RAF’S AMRAT CHUGANI STEPS UP TO FLORIDA LIAISON
After serving as an Ambassador since 2018, Amrat Chugani (above, right) is now volunteering as a Florida Liaison alongside Bobby Capozzi (above, left). As a child growing up in Singapore, Amrat Chugani gazed skyward in awe, wondering how mammoth aircraft cruised through the open skies with such ease. He was amazed that only two highly…
Read MoreJEFF DEFREEST
Alaska State Liaison Jeff DeFreest started flying early in life – logging his first hours in 1972 – but his flight training stalled until he was well into his career as a professional geologist with the US Forest Service (USFS). He worked in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah before transitioning to Alaska in 2001. Before moving…
Read MoreSECOND LIAISON ADDED IN ALASKA
Jeff DeFreest is the new RAF Liaison for southeast Alaska, joining Al Clayton of Anchorage. Jeff started flying early in life – logging his first hours in 1972 – but his flight training stalled until he was well into his career as a professional geologist with the US Forest Service (USFS). He worked in Idaho, Oregon, and…
Read MoreLOCALS PITCH IN ON CORNUCOPIA IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements are continuing this spring at the RAF-supported Cornucopia, WI airstrip, W123. Cornucopia is the northernmost village in Wisconsin and sits on the south shore of Lake Superior, adjacent to the magnificent Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “Not only is the scenery absolutely spectacular, but there are also incredible recreational opportunities in the area including kayaking…
Read MoreTHE RUS AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT – A STATE-BY-STATE RESOURCE
Recreational Use Statutes (RUS) have been enacted by all 50 states to limit landowner liability when owners allow public access to their private land for recreational purposes under certain conditions. The RAF has just updated its RAF 50 State Survey, a tabulation of each state’s RUS, with links and information to assist in finding relevant information.…
Read MorePresley Melton
After years of experience flying his Boeing Stearman, Decathlons, an RV8, his award-winning 1943 Howard DGA, and a variety of other aircraft, RAF Ambassador Presley Melton of Arkansas says he has the most fun in his open-cockpit AirCam. Years ago, Presley journeyed out west in his RV8, enjoying Idaho’s groomed turf airfields, but realized he wanted something that he…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS RAISE PAVILION AT TRIGGER GAP
The open air pavilion is nearing completion at Trigger Gap Airfield in Arkansas, 17A. Volunteers came from 12 states representing RAF members, the Tailwind Aviation Foundation, and local Fly Oz friends, most of whom are also RAF members. “We had a very successful work party,” RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell said. “All had a great time and enjoyed…
Read MoreFEATURED AIRSTRIP: HAVANA REGIONAL
Each month we highlight an airstrip where the RAF has had involvement. We hope that you will get out and enjoy these airstrips. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Havana Regional in Illinois, (9I0) in a small town located on the Illinois River. “Havana is away from city lights and has a spectacular night sky,” says Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura. …
Read MoreHARTZELL PROPELLER, RAF AGREE TO INCENTIVES FOR BACKCOUNTRY PILOTS
The following is a press release announced by Hartzell Propeller. Hartzell Propeller has reached an agreement with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) to offer a special $1,000 discount on all new Hartzell backcountry propellers sold to RAF members. The RAF is a national organization headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., which is dedicated to preserving, improving and…
Read MoreJOHN NADEAU
National RUS Liaison After ten years of flying pavement to pavement around New England, John Nadeau and his wife Ann Marie acquired property near his family vacation home in Maine. An abandoned airfield laid in the backwoods that he and friends reclaimed over a summer, and John landed on a grass runway for the first time on…
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