News

Over 120 RAF volunteers and noted speakers from across the country gathered in Bozeman for the RAF’s biennial Education Conference May 16-19. A dozen flew their own GA aircraft, lining BZN’s ramp with an impressive array. One stalwart volunteer, RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe, took honors for longest distance road trip in his electric SUV…

Dave and Julie Powell of Rogers, Arkansas were honored with the “Wind Beneath Our Wings” award during the RAF’s biennial education conference in May. This award recognizes extraordinary efforts to further the RAF mission. This award was created and sponsored by RAF co-founders/volunteers Dan and Margie Prill, and Chuck and Penny Jarecki. Powells’ names have…

RAF Washington Liaison Ray Ballantyne received an RAF grant to install a vault toilet and shower at Olympic Airfield, WA45 near Port Townsend, WA near a camping area among the trees. A water landing area lies parallel to the turf 2,759-ft runway, and there is a pond and dock where small seaplanes can be secured.…

This month, enjoy 10% off of our RAF shirt collection to get ready for summer! We have a variety of shirts that help you stay cool while you recreate and rock the RAF brand. Stock up in time for fly-ins and Oshkosh! Order the Featured Items and shop the RAF Outfitter. If you have questions,…

Ambassador Ray Ballantyne has moved to a State Liaison volunteer role in Washington, joining current Liaison Dave Whitelaw. Ray was born into an aviator family as his father was a WWII CG-4A Combat Glider pilot who met his mother at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX while she was training to be a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot).…

Volunteers continue making improvements at the USFS airstrip at Sacaton, New Mexico, NM16 as part of the Challenge Cost Share agreement with the US Forest Service. Organized by RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller, RAF and New Mexico Pilots Association volunteers poured the concrete pad for the vault toilet recently, in spite of weather that…

The snow has started to melt in our part of the world, the grass is greening up and it’s that time of year when heading to your favorite backcountry strip seems like just the right thing to do. It’s also a real good time to brush the dust off your flight manual and do some…

The RAF will be attending many events in May. Look at our Event Calendar to learn where you can get involved! We’ll be at Cavanaugh Bay, ID May 3-5 for a weekend work party to repair/replace irrigation sprinklers and apply fertilizer to the runway. On May 4th, help us prepare Ryan Field in MT for the annual Ryan Fly-In. Bring your…

The BLM has progressed in the process of revising its Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) and invites public comments to guide their final decision. The BLM is proposing that aircraft only be allowed to take off and land at the Bluff Airport and the Fry Canyon Airstrip. By placing…

Throughout a week in late April, we took “snapshots” across this country of folks working hard and willingly demonstrating the RAF Way, and we’re proud to share them with you.  Our first glimpse is in Southeast Alaska, where Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest and his wife Kari gathered volunteers to rehabilitate a couple of public-use lakeside…