VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE GRAPEVINE AIRSTRIP WITH MATERIAL FROM USFS FUNDS

Arizona State Liaison Mark Spencer, who also serves as the Arizona Pilots Association (APA) First Vice President, reports that work is ongoing at Grapevine airstrip (88AZ). This year volunteers will continue to improve drainage and safety at the strip by spreading and compacting 400 tons of material that was delivered the first week of December. The $10,000 worth of material was purchased through USFS funds, made possible by the Recreational Aviation Foundation’s Master Challenge Cost Share agreement with the USFS. In lieu of a cash match, APA and the RAF agreed to provide volunteer labor of par value.

APA President Brian Schober had delivered his tractor to help spread the material. “Our most senior supporters of the Grapevine efforts, Paul and Charlie Pitkin, were there to help,” Spencer said. Paul turned 86 recently and has continually supported efforts to re-open Grapevine and keep it open. Paul and Charlie also provide firewood and picnic supplies for events. Jeff Wilson and Tommy Thomason resealed cracks on the runway.

Spencer thanks Mike and Diana Andresen, Brian Schober, Chris Nugent, Rick Bosshardt, Rodney Tang, Paul Pitkin, Tracy Hardy, Leanne Rowan, and Ron Peters for their efforts spreading and compacting the material. More material is on the way in the new year. ”Grapevine requires a lot of work to keep going, but is well worth it based on the number of inquiries we receive about visiting the strip,” Spencer said. “We will be reaching out this new year for help with additional maintenance,” he added.

Spencer has coordinated for years with Tonto National Forest District Ranger Kelly Jardine, and refers to him as “an RAF and APA friend and supporter.” Mr. Jardine has started the NEPA process for installing a vault toilet at Grapevine this year from the Cost Share agreement funds.

“Grapevine gets better every year thanks to pilot support and teamwork with the Forest Service,” Spencer added.

For more information about Grapevine (88AZ), visit the Airfield Guide. Pilots should also check in with the APA Facebook page and Prescott Flight Service at 122.5 or 800-992-7433 for updates on military use of Grapevine. “We try to coordinate this use, but being charted as a private airstrip makes NOTAMS specific to the airstrip impossible,” he added. CTAF at Grapevine is 122.9.

Submitted January 8, 2021

Posted in News

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

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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