RAF, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RENEW MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR DEATH VALLEY
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and the National Park Service (NPS) have renewed their cooperative agreement addressing maintenance on the three airstrips within Death Valley National Park for another five years. Originally inked in 2008 and renewed in 2017, this Memorandum of Understanding between the NPS and the RAF authorizes RAF volunteers to perform mutually beneficial repairs to…
Read MoreIMPROVED AIRFIELD GUIDE TOPS 400 LISTINGS
The RAF is pleased to announce that as of now, you’ll find over 400 places to explore in the Airfield Guide, the interactive digital catalog showcasing great recreational airfields. In 2016, Arkansas pilots Dave Powell and Chip Gibbons created the Airfield Guide, and by 2023, it included over 300 listings. Powell said, “We’ve seen huge growth the…
Read MoreRAF CELEBRATES RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell received a Holiday card from The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Director Roger Manghan. The entire Arkansas staff had signed it, and Roger had penned the following message that we want to share with you: “RAF is such an important org and we are so very lucky for both your partnership & friendship! Thanks for all…
Read MoreNEW RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS AT RED PINE
Visitors to Maine’s Red Pine airfield along the Saint John River can tie their airplane down at the north end and use a new picnic shelter and outhouse nearby, saving the long walk to the camping area on the south end of the 2,354 ft runway. RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe drove in for the October 22 work day to…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: CHARLIE GREGOIRE 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 Charlie Gregoire, the President/COO of Redbird Flight Simulations and an RAF Volunteer. A few months ago, Clay Simmons wrote a Guest Editorial that I thought hit the…
Read MoreVOLUNTEER WITH THE RAF IN 2025
Are you passionate about preserving special places to fly and want to get more involved with the RAF? We’d love to have you join our enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers! We are currently seeking a variety of volunteers to help us achieve the RAF mission of preserving, improving and creating airstrips for recreational access.…
Read MoreDOING OUR PART TO PRESERVE WILDERNESS ACCESS
Did you know there are now 803 Wilderness Areas covering more than 111.7 million acres in the continental US and Alaska? The US Forest Service manages the majority of these areas, followed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. There are even more Wilderness Study Areas, (WSAs) with…
Read MoreMATT FOSTER
Director Matt Foster grew up immersed in aviation. At a young age, Matt’s dad introduced him to flying and camping in the Idaho backcountry. He was a successful business owner who was able to use General Aviation aircraft for business as well as pleasure. Raised on an airpark, Matt soloed on his sixteenth birthday, got his private at age 17,…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS WORK ON GRAND GULCH, AZ AIRSTRIP
RAF Supporter Perry Null of Gallup, New Mexico had flown into Grand Gulch in his 182 in early November and was concerned that it was becoming overgrown. He invited folks from the region to fly in with hand tools during the November 23-24 weekend to remove encroaching vegetation. Eleven aircraft arrived, bringing 14 folks, mainly…
Read MoreMOOSE CREEK, ID FENCE, OUTHOUSE PROJECT COMPLETED FOR USFS
In cooperation with the US Forest Service, the RAF organized volunteers beginning in late 2023 to remove and replace 3,000 feet of deteriorating jackleg fence around the historic Moose Creek Ranger Station. Again this October, volunteers from the RAF, Idaho Aviation Association, (IAA) and the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation cooperated with the Forest Service…
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