News

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…

October 1 is the first day of the 2022 Photo Contest! It’s time to submit your favorites. From October 1-31, send us your best photos of scenic, recreational airstrips. Again this year, we are including the “RAF Mission” category, for photos we feel best illustrate people enjoying recreational aviation, regardless of region. An “International” entry category…

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…

Repaving at 3,800-foot Grapevine, (88AZ) has been completed, thanks to a Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement between the US Forest Service, Arizona Pilots Association, and the RAF, coordinated by RAF Arizona Liaison Mark Spencer. Each entity contributed funds. APA provided $10,000, the RAF provided $5,000, and the Tonto National Forest invested $15,000 for a total of $30,000 worth of work.  Years…

The BLM is holding a Public Scoping period for the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) until 10/31/2022 to gather topics and criteria that the public thinks are important for the BLM to consider as they prepare the Resource Management Plan (RMP) and corresponding Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), required by federal legislation.  RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back…

RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov received an RAF grant for infrastructure improvements at Lone Pine Airport (026) in California, and volunteers began work Sept. 17 and 18 to restore a historic small house that serves as the terminal, and repair the restroom building. “The work party at Lone Pine was a success and they kicked off a big portion of the project,”…

“Seeing a stellar object, especially a deep space object, with the naked eye is an experience worth trying,” RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura says.  He helped organize another stargazing party at the Havana, IL airport (9I0) September 16 and many people did just that, “and they were awestruck,” he added.  Airplanes started approaching Havana’s 2,200-foot turf runway on Friday afternoon.…

New Cuyama, L88 is located between the Southern California coast and Sierra mountain range about 32 nm north of Santa Barbara. Privately owned by The Blue Sky Center, a nonprofit community development organization that promotes an “offbeat but comfortable camping, retreat, or event experience,” it is open for public use. Built by Atlantic Richfield Company in…

In light of the recent cooperative Challenge Cost Share agreement between the RAF and the Gila National Forest, work to re-open New Mexico’s Sacaton airstrip is on the calendar. The agreement acknowledges “mutual desire to return Sacaton airstrip to operational status to increase public access, promote tourism and economic development, while protecting the natural resource.” …