NEWS RELEASE – FOREST SERVICE UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF BACKCOUNTRY AVIATION – NEWS RELEASE

Following years of work and discussions, on July 2 Abigail Kimbell, Chief of the U. S. Forest Service, signed a directive acknowledging the long and proud history of aviation use and airstrips on forest service lands, and asked USFS managers at all levels to inventory and maintain existing facilities, and to support aviation as an important recreational activity. This action resulted from meetings between representatives of the Recreational Aviation Foundation and a team of senior Forest Service executives in Washington. Similar to policy statements regarding many other classes of the public and user groups such as hikers, fishermen, and boaters, the memorandum says: “Aviation has been part of our country’s heritage, both as a mode of transportation and as a means of access to remote and scenic areas for a wide variety of purposes. Backcountry airstrips are an appropriate use of National Forest System (NFS) lands as they provide enhanced access for a variety of legitimate recreational activities… Recreational aircraft and backcountry airstrips can be an integral part of a balanced and efficient transportation system.”

From the earliest days of aviation a system of backcountry airstrips has served the forest service and its users, providing support for forest managers, fire crews, and medical evacuation aircraft. And countless backpackers, campers, boaters, and fishermen have used them to gain access to remote parts of the forest.

Unlike other recreational facilities requiring hundreds of miles of roadways, airstrips require minimal disturbance of the natural landscape, while serving as internal trailheads for remote areas. Airplanes do not have driven wheels so they do not churn up fragile landscapes the way other vehicles do. They are< considered a low-impact use.

In addition the document notes the importance of existing and future mutually beneficial relationships with aviation groups, similar to those with other groups. It says “Operation and maintenance of airstrips may provide opportunities for cooperative relationships under Challenge-Cost Share and other authorities. The recreation pilot communities are significantly engaged in providing funding, human resources, expertise, and equipment for backcountry airstrips on NFS lands. … The use of volunteers in joint development of Russian Flat public airstrip on the Judith Ranger District, Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana is an excellent example of cooperative development.”

John McKenna, President of the Recreation Aviation Foundation, notes: “After many years of discussion we here at the RAF are very pleased to have a good working relationship with the USFS. The USFS has worked hard to better understand the desires and uses of the aviation community, and this document communicates that understanding. We look forward to building on the partnership and the trust this document brings forth.” The Recreational Aviation Foundation, devoted to the perpetuation and improvement of recreational aviation opportunities on both public and private lands, congratulated the Forest Service for its recognition of aviation’s importance, and also acknowledged the contributions of dozens of state, local, and other aviation groups in building and maintaining strong relationships with land management agencies, creating the foundation for a strong system of backcountry airstrips.

Submitted on September 2, 2009.

Posted in News

    Recent Posts

GET READY FOR THE 2026 PHOTO CONTEST OPENING OCTOBER 1!

September 3, 2026
The tradition continues — RAF 2026 Photo Contest! We’re excited to announce the upcoming RAF 2026 Photo Contest! It’s time to look through your photos and find your favorites. Once again, we’ll include the “RAF Mission” category, recognizing photos that best capture people enjoying recreational aviation, no matter the region. Each winning photographer will receive a package of high-quality greeting cards featuring their photo on the front and photo credit on the back — just in time for the holidays! New this year: We’re especially excited to see your photos from our Expanding The Map airstrips! Submit a photo taken at one of these airstrips, and we’ll send you a small gift from the RAF Outfitter as a thank-you for sharing it with us. Stay tuned for our next announcement, which will include everything you need to know to enter this year’s contest. Eligibility: The contest is open to all RAF supporters, amateur and professional photographers alike, including those aged 18 and under. Our judges are the RAF’s volunteer VPs of Appreciation, who also handwrite the RAF’s thank-you cards each week. They especially enjoy photos featuring airplanes, beautiful scenery, and people experiencing the fun and adventure of recreational aviation. The contest opens October 1, and winners will be announced November 15. Start looking through those camera rolls — we can’t wait to see where recreational aviation has taken you! Submitted September 3, 2026

RAF FEATURED SUPPORTER: ERIC JOHNSON

By Carmine Mowbray • September 3, 2026
When pilot Eric Johnson of Canby, Oregon steps up to help on RAF projects, he says he’s motivated to preserve these opportunities now and for future generations. Eric is a third-generation pilot himself, and he and his wife Elle have three children, all under age five as of this writing. Eric says, “Jett, the oldest, is obsessed with airplanes,” and Grandpa Kevin Johnson treats Jett to donuts at the local FBO on Fridays so they can watch airplanes. Kevin Johnson’s name should be familiar to readers, since he has supported the RAF all over the West. He has designed, delivered, and assembled a number of camping structures and other amenities at RAF-supported airfields, often assisted by Eric, who loves to contribute his precious spare time on these projects, saying, “Our family values tradition and hard work, which is a big part of what the RAF is. That’s how all the work parties are. Everyone shares the same goal and is happy to be there.” Eric earned his private pilot license in 2012 in the same Cessna 172 that his grandfather and Kevin bought in 1976, and that he now co-owns with Kevin. “We hangar it at the home that we live in, that my grandfather built in 1990,” Eric says. Elle is a private pilot as well, and worked for Columbia Helicopters until becoming a stay-at-home mom. Her father is building an RV4, so “Aviation is on both sides of our family,” Eric says. A licensed General Contractor, Eric has transitioned into property management, helping oversee the family’s 277-space manufactured home park and industrial properties in northwestern Oregon. Eric has made flights into OSH for AirVenture. He says, “The biggest adventure of the 16-hour flight is the last five minutes.” Anyone who has also nosed into that swarm of approaching traffic will probably agree. At Airventure he became acquainted with the RAF at a presentation on backcountry flying. “The mission aligns perfectly with my other outdoor hobbies,” he says. Rafting the Snake River on the Idaho-Oregon line in the Hells Canyon Wilderness, he’s looked up toward the many airstrips near the river. “The only time I’ve seen Moose Creek airstrip is floating and fishing the Selway,” he added. Now he looks forward to landing, pitching his tent, and maybe helping one of his kids tie a line to fish these rivers, perhaps sparking another lifelong passion in the next generation. Submitted September 3, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

FEATURED AIRSTRIP: KEG KNOLL, UT

By Carmine Mowbray • August 28, 2026
Some outdoor enthusiasts experience Utah’s Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness from the flat and peaceful water of the Green River as it goosenecks between Navajo Sandstone canyon walls, spires, and side arches. From a vantage high above, this region of stunning geologic and cultural wonders is equally as stunning. Thanks to the diligence of the RAF’s Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig, pilots may now land on a mesa overlooking the vast San Rafael Desert at Keg Knoll airstrip. This public airstrip is truly a gateway to some of Utah's most remarkable canyon country near Horseshoe Canyon and Canyonlands National Parks, offering a quiet alternative to the busy national park trails. Lessig led an effort over the past three years to advocate for the reopening of Keg Knoll airstrip. Various meetings were organized with the BLM to explore whether the airstrip could be reopened as allowed by the Wilderness Act, leading to the BLM's decision to authorize public access earlier this year. Lessig is planning a work party at Keg Knoll this fall with BLM and Utah Back Country Pilots to further improve the airstrip. Keg Knoll Airstrip has outstanding recreational value and offers pilots ready access to a true wilderness experience. Trails take visitors past ancient stories etched in desert varnish and painted on stone. Or to Colonnade Arch – just two miles from the airstrip – much-photographed for its five time-honed windows in the sandstone. Pilots are reminded that this airstrip lies within a Wilderness Area and all wilderness rules apply, including leaving all motorized and mechanized devices at home; no bicycles, drones, power tools, etc. The southwest 700 feet of the original airstrip is closed to aircraft due to sensitive vegetation. Those seeking a remote, dark sky experience should put Keg Knoll on their travel plan. Bring your self-reliance, and leave nothing behind. The RAF is thrilled that this airstrip has opened this year as part of its nationwide Expanding the Map initiative. Find out more about Keg Knoll airstrip in the Airfield Guide and on our dedicated web page . Submitted August 28, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

RAF AND USFS COLLABORATE ON LOST CREEK, MI IMPROVEMENTS

August 28, 2026
RAF Michigan Liaisons Tanmoy Ganguly and Scott Anttila met with district U.S. Forest Service staff prior to starting work at Lost Creek airstrip, now MI45, (formerly 5Y4) in the Huron-Manistee National Forest in north-central Michigan. “We had a very constructive discussion about what the RAF does, and what we envision for future amenities at Lost Creek airstrip,” Ganguly said. The mid-August work weekend attracted 16 aircraft and 20 volunteers, including new MI Ambassador Ryan Minnick, MI Ambassador Ehsan Hamtaei, and IN Liaison Bill Steinmetz, many of whom enjoyed camping overnight in the forested setting. The crew was joined by nearby residents who donated their time, tools, and machinery to help and provided snacks.

RAF LOUISIANA LIAISON CAPTAIN MARCEL LEBLANC (RET)

August 27, 2026
Submitted August 27, 2025