Sitting on top of a mountain, Ingalls Field (KHSP) in Hot Springs, Virginia, is the highest elevation airport east of the Mississippi River at 3,793 feet.
Since 1931, locals have traveled to the top of the mountain for the cooler temperatures, beautiful vistas, and nighttime star gazing, according to Recreational Aviation Foundation Virginia Liaison Alan White. But over time, those activities faded.
Pilots still camped at Ingalls occasionally, but the airport was looking to increase activity on the airfield.
The airport boasts two camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings, 24 hour access to restroom and showers, a courtesy car, and avgas. Popular hikes are the Nature Conservancy Warm Springs Mountain Preserve Trails and the Homestead Skyline Drive. It is also only a few miles from a five-star resort.
But with few employees and such a large area to maintain, the airport was not able revive the trail to a scenic outlook and loop around the small knoll. White approached them about ways the RAF could help.
White and RAF Virginia Ambassador Jeremy Vaughan organized a group to clear the trails on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
“The airport shares the mountain top with the Nature Conservancy and a few days prior to the work event, The Nature Conservancy actually went in with a bush hog and took out a lot of the big stuff,” White reported.
His group trimmed encroaching limbs and cleared the overlook.
“Since they had done some prep work, we were able to extend our scope and work on trails well past where we had anticipated stopping,” he said, adding RAF volunteers were able to clear half of the loop as well.
After a hard day, several volunteers enjoyed the camping facilities and a few others arrived who were unable to make it earlier in the day.
The work party was appreciated by airport officials, who also note that being included in RAF’s Airfield Guide has also increased activity at the field.
According to airport officials, activity has increased from an occasional camper to people there almost every weekend, wiith many more pilots landing to hike the trails.
“The staff at Ingalls made a special point to come out and thank the RAF, not only for the work we had just completed, but for reinvigorating their airport,” White said.
I Agree – This volunteer group, plus State & Local groups do more for aviation than the “Big Boys”. So, support your Local and State groups as well. Here in Arizona, the Arizona Pilot’s Assoc. is equally effective. And as you fly from State to State, support them too – it’s nice to have contacts and support along ones journey. These volunteer groups are the heart of aviation and it doesn’t take but a small membership fee to make a big difference. Thanks To All !!
The Recreational Aviation Foundation IS one of the greatest aviation organizations you’ve never heard of!
Yes, they are an “advocacy organization” for access to remote airstrips, but more important, they are an ACTIVE organization. Instead of hiring work done, they organize these work parties to actually DO the work–they fly in, do the work, but always have fun doing it.
They don’t spend a lot of money on lobbying–they “know people that know people” in government–and quietly just “get things done”. They are SO GOOD at what they do that they have earned the trust and respect of government agencies like the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and other Federal and State regulators of public lands. They do all of this with only a couple of office assistants–the officers take no salary or other benefits–and even cover their own travel expenses.
I like their fund-raising idea–“No dues–if you like what we are doing, send us a donation–if you REALLY like what we are doing, send another one!” (laugh)
Look up the RAF Airfield Guide mentioned in the article above.
The RAF seems to be doing some very good things and I hope they will continue to receive strong support!
I agree. Never heard of them until now. Sounds like someone we should support.
I’ve supported the RAF since buying my Make in 2013. Every newsletter from the organization if filled with stories like this. They are one of the most productive GA organizations of there with most of the work being done by volunteers. In addition to their physical work on airports, they have provided significant legal support for expanding “Recreational Use Statutes” in state legislatures. You can read about RUS legislation here: https://theraf.org/50-state-recreational-use-statute-survey/
I bought a Maule, not a “Make”. Darned autocorrect!
Autocorrect always makes me say things I didn’t Nintendo…
LOL…..sounded as though you just didn’t want to brag to me 🙂