News

The new Fly Rocky Top airstrip network, developed by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), is now open to backcountry aviation enthusiasts. Located in East Tennessee, Fly Rocky Top is a "basecamp and outpost" concept for regional aviation exploration, adding the Southeast to a growing collection of well-recognized recreational airstrip networks across the country, including Fly Oz in Arkansas and others in the West and Southwest. Fly Rocky Top is the most significant achievement to date of the RAF's Expanding the Map initiative, a nationwide effort focused on opening, improving, and restoring access to airstrips, helping connect aviators to more of the places they love to explore. Named and inspired by local culture, each Fly Rocky Top airstrip has unique features, amenities, and recreational options that embody the mission and spirit of the RAF. The new network is in the heart of a region nationally recognized for its unique topography that includes the Obed Wild and Scenic River, Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Cumberland Plateau, and Great Smoky Mountains… altogether a landscape uniquely suited to backcountry aviation. Rockwood Municipal Airport, RKW, anchors the network with its 2,400-ft manicured turf landing area and is designed with backcountry flyers in mind. Rockwood Aviation, which operates RKW, offers products and services for pilots to engage in tailwheel, backcountry, and recreational flying, including training, service, and support. City of Rockwood Mayor Jason Jolly highlighted the significance of Rockwood Airport to the community and East Tennessee. Mayor Jolly said, "We are a national recreation destination and the progress at Rockwood Airport and the surrounding network of airstrips is just the latest step in our region's growth and development for adventurers and enthusiasts." The Fly Rocky Top network is unique in that the initial collection of airstrips – with more planned – are a combination of both public lands and privately owned property with the common desire to welcome the flying public. Specific new airstrips in the Fly Rocky Top network include Smuggler's Landing, a grass landing area at RKW (with tent camping and a welcoming pavilion planned), McGraw's Backyard (5TN4), Robbin's Farm, and Tellico Plains (85TN). An additional outpost, Sawbriar, will be ready in August 2026. More airstrips are in the process of being added and will appear on the Fly Rocky Top webpage . Plans continue to add amenities to each RAF Fly Rocky Top airstrip, including accessible flush toilets and timber-framed shelters where camping is available. Other attractions include access to world-class upland bird hunting, hiking, some of the nation’s best trout fishing, kayaking/canoeing on the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers, and a 44-mile Water Trail on Beaver Creek. Select airstrips have access to meals and accommodations. RAF Co-founder and Chairman John McKenna highlighted what makes this opening so important. “Fly Rocky Top is not just a new airstrip network; it’s also a group of pilots who are passionate about aviation, stewardship, and the great outdoors,” he said. “Fly Rocky Top will connect Southeast pilots, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts alike with the shared mission to preserve access to the region's wild beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.”

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower organizes the annual Montana Pilots Association and RAF cooperative work party at Schafer Meadows USFS airstrip, and on Saturday, July 18, nearly two dozen volunteers flew in to help. The airstrip lies in the Great Bear Wilderness, so work is limited to hand tools. A special thanks to Montana Aeronautics Aviation Support Officer Stephen Torske and the team at MT Aeronautics for their support.

RAF Michigan Liaisons General Grant and Tanmoy Ganguly organized a work party July 11 at North Fox Island, 6Y3, the Lake Michigan island airfield just 24 nm northwest of Charlevoix. This year the work party added a new feature for visitors to enjoy – Tanmoy’s do-it-yourself RAF Kabob Station. The group cleared drainage ditches, cut out stumps, split and stacked firewood, cleaned up several miles of beaches, and trimmed and cleared four miles of trail. Grant thanked the volunteers for what he called, “A full day of work.” They gathered unneeded items and flew them off the island. Tanmoy is known for providing delicious kabobs at work parties, and debuted his RAF Kabob Station for pilots who want to cook up his legendary kabobs while on their own camping adventure. Many volunteers opted to camp for the weekend and enjoyed camaraderie around the campfire. See the Airfield Guide for more on North Fox Island. Please read the airfield Safety Briefing. Below it, you will now find a “Kabob Station” briefing. Submitted July 29, 2026

Visitors to the remote Black Bear Lake cabin on Prince of Wales Island, 50 air miles west-northwest of Ketchikan, can now enjoy the results of reconstruction completed by RAF volunteers in cooperation with the US Forest Service. The project began in 2025 thanks to an RAF grant for materials. RAF Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest and Alaska Ambassador Kari DeFreest report that they and two other volunteers flew in June 24-28 to provide labor. The project started last summer to begin deferred maintenance on the Panabode-style USFS cabin. It is one of 140 recreational cabins for public use in the Tongass National Forest. Where most of these cabins experience heavy winter rains, Black Bear Lake typically sees twelve or more feet of snow at its 1,650-foot elevation.

Thank you to the many RAF supporters who attended our Tuesday donuts and coffee social at Redbird’s booth. It was well-attended with new friends and long-time supporters joining in lively conversation. “We want to send special thanks to Redbird Flight Simulations CEO Charlie Gregoire and the entire Redbird team for hosting us this year,” Marketing Coordinator Taylin Trafton said. At Tuesday’s event, RAF President Bill McGlynn and RAF Tennessee Ambassador Matt Axley announced details of the Fly Rocky Top airstrip network in Tennessee as part of the RAF’s latest Expanding the Map initiative. McGlynn added a message of thanks to all the RAF volunteers who are giving so much time and effort toward making Fly Rocky Top a great destination. Thanks also to those who attended Tuesday’s RAF Forum "Beyond the Pavement in the Southeast,” presented by aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian. He provided more details about Fly Rocky Top and the RAF mission to an enthusiastic crowd.

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 guest editorial is by Brent Blue, a Senior AME and RAF Supporter.

RAF New Hampshire and Vermont Liaison John Meade was awarded a second grant for additional camping amenities at New Hampshire’s Parlin Field, 2B3. This time, the RAF has helped fund a covered camping shelter built by local volunteers for use in case of inclement weather. The shelter will soon have a roll-down tarp for use when occupied. Campers will also soon find solar shower bags and portable charging stations available at the campsites, as part of the grant. Pilots have enjoyed the six campsites with picnic tables and fire rings funded by a 2019 RAF grant, with local pilots providing the volunteer labor. “Over the past few years, the Parlin campsites have served pilots flying into New Hampshire to camp. I know that many visitors use this as a hub of operation to see all of New England,” Meade said. He points out that the FBO can be opened with a key code for access to a restroom and conference table. There are bicycles if one wishes to tour the Sugar Hill Trail System or ride the two miles to town for groceries – including local maple syrup – and restaurants. There is self-serve 100LL available. The field is both paved and has two turf runways. In May, Meade had organized volunteers to provide seasonal cleanup, in cooperation with Heath Marsden, part-time airport manager. Find out more about Parlin in the Airfield Guide . Submitted July 24, 2026

We have a BIG announcement planned for AirVenture this year, and you're invited to join us to celebrate the news. Put these special events on your AirVenture schedule for Tuesday, July 21: 8:30 - 10:30 am: Donuts & Coffee at the Redbird Booth, #301 11:30 am - 12:45 pm: RAF Forum - Beyond The Pavement by Mike Goulian, Forum Stage #10 We can't wait to share what our volunteers have been working on. Submitted June 15, 2026

“It's hard to describe the emotions associated with this effort,” said RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov of the restoration of Monache Meadows airstrip, on the Kern Plateau south of California’s Mount Whitney. This High Sierra airstrip had been accessed for recreation for years until the US Forest Service unofficially closed it in the 1970s citing the Wilderness Act, although the strip is not in a Wilderness area; it lies between the Golden Trout and South Sierra Wildernesses. The RAF is thrilled to announce that Monache Meadows is officially charted as L80, and has been brought back into safe operation after many years of neglect. It is open for public access, thanks to years of effort and support by RAF volunteers and donors. RAF California Liaison Rick Lach first learned of the airstrip in the 80s on a Jeep excursion planting trout in the High Sierras. Lach became an RAF Liaison in 2011, and determined ways to approach the appropriate land managers about restoring the airstrip for use after being abandoned. Persevering for 15 years with respectful communications with a series of District Rangers, he finally delivered a breakthrough in 2024 when the Forest Service agreed to include Monache Meadows in its scope of work, allocating some funds in cooperation with RAF volunteer efforts. "After years of patience and persistence, I am glad to announce that we have restored Monache Meadows back to safe operation to be enjoyed by pilots once again," said Lach. Both Lach and Barilov organized repeated work parties, seeing as many as 20 volunteers making the arduous drive to help. A Monache resident and RAF supporter donated the windsock. The remote area is popular for camping, hiking, and fishing, and up until now was only accessible seasonally by a rough and rocky road, requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles. The road becomes soft and impassable during wet conditions and closes due to snow. Barilov said, “We appreciate everyone's help. The strip ended up nearly 2,400 feet in length, is very flat, and is covered with grass. Frankly, it looks like one of the best grass airstrips I have ever landed on.” The airstrip lies at an elevation of 7,874, so those wishing to access it must consider density altitude, and that it seasonally gets heavy snows. The RAF's Expanding the Map initiative is a nationwide effort focused on opening, improving, and restoring access to airstrips, helping connect aviators to more of the places they love to explore. Learn more about Monache Meadows Airstrip and how the RAF is Expanding The Map . Submitted July 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray