News

RAF Alaska/Michigan Ambassador Rob Aho and Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest and his wife Ambassador Kari DeFreest were awarded an RAF grant toward reconstruction and repairs at the US Forest Service Black Bear Cabin on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. The fly-in cabin is 50 air miles west-northwest of Ketchikan and provides hiking, camping, hunting,…

Join the RAF at Bozeman International Airport (KBZN) Saturday, June 14 for your opportunity to meet AOPA’s new President, Darren Pleasance. He’s touring the country, sharing his vision for GA’s future and AOPA’s exciting mission to promote aviation and protect our freedom to fly. The RAF will be there in our orange shirts, beginning with…

“Ambition is the path to success, but persistence is the vehicle you will arrive in.” William “Bill” Bradley, the former NBA star and US Senator from New Jersey said this. Substitute “Passion” for “Ambition,” and you’ve pretty well summed up the RAF. Everything at the RAF starts with building a relationship. That relationship can be with…

We are proud that the RAF stands out as the trusted group of people who preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational enjoyment. The RAF isn’t a “membership” organization. We prefer the word “supporter” because that’s what you are. Those who like what we do send a contribution supporting our work. Those who love what we do send even more. Many volunteer their time and talents,…

RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller’s call for volunteers in May brought folks from as far as 270 nm who flew in to Sacaton airstrip to help with seasonal maintenance. Keller himself drove 250 miles one way to oversee the group of volunteers. At the work party, volunteers installed a new windsock, repainted the segmented circle, and removed vegetation from the…

It all started years ago by building a relationship between The Nature Conservancy and the RAF. Arkansas pilots and RAF Liaisons Harper Goodwin and Dave Powell connected with the regional folks at The Nature Conservancy, the organization known for its efforts to advance effective, lasting land and environmental conservation. Shortly, they found common ground between…

Ryan Field is ready to welcome pilots flying in during the 2025 season. Please review the following items before you make your trip this year: We look forward to seeing you at Ryan Field! Submitted June 4, 2025

Chesaning, Michigan, 50G is a popular airfield for many in central Michigan. Both its turf runways are over 2,000 feet in length. It’s just a half mile from town, and camping is permitted. The airfield provides access to the nearby Shiawassee River, and hosts an ever popular ‘ice cream Tuesdays’ event in the summer season. RAF Michigan Liaison…

Ryan Field, 2MT1 has been prepared for this year’s flying season thanks to RAF volunteers, directed by RAF’s volunteer Ryan Field Operations Manager, Dave Schuler. Water is on in the pilot shelter, firewood is stocked, the restrooms in the barn are available, and the turf runway is mowed. Visitors will enjoy the new multi-purpose kiosk…

The RAF Sources Products Locally Across the US — Meet One of Our Many VendorsSal Corio of SlideDown fast and easy tie downs, Warwick, Rhode Island There’s no one who better personifies the term “Yankee ingenuity” than Sal Corio, founder of the Rhode Island company that makes the patented “SlideDown” fast and easy tie-downs. The RAF discovered this slick pilot-tested…