New cabins and new bear boxes to store food are just two of the improvements volunteers worked on this season at Montana’s Ryan Field.
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Team effort keeps L09 open
A proverb states that “success has many fathers,” and that was certainly true in the successful effort to preserve Stovepipe Wells Airport (L09) in Death Valley National Park in California, according to Tim Riley, a director of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF).
Backcountry airstrip repaved thanks to unique partnership
Cost of the project was shared by the U.S. Forest Service, the Arizona Pilots Association (APA), and the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) through a Master Challenge Cost Share Agreement. Tonto National Forest paid $15,000 towards the $30,000 project, while APA came up with $10,000, and RAF kicked in $5,000.
Ribbon cutting celebrates reopening of L88
Now that the runway has been repaved, the next task for volunteers is to enhance the camping areas for pilots, according to officials with the Recreational Aviation Foundation.
New deal increases access to five New Mexico backcountry airstrips
An agreement has been inked between officials with the Recreational Aviation Foundation and Gila National Forest in New Mexico to increase access to five backcountry airstrips: Beaverhead, Jewett Mesa, Me-Own, Negrito, and Rainy Mesa.
Fly-In features stargazing
Astronomers brought several telescopes for pilots and others to get a close-up look at the night sky.
Volunteers work to reopen L88
A grand reopening of New Cuyama Airport (L88) in Southern California is planned for Oct. 13, 2022. The backcountry airstrip, located between the Southern California coast and Sierra mountain range about 32 nm north of Santa Barbara, has been closed since 2019.
Picture of the Day: A happy Howard
Glenn Brasch, the man behind AirportCourtesyCars.com, sent in this photo with a note: “A 1944 Howard owned by Steve Fulton, parked in front of the pilot shelter at Ryan Field (2MT1) in Montana.”
Picture of the Day: Happy engine, happy life
Gary Lanthrum submitted this photo and note: “On final to Ryan Field (2MT1) in Montana, you want your engine to be happy. There really aren’t any viable options if you can’t land on the airport’s grass runway.”