News

Represent the RAF in style! We are featuring two shirts this month, with styles for everyone. The v-neck is a lightweight shirt that’s perfect for warm weather or for layering. The v-neck and feminine cut make it nice for dressing up. The bright orange shirt will get you recognized as an RAF supporter anywhere!  To order the Featured…

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…

The much-awaited 2022 RAF Founder Cap campaign concluded the evening of March 17 with a virtual drawing. We are pleased to announce this year’s grand prize winner is pilot Patrick Romano who has served as RAF Colorado Liaison since 2012.  He and his wife Lindsey both enjoy flying the backcountry, always in taildraggers. Patrick will receive…

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…