RAF PRESERVES CALIFORNIA OCEANSIDE AIRSTRIP

The RAF is pleased to announce the preservation of Las Trancas airstrip, (17CL) located on the Pacific Ocean north of Monterey Bay. This beautiful airstrip provides pilots an opportunity to enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and easy beach access for recreational opportunities. The RAF signed a lease with the airstrip owners, Big Creek Timber Co., to ensure ongoing maintenance and preservation for public use.

Bud McCrary created the strip from which to fly his 1964 Skylane. During summer evenings, Bud flew over the Santa Cruz Mountains checking for forest fire smoke. The California Forestry Association memorialized Mr. McCrary as a giant in the forestry sector, a “pioneer of sustainable forestry, a champion of community trails, and inventor of mechanical solutions.”

Bud invented his own VASI at the short airstrip to make it safer for him to land. With Bud’s passing and the airstrip seeing less use over recent years the question was what would become of the airstrip. The RAF along with dedicated local pilots started a conversation with the McCrary family to preserve the airstrip and Bud’s legacy.

“As a respected national organization with a track record of preserving airstrips across the country, the RAF built a relationship with the owners. They appreciated our intention to preserve the airstrip and be good stewards of the property,” said RAF Director Tim Riley.

Led by local RAF volunteers Jeremy Lezin and Barry Porter, the airstrip has already been improved. Encroaching vegetation has been removed, the 900-foot strip has been graded, and a picnic table, barbecue grill and portable toilet have been installed. Camping is permitted on the field.

“It’s hard to put into words how beautiful this location is…stunning and magnificent come to mind as you exit the plane and look out across the expanse of the Pacific,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. “We can’t thank the McCrary family enough for this personal commitment to preserving this airfield and its history for the future.”

The RAF recently celebrated its new relationship with the McCrary family and the revitalization of the airstrip at a lunch on the field. Family members and pilots shared memories of Bud. His 93-year-old brother Lud recounted the time that he spotted a wounded fisherman in distress from his office window. They radioed for help and Bud flew his Skylane off the strip to direct the Coast Guard to the fisherman and his life was saved.

Riley noted that “anything that flies is welcome to use the strip.” Over the years, it has been used by hang gliders, Army Blackhawk helicopters, air ambulances, search and rescue aircraft, and those practicing short field techniques. He also noted the prevalence of strong crosswinds. A safety briefing is required prior to use.

More information and the required safety briefing is available on the Airfield Guide.

A history of Big Creek Lumber is here: https://bigcreeklumber.com/past-and-present/

The Recreational Aviation Foundation was founded in 2003. Headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, it has nationwide membership and support. The RAF preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access. See www.theRAF.org.

Posted in News

Recent Posts

VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE SEASONAL MAINTENANCE AT OLYMPIC FIELD

May 8, 2026
A dozen volunteers in seven aircraft and a few cars arrived at Washington State’s Olympic Field on Saturday, May 2, to help with needed maintenance. They enjoyed mostly good weather, being Spring in the Olympic Peninsula. “A lot of things got accomplished in a short amount of time,” RAF Washington State Liaison RAF Ballantyne reported. The crews thinned an adjacent stand of trees to create about 500 feet of a “buck and rail” fence for runway safety. They trimmed around the runway lights and sanded and refinished a large circular table and several chairs for the camping area. The field is privately owned by Ryan Larrance and his wife, Marianne. “Marianne made delicious scones for the arrivals, and a great pulled pork on homemade bread with fixings for lunch,” Ballantyne said, adding, “We had a great time getting to know each other. Many hands truly make light work. We discussed current events in Washington, and even got to play a game for an RAF Yeti.” Olympic Field, near Port Townsend, has a 2,500-ft turf runway, bordered by an equally long pond for seaplanes to land. In 2025, using an RAF grant, volunteers built an off-the-grid bathhouse with a vault toilet and hot shower. The Larrances have a tradition of welcoming fly-in visitors to their field. See Olympic Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 8, 2026

RAF OUTFITTER SPRING SALE

May 4, 2026
THE RAF SPRING SALE IS HERE! Gear up for the flying season ahead! For a limited time, take up to 30% off a selection of RAF Outfitter gear. Show off your support for the RAF and head into the summer flying season in style. Our Spring Sale includes items from Stio and Kuhl, along with hats, jackets, accessories, and more. Check it out before they are gone! Shop the Spring Sale here.

FEATURED AIRSTRIP: HECKMAN LAKE, AK

April 30, 2026
There are two fly-in public use cabins on Heckman Lake in the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District of Alaska. Both are approximately 15 miles from Ketchikan, and open year-round to welcome visitors for what RAF Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest calls “a very unique remote recreational experience. Relaxing on the deck gives you a view of the lake, surrounded by the Sitka Spruce and western hemlock forest.” Either site can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay. Each cabin has a table, benches, a wood stove, and an outhouse. Guests should bring their own firewood, as it is not guaranteed. Drinking water is not available; guests should treat the creek or lake water, or bring their own. Southeast Heckman Fly-In Cabin is situated on the southeast shore of Heckman Lake and is only accessible by floatplane. The 16x22-ft pan-abode style log cabin accommodates eight people and is wheelchair accessible. In 2024, the RAF and Seaplane Pilots Association provided grants to restore the cabin. Volunteers, assisted by Misty Fjords Air, collaborated with the US Forest Service to complete work on the cabin, dock, outhouse, and trails. The other cabin is a 12x14-ft pan-abode style that can accommodate up to six people. It can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay and hiking six miles on the Naha River National Recreation Trail. Visitors may use the 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars or bring their own short shaft motor. The Naha River is accessible from the cabins and provides opportunities to fish for trout. In season, there are steelhead and salmon runs. The Naha River National Recreation Trail winds downstream six miles through a rainforest where you may spot Roosevelt Lagoon, Jordan Lake, and a waterfall on your way to Naha Bay. Visitors would be wise to bring extra provisions, as occasionally, poor weather can cause extended stays. The RAF Airfield Guide includes information on these cabins. Recreation.gov allows visitors to check availability and find other USFS information on the Southeast Heckman Lake fly-in cabin and Heckman Lake cabin . Submitted April 30, 2026

GRANT AWARDED FOR GARRISON DAM (37N), NORTH DAKOTA

April 30, 2026
RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau and Ambassador Jeff Faught have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and North Dakota Aeronautics Commission to develop an underwing camping area at Garrison Dam Recreational Airport (37N). Rau presented a plan to convert an adjacent day-use park with flush toilets, a picnic area, horseshoe and basketball facilities for the camping area. He gained approval from the Corps of Engineers and ND Aeronautics and was awarded an RAF grant to help with the project. “Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark is an excellent existing recreational airstrip. There is fishing, hunting, and hiking available adjacent to the proposed underwing camping area,” Rau said. The ND Aeronautics Commission will develop an existing road into a taxiway to connect the 3,200-ft long turf runway to the new camping area. The Commission has finalized its plans and has awarded the work to a contractor. Rau and Faught will organize volunteers to install signage, remove trees, grind stumps, prepare the camping and tie-down surface areas, install drain tile, and plant 75 new trees. Rau expects the contractors to begin work in June 2026. See the RAF Airfield Guide for information on Garrison Dam Recreational Airport. Submitted April 30, 2026

AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR AIRFIELD OWNERS

By Carmine Mowbray • April 30, 2026
The RAF has done a deep dive into all 50 states’ Recreational Use Statutes, and you can find them here . The purpose of these statutes is to help keep private lands open to the public for recreation by limiting landowner liability. In its advocacy of recreational aviation, the RAF has made efforts to increase landowners’ protection when allowing others to use their airfields. With added protection, landowners are more willing to open their airfields to public use, with or without certain conditions. Thanks to these efforts, many states now include “aviation” in the named recreational, non-commercial activities in their Recreational Statutes; some states are more general. We invite you to check out your state’s legal language, or feel free to contact either of the RAF’s RUS Liaisons, John Nadeau at jnadeau@theraf.org or Rick McCraw at rmccraw@theraf.org . Our efforts continue to include “aviation” in all states’ statutes, so this information will be updated as needed. Submitted April 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray Photo Credit: Ron Barrett, Sullivan Lake, WA