RAF COLLABORATES ON MCKENZIE BRIDGE AIRPORT MAINTENANCE

In Oregon recently, the RAF worked in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA) to maintain McKenzie Bridge State Airport ( 00S ), a premier backcountry airfield located in the Cascade Range.

“We had an excellent turnout, everyone contributed and had a good time,” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes said of the June 1 work party. Approximately 30 volunteers attended, most camping on the airfield. Two RAF members who came from Northern California joined the Oregon group. Jason Brand and son Walter flew in their Citabria and had a chance to fish the beautiful McKenzie River.

Volunteers provided three tractors, industrial brush clearing equipment and a large assortment of hand tools. Taylor NW Construction of Bend provided 21 tons of graded fill materials to mitigate the damage caused by rodents and elk. Alex Hodge Construction, also of Bend, delivered the material. Grading Unlimited Inc. of Hillsboro and Cascade Civil Corp. of Redmond, provided additional heavy equipment for placement and compaction. ODA provided 18 horse stall mats that the workers painted white and installed at quarter points of the published runway length.

The crew mowed the airfield, tie-down, and helicopter operations areas; removed brush and small trees encroaching along the south side of the runway, and the overrun area at the west end of the runway; and repaired and remounted the damaged airport sign.

“We have made great improvements to the airfield over the past couple of years,” Richard said. The airfield surface is still rough, and pilots can find more information and the safety briefing on the Airfield Guide.

“Everyone’s support was greatly appreciated. The volunteers all worked very hard, but we also enjoyed the companionship of our fellow pilots who believe we have a responsibility to help preserve airfields such as McKenzie Bridge.” Richard said.

Submitted on June 13, 2019

Posted in News

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

HOWIE BOHL

February 24, 2026

CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR

RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HCRC

February 24, 2026

Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026