Nonprofit Works to Keep Backcountry Fun Available

The Recreational Aviation Foundation supports general aviation by preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational access.

Grant Boyd

Wednesday, November 03, 2021 at 02:49 PM ET

Verified

A starry look at part of Ryan Field, a private airstrip owned by the RAF one mile southeast of West Glacier, Montana. Courtesy: RAF

Key Takeaways:

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 2003, dedicated to preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational general aviation access.
Through its efforts, the RAF has significantly expanded its reach, having preserved, improved, and helped create dozens of airstrips across 24 states.
The foundation's work includes preventing airstrip closures, enhancing existing facilities with amenities like shelters and shower houses, and establishing new airstrips on both public and private lands.
The RAF emphasizes the critical importance of early engagement with land managers and continued support to ensure the ongoing availability and expansion of recreational flying opportunities.

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Have you ever flown over a particularly picturesque portion of the backcountry and wondered to yourself, “Wow, this would be a great place to land at and explore?” Or flew into a rudimentary airstrip and thought of ways that it could be made better?

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) works to support general aviation through the guiding purpose of preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational access. Through targeted efforts, the group has been able to help spark a renewed interest in this type of flying, as well as ensure the continued existence of public-use airfields.