Recreational Aviation Foundation

1711 West College, Bozeman, Montana 59715, 406-587-5166, e-mail: raf@linctel.net

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

Flying Loses A Real Advocate

Sparky Imeson

We are profoundly saddened to report that Sparky Imeson of Helena, Montana, formerly of Jackson Hole, WY, perished in an aviation accident Tuesday, March 17 after departing Bozeman solo in his Cessna 180 on a routine 70-mile flight to Helena.

Helena’s daily Independent Record reported that the wreckage was located by search crews from Malmstrom Air Force Base at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, roughly 2.5 miles southwest of the Canyon Ferry airstrip. The newspaper quoted Debbie Alke of the Montana Aeronautics Division, saying, “It’s difficult to find the right words to convey the sense of loss the Montana aeronautics community will experience. Sparky Imeson was a colleague and a friend to so many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and our gratitude to all who have helped us find him.”

Recipient of numerous safety awards, Sparky was a frequent contributor to regional safety presentations, demonstrating ways to minimize risk while flying in the mountains. He was a certified flight instructor, agricultural aerial applicator, aerobatic pilot, air ambulance, and demo pilot. He was as comfortable in a 150-mile-per-hour fabric aircraft with a plotter as he was flying with a glass panel at mach .92 in a Citation.

Sparky began flying in 1966 at Jackson in his father’s Piper J-3 and Cessna 205 and had since accumulated over 20,000 flying hours, much of it in the mountains of Alaska and the west. His passion was mountain flying, and to give back to his beloved flying community, he committed much desk-time to writing what was then the only book on safe mountain flying, “Mountain Flying Bible”, which has inarguably contributed to the safety of mountain flying for many pilots.

Recreational Aviation Foundation Ryan Field Airstrip Announcement:

When you look up the word dedication in the dictionary you come to an 8X10 photo of Karl Spielman.

Karl recently finished his term on the board of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, but not before he left his mark on nearly every project that this organization has underway. A founding member of the RAF, Karl was tireless in promoting the idea of preserving backcountry airstrips that serve as gateways to places we all treasure. It was he who coined so many of the phrases that have become part of the jargon we use, as well as the framework for documents that have been created.

For more about Karl - 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.

RYAN FIELD DEDICATION

JUNE 21st 2008

NEW RAF BROCHURE

The RAF has designed a new brochure for handouts at aviation events, pilot lounges and other events. The brochure also includes a donation form. If you would like to download a copy of this file as a .pdf file - Click Here

New Landing strip in Lewis and Clark National Forest !

Four years spent cooperating with the US Forest Service, planning,
building trust and credibility has resulted in a new site for a
recreational airstrip in the beautiful Russian Flat of central
Montana, a short walk from the south fork of the Judith River where
anglers enjoy catch-and-release fishing.

For the complete story on this new recreational airstrip - Click Here

SHELTER AT RYAN FIELD

A 24' X 30' pilot shelter is available at the RAF's Ryan Field adjacent to Glacier Park in Montana. For more images of this project - Click Here

BOZEMAN PILOT SHELTER IS COMPLETED!

The Bozeman, Montana pilot shelter is complete! Local officials reported that it was finished by July 28-29 for the Bozeman Airshow. The RAF has in-part helped with the construction of this building. For more pictures on this project - Click Here

MONTANA PRIVATE AIRPORTS GET PROTECTION FROM NEW STATE LAW !

In April of 2007 Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer signed into law Senate Bill 318. This new law provides a measure of protection for private airstrip owners who don't charge the public to use their airstrips for recreational purposes. They are now protected by a limited liability law, created by Senate Bill 318. The law adds landowners of airstrips for "private, noncommercial flying" to the protections under the state's recreational use statute.

This bill was the brainchild of RAF Director Chuck Jarecki who orchestrated a major effort with primary support from the Montana Pilots Association to get the bill sponsored and introduced into the legislature and then to rally the troops to campaign for its approval. A big “Thank You” goes to Chuck and all the members of the MPA who participated in pushing this bill through the Montana legislature. A job well done!

RYAN FIELD GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUT

Galen and Judy Hanselman have completed a geographic layout of the RAF / Ryan airstrip in northwest Montana. This report includes airport remarks specific to the Ryan airstrip, two good photos and an elevation vs. length profile chart. To see this new layout and graphic as a .pdf file - Click Here and to see the Pilot Getaways article on this wonderful gift to the RAF Click Here Be sure to contact an RAF Director prior to flying in. The Directors contact information can be found under the contact tab.

The RAF Produces A Promo Video

For more pictures of this venture - Click Here

The Recreational Aviation Foundation was formed by a group of pilots from western states in response to a disturbing trend to exclude general aviation from public lands through closures of backcountry airstrips. They saw 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