Archive for 2018
RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller learned of a proposed rule change by the New Mexico Game Commission that would have limited aircraft use, and had the potential to limit recreational aviation. The Game Commission was intent on banning aerial game scouting by eliminating the long standing “48 hour rule”. The new proposal would have…
RAF California Liaison Rick Lach learned in 2011 that Chicken Strip within Death Valley National Park was threatened with permanent closure. Over the years, seasonal washouts triggered the RAF to complete spring maintenance to return the strip to a safe condition. Last summer, the NPS developed five draft Alternatives for the Saline Valley, one of which…
Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge, encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation. Carved by the Wild and Scenic Snake River, Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon’s west rim, and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains. The…
Oregon recently gained a new backcountry airfield, developed with RAF assistance. The Mountain Views Airfield is located on a working dry wheat farm, about eight miles northwest of Condon, OR. The 1,650 ft x 40 ft turf runway can be challenging on hot, windy days, which are quite common in the area. The presence of 1,200 ft tall wind…
The RAF recently learned the history of an Oregon gem, Pacific City State Airport (KPFC), thanks to David Inman, vice president of Friends of Pacific City State Airport. Nestled in the middle of a small Oregon coastal town, the airport lies near rivers, a beautiful beach, and a picturesque cape. Fishing dories launch directly into the surf. …
The RAF is thrilled that the FAA officially activated Trigger Gap with a permanent identifier on September 19. Trigger Gap, (17A) is a new 3,000-ft recreational airstrip, conceived and built with RAF leadership through private donations. It lies on lands managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in NW Arkansas’ Ozarks above the Kings River. “The…
Five years ago, RAF California Liaison Rick Lach initiated conversation with the BLM about reopening Johannesburg Airport in California, a two-runway dirt airport which appeared on charts until the 1970s. The airstrip served the nearby communities of Randsburg and Johannesburg, which are both functioning gold and quartz mining settlements that date back to the 1800s. Gold…
RAF Ambassador Eric Davis, his father Gary, RAF Ambassador Joe DeLeon, and RAF Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi were on hand to accomplish more goals at Georgia’s Creighton Island the weekend of July 28-29. Bobby flew in 300 lbs of new grills and concrete, which were installed by Joe and Gary who also repaired the pavilion lighting and…
The second annual RAF/EAA Chapter 42 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park fly-in and maintenance party concluded successfully over the July 13-15 weekend. A dozen airplanes participated. Exotics like a Stinson, Helio-Courier and a Glastar joined the Cessnas, Pipers, and others. Another 15 vehicles made the long trip overland including 60 miles of gravel along the historic Copper River and Northwestern Railway right of way.…
To celebrate the addition of another premier recreational flying destination, the RAF held a Grand Opening July 7 at Two Hearted airstrip, in Michigan’s Lake Superior State Forest. “Two Hearted is a spectacular end-of-the-road destination,” RAF chairman John McKenna said, as the ceremonial ribbon was about to be cut. “A must-visit for the adventurous and competent backcountry pilot.…
Recent Posts
CALL TO ACTION: Public Comments Requested to Support Access to 10 of Utah's Sensational Backcountry Airstrips The BLM has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the following ten Moab-Monticello backcountry airstrips. Pilot comments will help to open access to the airstrips. Your Comments are Needed by Thursday, September 3. Please use the link below to state in your own words why you support access to these backcountry airstrips: Nokai Dome Piute Canyon Potato Ridge Playa Big Flat Red Canyon Spring Canyon Castle Creek Steer Ridge West Wee Hope Mine
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 Bill McGlynn, President of the RAF.
Nestled in among awe-inspiring mountains, Glacier Creek (KGZ) airstrip is 15 nm east of McCarthy in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. On July 11, a work party drawing 25 volunteers was held there, led by RAF Alaska Liaison Stef Goza, her husband Randy, and Alaska Ambassador Bri Norby. They were joined by a group of National Park Service maintenance crew members who’d been flown in the night before and cleared the trail from the airstrip to the cabin before volunteers arrived.
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Join the excitement as the RAF continues its momentum Expanding The Map, making these the most exciting years in our history! We encourage you to explore the growing number of destinations where you can share the joys of recreational aviation with family and friends. This time, we’re announcing the reopening of Keg Knoll Airstrip in central Utah, closed years ago by the designation of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area. Thanks to RAF efforts to gather widespread support from pilots and RAF allies, the BLM has allowed this airstrip to be reopened for public access. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig has led the effort over the past three years in advocating for the reopening of Keg Knoll airstrip. Various meetings were organized with the BLM to explore whether the airstrip could be reopened as allowed by the Wilderness Act. After the BLM prepared an environmental assessment of the airstrip, they issued a final decision to approve Keg Knoll airstrip for reopening, subject to a set of reasonable conditions that protect the wilderness area. Keg Knoll Airstrip has outstanding recreational value and offers pilots ready access to a true wilderness experience. Visitors can experience dispersed primitive camping next to their airplanes, hiking around Horseshoe Canyon, and stargazing under the dark skies at night. “One thing that makes Keg Knoll airstrip unique is the accessibility of the relatively easy two-mile hike to Colonnade Arch, also known as Five-Hole Arch,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig points out. Keg Knoll is now open, with a cooperative work party to further improve the airstrip and install a windsock planned for the fall that will include volunteer pilots and the BLM. Since Keg Knoll airstrip is in a Wilderness area, no motorized or mechanized devices are allowed, so volunteers will be limited to the use of hand tools to perform maintenance. Current reports state the airstrip itself is in good shape, but pilots must be aware that the south 700 feet of the original airstrip is closed, and will be marked with rock X’s. What remains open is 2,000 feet of runway length. “We will need help from all the pilots who visit Keg Knoll airstrip to be good stewards to help protect and preserve the Wilderness environment for this special airstrip,” Lessig said. For more information about Keg Knoll, visit our dedicated web page . Submitted August 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
