News
VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE CABINS AT RYAN FIELD
Ryan Field now has four hard-sided camping cabins, thanks to the efforts of volunteers who wrapped up the project during the June 9-11 work party. RAF supporters flying in may reserve a cabin by emailing ryancabins@theraf.org. Twenty volunteers completed many other tasks to clean and prepare all the facilities for the flying season, including bear boxes, gutters,…
Read MoreRAF GRANT FOR UPGRADES AT HENDERSON FIELD, IL
RAF Illinois Ambassador David Warner is using an RAF grant to make upgrades to Henderson Field near Golconda. The field offers many recreational opportunities, and volunteers will use the funds to install a new windsock, RAF fire ring, apply lime, and roll the runway to improve the surface. Henderson Field is a privately owned 2,410-ft grass…
Read MoreMOWER RELAY ENDS SUCCESSFULLY AT NORTH FOX ISLAND
When former RAF Director and pilot Peter Burwell learned that it was taking twelve hours to mow the turf field at Michigan’s North Fox Island, he began the search for a suitable John Deere mower. Burwell, CEO of C&B Operations, a network of John Deere dealerships throughout the Midwest, located a mower in Luverne, MN,…
Read MoreLAKEWOOD LODGE VOLUNTEERS EARN A+
Each year, RAF volunteers help out at Bob and Judy Gillette’s beautiful Lakewood Lodge, Wisconsin, in appreciation for Gillettes welcoming the public to use their airfield, 14WS. RAF Director Jeff Russell reports that this year’s weather for the May 19-21 weekend work party was perfect, and over a dozen volunteers tackled all the projects Judy had listed. “We must…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: MIKE TODD GUEST EDITORIAL
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This month’s guest editorial is from Mike Todd, a career pilot and longtime RAF Supporter. You might think that it would get old and stale, this flying thing. Modern avionics make navigation accurate…
Read MoreCOOPERATION ON HELL’S CANYON AIRSTRIP MAINTENANCE
RAF Oregon Liaison Bill Ables reports that April 22 brought perfect weather and 16 aircraft from Washington, Idaho, and Oregon into Hells Canyon to help with an annual Canyon airstrips volunteer work party. Everyone arrived at Dug Bar, OR8. “We enjoyed the heat of a campfire for a short time while we introduced ourselves around the group of…
Read MoreMAINTENANCE AT OWYHEE RESERVOIR AIRSTRIP
Owyhee, 28U is an 1,840-ft dirt airstrip along the west side of the Owyhee Reservoir in Eastern Oregon, where the crappie and bass fishing is said to be “pretty darn good” according to RAF Oregon Liaison Bill Ables. (You’ll need an Oregon angling license.) “The airstrip boasts the Owyhee Hilton cabin for folks to overnight…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: JIM HANSON GUEST EDITORIAL
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This month’s guest editorial is from Jim Hanson, a career aviator and longtime RAF Supporter. The RAF Turns 20: There is so much to be proud of on this 20th anniversary of the…
Read MoreNEW MEXICO VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE NEWLY-OPENED SACATON
Once the USFS District Ranger deemed Sacaton “re-opened” last January after it had lain dormant and overgrown for decades, RAF New Mexico Ron Keller lost no time organizing help to improve it and make it safer and more appealing for recreation. On the weekend of April 13-16 Keller gathered three volunteers to work on the…
Read MoreAVEY FIELD IMPROVEMENTS PRESERVE SAFETY
RAF Washington Liaison Dave Whitelaw has been awarded an RAF grant to preserve amenities and increase safety at Avey Field, (69S) near Laurier, WA. The field is owned by Bob Davis of Orient, WA, and is adjacent to a Washington-British Columbia Port-Of-Entry. Customs agents are nearby making this strip convenient for travelers to and from Canada. …
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