Taking LSAs to the Backcountry

About one-third of Recreational Aviation Foundation members have used LSAs at remote strips.

Dan Pimentel

Friday, October 21, 2022 at 12:54 PM ET

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A Cub touches down at Lower Loon Creek Airstrip in Idaho. Courtesy: Mike Todd]

Key Takeaways:

Backcountry flying, largely nurtured by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) for two decades, is a popular and growing niche in general aviation.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) are a common and viable choice for backcountry operations, with about one-third of RAF members having utilized them.
Safe backcountry flying, especially with LSAs, requires a proficient pilot who deeply understands their aircraft's performance, utilizes resources like the RAF's Airfield Guide, and often seeks specialized instruction.
The RAF is dedicated to preserving, improving, and creating backcountry airstrips, offering unique recreational experiences, and relies on volunteers and donations to sustain its mission.

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These days, it is not uncommon to see fat Tundra tires on mostly taildragger airplanes flying STOL competitions or descending into a remote airstrip for some “backcountry” fun. It seems more and more that attention is being paid to this subset of general aviation, but the truth is, the lure of short takeoff and landing or STOL flying has been nurtured by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) for two decades.

With the help of scores of RAF volunteers, the foundation has grown backcountry flying into a very popular niche of GA, with plenty of pilots utilizing stock or modified airplanes to access airstrips that do not involve a paved runway. And while many of these airplanes are purpose-built for STOL operations, according to RAF president Bill McGlynn, an impressive percentage of RAF members fly light sport airplanes now or have used them in the past for backcountry operations.