VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE IMPROVING HISTORIC WATERBURY

As the RAF works on Expanding the Map, a team of volunteers got a head start on projects at two Fly Rocky Top airfields in Tennessee, part of the seven planned backcountry destinations, with Smuggler’s Landing as the “hub.” The first weekend of October, the crew poured concrete and made great progress on kiosks and post-and-beam picnic shelters at Higdon Field and McGraw's Backyard, using traditional Bavarian peg joinery techniques. Beginning at Higdon Field among the shade of the deciduous forest, the crew began assembling a shelter, pounding wood pegs with a huge wooden mallet. Hurrying to beat the oncoming rain, they moved on to McGraw’s, built the second shelter in a wooded grove near the groomed turf runway, and installed a windsock. 

Good friendships happen over time, and the RAF loves making good friends. Beginning in 2009, John Nadeau of Massachusetts – the first RAF State Liaison east of the Rockies – approached The Nature Conservancy in Maine about restoring and reopening Red Pine Grove, a remote paved airfield on land along the St. John River just a dozen miles from Quebec. Pointing out our common goals of good land stewardship, he wondered if TNC would consider partnering on the idea. RAF Maine Liaisons Andy Rowe and Steve Mason joined the conversation. Andy had good friends in the region, and Steve, a long-time Northern Maine bush pilot and logger, added professional credentials. Pilot and new TNC Trustee John Sowles joined as well and widened the friendship circle. Not long after, Arkansas Liaisons Dave Powell and Harper Goodwin identified a pristine hilltop meadow above the Kings River in northwest Arkansas on land owned by The Nature Conservancy, locally known as Trigger Gap. Encouraged by the friendship beginning up North, the two RAF Liaisons engaged TNC in conversation about partnering on building an airfield, with its far lighter environmental footprint than a road. “What was merely raw land and a vision by some determined backcountry pilots became a common goal of both organizations,” Harper says. Thanks to this successful partnership with TNC, volunteers from the RAF and Fly Oz built a new turf airfield, pavilion, and toilet at Trigger Gap, and announced its opening in October, 2016. “Our partnership with the Recreational Aviation Foundation has always been built on trust, stewardship and a shared love for the outdoors,” says Roger Mangham, State Director of TNC in Arkansas. “Trigger Gap gives people a way to experience the Kings River landscape while demonstrating what we know in Arkansas to be true, that conservation and recreation can go hand in hand.” The airstrip's visitor log has proven that many folks enjoy landing lightly on the land and pitching their tents. Evening brings fellowship together around the fire in the pavilion. Often, acoustic music spreads to the surrounding forest. Things were still happening back up in Maine. Nadeau says, “We stressed the RAF culture and our desire to enhance the Red Pine facility to the benefit of all users. I pointed out to their Boston attorney that statutes protect TNC. It helped that we spoke with the same accent.” In spring of 2021, TNC signed an agreement with the RAF to open and maintain the runway. “TNC recognized that remote Red Pine Grove was a wonderful, already built resource that was easily accessible by small aircraft to provide just the sort of outdoor recreation The Nature Conservancy favored and promoted,” Nadeau added. Common purpose binds friendships, and friendships build trust. These two examples of trust and friendship prove a mutual commitment to good land stewardship, and the idea that nature and people can thrive together. Submitted October 13, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray 

People are the backbone of the RAF. You’ve heard this before from many business leaders, but with the RAF it is not simply a catchy phrase; the people are truly our key asset. A financial institution would speak to its cash assets as to why you should put your funds with them; an energy company might show its proven reserves as a reason to invest in them. An automaker would like you to appreciate their cutting-edge manufacturing equipment so they stay competitive and turn out trouble-free products. Sure, we too have tangible items on our balance sheet that are important tools we use to get things done: tools to build, and tractors to mow airfields. We have property and equipment that we own, and some that we lease. We have always worked hard to hold the line on expenses, saving funds in order to both take good care of what we have and be ready to act on future opportunities. Without a doubt, the line item that gives the RAF its strength is its people. We believe it would be hard to find another organization, at least within the aviation space, that has the amount of passion that our people bring to the RAF all across the country. This did not come overnight, nor do we take it for granted. This focus on connected volunteers has been a strategic objective of the RAF since its founding. The projects come to us because of the places we get involved in, and the places come our way because of our people. People who are always looking for opportunities to make one more spot that special place. We are proud of the people who call themselves friends of the RAF, and we hope those of you who spend a good deal of your time advancing the mission will continue to do so. What’s more, we would be gratified if you continue to bring others along. Most who don’t yet know us will likely find us a welcoming community. One that is excited to have them. As I have often said, we originally came for the airplanes, but what keeps us coming back are the people. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted October 13, 2026

The RAF is excited that our Expand the Map initiative to open and rehabilitate airfields is off to an impressive start. As a result, we are seeking an airport engineer who is willing to volunteer their consulting services on airfield projects around the country. "Our supporters have many talents and areas of expertise," President Bill McGlynn said. “Please let us know if you’re an airport engineer who would be interested in volunteering your knowledge to improve recreational airfields.” Please contact Erin White, RAF Volunteer Coordinator, ewhite@theraf.org . Submitted October 8, 2026.