News

The RAF hosted AOPA’s seven Regional Managers for an hour-long online update September 19. AOPA’s VP of Airports and State Advocacy Mike Ginter introduced each of the seven. These persons bird-dog issues critical to General Aviation like preserving airports facing closure, preventing airspace encroachments and unreasonable ramp and user fees. Other timely initiatives are Avgas…

Something most have in common – they have met Richard somewhere along the path and he always had an outstretched hand to greet someone new. He was enthusiastic about RAF folk and the mission we are committed to and did everything in his own lane to ensure we got to keep the privilege of enjoying…

Beautiful fall weather greeted attendees of Bob and Judy Gillette’s annual fly-in and picnic at their home airstrip, Lakewood Lodge (14WS) in northern Wisconsin. The four-day event is an annual gathering of local EAA chapter 631 and RAF friends. This year, RAF supporters attended from as far away as Oklahoma and Florida. Bob and Judy, along with the help…

Order your Anniversary Items while you still can! We’re down to a limited supply of BUFFS, CamelBak Water Bottles, and Gerber Knives. These are our special 20 Year Edition items, so order now before they’re gone! To order the Featured Items, click here. If you have questions, please email contact@theraf.org or call 406-582-1723.  Your RAF Outfitter purchase is greatly…

RAF Pennsylvania Liaison Andy Turner has received an RAF grant for picnic tables and fire rings at Clarion County Airport, KAXQ. Recognizing the untapped recreational potential of the area, Turner approached Airport Manager Donald Kimball, and received enthusiastic support for a project and improvements. Turner and Kimball initiated an effort to develop a campground just…

A June 2023 RAF grant to improve privately-owned Henderson Field, 95IL near Golconda Illinois, included a new RAF windsock, an RAF fire ring, and treating and smoothing the turf runway with a vibrating roller. This was partially matched with in-kind donations and volunteer labor. “Thanks to terrific weather and help from visiting pilots David Butler and Chris Erkmann, everything…

“Pilots’ comments on Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM) during last year’s Call-To-Action were successful,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig reports. “Aviation is specifically mentioned in Chapter 3 of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for each of the four management alternatives the BLM is considering. Thank you for your efforts to comment,” she added.…

On August 26, a celebration was held at Two Hearted (6Y5) in Michigan to acknowledge the airfield’s reopening, and to thank everyone involved for their help. Volunteers’ efforts were appreciated and Richard and Kathy Robinson of Rainbow Lodge were acknowledged for their kind hospitality. “If not for them, this could not have happened. We cannot…

The 2023 RAF Photo Contest kicks off October 1st. Now is the time to go through your photos to find the best ones to submit! From October 1-31, send us your best photos of scenic, recreational airstrips. Winners in each of five U.S. regions, plus the RAF Mission category, will be selected. The region is…