News
RYAN FIELD UNDERGOES CHANGE
Ryan Field (2MT1) near West Glacier is open for use this Spring. Pilots approaching Ryan Field will no longer see a cluster of buildings to use for a landmark. Instead, they will see a backcountry airstrip with the green-roofed rustic pilot shelter on its west side. Prior to use, pilots must receive the current pilot…
Read MoreCARING FOR UTAH’S ESCALANTE SHELTER
The rustic pilot shelter at Escalante, (1L7) was built with funds and volunteer labor from the RAF, the Utah Back Country Pilots, many private donors and local volunteers, and was dedicated to the late Paul Bowmar in 2013. Readers may recall the RAF’s “A ten-spot for a tent-spot” campaign which brought donations from all over the…
Read MoreRAF GRANT FUNDS MCKENZIE BRIDGE AIRPORT MAINTENANCE
RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes was granted funds toward maintenance at McKenzie Bridge Airport, (00S) in the Willamette National Forest. “McKenzie Bridge Airport is popular with recreational aviators,” Mayes said. “It provides access to the McKenzie River, McKenzie River Mountain Bike Trail, and remote camping.” The RAF observes pandemic recommendations, and this project differs from…
Read More“HUMP DAY” HANGAR PRESENTATIONS
Former RAF Director Steve Johnson invites all to tune into his Hump Day Hangar Presentations. As founder and administrator for the popular forum SuperCub.org, Steve has initiated weekly free virtual hangar talk presentations available to anyone. “With all the uncertainty in 2020, I felt like something needed to happen to keep people connected, so I started the Hump Day Hangar Presentations with…
Read MoreNEXT BACKCOUNTRY BOUTIQUE ITEM COMING JUNE 5
Be watching for our next Backcountry Boutique item, which will debut on Friday, June 5th! On the 5th day of every month, you’ll see a new RAF logo item advertised for sale on the RAF website and Facebook. We will be selling small quantities of each item. When they’re gone, they’re gone! We welcome photos of supporters using RAF…
Read MoreOREGON’S RAGER AIRSTRIP IMPROVEMENTS
The RAF and the US Forest Service (USFS) have collaborated to make improvements to the primitive airstrip adjacent to the Rager Ranger Station. Located in the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon, the Rager Ranger Station served as the administrative site for the Paulina Ranger District for over 105 years. Administration of the ranger station was…
Read MoreFEATURED AIRSTRIP: DOUBLE CIRCLE RANCH
The Double Circle Ranch (Z66) is located on the Clifton District of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest roughly 29 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona. The ranch, homesteaded in 1878, was one of the largest ranches of the southwest. In the 1950’s the then ranch owners built a log cabin lodge, bunk house, and airstrip in…
Read MoreNOW PLAYING: RAF PODCASTS
When RAF friends gather around the fire hub at an airfield, there’s always a good story to be told. We have brought that love of storytelling into a digital format, and hope you will enjoy our new RAF Podcasts. Each podcast is hosted by RAF President Bill McGlynn, whose good-natured and easygoing interviewing style naturally…
Read MoreNEW CAMPGROUND AND AMENITIES COMING AT DRIGGS, IDAHO
RAF Idaho Liaison Tim Riley’s RAF grant was approved for camping amenities at Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport (KDIJ), located in eastern Idaho at the base of the beautiful Grand Teton Mountains. “Driggs is a world class destination for the pilot community, with access to hiking, biking, fishing, floating, golf and a small town with numerous shops…
Read MoreSTAY CONNECTED TO THOSE WHO MATTER MOST
We hope that you are navigating these uncertain times safely and looking forward to bluer skies and tailwinds soon. As we all think about getting back in the cockpit, safety is top-of-mind. For those of us who fly the ‘backcountry’, it’s more than a place – it describes a style of flying we enjoy. With…
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