read MoreTOWN OF KEENE TURNS OUT TO REPAIR MARCY FIELD
It’s not just aviators who value local airfields. On July 15, Marcy Airfield near Keene, New York suffered extensive grounds vandalism. The malicious episode really touched the town’s nerve, as the turf grounds are used for a number of complementary events, like the Keene Farmers Market, a summer concert series, and the local Youth Commission’s…
Read MoreANNUAL SCHAFER MEADOWS WORK PARTY
Eighteen volunteers in 11 aircraft wrapped up a successful work party at Montana’s Schafer Meadows on Saturday, July 15 under the direction of MPA Past President and RAF supporter Pete Smith of Lewistown. RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower had listed tasks that needed to be done. Volunteers, including MT Aeronautics Director Tim Conway and his…
Read MoreLESSONS LEARNED ABOUT THE BACKCOUNTRY FROM A CAL FIRE AIR TANKER CAPTAIN
Click here to read RAF Supporter Rich Schlink’s article about the lessons he’s learned during his career as a Cal Fire Air Tanker Captain/Grumman S2F-3AT Instructor and how they relate to backcountry flying.
Read MoreJOE FEILER
RAF supporter Joe Feiler of Casper, Wyoming loads his tools into his Cessna Cardinal and brings his skills where the RAF is making an impact. His support has included a donation of materials and his volunteer labor constructing Cabin 4 at Ryan Field. Joe created a plaque that is mounted on the front of the cabin honoring his father, a World…
Read MoreJerry Cain
“When I raised my hand at a Montana Pilots Association’s Directors retreat in Bozeman in September of 2003, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Jerome “Jerry” Cain says of his role in the eventual formation of the RAF. Jerry, as one of the original six Founders, tapped his Defense Department Federal…
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