News

Isle Airport, (MY72) is a 2,460-ft turf airfield on the southeast shore of Mille Lacs Lake, two miles from the resort town of Isle. Currently it is owned by the City, but is charted “Private” because membership in the Isle Airport Association (IAA), which operates the field, or prior permission from an IAA member, is…

The volunteer RAF board of directors met in January for strategic planning, and laid out these goals for 2020 to advance the RAF mission to preserve, maintain, and create airstrips for recreational access.  RAF President Bill McGlynn expressed appreciation for the time RAF Directors commit to the RAF, especially the two-and-a-half days every January where…

The RAF has added new volunteer Ambassadors, five just since the New Year. The RAF’s enthusiastic Ambassadors wear orange at work parties and aviation events, and are of valuable help to State Liaisons in sharing the RAF mission. Ranging in territory from Washington State to Illinois, the recent additions are Ray Ballantyne of Sequim and Jered Paine of…

– RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura Havana Regional (9I0) is a 2,200-ft turf airstrip situated on a sandy plain near the Illinois River and the Emiquon Wildlife Refuge, and on Saturday, March 7, Havana was again the site of this year’s Migratory Bird Fly-in. Recently, the RAF contributed grant money to upgrade its pilot shelter,…

Pilots flying over the Colorado Rockies will appreciate that the FAA is expanding its highly successful weather camera safety program in cooperation with the State of Colorado Division of Aeronautics. Beginning this spring, cameras will be added to 13 Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) in mountainous areas to help VFR pilots. The official FAA announcement states:  These…

The RAF does something rarely found in the non-profit world — it acknowledges all donations of time and money with handwritten notes. We’d like you to meet the all-volunteer team we call our “VPs of Appreciation” who take the time to thank you in their own, personal and sincere way. In alphabetical order, meet: Kim…

The RAF and Tailwind Aviation Foundation are thrilled to announce that the Airfield.Guide now lists airfields in every US state. The owner of Rhode Island’s Riconn airstrip, (RI11) has allowed his strip to be listed, becoming the fiftieth state to be included.  “It seems like every time I get in front of pilots and tell them about the…

In early February, RAF Massachusetts Liaison Rene Robillard moved to New Hampshire, vacating the position in Massachusetts. Wishing to continue the mission in his new state, Robillard will join the efforts of RAF New Hampshire Liaison John Meade. The RAF enlisted Gabriel Jaszczak to fill both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Liaison positions.“As the new…

AOPA, with participation from the Minnesota Pilots Association and the Recreational Aviation Foundation, is holding an Isle, Minnesota Airport Town Hall: Airport Education and Fact Finding on March 4, 2020 at 6:30pm. The event will be held at McQuoid’s Inn and Event Center, 1325 Highway 47 N, Isle, Minnesota. This discussion will be about the future…

The RAF 2020 Winter Newsletter is now available! Issue 25 of the RAF’s biannual newsletter, prepared by RAF Publicity Liaison Carmine Mowbray, contains regional updates from State Liaison volunteers and other mission-related news. To obtain a printed copy of the newsletter, contact your local State Liaison or visit the “News” section of our website to…