News

The BLM is holding a Public Scoping period for the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) until 10/31/2022 to gather topics and criteria that the public thinks are important for the BLM to consider as they prepare the Resource Management Plan (RMP) and corresponding Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), required by federal legislation.  RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back…

October 1 is the first day of the 2022 Photo Contest! It’s time to submit your favorites. From October 1-31, send us your best photos of scenic, recreational airstrips. Again this year, we are including the “RAF Mission” category, for photos we feel best illustrate people enjoying recreational aviation, regardless of region. An “International” entry category…

“Seeing a stellar object, especially a deep space object, with the naked eye is an experience worth trying,” RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura says.  He helped organize another stargazing party at the Havana, IL airport (9I0) September 16 and many people did just that, “and they were awestruck,” he added.  Airplanes started approaching Havana’s 2,200-foot turf runway on Friday afternoon.…

RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov received an RAF grant for infrastructure improvements at Lone Pine Airport (026) in California, and volunteers began work Sept. 17 and 18 to restore a historic small house that serves as the terminal, and repair the restroom building. “The work party at Lone Pine was a success and they kicked off a big portion of the project,”…

New Cuyama, L88 is located between the Southern California coast and Sierra mountain range about 32 nm north of Santa Barbara. Privately owned by The Blue Sky Center, a nonprofit community development organization that promotes an “offbeat but comfortable camping, retreat, or event experience,” it is open for public use. Built by Atlantic Richfield Company in…

AOPA’s entire State Advocacy team anchored a second annual online meeting with RAF key volunteers on September 22. More than 40 RAF volunteers were brought up-to-date on current efforts of AOPA Regional Managers, and engaged in collaborative discussions about issues critical to both organizations. AOPA’s Mike Ginter, VP of Airports and State Advocacy, introduced each…

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. The October Featured Airstrip is Marcy Field, New York. Marcy Field, (1I1) is a 2,390 turf airfield near the hamlet of Keene, NY in Adirondack Park, a preserve that includes 15 of the 46 High Peaks, including…

On Monday September 19, the Wakulla County Commissioners were to make their final vote to terminate the Wakulla County Airport license, essentially walking away and closing the Florida airport. Due to public comment opposing closure, the commissioners tabled the vote, postponing action and leaving the many airpark landowners with an uncertain future. The Tarpine Owner’s Association is the local…

The RAF and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have an agreement allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of Red Pine airfield, located within TNC’s Saint John River Forest in northern Maine just a dozen miles from the Canadian border.  RAF volunteers have worked to restore the airstrip to a better condition. On September 7, RAF Maine Liaisons Steve…

The improvements continue at Illinois’ Havana Regional Airport, 9I0. RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura worked with the local airport authority, and local EAA Chapter 1420, and with leverage from an RAF grant, made this multi-year effort possible. In addition to the new four-season men and womens’ shower/restroom facility, a patio seating area and RAF fire…