RAF Timeline of Events

2001
- 6 guys sat around a campfire in the backcountry and said, “If not us who? - If not now when?”
2002
- Recreational Use Statute New Hampshire
- Backcountry Aviation Foundation begins to transition to the Recreational Aviation Foundation
2003
- Bylaws for the organization written by Jerry Cain and Chuck Jarecki
- Incorporated and successful filing of 501 (c) 3 by Jerry Cain and John McKenna
- Idaho Airstrip Network was formed RAF Director, Rol Murrow was a key member
- RAF was invited to participate in the Travel Planning process for the Lewis and Clark National Forest
- RAF member Dan Lilja built first RAF website
- 7 members
2004
- First Edition of the “Land Manager's Guide”, written by Chuck Jarecki became available
- First Edition of “Advocates Guide,” written by Chuck Jarecki became available
- First State Liaison - Montana Ron Normandeau
- Ben & Butch Ryan gifted Ryan Field to the RAF
- 53 members
2005
- First Newsletter created by Carmine Mowbray
- move to 2008
- 1000 members
2006
- Re-opened Fort Kent, Maine airstrip
- Began the process to specifically include the word “aviation” to Recreational Use Statutes
2007
- Travel Plan for the Lewis & Clark National Forest was approved for Russian Flat Airstrip
- First Strategic Plan in Missoula, MT with Gary Burnett
- RAF website rebuilt
- National Park Service Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) surrounding the maintenance of 3 Death Valley, CA airstrips
- RUS Idaho and Montana
2008
- Construction Russian Flat Airstrip began. First new airstrip on Forest Service land in over 45 years.
- RAF pilot shelter completed at Ryan Field - built by Chuck Jarecki
- RAF goes to Washington DC
2009
- Attended Sun n’ Fun for the first time
- Attended AOPA Summit Tampa, Florida
- Abigail Kimbell, USFS sends letter to the USFS field that “recreational aircraft & backcountry airstrips can be an integral part of a balanced & effective transportation system”
- Missouri River Breaks Monument management plan finalized, includes approval of six airstrips
- RUS Maine
2010
- Strategic Planning Meeting - Teton Summit in Driggs, Idaho
- Russian Flat Airstrip opened to the public
- Tornado event at Sun n’ Fun – Tornado Husky was born
- Congressional Resolution honoring back country airstrips
- RUS Tennessee
2011
- Jerry Cain, Founding Director retired
- Executive Assistant position created - Tricia McKenna
- RUS Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania
2012
- Glacier Summit - First full gathering of TEAM RAF in Kalispell, MT
- Established caretakers for Ryan Field
- RUS Vermont, Utah, South Dakota, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington
- 4500 members
2013
- RAF creates an Endowment
- Chuck Jarecki and Dan Prill, Founding Directors retire
- Began work with Walton Foundation and The Nature Conservancy
- RUS Wyoming, Oklahoma and Alaska
- 5000 members
2014
- The Red Rock Roundup - TEAM RAF gathers in St. George, UT
- AOPA and Montana Dept of Transportation grant obtained for the Wildlife and Aviation Study
- RUS California, Georgia, South Carolina and Wisconsin
- 6200 members
2015
- Reopened North Fox Island Airstrip, Michigan
- Volunteer Coordinator position created made possible in part with a grant - Sarah Chandler
- Memorandums Of Understanding signed with US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
- RUS Oregon, Wyoming, and Missouri
- 7000 members
2016
- Ragmuff Airstrip in Maine reopened
- 43 State Liaisons and 9 Directors in 35 States
- First edition of “RAF Guide for Airstrip Owners” written by John Nadeau became available
- Funding announced by U.S. Congress for Backcountry Airstrips on USFS land
- U.S. Congress instructs USFS not to close backcountry airstrips
- RUS Maryland
- 8000 plus members
- Razorback Rendezvous - TEAM RAF gathers in Bentonville, Arkansas
- RAF Grant Committee created to assist State Liaisons in funding projects
- Two new Recreational Airstrips opened in Arkansas, Trigger Gap and Sugar Creek
- RAF hosted first work party N Fox Island. Overall, 150 pilots have landed on N Fox Island since the airstrip was reopened in 2015!
2017
- Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester holds press conference to discuss aviation issues in RAF hangar
- RAF works with NPS for the first time in Alaska: Jake's Bar work party in Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve
- Work begins on Two Hearted airstrip in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- Launch of RAF Ambassador program
- First online auction is held
- RAF partners with AOPA's Air Safety Institute to administer aviation safety survey
2018
- 9,000+ members, 44 State Liaisons, 24 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, 8 Vice Presidents of Appreciation
- Launch of RAF Backcountry Boutique
- Keystone Connection - TEAM RAF gathers in State College, PA for educational conference
