HELP SAVE UTAH’S TAYLOR FLAT AIRSTRIP
The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day period to receive public input on a proposal to re-open 2,500 feet of the dirt Taylor Flat Airstrip. The comment period ends April 3, 2025 .
The airstrip lies outside the Green River Wild and Scenic River corridor and the right-of-way would allow public aviation use for 30 years with a renewal option.
RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP) Board Member Wendy Lessig said, “Taylor Flat offers superior recreational opportunities that rival the Idaho and Montana backcountry airstrips, and is worth saving for several reasons. It offers camping under the dark Utah sky in a wilderness-type setting. It’s a quarter-mile walk to the Green River for catch and release fishing in a wild and scenic river that is incredibly difficult to get to, except by air.”
The BLM is obligated to conduct an Environmental Assessment. Public comments should cover all points for why this airstrip is beneficial to the public and the environment, potential resource issues, and alternatives. It’s likely there will be comments opposing this proposal. Please use these talking points and submit substantive comments in your own words here before April 3, 2025. Once you click the link, select the green “Participate Now” section on the left to enter your comment. Please be patient while the Participate Now link loads.
- Resources : Taylor Flat is a previously established but abandoned airstrip, on previously disturbed ground. No new construction or alteration of this primitive airstrip is needed.
- Historical/Cultural Resources : Takeoffs, landings, and dispersed use will not create any new impact to cultural and historical artifacts.
- Alternatives : Dutch John Airport (33U) is only a 7 minute flight (an hour by ground) from Taylor Flat, but has no access to the Green River without ground transportation. No other Utah airstrip in Utah offers catch-and-release fishing in the Green River a short hike from the airstrip.
- Airstrip Maintenance : Volunteer pilot organizations have committed to maintaining Utah’s backcountry airstrips, at no cost to the BLM or taxpayers.
- Impacts to wildlife and water resources : Surface and groundwater, and fisheries are not affected by this airstrip. Pilots may access the airstrip for hunting season. Bird strikes by small aircraft are incredibly rare, even in migratory bird corridors. The portion of the airstrip under consideration is purposely outside of the environmentally sensitive area and the Green River wild and scenic river corridor.
- Noise impacts : Noise from aircraft is short-term and transient. There is scientific evidence that recreational aircraft do not adversely impact wildlife.
- Visual Impact : Taylor Flat Airstrip is not conspicuous due to natural vegetation surrounding the airstrip.
- Cumulative Impacts : Taylor Flat Airstrip will provide for dispersed, primitive camping, and will relieve use on nearby campgrounds. Visitors may access nearby Jarvie Historical site.
- BLM Consultation : BLM should consider UBCP and RAF input as they advance decisionmaking on Taylor Flat Airstrip. These pilot groups have a wealth of knowledge and can help the BLM retain compatibility with the surrounding environment.
- Recreation : This backcountry airstrip adds opportunity for recreational enjoyment, it has added meaningful personal experience … (your personal remarks here.)
Comment deadline: April 3, 2025. Please take a moment and act now to save this recreational gem. Your voice counts!
Submitted March 10, 2025
By Carmine Mowbray
Posted in News
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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 Steve Johnson, former RAF Director, Supercub.org founder, and Gold Seal CFI/MEI.
Lock Haven Airport, or William T. Piper Memorial Airport (KLHV), has a legendary past. From 1937 to 1984, it was the home of Piper Aircraft, where the Cub was born. The vintage aircraft community celebrates to this day with its annual “Sentimental Journey” pilgrimage fly-in, and fills the parking areas along both its paved and turf runways. For recreational pilots, it’s a great base location for fly-outs, including scenic flying opportunities over the mixed hardwood forest along the Susquehanna River. The year-round camping area has working restrooms, a pavilion to escape the elements, and a bath house that had deteriorated. RAF Pennsylvania/West Virginia Liaison Chip Vignolini and RAF Pennsylvania Liaison Andy Turner assessed the deteriorating bath house and decided to do something about it. They have been awarded an RAF grant for upgrades and refurbishment. “Our goal is to bring the bath house back to full operational capacity and improve the site’s utility,” Vignolini said. “By replacing damaged siding and applying fresh paint, the project halts deterioration. The other planned bath house and campground improvements ensure that the environment matches the prestige of the aircraft that visit.” The Sentimental Journey Board organized an initial work party in April. Volunteers have provided the specialized machinery and tools to complete the structural work and site preparation. Vignolini and Turner are now ready to line up volunteers to replace an insufficient water heater, install privacy dividers, and integrate an RAF fire ring and RAF information box. CAP volunteers will help with the project. Volunteers will be the primary workforce, bringing their own tools and expertise to the field, from licensed plumbers to seasoned handymen. “Lock Haven has always been built by the hands of those who fly there,” Vignolini said. Work will continue in May, with the goal of being completed for the 2026 season. “The campground and fire ring serve as the ‘social hangar’ where elder pilots pass down knowledge and stick-and-rudder skills to the next generation of aviators.” Vignolini added. Lock Haven Airport can be found in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 14, 2026
“Wow, did they ever get lucky!” When something good happens to a person or an organization, how many times have you heard that phrase? Or maybe even said it yourself? When, in reality, there’s been long term effort building skills, cultivating a growth mindset, expanding networks, and building relationships. When all is added together, this preparation creates a situation where opportunities are likely to arise. Or said another way, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It may appear to the casual observer that the RAF is about to get real lucky real soon. We think we are about to have the year we have been waiting for – well, maybe not waiting for – but rather preparing for. Over the course of the next 12-18 months, we will be announcing more airstrip possibilities and projects than we have ever experienced in a similar period. Leadership has been thinking about this for a good long time, and we have worked hard to be ready. What does that mean? It has meant building what I believe is one of the finest groups of people in aviation. People who are ready to step up and who bring and invest the skills needed to make things happen. It means having saved some money, which gives us the ability to say “Yes” and accept opportunities and the responsibilities they bring. It means having the relationship capital with our partners, be they private or public, that is required to make progress. We want you to know that we will be calling on all of us to give our best effort so we don’t miss our chance to get “lucky.” We will need people to take charge of projects just like you have in the past. We will need people to give some time – or maybe a lot of time – if they can spare it. We will need financial resources to meet the demands that we will be called upon to provide. I think we are ready, and I further think this is going to be one of the most exciting periods we’ve seen in the RAF timeline. I hope you are all in. Since the RAF was founded out here in rodeo country, it only seems appropriate that just before the chute is opened, a simple nod of the head throws it open and signals that big action is about to happen. Here’s to a little “nod of the head.” - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted May 13, 2026
RAF Virginia Liaison Paul Kosubinsky organized volunteers the weekend of May 8-9 to clean up the campsite and install new amenities at Front Royal Warren County Airport, Virginia, KFRR. Assisting were the Warren County Airport Commission and Friends of Front Royal. “Together, we accomplished an amazing amount in a short time. From removing loads of trash to installing the beautiful new RAF-branded fire ring, entrance sign, and flag pole, the campsite has already been transformed into a welcoming destination pilots and campers will enjoy for years to come,” Kosubinsky reported. The team also cut and stacked enough firewood to last several seasons to benefit future visitors. The volunteers also set up an RAF table and greeted visitors during the airport Wings and Wheels event. This public-use airport has a paved 3,000-ft runway and offers camping with access to a porta-potty, indoor restrooms, and a courtesy car. It’s known as a gateway airport to the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. “Thank you again for helping make the KFRR Stokes Airfield Campsite something we can all be proud of. I look forward to many future gatherings around that new fire ring,” Kosubinsky added. Find more on Front Royal Warren County Airport in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 13, 2026
RAF New York Liaison Doug Turnbull organized a work party at Great Valley airfield, N56 near Salamanca, in southwestern New York on Saturday, May 2. The group of volunteers cleaned up the riverbank, performed seasonal maintenance, and added a new RAF windsock. They removed encroaching brush along the 3,200-ft turf runway to make the approach more visible. The airfield is privately owned but open for public use. “Owner Anna Northrup was very appreciative of the fellowship and that she didn’t need to worry about these things. She generously provided morning donuts and coffee and lunch from the adjacent Katy's Fly-In restaurant,” Turnbull said. “The many hands made quick work, and it was good to spend time with other RAF volunteers out in the field working on this strip,” Turnbull added. Find more on Great Valley in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 11, 2026
