USFS/RAF CONSTRUCTIVE ANNUAL PROJECT REVIEW

The RAF was very pleased with results of the annual online review with the US Forest Service Regions on March 14, hosted by Scott Haas, USFS Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources director. 

RAF President Bill McGlynn, and RAF Director Tim Riley and a dozen State Liaisons represented the RAF during the 90-minute meeting. “Tim and I both noted that these reviews improve and become more collaborative each successive year. There are always new people on their side, but the conversation is relaxed, positive and constructive,” McGlynn said.

RAF Chair John McKenna said, “I want to congratulate entire RAF team for all that gets done with this agency [the Forest Service.] Things are continuing to march on.”

Penny Wu, new Deputy Director of Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources of the Washington, DC office was on the call for the first hour, “which is significant,” McGlynn said. Following is a brief summary of the discussion.

Region 1 –  Carol Hennessey, Program Manager for Recreation, Heritage, Wilderness Trails and Volunteer Resources, praised the RAF’s part in the Moose Creek fence project, and for transporting shingles to Shearer. She mentioned that our Great American Outdoors Act Proposal of $640,000 for deferred maintenance of Nez Perce-Clearwater Forest airstrips is in line for approval. Riley brought up Magee, that needs engineering assessment and water mitigation. Carol commented that she may begin to retain funds to take on the Magee project.

Region 3 –  The work New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller did to open Sacaton Airfield after decades of being closed was praised, as well as Keller’s managing the acquisition and installation of the vault toilet on the Gila Wilderness trailhead using USFS funds. Supervisor Wendy Sutton noted how much faster and easier it is to make projects happen through the RAF partnership.

Arizona Liaison Mark Spencer and the Arizona Pilots Association have done maintenance on Double Circle historic ranch and airstrip in the past, but there is degradation of the buildings, and decisions will have to be made what will be done with this historic ranch going forward.

Region 4  has the most airstrips, and gets $214,000 of the $750,000 every year. Action includes significant runway work at Mahoney. Soldier Bar and Indian Creek were graded by a contractor. New outhouse at Cabin Creek and new erosion bars at Cold Meadows were discussed. Salmon/Challis is collecting “airstrip use data” across all four of their airstrips. Payette NF cut trees on approach to Johnson Creek. Riley asked that funds be allocated for Hoodoo Meadows, which will have to be included in the next funding round.

Region 5 has only two airstrips, Gravelly Valley in Mendocino NF, and now Monache Meadows in Inyo NF. The big news here is that funds will be allocated for Monache and it will reopen in spring 2024 after 13 years of RAF California Liaison Rick Lach’s continuous efforts. Riley is working with RAF volunteer Alan Cossit on reopening a third airstrip, Happy Camp in the Klamath NF.

Region 6 –  12 of their 18 backcountry airstrips are located in NE Oregon. Last year almost all the allocated funds were used to gravel the apron at Crescent Lake airstrip in response to the airport’s request. RAF Oregon Liaisons Rick Mayes and Bill Ables will assemble work plans with Challenge Cost shares for other worthy projects in the coming months. 

Region 9 –  Most effort has been on Lost Creek. Planning for this year continues with RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant. The permit holder for Bass Creek, the other backcountry airstrip in Region 9, has charted it “R”. Supervisor Chad Runyan was surprised to learn that someone could permit public land and then privatize it, as this airstrip permittee has done. Runyan will approach the permit holder to see if he’s willing to make the airstrip public.  

Runyan also served as our host at AirVenture 2023. He reported that the USFS booth was much improved by the RAF presence and RAF’s focus on GA recreation on public lands. RAF will be in the USFS booth at AirVenture 2024 in Hangar D. He will also attempt to allocate one forum slot to the RAF during this 2024 event at Oshkosh.

Region 10 –  Four of the five airstrips in the Region received maintenance. The Region plans to construct 25 new cabins on lakes in Alaska. RAF Alaska Liaisons Stef Goza and Jeff DeFreest said RAF volunteers are “gearing up to help.”  

It’s widely understood that the Forest Service must balance varied expectations of differing public user groups. Grazing, resource extraction, recreation, and protecting natural space puts opposing pressures on Forest Service land managers. “The one thing that has become clear to me is that after twenty years, we have accomplished so much more through our gentle nudging, than being the loudest voice in the crowded room of public opinion,” McKenna said. “We’ve proven that the RAF is there to help, back up, pay for stuff, and fly top cover when needed,” he concluded.

Submitted March 29, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray

Posted in News

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August 18, 2026
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THE REOPENING OF KEG KNOLL AIRSTRIP EXPANDS THE MAP

By Carmine Mowbray • August 14, 2026
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

RAF FEATURED PARTNER: NEW MEXICO AIRSTRIP NETWORK

By Carmine Mowbray • August 14, 2026
When a few New Mexico backcountry pilots observed the closure of a backcountry airstrip on public land, they understood the need for a goal-focused group to preserve these valuable recreational destinations — places in the high desert where you could land your own GA aircraft, pitch your tent with panoramic views of ponderosa, piñon pine, and Rocky Mountain juniper, and easily hike into the Gila Wilderness area. New Mexico Liaisons Ron Keller and Larry Filener started the New Mexico Backcountry effort in 2009 and the New Mexico Airstrip Network partnership formed in 2014. “With their vision and a bit of organizing, we got a lot accomplished,” New Mexico Pilots Association former President Joyce Woods says. Their work brought about a historic MOU, formalizing “the collaborative partnership of federal and state agencies, aviation groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to preserve, promote, and enhance New Mexico’s growing inventory of recreational airstrips and related airports.” This document was signed at the USFS Regional Headquarters in Albuquerque in 2016. Thanks to these visionaries, access to choice flying destinations is available to pilots, nearly 20 in number. The RAF has provided grants for improvements at several New Mexico airstrips, and has formal agreements with the Gila National Forest to maintain and improve airstrips within the Forest. Additionally, NM Liaison Ron Keller has put in many hours and weekends organizing RAF and New Mexico Pilot volunteers for work parties. Joyce credits Keller as a “real workhorse", mowing the airstrips and leading work parties. Plan your New Mexico flying adventures, and bring your camping gear and hiking shoes. Lining the trails are 1,500 different plant species like the Wright's silktassel, Apache plume, cliff fendlerbush, mountain snowberry, and manzanita. You can access sites with prehistoric rock art. Spring visitors might hear the sweet song of the warbler during its migratory stop in the Gila. Night brings the darkest skies you’ve ever seen, sparkling with the Milky Way. Enjoy the warmth of a campfire as the desert night cools, and thank those wise and determined pilots who worked to preserve these New Mexico gems among the New Mexico Airstrip Network. Find more about these airstrips using these valuable resources: RAF Airfield Guide New Mexico Pilots Association Submitted August 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

THREAT AND ERROR MANAGEMENT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY - WHY IT MATTERS MORE

By Robert Miller • August 14, 2026
As a career pilot, Thread and Error Management (TEM) has been ingrained in how I fly. I’ve become convinced that Threat and Error Management matters more in backcountry flying than just about anywhere else. Not because the principles are different but because the timeline for decisions is. In “normal flying,” a poor decision often gives you time to recognize it, correct it, and move on. In the backcountry, the chain gets compressed. Threats are closer, mistakes can compound quickly, and options disappear in a hurry. By the time you realize you're behind the airplane, there may not be enough runway, climb performance, or room to recover. That's why TEM isn't about avoiding mistakes. It's about breaking the chain before the situation starts making decisions for you. Most of the threats are familiar. Density altitude. Winds that don't behave as forecast. Narrow strips, rising terrain, soft surfaces, visual illusions, and airplanes that perform a little differently than they did last time. Add a little fatigue, a little confidence from yesterday's success, or an eager passenger, and the margins start shrinking. The interesting part is that accidents rarely begin with one big mistake. They usually begin with a series of small decisions that seem reasonable at the time. "The tailwind isn't that bad." "We'll climb out fine." "The approach will come together." In the aftermath of a near accident or a survived accident, we’ve heard all of these testimonials…sometimes from the voice in our own headset. The best backcountry pilots I've flown with all seem to have one thing in common. They're willing to change the plan early. They don't wait for proof that something is wrong. If the approach isn't shaping up, they leave. If the takeoff isn't developing as expected, they abort. If the conditions don't match what they planned for, they wait or go somewhere else. That's TEM in its simplest form: anticipate the threats, recognize when reality no longer matches the plan, and act while you still have options. One thought has stayed with me over the years: backcountry accidents rarely begin with bold decisions…they begin with delayed decisions. The RAF Safety, Education, and Etiquette team is looking at practical ways to apply TEM in the backcountry, including personal decision gates, arrival and departure briefs, and recognizing the traps that catch even experienced pilots. Let us know by sharing your own tips and ideas in “Comments” below. Until then, ask yourself one question before every approach and every takeoff: If this doesn't work exactly as planned, what's my next move? If you have a good answer, you're probably ahead of the airplane. Submitted August 8, 2026 By Robert Miller, RAF West Virginia Liaison & Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee member

IRENE ESQUIVEL

August 11, 2026
Irene was born and raised in Los Angeles but eventually found her way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where she quickly fell in love with the slower pace of life, the endless outdoor adventures, and the welcoming community. After spending a few years between Mississippi and Los Angeles, she knew Marquette was where she wanted to be and returned to make it home. Travel has always been one of Irene's greatest passions. Her mother once joked that she needed to find a career that could support her expensive travel habit—and she did. As a full-time flight attendant, Irene has had the opportunity to experience incredible places and cultures around the world. About five years into her airline career, a pilot casually suggested, "You should be a pilot!" Just one week later, Irene took her first flight lesson and discovered a passion for flying she never knew she had, and hasn’t looked back since. In addition to working as a full-time flight attendant, Irene is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFII/MEI) who is passionate about helping aspiring pilots achieve their aviation goals while developing the skills and confidence to become safe aviators. She is also preparing to begin her second year as a part-time high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) aviation teacher, where she enjoys introducing students to the various opportunities aviation has to offer. When she is not in the air, Irene enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on motocross/supercross races, and now volunteering with the RAF. Irene looks forward to contributing to the mission of supporting recreational aviation for future generations and cannot wait to meet the members, volunteers, and aviation enthusiasts who make this community so special. Submitted on August 11, 2026