News

Beginning Thursday, June 23, aircraft began arriving under sunny skies for the annual RAF Ryan Fly-in. By mid-day Friday, winds were calm, and 47 aircraft were tied down along the emerald turf, colorful tents and camp chairs beneath the wings. Folks relaxed in the bright orange Adirondack chairs in the shade of the barn roof…

Not many folks could find “Winifred” on a US map, but your RAF directors did, and engaged in their three-day board meeting “close to the heart and start of the RAF,” Chairman John McKenna said. Some flew in and landed on the turf at 9S7, and filled the local Winifred Hotel, just a mile from…

RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower reports that a dozen volunteers from both the RAF and Montana Pilots Association arrived Saturday, June 18 for the annual Meadow Creek, 0S1 work party. Montana Aeronautics supports these efforts, and Administrator Tim Conway and his wife Karen flew in to help. Volunteers brought chainsaws and felled and bucked many…

This special collection of hats features airstrips that the RAF has had a significant impact on. Choose the hats with your favorite strips and wear them proudly! These snapback hats are structured with a mesh back and the color is different for each airstrip. Airstrip options: Cornucopia, WI (WI23)Blackwater, FL (8FD3)Trigger Gap, AR (17A)Ryan Field,…

Please welcome RAF’s new South Dakota Liaison, Karl Jungclaus. Karl, born and raised on a small farm in southern Indiana with a grass strip, was surrounded by his father’s passion for all things aviation, from RC models, homebuilts, ultralights to GA aircraft. His maternal grandfather was a corporate pilot, instructor and A&P. “Their early influences…

The Copper River washed out a highway bridge at Mile 50 on Alaska’s Copper River Highway to Cordova some five year ago, and the road has been closed ever since. RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton saw this as an opportunity for the RAF to cooperate in the creation and improvement of Childs Glacier Airstrip to access “a…

The RAF has gained a second Liaison in Michigan. General Grant joins long-time volunteer Brad Frederick in leading volunteer efforts in the state. General was not the product of an aviation family, but had always wanted to fly. He started training as an older teen in Tucson, AZ, trading work for flight time. He obtained his pilot license in…

RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes reports another successful work party at McKenzie Bridge Airport (00S), in part funded with an RAF grant. “On June 4, six dedicated RAF supporters braved cool and very wet conditions to complete the spring maintenance activities,” he said.  McKenzie Bridge is located within the Willamette National Forest in Central Oregon’s…

“RAF 2022 – The RAF Way” was a three-day educational conference held near Milwaukee May 15-17. RAF liaisons, ambassadors, and other key volunteers gathered at their own expense in Pewaukee, WI. EAA CEO Jack Pelton welcomed early arrivals at Pioneer Field, and when the educational sessions began, the group was 110 folks from as far…