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 a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization dedicated to preserving, improving, and creating airstrips to ensure recreational general aviation access across the United States.
Founded in 2003, the RAF actively prevents airstrip closures, enhances existing facilities with amenities (often through grants), and advocates for the creation or reopening of airstrips on public and private lands.
The organization emphasizes early engagement with land managers to influence land-use planning and stresses the critical need for ongoing support to prevent the diminishing 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.