VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE SEASONAL WORK AT SCHAFER MEADOWS
“This year’s Schafer work party had fourteen airplanes and twenty-three people in attendance,” RAF Montana Liaison and former Montana Pilots Association president Scott Newpower said. A group from the Deer Park, Washington area had heard about the work party and flew over to help out as well.
Newpower schedules these annual USFS/MPA/RAF cooperative work parties. Schafer Meadows, 8U2 lies within the Great Bear Wilderness where no motorized tools are permitted.
The volunteers painted the approach end fence bright orange, and hand-lopped vegetation near the approach end. US Forest Service stock is allowed to graze on the runway, and a wallow the stock had made in the runway was filled.
They replaced both windsocks and the US flag, repaired some downed jackleg fence around the airstrip, removed noxious weeds, and relocated some lumber.
“Many thanks to all the RAF and MPA volunteers, as well as Montana Aeronautics Administrator Tim Conway and his wife Karen for their help,” Newpower said. Loren Smith from Great Falls has generously provided food for the group, and again this year, Jeff Patnode and Pete Smith cooked the pork chop dinner for everyone.
Submitted July 31, 2025