FAA ACKNOWLEDGES TURF OPERATIONS AFTER COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

The RAF announces a successful advocacy outcome for pilots who prefer to take off and land on turf, typically adjacent to hard-surfaced runways. The new FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13B became official on March 31, and acknowledges turf operations within Runway Safety Areas(RSAs).

RAF Director Jeff Russell began working with AOPA and EAA in July of 2019, providing feedback to the FAA regarding use of turf operating areas. “This advocacy win represents a great collaborative effort between the RAF, EAA, and AOPA. It’s a huge win for recreational aviation. Kudos to the FAA for this logical approach to enhancing safety at airports.”

These types of operations have been taking place at airports across the country, typically by tailwheel pilots, and this is the first time the FAA has officially recognized these areas. There is still a process to go through before turf operations can be authorized. The FAA requires the airport owner to request that a turf operations area be established. The local FSDO must ensure that operations in the proposed area can take place safely in order to approve it.

Russell points out relevant language in the new section on Diverse Aeronautical Activities on Airports. In subsection 2.10.6, the FAA now recognizes operations on turf areas adjacent to paved runways:

“Pilots of certain aircraft (such as ultralights, powered-parachutes, helicopters, gliders, agricultural aircraft, tailwheels, aircraft with large balloon type “tundra” tires, etc.) occasionally use the unpaved portion of the RSA adjacent to a runway for takeoffs, landings, or other operations (e.g., banner towing). 

“While this document does not guarantee these operations at all airports, it should ease the way to get them allowed on an official basis at many airports across the country,” Russell added. 

Submitted April 15, 2022

Posted in News

Recent Posts

CALL TO ACTION: COMMENTS REQUESTED TO REOPEN GIANT CITY AIRSTRIP

By Erin White • April 29, 2026
Giant City State Park in southern Illinois has posted a survey asking for public comment on reopening its backcountry airstrip. Your RAF Illinois State Liaison, Mike Purpura, and Illinois Ambassador Dave Warner have diligently worked for several years to bring this exciting project to fruition. This recreational asset will provide access to a place in southern Illinois with distinctive geography, geology, and plant and animal diversity. The State Park offers abundant fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities throughout its 4,000+ acres. Giant City airstrip stands to be a true gem in the region for pilots if opened back up for public use. Your Help is Needed Click on the link below to access the Community Feedback Survey and provide comments supporting the reopening of the airstrip.

KAREN LARSON

By lellington • April 29, 2026

WORTH THE READ: CHRIS NUGENT GUEST EDITORIAL

April 24, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Chris Nugent, Arizona Pilots Association President and RAF Supporter.

CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED AT SILETZ BAY

April 24, 2026
Thanks to an RAF grant awarded to Oregon Ambassador Sarah Brown and Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes, volunteers have completed improvements at Siletz Bay State Airport (S45) on the Oregon coast. Twenty-seven volunteers led by Brown met on April 17 to clean up the camping sites and replace the rusted fire rings and collapsed wooden picnic tables. The project was conducted in partnership with the Oregon Department of Aviation. 

RAF GRANT AWARDED FOR LUSK MUNICIPAL PILOT SHELTER

April 14, 2026
RAF Wyoming Liaison Joe Feiler has tapped his passion for teaching and is applying an innovative approach to building a pilot's shelter or “ramada” at Lusk Airport in southeastern Wyoming. Feiler was awarded an RAF grant for materials for this planned 12 x 20-ft ponderosa timber-framed structure, and he has gathered a team of career and technical education teachers from all over Wyoming to collaborate on the structure, to be built of Wyoming-made materials. “While it would be relatively easy to gather a small group of pilots and construct a basic shelter in just a few days, the true value of this project lies in the collaboration and educational opportunities it creates,” Feiler said. The project begins with Casper College engineering students providing plans. The timbers will be milled at the Devils Tower Wood Products sawmill located in Hulett, WY. The University of Wyoming will host a timber framing workshop, offering graduate credit to career and technical education educators interested in expanding their knowledge of timber framing. Local pilot volunteers from the Lusk community will work alongside Career and Technical education teachers to construct the 12 x 24-ft concrete pad. The final phase of the project will be the erection of the ramada, completed by SkillsUSA middle school students for their community service project, which will be entered in the 2027 Wyoming State SkillsUSA contest. Gold medalists advance to the national competition. “It is noteworthy that these students earned a national gold medal in 2025 for a previous Lusk community service project,” Feiler pointed out. Each student participant will benefit from the practical experience in carpentry and woodworking, construction planning and safety, team-based project execution, and gain the skills aligned with Wyoming’s workforce needs. “By intentionally integrating education, industry, and community needs, this project becomes more than a pilots’ shelter—it becomes a hands-on learning environment and a showcase of high‑quality construction using locally sourced materials,” Feiler added. Learn more about Lusk by visiting the Airfield Guide . Submitted April 14, 2026