White and RAF Virginia Ambassador Jeremy Vaughan organized a group to clear the trails on Saturday, July 31. “The airport shares the mountain top with the Nature Conservancy and a few days prior to the work event, The Nature Conservancy actually went in with a bush hog and took out a lot of the big stuff,” White reported. His group trimmed encroaching limbs and cleared the overlook. “Since they had done some prep work, we were able to extend our scope and work on trails well past where we had anticipated stopping,” he added. RAF volunteers were able to clear half of the loop as well.
RAF BOOSTS RECREATIONAL APPEAL AT INGALLS FIELD
At 3,793 foot field elevation, Ingalls Field (KHSP) in Hot Springs, Virginia is one of the highest elevation airports east of the Mississippi River. RAF Virginia Liaison Alan White reports that since 1931, locals have traveled to the top of the mountain for the cooler temperatures, beautiful vistas and nighttime star gazing. As with other bygone attractions, the activities faded with time. Pilots still camped at Ingalls occasionally but the airport was looking to enhance this aspect.
There are two camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings, 24 hour access to restroom and showers, a courtesy car, and avgas. Popular hikes are the Nature Conservancy Warm Springs Mountain Preserve Trails and the Homestead Skyline Drive. It is a Dark Sky area, yet only a few miles from a five-star resort. But with few employees and such a large area to maintain, the airport was not able revive the trail to a scenic outlook and loop around the small knoll. White approached them about ways the RAF could help.
AOPA Live producer Paul Harrop stayed with the work crew all day, filming and interviewing the volunteers. “Paul got into the spirit so much that he himself could be seen clearing brush from the trails before the day was over!” White added. After a hard day, several volunteers enjoyed the camping facilities and a few others arrived that were unable to make it earlier in the day.
The airport is extremely appreciative of the publicity they have gotten through the RAF Airfield Guide. Camping usage has increased from an occasional camper to people there almost every weekend, and many more land to hike the trails. “The staff at Ingalls made a special point to come out and thank the RAF, not only for the work we had just completed, but for reinvigorating their airport,” White said, adding, “They contribute this all to the work and publicity that the RAF has done on their behalf.”
Submitted on August 9, 2021.
Photos courtesy of Jeremy Vaughan.
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For the month of December, enjoy 10% off everything in the RAF Outfitter Store! Through December 31st, the RAF Outfitter is 10% off! It’s the perfect time to treat yourself or find gifts for your loved ones. We’ve added several new items, and many popular favorites—like our SlideDown Tie Downs—are now back in stock. Make sure to grab yours in time for the holidays! Start Shopping here ! Submitted December 5th, 2025
Day job : Airline guy Favorite airstrip: Marble CO Next adventure: Fly the AlCan Highway to AK and back.
At about this time, every year, we have this conversation at the RAF about what our year end letter (code for asking for your financial support) should say to you, and about the RAF and the accomplishments of the past year. We try to keep the message to the point, not loaded up with things that seem to just blow our horn. At the same time, we want you to know what we have been up to with the support you have given us thus far. To say the RAF has been busy with its nearly all-volunteer crew would be an understatement, but it is the kind of busy that we love here at this organization. The RAF knows one thing for sure. We are on the front lines of preserving, protecting and creating aviation access to special places. If we could listen to each of you around a campfire, across your kitchen table, on the ramp, or in the boardroom, we surely would. What you contribute in the way of monthly and annual dollars gives us the confidence to run the RAF day to day. What you then pitch in to fund special projects has allowed us to do some pretty big things; then there are people who are including us in their legacy, financial, and estate planning. Those legacy dollars give the RAF the confidence to look way over the horizon, something that we tend to believe is important. If you would care to discuss how you can support your favorite project, or strategies pertaining to your giving, please do reach out. So to fulfill our pledge to engage personally if we could, please reach out with your questions or comments. We believe having a direct line to us is more valuable than sending you those pie or bar charts that often appear in these kinds of letters. If you are new to the RAF, perhaps you are not familiar with how we operate. With no formal dues structure, we send this annual one time request for support. For those who know us a little better, you know we only ask once at year end. Finally, for those who are just watching, we truly would like to earn your support. If we could, we would talk to each of you and hopefully through that conversation encourage you to help out. So, support from you is vital to the work we do, and without it we would just have to do less. The less part is not something that we are very good at. We simply try to do work that matters for people who care. With this being the only time of year we ask for your support, we hope you know just how vital this is to the continued future of the RAF Mission. Sincerely, RAF Board of Directors: John McKenna Chairman Bill McGlynn, President Tim Riley, Vice President Mike Perkins, Treasurer Bill Brine Joe Brown Matt Foster Jeff Russell Steve Taylor
Ragmuff Airport lies in the heart of the North Maine Woods on private forest land. It had been closed and disused for decades when RAF Maine Liaisons Andy Rowe and Steve Mason recognized its recreational value. They worked hard with the landowner to get it reopened and charted with the FAA identifier ME26 in 2023. RAF Maine Ambassador Larry Grenier was just awarded an RAF grant to pay for materials for a new picnic table and fire ring that volunteers will install in the spring. “The Bowman Flying Club from B10 – about 100 nm south – is planning a work day to go up with a brush hog and tools to Ragmuff for field maintenance, clearing overgrowth around the runway and camping area,” Grenier said. Rowe says, “The west branch of the Penobscot is just a mile and a half hike and offers good fishing for brook trout and landlocked salmon. Fall is the premier time to be there – colors turn, it becomes bug-free and partridge and fishing seasons overlap.” Ragmuff is listed in the Airfield Guide, with Andy Rowe as the main contact. For more information about the airfield, see the Airfield Guide . Submitted November 26, 2025 By Carmine Mowbray
Payson, Arizona, is billed as “Arizona’s Cool Mountain Town,” and recreational aviators give it a big thumbs-up. The airport (KPAN) lies at 5,157 feet elevation beneath the Mogollon Rim and has become a favorite stop for pilots. It’s 50 miles from the hubbub of the busy Phoenix region, yet it offers all the amenities a recreational flyer could want – an uncontrolled, small-town airport – a natural stop for resupply for exploring Arizona’s other backcountry strips. It has 24-hr avgas and Jet A, and a courtesy car, available with 24-hour prior reservation, so you can explore the area and discover a wealth of outdoor recreation and historical sites, trails, and Native ruins. Camping among pinyon pines can start right at the Payson airport, where you’ll find a dozen campsites, each with a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and stocked firewood. Join new friends in the ramada, or around the group fire ring under the clear night sky. There are ADA restrooms with hot showers. The Crosswinds Restaurant is right on the airport and welcomes you for breakfast and lunch. Patrons highly recommend their pies. Payson has a very active Parks and Recreation department that organizes events throughout the year. Of special interest to aviators is their annual Aerofair in October. Admission is free, and the ramp is lined with all kinds of vendors and displays. You may see a Marine VTOL demo, a T-34 formation flyover, or strap in a Huey or a Cobra for a helicopter ride. You can choose from a mouth-watering variety of local foods. Experience community spirit during other warm weather events like free movies in the park, pro rodeo weekends, and golf tournaments. Fall brings public 5K run-walk events, flag football, and hay rides; and Christmas is lit up with the annual parade of lights. Payson gleams with community pride, and you can see the full story here . Find more about the Payson Airport in the Airfield Guide .
