News

The RAF announces a successful advocacy outcome for pilots who prefer to take off and land on turf, typically adjacent to hard-surfaced runways. The new FAA Advisory Circular  AC 150/5300-13B became official on March 31, and acknowledges turf operations within Runway Safety Areas(RSAs). RAF Director Jeff Russell began working with AOPA and EAA in July of 2019,…

The RAF is excited about a new partnership regarding airstrips in Texas State Parks. A formal agreement was signed between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (TPWD) and the Recreational Aviation Foundation on March 18, 2022. “This is far more than an agreement to provide volunteers and RAF grant money for projects in Texas,” RAF…

The Recreational Aviation Foundation is saddened to share news of Agnes “Butchie” Ryan’s passing in the early hours of March 15. Butchie and her husband, the late Ben Ryan had generously donated their northwest Montana airfield property to the RAF so it could be shared with the public forever. The RAF was not only blessed…

RAF Chairman John McKenna and Director Tim Riley traveled to our nation’s capital and met with Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania on Monday, February 28 in his D.C. office. Rep. Thompson is the Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee that oversees the US Forest Service. He said he has interest in seeing additional…

Schafer Meadows, 8U2 is in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness, and maintenance is handled non-mechanically. A video has been released of the ongoing runway work, featuring a team of mules, the use of a vintage grader, a Fresno scraper, and a sickle bar mower.  RAF Liaison Scott Newpower helped coordinate the project with then-District Ranger Deb…

Our friends at AOPA’s Air Safety Institute invite you to attend the first of three backcountry flying safety webinars scheduled this year. The first “Flying the Backcountry: Risks and Rewards” episode is this Thursday, March 17, 7pm EDT.  Joining AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden are Mark Patey and Todd Christensen. Learn their tips on…

Not all backcountry airfields have the resources to produce materials to build a pilot shelter, but some Georgia and Florida RAF volunteers have placed a portable sawmill at Creighton Island to do just that. Georgia Ambassador Lou Furlong reports on a successful work party at this privately-owned coastal island airfield February 18-20. He was joined…

RAF Chairman John McKenna, Director Mike Perkins and Montana Liaison Scott Newpower met in early March with Kent Wellner, Program Manager for Trails, Dispersed Recreation, and Travel Management for the US Forest Service Northern Region, (Region 1) headquartered in Missoula, Montana. The purpose of the meeting was to continue to build on the working relationship…

These RAF-style Nocs binoculars feature top shelf optics in a compact, rugged housing. They are the perfect travel binocular, able to keep up with any adventure. They are waterproof, fog proof, and have scratch resistant lenses. The bright orange color shows you’re an RAF supporter and helps keep you from misplacing them. The twist up…

This year’s General Aviation Awards have been announced and one of the three honors goes to RAF Supporter Dr. Amy Hoover. The FAA recognizes aviation professionals for their contributions to general aviation safety, and professionalism with this award.  Amy Hoover, of Ellensburg, WA is the 2022 CFI of the Year. Amy achieved her Ph.D. in…