News

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…

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…