Archive for August 2024

RAF Connecticut Liaison Brian Thomas reports on a successful work party at Goodspeed, 42B over the August 24-25 weekend. Thomas used an RAF grant for materials for campground improvements. “On Saturday morning at 10 we had a great turnout of about twelve to fifteen folks who were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and had co

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 month’s guest editorial is by Clay Simmons, a young pilot and member of the RAF’s Backcountry Etiquette Team. I’m supposed to be the adult now? When I say I’ve been flying my…

Located near the San Juan Islands between Port Townsend and Sequim, Washington is privately-owned Olympic Field, WA45 – what RAF Washington Liaison Ray Ballantyne calls, “an exquisite grass runway 2,500 feet long, bordered by an equally long float pond for float equipped aircraft.” To improve the camping area at the ai

Located in the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon, the Rager Ranger Station has a 2,800-ft gravel airstrip and scenic camping area. When the ranger station’s administrative functions were relocated to Prineville, OR in 2013, the airstrip, constructed in the 1930s, had become hazardous due to encroaching brush, su

Pat Hartness laid aside his logbook at age 75 after a remarkable life in aviation.“It was the perfect opportunity to start driving a tractor and still stay actively involved in aviation,” he says. It opened a new chapter of his passion to inspire others. After 8,000 VFR hours in everything from PiperCubs, an AirCam, St