RAF Timeline

In 2001, six guys sat around a campfire in the backcountry and asked, “If not us who?  If not now when?”

Those two questions were the basis for founding the Recreational Aviation Foundation.

2002

  • A grassroots group called Backcountry Aviation Foundation begins to transition to a new identity,
    the Recreational Aviation Foundation.
  • Recreational Use Statute (RUS) for New Hampshire encourages landowners to open their land for public use.

2003

The RAF organization is created.

  • Bylaws for the organization written by Jerry Cain and Chuck Jarecki.
  • Incorporated and successful filing of 501(c)(3) by Jerry Cain and John McKenna.
  • The first RAF website was built by RAF supporter Dan Lilja.
  • Idaho Airstrip Network was formed; RAF Director, Rol Murrow was a key supporter.
  • The RAF was invited to participate in the Travel Planning process for the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
  • The organization begins with 7 supporters.
A logo for the national aviation foundation with a plane and mountains in the background

2004

  • First Edition of the “Land Manager's Guide” and "Advocates Guide", both written by Chuck Jarecki, became available.
  • Ben and Butchie Ryan gift Ryan Field to the RAF.
  • First State Liaison is Ron Normandeau from Montana.
  • The RAF has 53 supporters.
A man and a woman are posing for a picture in a field
A man sits in a chair in a field with a plane in the background
A drone is flying over a grassy field with trees in the background.
A plane is parked on the side of the road in the desert.

2005

  • First Edition of the “Land Manager's Guide” and "Advocates Guide", both written by Chuck Jarecki, became available.
  • Ben and Butchie Ryan gift Ryan Field to the RAF.
  • First State Liaison is Ron Normandeau from Montana.
  • The RAF has 53 supporters.

2006

  • Fort Kent, Maine airstrip is re-opened.
  • Process began to specifically include the word “aviation” in Recreational Use Statutes.

2007

  • Travel Plan for the Lewis and Clark National Forest was approved for Russian Flat Airstrip.
  • First Strategic Plan in Missoula, MT with Gary Burnett.
  • RAF website was rebuilt.
  • US National Parks Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the maintenance of three Death Valley, CA airstrips.
  • Aviation included in Idaho and Montana Recreational Use Statutes (RUS).

2008

  • RAF pilot shelter was completed at Ryan Field - built by Chuck Jarecki.
  • Construction of Russian Flat Airstrip began - first new airstrip on Forest Service land in over 45 years.
  • The RAF goes to Washington D.C.
A man is cleaning a picnic table in a park.
Two men in suits and ties are standing in front of the capitol building.
A table with a sign that says national aviation foundation
Several small planes are parked in a grassy field

2009

  • RAF attends Sun n’ Fun for the first time.
  • RAF attends AOPA Summit in Tampa, Florida.
  • Abigail Kimbell of USFS sends letter to the USFS field that “recreational aircraft and backcountry airstrips can be an integral part of a balanced and effective transportation system.”
  • Missouri River Breaks Monument management plan is finalized, includes approval of six airstrips.
  • Aviation language included in Maine RUS.

2010

  • Strategic Planning Meeting - Teton Summit in Driggs, Idaho.
  • Tornado touches down at Sun n’ Fun – the Tornado Husky was born.
  • Russian Flat Airstrip is opened to the public.
  • Congressional Resolution honoring backcountry airstrips.
  • Aviation included in Tennessee RUS.

2011

  • Founding Director Jerry Cain retired.
  • Executive Assistant position created - fulfilled by Tricia McKenna.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

2012

  • Glacier Summit - First full gathering of TEAM RAF in Kalispell, MT.
  • RAF established caretakers for Ryan Field.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for Vermont, Utah, South Dakota, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington.
  • RAF has 4500 supporters
A large group of people are posing for a picture in front of a mountain.
A row of planes are parked in a field with a mountain in the background
A large group of people are posing for a picture in front of a mountain.

2013

  • At 10 year anniversary the RAF boasts 5000 supporters.
  • RAF creates an Endowment.
  • Founding Directors Chuck Jarecki and Dan Prill retire.
  • RAF began work with Walton Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for Wyoming, Oklahoma and Alaska.

2014

  • The Red Rock Roundup - TEAM RAF gathers in St. George, UT.
  • AOPA and Montana Dept of Transportation grant obtained for the Wildlife and Aviation Study.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for California, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
  • RAF has 6200 supporters.
An aerial view of a small island in the middle of the ocean

2015

  • North Fox Island Airstrip in Michigan is reopened.
  • Volunteer Coordinator position created made possible in part with a grant.
  • Memorandums Of Understanding signed with US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for Oregon, Wyoming, and Missouri.
  • RAF has 7000 supporters.

2016

  • Ragmuff Airstrip in Maine reopened.
  • The RAF has 43 State Liaisons and 9 Directors in 35 States.
  • First edition of “RAF Guide for Airstrip Owners” written by John Nadeau became available.
  • Funding announced by U.S. Congress for Backcountry Airstrips on USFS land.
  • U.S. Congress instructs USFS not to close backcountry airstrips.
  • Aviation included in the RUS for Maryland.
  • RAF has 8000-plus members.
  • The Razorback Rendezvous - TEAM RAF gathers in Bentonville, AR.
  • RAF Grant Committee created to assist State Liaisons in funding projects.
  • Two new recreational airstrips opened in AR - Trigger Gap and Sugar Creek.
  • RAF hosted first work party on North Fox Island Airstrip in Michigan.
An aerial view of a runway in the middle of a forest.
A large group of people are posing for a picture in front of an american flag

2017

  • MT U.S. Senator Jon Tester holds press conference to discuss aviation issues in RAF hangar.
  • RAF works with National Park Service for the first time in Alaska: Jake's Bar work party in Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve.
  • Work begins on Two Hearted airstrip in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
  • Sunrise Valley Airstrip in Oregon opens.
  • Launch of RAF Ambassador program.
  • RAF partners with AOPA's Air Safety Institute to administer aviation safety survey.
A tractor is plowing a dirt field on a sunny day.
A river flowing through a canyon with the sun shining through it
Two small planes are parked on a dirt road in the desert.
A large group of people are posing for a picture in a room.

2018​

  • The RAF now has 9,000+ supporters, 42 State Liaisons, 37 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, and 8 Vice Presidents of Appreciation.
  • Launch of RAF Backcountry Boutique.
  • Two Hearted River Airstrip in Michigan opens.
  • Keystone Connection - Team RAF gathers in State College, PA for educational conference.
  • The RAF, with the help of EAA, restores Miracle Mile airstrip in Wyoming.
  • RAF volunteers reopen Johannesburg airstrip in California.
  • RAF helps open Mountain Views Airfield in Oregon.

2019

  • RAF teams with AOPA Air Safety Institute on its "Peaks to Pavement" Seminar Series.
  • Minietta Mine airfield restored in CA.
  • RAF working with Hells Canyon Recreational Collaborative (HCRC).
  • OR Liaison helps plan and open a new airstrip with the owners of Wild Billy Lake in Oregon.
  • Eleven grants awarded to State Liaisons for mission-related projects.
  • Three regional mini educational conferences (RMECs) offered for volunteers.
  • Launch of the new RAF brand.
  • After 10 years of communication with the NPS, Chicken Strip in Death Valley's Saline Valley is officially authorized on August 19, 2019.
  • The RAF and the NPS sign a five-year cooperative maintenance agreement for Chicken Strip in Death Valley.
  • Grassroots support for Charles A. Chase Memorial Airport in Maine, which was threatened with closure.
  • $750,000 of funding announced by Congress for backcountry airstrips on USFS land.
  • The RAF has 9700+ supporters, 48 State Liaisons, 40 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, 10 Vice Presidents of Appreciation.
A dirt road in the desert with mountains in the background
A logo for the raf shows a plane flying over mountains
A plane is flying over a field with a red flag in the foreground.

2020

  • Awarded 16 grants to State Liaisons for mission-related projects.
  • Launched RAF Podcasts and The RAF Outfitter online store.
  • Airfield Guide lists its 50th State: airfield.guide
  • Raised the Ryan Barn at Ryan Field (2MT1).
  • Helped preserve Goodspeed Airport in CT.
  • RAF partners with Isle Airport in MN on a cost-sharing project to remove trees that threatened to close the airport.
An aerial view of a house in the middle of a snowy forest
A wooden pavilion with a stone chimney in the middle of a field at sunset.

2021

  • Added Director of Marketing position.
  • RAF includes 52 State Liaisons, 61 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, and 10 Vice Presidents of Appreciation.
  • USFS renewed Memorandum of Understanding with RAF.
  • Airfield Guide contains 309 listings.
  • Started seasonal camp host program at Ryan Field.
  • Raised the pilot pavilion at Trigger Gap, AR.
  • Preserved Las Trancas, CA via a private lease agreement.
  • Signed the New Mexico Airstrip Network renewal.
  • Collaborated with The Nature Conservancy, USFS, Hartzell, AOPA, and others to improve airstrips and advocate for recreational aviation.

2022

  • Received USFS approval for a $50,000 request to improve Childs Glacier airstrip in Alaska.
  • Turf operations are acknowledged in the FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5300-13B. This outcome is a result of effort on behalf of RAF, AOPA and EAA.
  • Signed a collaborative agreement with Texas State Parks.
  • The life of Agnes “Butchie” Ryan is honored. She passed on March 15, 2022.
  • Cornucopia Airport (23W) in Wisconsin becomes public.
  • 14-minute video released, “The RAF Way” by Voortex Productions.
  • Over 100 RAF volunteers attended a national educational conference in Wisconsin.
  • RAF partners with Montana State University’s Computer Science Software Factory to improve Airfield Guide functionality.
  • Signed an agreement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) allowing the RAF to manage recreational aviation use of Red Pine airfield in Maine, an effort 12 years in the making.
  • Honored volunteers with a Brown Arch tile dedication at Oshkosh AirVenture.
  • RAF and USFS ink agreement on Gila Airstrips in New Mexico.
  • Stovepipe Wells airstrip in Death Valley saved from closure.
  • Grapevine Airstrip (AZ) cost-shared repaving completed.
  • Chicken Strip (CA) restored by volunteers after flood damage.
  • Nine RAF grant awards given for airfield maintenance and improvement projects
A group of small planes are parked in a field.
A large group of people in orange shirts are posing for a picture.
A red tractor is parked in a field with mountains in the background
An aerial view of a runway surrounded by trees and mountains.

2023

  • RAF celebrates 20 years of preserving, improving and creating airstrips for recreational access.
A logo for the raf 20 years with a tree in the middle
  • At 20 years the RAF boasts more than 11,000 supporters.
  • Volunteers reopen Sacaton airstrip in New Mexico after decades of closure.
  • Four regional mini educational conferences offered to better educate our hard working volunteers.
  • RAF now has 47 State Liaisons, 59 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, and 17 Vice Presidents of Appreciation.
  • Airfield Guide has 340 listings; we are revamping the design and usability features of the Guide, and planning for an early 2024 unveiling.
  • Accepted an airfield in Wisconsin as a gift.
  • Partnered with the USFS at Moose Creek, Idaho, to improve the strip.
  • RAF grant given for maintenance at Avey Field (69S) at Laurier, WA.
  • Airfield maintenance performed at Rager Field near Mud Springs, OR.
  • Ongoing maintenance performed at Trigger Gap, AR.
  • Built two more cabins for hard sided (bear proof) camping at Ryan Field, MT.
  • RAF grant given for picnic table at Schafer Meadows, MT.
  • Continued partnership with the USFS to identify Challenge Cost Share opportunities on USFS land.

2024

  • At 21 years, the RAF has over 12,000 supporters
  • RAF’s volunteer team includes 49 State Liaisons, 59 Ambassadors, 9 Directors, 15 Vice Presidents of Appreciation, and 12 Support volunteers
  • Over 100 volunteers attend the RAF national educational conference in Bozeman
  • RAF hosts its annual Ryan Fly-In Weekend in June with over a hundred in attendance
  • New Airfield Guide redesign unveiled; now over 400 strips listed
  • Cost Share Agreement signed with the USFS for the Southwest, primarily covering airstrips in AZ and NM
  • Joe Brown and Matt Foster join the RAF Board of Directors 
  • Backcountry Etiquette Team (BET) formed, RAF partners with Tread Lightly on backcountry etiquette messaging
  • Redbird debuts RAF-branded MX2 at Sun ‘n Fun and Oshkosh AirVenture, and was on hand in Bozeman for the National Conference
  • Hartzell continues $1000 prop discount for RAF supporters for a 4th year, and contributes $250 for each prop sold as part of the offer
  • Aviat unveils RAF-branded Husky
  • 13 RAF grants awarded for projects across the U.S., from Olympic Airfield, WA to Bowman Field, ME
  • In partnership with the USFS, volunteers completed adding 3000 ft of jackleg fence at Moose Creek airfield, built two new outhouses, and mitigated recent damage from fire and severe weather.



A group of small planes are parked in a field.
A large group of people in orange shirts are posing for a picture.