RAF Washington State Ambassador Ray Ballantyne reports that Washington State Department of Aviation and the RAF joined together to perform the annual cleanup of Stehekin State Airport, 6S9, in the North Cascades National Park in June.  Paul Wolf, State Airport Manager and his wife Deanna arrived by helicopter because there is no road access to this settlement above the…

RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes reported that continued collaboration in Oregon between the RAF and the US Forest Service has resulted in the preservation of Silver Lake airfield, 45S. “The Silver Lake Ranger District team recently mowed and re-established its edge markings and the 3,000 foot long runway is currently in excellent condition and ready…

RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant reported that 13 planes and 20 volunteers landed at North Fox Island, 6Y3 July 8-10 to complete seasonal maintenance. The group accomplished mowing, trimming, and general maintenance of the airstrip and adjacent tie-down and camping area. They relocated the outhouse and filled the previous pit; they split and restocked firewood for camper use, and “Miles of trails were trimmed back and mowed,” he added.  Prior to departure, they replenished…

“Enough work has been completed in past years that this year was pretty light,” RAF Washington State Liaison Dave Whitelaw said of the tasks scheduled at Sullivan Lake state airport, 09S. A group of about a dozen volunteers arrived early on the July 15-17 weekend and joined Washington State DOT Airport Manager Paul Wolf on…

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reported that 18 planes showed up and about 25 people helped during the annual MPA/RAF/USFS cooperative volunteer work party at Shafer Meadows, 8U2. “Thanks to Montana Aeronautics and Karen Speeg for supporting this year’s work party again,” Newpower said.  The group completed several projects including replacing the sign board near…

The RAF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have signed an agreement allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of the Red Pine airfield, located within TNC’s St John River Forest in northern Maine. RAF volunteers have worked to return the airstrip to a safe condition for backcountry use. Red Pine, a remote 2,470-ft paved…

RAF Liaison and Alaska native Al Clayton had been eying an uncharted airstrip at the toe of the Nizina Glacier locally known as Amphitheatre Creek strip. He envisioned that pilots with appropriate aircraft – bush types, or even C182s with 8.50 main tires, and Beavers, for example – could enjoy the views from this natural amphitheatre, and…

RAF supporters spent a day July 9 on repairs and maintenance at both Rager Guard Station airfield in Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest, and Big Rock Flat airfield in the Umatilla National Forest. “These two Forest Service aviation assets provide pilots with opportunities to access remote backcountry areas in Central Oregon,” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes said. Visitors…

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reports that a dozen volunteers from both the RAF and Montana Pilots Association arrived Saturday, June 18 for the annual Meadow Creek, 0S1 work party. Montana Aeronautics supports these efforts, and Administrator Tim Conway and his wife Karen flew in to help. Volunteers brought chainsaws and felled and bucked many…

The Copper River washed out a highway bridge at Mile 50 on Alaska’s Copper River Highway to Cordova some five year ago, and the road has been closed ever since. RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton saw this as an opportunity for the RAF to cooperate in the creation and improvement of Childs Glacier Airstrip to access “a…