RAF 2009 Year-End Letter

To read about the RAF's accomplishments and events from 2009 including the Ryan Field Fly-In, Russian Flat, The Forest Service Memorandum-of-Understanding and more:

Click Here

The RAF Winter 2009 Newsletter Available

Download your copy of the newsletter as a .pdf file - Click Here (file size is 12.0 MB)

The RAF at the AOPA Summit
November 5-7, 2009
Tampa, FL

The RAF had a display at the AOPA 2009 Summit in Tampa Florida. Pictured in front of the booth are board members Dan Prill, Chuck Jarecki, Jerry Cain and president John McKenna.

For a detailed report on this event - Click Here

RAF Speaks With

Backcountry Air Safari Group

The RAF made two separate presentations to the Backcountry Air Safari Group.
Dr. Rich Sugden and wife Sue (kneeling third and fourth from right) have hosted this group in the backcountry of Montana and Idaho for the past 10 years. The Sugdens recognize the best way to get folks to support and appreciate these special places is to show them what they look like first hand.

The RAF was represented by Carmine Mowbray, publicity and communications
director as well as RAF Director Chuck Jarecki and RAF President John McKenna.
The RAF representatives thanked Dr. Sugden and his group for their support as well as brought them up to date on current activities the RAF is engaged in.

AOPA’s President Craig Fuller Visits Nation’s Newest Recreational Airstrip

Craig Fuller, President of AOPA headquartered in Frederick, MD, responded to Recreational Aviation Foundation President John McKenna’s invitation with a personal visit to Montana’s Russian Flat recently. While touring the strip and its amenities, Fuller commented, "This Russian Flat airstrip is a wonderful example of how a local pilots organization like the Montana Pilots Association in conjunction with the Recreational Aviation Foundation can work to bring a facility like this to the public."
The first public airstrip created on USFS land in over 45 years, Russian Flat is a 4,000 foot long native grass strip, ideal for recreational use. It’s adjacent to a tree-sheltered established campground and is within walking distance from the south fork of the Judith River. To allow for reseeding the strip will be open to the general public in 2010.
Accompanying Fuller in addition to McKenna were RAF Directors Jerry Cain and Dan Prill; Tim Robertson and Project Manager Jeff Patnode, both from Lewistown’s Century Paving; Pete and Becky Smith of Lewistown and several others who have provided volunteer labor and services.
Bill Ryan, AOPA pilot accompanying President Fuller summed up the general feeling, saying, "this is the reason that we all started flying so we could go to places like this, even if our lives take us in different directions, career and flying wise; we still want to be in this kind of special place."

Left to right: AOPA President Craig Fuller, RAF President John McKenna and RAF Director Jerry Cain at Russian Flat, August 6

*****NEWS RELEASE*****

Forest Service Underlines Importance of Backcountry Aviation
Click Here

*****NEWS RELEASE*****

RAF Summer 2009 Newsletter now available.

In this issue:

First new USFS airstrip in 40 years
RAF fly-in celebrates Ryan Field
USFS chief: "Airstrips right for national forests"

High Speed Internet Users click here 8MB.
Lower Speed Users click here 1MB.

Ryan Field 2009 Fly-In a Big Success

The second annual Ryan Field fly-in was a sparkling success with 24 airplanes and 73 people at the steak fry Saturday evening, the 27th of June. Most attendees camped on-site under the wing of their airplane. The weather was excellent with not a cloud in the sky and temperatures near 80º. Pilot's came from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and as far away as Florida to enjoy the fellowship of like-minded pilots - those who deeply enjoy flying the backcountry and accessing it through public-use airstrips.

To see a few more pictures of the 2009 Ryan Field Fly-in Click Here

RAF Looking for State Liaison Volunteers

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) is an IRS 501(c) (3) Public Charity for the preservation, maintenance, and creation of recreational / backcountry airstrips across the nation. The RAF is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and performs its mission through the volunteer efforts of state and other pilot organizations and with financial donations and grants from its supporting donor base. The RAF provides information, guidance, representation, and financial support for qualified projects and efforts. Additional information about the RAF and its activities can be found on the RAF website at www.recreationalaviationfoundation.org .

While the RAF has a few existing state liaisons, we desire to collect a database of interested persons from which to fill new positions and replace existing state liaison positions as needed in the future. The RAF donor base is currently represented in 33 states and is growing steadily, so the need or individual state representation relevant.

In order for the RAF Board of Directors to determine the best candidates for these positions and also for interested candidates to more fully realize what is involved in being an RAF State Liaison, the RAF State Liaison Job Description and an RAF State Liaison Application Form have been posted on the RAF website. If you are interested in a state liaison position, please read the job description and then complete the application form and email it to raf@linctel.net . The Board of Directors will review your application and reply to you with our decision.

The RAF Board of Directors sincerely appreciates your interest in furthering the mission of the RAF and looks forward to hearing back from you.

John McKenna, President
Recreational Aviation Foundation

To see a job description as a .pdf file - Click Here

To download a job application as a Word file- Click Here

RAF Brings Issues To Washington, DC

Montana Senator Max Baucus, RAF president John McKenna, RAF Florida liaison Tim Clifford and Montana Senator Jon Tester at the Capitol in February 2009. For more details on this remarkable trip - Click Here

Introduction to the Recreational Aviation Foundation Promotional Video Available

E-mail your request for your free copy to raf@linctel.net with your “send to” information or snail mail it to RAF, 1711 West College Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

Or to download the video from this website - Click Here This is a 50 MB size file

The video is also available on youtube - Click Here

For more pictures of this venture - Click Here

The Recreational Aviation Foundation was formed by a group of pilots in response to a disturbing trend to exclude general aviation from public lands through closures of backcountry airstrips. Pilots from coast to coast and north to south have joined in. All see as their mission the need to Maintain and Preserve Existing Airstrips, Acquire New Airstrips, and Promote Safety in the Use of these Airstrips.

Please help preserve recreational and backcountry aviation by making a tax-deductible donation to the Recreational Aviation Foundation, 1711 West College, Bozeman, Montana 59715. For more information e-mail: raf@linctel.net