Recreational Aviation Foundation

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

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.

Dan Prill of Sand Coulee, Montana, took the lead for the non-profit
Recreational Aviation Foundation throughout the comprehensive
planning process, which included the requisite public comment input,
an EIS, and public appeals period. The US Forest Service, responding
to the wide-ranging concerns of the public, has authorized the
establishment of the airstrip at Russian Flat in their Record of
Decision.

The site, located about 40 sm southwest of Lewistown,
Montana, was selected by the Forest Service because it met
environmental, wildlife and aesthetic criteria with minimum
disturbance to the landscape. It is ideal for recreational purposes,
because it is adjacent to an established campground with picnic
tables, a vault toilet and an existing unpaved road. The concept is
to prepare a 4,000-foot long grass strip in the 6,300-foot elevation
meadow: Lat N46 deg 43' 18"; Lon W110 deg. 24' 26".
Prill commented, “this decision is significant because until this
location was selected at Russian Flat, there were no public airstrips
on Forest Service lands east of the Rocky Mountain Front.”
The RAF has approved an $8,000 grant to be awarded to the Montana
Pilots Association’s Recreational Airstrip Committee for grounds
preparation and rolling of the landing surface. To allow for adequate
revegetation, it is anticipated that the public will not be allowed
to use the strip for landing and takeoffs until Fall 2009.

FOUNDER CAPS

The winner for 2008 is Lucky #13
Todd Denning of Las Vegas, NV

The following is the current list of reservations for 2009 Founder Caps which will be drawn at the 2009 Montana Aviation Conference in Butte, MT during March 5 - 7 for the award of a Garmin GPS 496 and / or other awards. The call for donations of $100 or more for reserved 2009 Founder Caps will be made January 1, 2009, and donations must be received prior to the opening of the conference to retain the reserved cap number. Unretained cap numbers will be made available to general conference attendees after the opening of the conference and their previous reserved status will be deleted and offered for new reservations for 2010 and beyond. It is expected that the 2009 edition will be limited to no more than 100 caps. To see the reservation list as a .pdf file - Click Here

Winter 2008 RAF Newsletter

Now Available as a .pdf File Download - Click Here

SHELTER AT RYAN FIELD

A 24' X 30' pilot shelter is under construction 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

RAF NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE AS A DOWNLOAD

The latest RAF newsletter is now available as a .pdf download. Read the latest RAF news like the story on RAF President John McKenna's June meeting with USFS Chief Gail Kimball and RAF Director Chuck Jarecki's new aviation-specific Guide For Land Managers. To download your copy now - 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!

Galen Hanselman has finished his new FLY UTAH guide. The RAF has endorsed this project from its inception and a few RAF Directors were involved in some of the field work on this project. For more information - Click Here

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