“This airfield is a diamond in the rough,” RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant said, referring to Hanley Field, 5Y7. It’s located three miles southeast of Munising, MI, which is on the shores of Lake Superior adjacent to the National Park Service Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. He and RAF Director Jeff Russell recognized this, and began imagining what…

RAF Connecticut Ambassador Brian Thomas reported that on August 19, eight volunteers including fellow Ambassadors Darryl Nicholson, Jr. and Greg Delp completed the much-anticipated setup of the composting outhouse at Waterbury, Connecticut, N41. “We were able to excavate the hole, set the collection drum as well as foundation blocks, and finally hoist the outhouse in…

The RAF-branded Kodiak 100 completed another mission for the US Forest Service, coordinated and assisted by the RAF and Montana Pilots Association. RAF supporter and MPA past president Pete Smith had constructed and powder-coated a 10-gauge steel Forest Service-style bear box for Schafer Meadows and it was trucked to Ryan Field for eventual delivery. When…

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.…

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…

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. This month, we’re featuring Moose Creek, Idaho. What makes Moose Creek, Idaho one of the incredible gems that we’re allowed to visit by airplane? “It’s 50 miles to the nearest lightbulb and civilization,” RAF President Bill McGlynn likes to…

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…

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…

From high school campers to high-time pilots, the RAF engaged a wide group of AirVenture attendees throughout the week at Oshkosh. The RAF was invited to join displays at both the US Forest Service and Daher booths, and Hartzell again this year provided prime space on their rooftop for the traditional Tuesday morning Manderfield’s donuts and…