News

“Fifteen volunteers braved hours of rutted out 4×4 roads to come help rebuild Chicken Strip in Saline Valley on November 5 and 6,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. It’s ironic that an airstrip in the driest place in North America suffers occasional flooding, but a regional deluge in July created washouts that closed the airstrip in Death Valley National…

“We just concluded our phase two work party at Sacaton landing strip, and I think we are about ninety percent finished,” RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reported. Approval must come from the Glenwood District Ranger before Sacaton is open for general recreational use after decades of closure and neglect. As of now, usage is limited…

RAF supporters with the popular O-470 model engine will be thrilled to learn that Hartzell Propeller has expanded the applicability of its popular three-blade aluminum Voyager props. The Voyager is now STC approved for Cessna aircraft powered by Continental 470-A (s/n 41000 and higher) -J, -R, and -S engines. This includes models C – J with standard…

RAF Georgia Ambassador and Bonanza pilot Eric Davis and his father Gary evaded poor flying weather and made the four-hour drive and boat ride into Creighton Island in October to make a variety of improvements to the unique fly-in island setting. They have proven to be a multi-skilled “dynamic duo” when it comes to upkeep…

Not everyone could get volunteers to show up for outdoor work on a Wisconsin airfield on the windy shores of Lake Superior in December. But RAF Director Jeff Russell and Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin were successful gathering a dozen folks who cheerfully helped take on maintenance and improvements at Cornucopia, including airport manager Tim Kaseno.…

An RAF grant funded improvements in conjunction with a major repaving project at New Cuyama airstrip in California, L88, and as planned, on October 13 folks gathered for a celebration. The ribbon was cut by key volunteers Steve and Nancy Sappington from the Blue Sky Center, who helped drive the project. Alex Guerrero, the craftsman of Warrior…

“Success has many fathers,” RAF Director Tim Riley says, using the proverb to point out that many people put in a lot of time and effort toward preserving Stovepipe Wells airport in Death Valley National Park.  The Park Service had planned to close the airstrip in favor of stargazing. After meetings with aviation advocates, and…

“Thanks to an RAF infrastructure improvement grant, California’s Lone Pine Airport now has new flushing toilets and enclosed restrooms with running water,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. The work was completed as part of a greater rejuvenation effort by Friends of Lone Pine, a non-profit group of local volunteers who recognized the potential of…

The RAF has just signed a Challenge Cost Share agreement with the Gila National Forest outlining cooperative maintenance to increase public access to five backcountry airstrips: Beaverhead, Jewett Mesa, Me-Own, Negrito, and Rainy Mesa. In addition, the agreement acknowledges mutual desire to return Sacaton airstrip to operational status to increase public access, promote tourism and…

Over extended weekends ending in October, skilled volunteers from literally all over the country met at Ryan Field, 2MT1 to build two more hard-sided camping cabins. The board commited to adding two cabins due to demand during flying season. These cabins are located along the west side of the field, a few minutes’ hike north…