News

The RAF kicked off AirVenture week on Monday, July 25 with Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin and Indiana Liaison Bill Steinmetz sharing “The RAF Way” with a captivated audience; Tuesday morning, RAF volunteers served donuts and coffee atop Hartzell’s rooftop booth again this year. “New and longtime RAF friends gathered to share flying stories, talk about the…

RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reports that volunteers from New Mexico Pilots Association, the RAF, and three US Forest Service Reserve District employees completed work at Negrito airstrip, 0NM7 in the Gila National Forest in mid July. “Rainy weather chased us out a day early, but the work was mostly finished,” Keller said. The…

Two popular backcountry airfields, Minam Lodge (7OR0); and adjacent Red’s Horse Ranch (68D) are located within the Eagle Cap Wilderness, that totals over 360,000 acres in northeast Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Ancestors of the Nez Perce Tribe first occupied the region in 1,400 A.D. followed by Cayuse, Shoshone and Bannock peoples. The Wilderness Act of…

RAF Michigan Liaisons Brad Frederick and General Grant announce that Two Hearted airfield, 6Y5 on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was recently inspected by the state and reopened. “Cones are back out and it is mowed. We want to be sure people understand that the grass is delicate for the time being and that small tires are…

Show off your support for the RAF and your favorite airstrips with this collector’s edition keychain. The keychain features a unique bronze hook, an RAF token, and leather that is stamped with the RAF’s logo. Once you have your keychain, add to it with our airstrip tokens that represent airstrips the RAF has had a…

RAF Washington State Ambassador Ray Ballantyne reports that Washington State Department of Aviation and the RAF joined together to perform the annual cleanup of Stehekin State Airport, 6S9, in the North Cascades National Park in June.  Paul Wolf, State Airport Manager and his wife Deanna arrived by helicopter because there is no road access to this settlement above the…

RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes reported that continued collaboration in Oregon between the RAF and the US Forest Service has resulted in the preservation of Silver Lake airfield, 45S. “The Silver Lake Ranger District team recently mowed and re-established its edge markings and the 3,000 foot long runway is currently in excellent condition and ready…

RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant reported that 13 planes and 20 volunteers landed at North Fox Island, 6Y3 July 8-10 to complete seasonal maintenance. The group accomplished mowing, trimming, and general maintenance of the airstrip and adjacent tie-down and camping area. They relocated the outhouse and filled the previous pit; they split and restocked firewood for camper use, and “Miles of trails were trimmed back and mowed,” he added.  Prior to departure, they replenished…

“Enough work has been completed in past years that this year was pretty light,” RAF Washington State Liaison Dave Whitelaw said of the tasks scheduled at Sullivan Lake state airport, 09S. A group of about a dozen volunteers arrived early on the July 15-17 weekend and joined Washington State DOT Airport Manager Paul Wolf on…

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reported that 18 planes showed up and about 25 people helped during the annual MPA/RAF/USFS cooperative volunteer work party at Shafer Meadows, 8U2. “Thanks to Montana Aeronautics and Karen Speeg for supporting this year’s work party again,” Newpower said.  The group completed several projects including replacing the sign board near…