Archive for 2024
On December 31, 2024 the BLM published the official Record of Decision that recognizes airstrips within the San Rafael Swell region of south central Utah. In summary, the decision retains aircraft-only access to Hidden Splendor and McKay Flat airstrips; Cliff Dweller and Sagebrush Bench airstrips are open to aircraft
RAF Florida Liaison Bobby Capozzi reports that a total of 26 volunteers signed in for this year’s 2024 work party at Blackwater Airfield (8FD3). Workers applied a fresh coat of bright white paint to the runway tires, installed the new RAF windsock and added the new RAF support sign. The barbecue grills were serviced an
The RAF has awarded California Liaison Katerina Barilov another grant to help fund continued improvements at California’s Lone Pine Airport. This 2025 project will continue the upgrade to the original terminal building that serves as a pilot shelter, meeting room, and kitchen for visitors. The terminal building had fal
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 month’s guest editorial is by Andrew George, the President of the Idaho Aviation Association. When I spoke at the 2024 RAF Volunteer Education Conference in Montana, I emphasized to th
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and the National Park Service (NPS) have renewed their cooperative agreement addressing maintenance on the three airstrips within Death Valley National Park for another five years. Originally inked in 2008 and renewed in 2017, this Memorandum of Understanding between the NPS a
The RAF is pleased to announce that as of now, you’ll find over 400 places to explore in the Airfield Guide, the interactive digital catalog showcasing great recreational airfields. In 2016, Arkansas pilots Dave Powell and Chip Gibbons created the Airfield Guide, and by 2023, it included over 300 listings. Powell said,
RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell received a Holiday card from The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Director Roger Manghan. The entire Arkansas staff had signed it, and Roger had penned the following message that we want to share with you: “RAF is such an important org and we are so very lucky for both your partnership & f
Did you know there are now 803 Wilderness Areas covering more than 111.7 million acres in the continental US and Alaska? The US Forest Service manages the majority of these areas, followed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. There are even more Wilderness Study
Visitors to Maine’s Red Pine airfield along the Saint John River can tie their airplane down at the north end and use a new picnic shelter and outhouse nearby, saving the long walk to the camping area on the south end of the 2,354 ft runway. RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe drove in for the October 22 work day to…
Every year I sit down to write this letter and give you a sense of why we do what we do, and how you help. The inspiration for me this year is, “What you see is what you get”, or “WYSIWYG,” coined two decades before the RAF, so we can’t take credit for the phrase. But we’d like you to know that we are an organization with no secrets, no hidden agendas, nor much else you don’t know about us. We just keep it simple. We are an organization of volunteers that set out to do some good work. The RAF asks you to support us, and when you do, we put your dollars to work getting some pretty amazing things done – so much more than we imagined when we started. We have done what we’ve done by listening and learning from you. We’re a better organization as a result, and most importantly, we are what you see – WYSIWYG. So we are asking you again this year. If you like what we do, send us a few bucks; if you love what we do, maybe send a few more. Either way we will continue to make the most with what we have and continue to be the trustworthy organization you’ve grown to know! Sincerely, RAF Board of Directors: John McKenna, Chairman Bill McGlynn, President Tim Riley, Vice President Mike Perkins, Treasurer Bill Brine Joe Brown Pete Bunce Jeff Russell Todd Simmons Steve Taylor To make a contribution to the RAF, click here . The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access. Submitted November 26, 2024.
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Sometimes one needs to look no further than one's incoming correspondence to find inspiration. Just this past week, folks passionate about the RAF mission reached out to me with suggestions that would bring resources to the RAF. Whether they be one-off items that we might offer, or events like large fundraisers, these folks are offering some thoughts on how we might continue to pay the bills. Additionally, we’re receiving word from folks with new destinations on their mind, and some pretty cool ones at that. Along the way, my inbox – as well as my calendar – is filled with updates on our Expanding the Map effort, with an emphasis on Fly Rocky Top. The Fly Rocky Top initiative in Tennessee is generating strong interest, and for good reason. It feels great. Folks are showing up to pitch in, with significant work projects planned. Trish and I, along with other board members, will be there to lend a hand to this exciting project. We are coming up on our annual year-end letter, which you will be seeing not long from now. In addition to showcasing a few more of our successful projects, we will be seeking your support. Stand by. I’ll wrap this up by letting you know that we could not be more pleased with how you all are doing your part. Thank you. It is so healthy to have an organization that uses passion as a primary energy source. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted September 14, 2026
“We had a busy day at Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark, as we continue to work on the underwing camping area,” RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau reported. Rau was awarded an RAF grant in spring of 2026 to convert an adjacent day-use park into an airport camping area, and had organized volunteers who began the project in May. The airport, 37N, is closed while the runway and taxiway are being upgraded by a contractor for the ND Aeronautics Commission.
You know the feeling. You set the airplane down somewhere spectacular, shut off the engine, and enjoy the pristine landscape in front of you. This is why you fly. Keeping airstrips pristine is everyone's responsibility. But one item that doesn’t always make it into the airplane is a good trash bag. Not for the trash you planned to make. For the trash you didn’t. Cans left in a fire ring, fishing line along the river, or food wrappers working their way through the brush. None of it came in your airplane, but you have the ability to get it out. That’s reason enough to tuck a couple of heavy-duty contractor bags in with your tie-down gear. They earn their space in other ways, too. A contractor bag can keep wet or muddy gear out of the baggage compartment, cover equipment in a downpour, collect rainwater, or become an emergency poncho or windbreak. It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little room. Throw a few in the airplane and leave them there. You may not need one for your own trash, but there is a good chance you’ll find another use for it—or find something worth carrying out. Submitted September 9, 2026 By Stef Goza, Etiquette Chair, Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee
RAF Colorado Liaison Ken Long, Ambassador Mike Langersmith, and other RAF volunteers participated in an August work event at Marble, Colorado, a mountain airfield about 20 nm up the Crystal River drainage south of Carbondale. Airfield Manager Susan Blue put together the task list and oversaw the event that brought 21 volunteers in ten aircraft and four dogs.
