News

The ice runway at Alton Bay, NH (B18) opened for several months this winter season, to the delight of local pilots. Located on the southern edge of Lake Winnipesaukee, Alton Bay is a seaplane base in the summer. But the boats, paddle boards and kayaks get stored for the New England winter, and pilots eagerly…

RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig received a cordial invitation from Jared Esselman, Utah Director of Aeronautics for RAF supporters to take advantage of a $200 discount to attend Utah’s upcoming Aviation Conference May 9 – 11 in Provo. “I want to promote backcountry recreational flying in Utah, so I’m offering RAF members a special discount…

One of the most scenic airstrips in the west, Las Trancas, 17CL lies alongside the Pacific Coast just north of Davenport, CA. It was developed by redwood mill owners Bud and Lud McCrary. Thanks to the family’s wishes to keep the airstrip active after Bud’s passing, and a generous RAF grant and volunteer help, the…

Grand Gulch airstrip in northern Arizona’s Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is a 3,100-ft dirt strip a short walk from the abandoned Grand Gulch Mine. Although there is a gravel road to the site, it’s many miles from pavement, and flying in is a good alternative. It offers dry camping with views of the Upper Grand…

The Recreational Aviation Foundation is pleased to announce good news for Alaskans and visitors to Alaska seeking access to a US Forest Service campground facing Childs Glacier. On January 31, RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton received approval from the US Forest Service for his RAF request for $50,000 to improve and expand the small airstrip…

Five inches of new snow didn’t deter a hardy group of 11 RAF volunteers who traveled to the northernmost village in Wisconsin in mid December to cut trees and remove brush at the Cornucopia airfield, WI23. “The snowstorm the previous week didn’t appear to impede the skid steer or the volunteers,” RAF Director Jeff Russell…

After nearly two years, RAF Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi decided it was time to gather his team of “Gettin’ it Done” RAF volunteers to refresh Blackwater, 8FD3. The group endured a light drizzle, but two aircraft flew in and camped. RAF Alabama Liaison Dan Barnhill and his parents joined the group. “All planned projects were completed,” Capozzi…

In preparation for a December 3-5 Creighton Island fly-in, Georgia Ambassador Eric Davis reported, “We had great weather and a solid showing by our Creighton Island diehards,” in mid-November. Davis was joined by RAF Georgia Liaison Kevin Barry and Ambassador Lou Furlong for a work party at this privately-owned coastal island airfield. The team mowed…

Sporty’s Tailwheel Checkout Course is out, and the RAF appreciates that its final segment shares the RAF mission, and the importance of preserving recreational and backcountry airstrips. Some of the RAF’s accomplishments are shown, while the narrator points out that there is probably a recreational airfield within an hour of your home. There is an illustration of…

January 3 is Butchie Ryan’s 100th birthday. To honor this remarkable woman, we’re sharing a few highlights of her very full life. The RAF will be forever grateful to Butchie and her late husband Ben for donating their Ryan Field property near West Glacier, Montana to the RAF so it can be enjoyed by all.…