“We have an RAF member who is an expert at heating big spaces,” Brine said. “A quick call to John Meade was all that was needed.” John’s company, [Preferred Mechanical Services] donated the engineering on behalf of the RAF, and sold the needed equipment to the Trust at trade cost. “Without the help of the RAF and John Meade, the new hangar would sit without heat and idle during the long gray winters on Martha’s Vineyard,” Brine explained, adding, “Our dream is to have young islanders involved with aviation during the winter months.”
THIS JEWEL GETS EVEN BRIGHTER
“Of the many jewels of aviation, Katama Airfield stands out as unique in the United States,” says the Katama Airfield Trust website. And now the sign “The RAF Proudly Supports This Airstrip” can go up at the field, thanks to RAF Director Bill Brine and New Hampshire Liaison John Meade.
By an overwhelming voice vote, Town Meeting members authorized funding to replace a dilapidated World War II hangar at Katama, (1B2) for local groups to engage in aviation projects year-round. But the Town could not allocate enough to provide for heating the hangar, so local supporters and the RAF stepped in with resources.
The Trust formed years ago to provide support to both the Town of Edgartown and The Nature Conservancy to preserve the airfield’s economic and ecological benefits. The Trust website explains:
“Residents of Edgartown benefit from having a historic grass airfield that is relatively low impact and is considered one of the most ecologically significant natural areas in Massachusetts.”
Pilots as well love this airfield. The longest of its three turf runways is 3,700 feet at a field elevation of eighteen feet. It dates back to 1924 and was used by the Curtis Wright Corporation. The airfield has direct access to the ocean beach and is a popular place to swim in the Atlantic. “The seasonal restaurant is always fantastic,” Meade says, and on nice days, a person might have a chance to take a ride in one of two barnstorming Waco biplanes hangared at the field. “The airport’s future is protected by its conservation trust,” Meade explained, and this project had to reflect the spirit of its long history.
Brine, a native New Englander and resident of Martha’s Vineyard says, “Katama is often mispronounced. Most Islanders pronounce it ka-TAY-ma. Those from the mainland sometimes call it KA-tama. No matter how you pronounce Katama on the unicom, you will be welcomed with open arms.”
Submitted on June 24, 2021.
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The RAF is proud to have become stewards of a very special fly-in destination in western Maryland, along the North Branch of the Potomac River. The RAF has just registered it with the FAA, and you’ll now find High Rock Airfield, 68MD, on your chart. When you think of Maryland, maybe the Star-Spangled Banner comes to mind, or midshipmen on the Annapolis parade grounds. But anyone who’s flown around the state will know why it’s called “America in Miniature.” Within an hour and a half C182 flight from High Rock, one could see diverse geographic contrast between rustic hamlets in the forested ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains, the spreading grid of urban Baltimore, and Maryland’s 4,000 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline. You’d also experience Maryland’s varied climates, from cooler mountain conditions in the west to warmer, more humid conditions near the coast. High Rock’s 1,700-ft turf airfield offers a backcountry setting less than 100 nm from a region with over 10 million residents. As impressive as the solitude, the setting offers visitors its aviation heritage, thanks to the late Robert Armstrong. Pilots “Bob” and his father Harold collected and restored vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship, including a “Lindy Award” at EAA’s AirVenture for their Aeronca Champ restoration. It was Bob’s wish to preserve the airfield for future generations of aviators to enjoy camaraderie in this sylvan setting. High Rock airfield is named after a nearby overlook that rises 1,000 ft above the forest-lined airfield and offers afternoon shade. Visitors can camp near the river, and in season can angle for trout. Enjoy floating the river in your inflatable or SUP. Find more about High Rock Airfield and the required Safety Briefing in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
An extraordinary private airfield in Maryland has been generously gifted to the RAF by the late Bob Armstrong, honoring his family’s lifelong passion for aviation. High Rock Airfield lies within a sweeping bend of the North Branch of the Potomac River and brings another eastern US destination into the RAF’s Expanding the Map initiative. A true gem of the East, it offers a real backcountry experience just 85 nm northwest from where the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac in bustling Washington, DC. “We are humbled to have become the stewards of this special place, and will honor the Armstrong family’s legacy by creating a welcoming place to enjoy the fellowship of backcountry aviation,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. Bob and his father, Lt. Col. Harold Armstrong, were indeed passionate about aviation and based their multiple rare aircraft here. Bob was a lifetime member of the EAA, the Aeronca Club, AOPA, the QB Club, the OX-5 Organization, the Cumberland Soaring Group, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association. He and Harold collected vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship. One Aeronca Champ restoration won the highest “Lindy Award” honors at EAA’s AirVenture competition in Oshkosh.
The Arizona Pilots Association (APA) and US Forest Service completed crack sealing at Grapevine airstrip, 88AZ, in September after a few weather postponements. The RAF helped arrange the project through its Cost Share agreement with the Tonto National Forest. As a result, the US Forest Service paid a portion, and the APA paid the lion’s share of the crack sealing. “Our contractors did a great job on the recent crack seal project,” APA officer and RAF supporter Tommy Thomason said. Grapevine airstrip near Roosevelt Lake offers camping, and APA volunteers have added two ramadas and fire rings. There are two vault toilets thanks to the RAF's Cost Share agreement. APA’s Mike Andresen organizes work parties for weed and erosion control to make sure the facilities are in order. Visitors are invited to fly in and camp together the third weekend of each month September through April. See the Grapevine page on APA’s website here for the safety briefing, RSVP contact, and other details. The RAF thanks the APA for their continued collaboration at backcountry airstrips and for all of their contributions towards general aviation in Arizona. Find more about Grapevine in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 29, 2026
More than 40 RAF key volunteers were apprised of current AOPA advocacy efforts during an annual online meeting with AOPA’s State Advocacy team of Regional Managers on October 13. Leon Jackler, Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy, began with appreciation for the RAF, saying, “You’re the people actually swinging axes and clearing brush. Thanks for all of your committed volunteers.” He then introduced each AOPA Regional Manager to discuss their specific action items. Common to most of the seven regions was the need for vigilance on taxes and fees, limiting the use of ADSB to extract fees, preserving existing airports, and preventing states from putting aviation fuel taxes into their general fund, called “revenue diversion.” A strong theme in each region was appreciation for the successful RAF-AOPA collaboration. One of several examples of this teamwork was the cooperative success adding “aviation" to Louisiana's Recreational statute, “on the first try.” Collaborative efforts continue to preserve Agua Caliente airport in California, Aeroflex Andover airport in New Jersey, and others. In closing, RAF Chairman John McKenna reiterated the value of this partnership. “I’m proud of the relationship that exists here. We’ve got people who care.” Visit AOPA's state advocacy page here . Submitted October 29, 2026 Cover Photo Credit: Jim Stevenson, Knik River, AK
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 Cindy Cross, RAF VP of Appreciation.
