RAF Overview 2014 Q2

Recreational Aviation

Foundation 2014

Eric Davis

Recreational Aviation Foundation

Georgia State Liaison

Learned to fly in 2003.

RAF member since 2011.

First backcountry experience:

2013 Ryan Field Member

Appreciation Fly-in.

Wants to encourage more pilots to

think about integrating flying into a

recreational and active lifestyle.

Contact: [email protected]

Meadow Creek

THE RAF MISSION

“Keeping the legacy of recreational aviation

strong by preserving, maintaining and

creating public use recreational and

backcountry airstrips nationwide.”

Because being here is ordinary,

…but being here is extraordinary

and here…

and here…

and here…

with these people…

doing this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

and this…

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Access

Advocacy

Volunteerism

Partnerships

Education

Conservation

Aviation is a valid and appropriate way to

access recreational opportunities on public or

private land.

ACCESS

ADVOCACY

Establishing and maintaining aviation

access to National and State Public Lands

Enhancing landowner protections at the

state level

VOLUNTEERISM

Our members are passionate about our

mission and enjoy making it happen.

PARTNERSHIPS

The RAF works with aviation advocacy

and government agencies for the purpose

of protecting the common interest of the

recreational flying community.

EDUCATION

Pilot Safety & Backcountry Etiquette is

critical to the use and enjoyment of

backcountry airstrips.

CONSERVATION

Aviation deserves the same consideration

as other forms of access.

Airstrip infrastructure often has a lower

overall impact on the environment.

“The greatest good to the greatest number for the

longest time” – Gifford Pinchot

ORGANIZATION &

MEMBERSHIP

Backcountry flying is not new …

… but it has become more popular

In 2003 a handful of

pilots decided to do

something about the

loss of airstrips on

public lands.

Today the RAF is over

5,840 members strong. (Membership as of May 2014)

5840 Members – and Growing

Executive Leadership &

Board of Directors

Bureau of Land Management

Liaisons

Environmental & Science Advisory

Committee

State Liaisons

Support Personnel

RAF Leadership

State Liaisons - West

Mark Spencer

Chris Berge

Rick Lach

John Kounis

Dennis Smith

Phil Olson

Dave Whitelaw

Shane Gorman

Steve Durtschi

Wayne Loeber

Tom Haefeli

Patrick Romano

Mike Hart

Joe Grubiak

Jon Hudson

Ron Normandeau

Larry Filener

State Liaisons – Central

Brian Rau

Dave Myrick Chase Snodgrass

Scot Warren

Kirk Hiner

Steve Thompson

Dan Elwood Chuck Aldrian

Jim Dickerson

Sarah Dickerson

Kris Barnett

State Liaisons – East

Jack Tyler

Eric Davis

Kris Barnett

Andy Rowe

Craig McCullough

Brad Frederick

John Zanchi

Russ Holland

Lloyd Babcock

Kathy Hegenberger

Bob Burley

Susan Dusenbury

Randall Burdette

BECOMING A MEMBER

Signup at http://theraf.org/support-team-raf

A non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Tax-deductible donations support:

Construction of new airstrips & pilot shelters

Maintenance of existing airstrips & pilot shelters

Development of educational materials

Meetings with elected officials

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

RECREATIONAL USE STATUTE

(RUS)

Legislation intended to

promote public

recreational use of

privately owned land

by granting landowners

some liability protection.

RUS RATIONALE

Public need for recreational

land exceeds the

ability of gov’t to

provide such

spaces.

Landowners are

encouraged to help

through the protections afforded by an

RUS.

RUS PROTECTED USES

A definition of "recreational use" that lists

activities such as hiking, swimming,

fishing, pleasure driving, nature study, etc.

The phrase "includes, but is not limited

to" often appears in order to prevent a

narrow interpretation.

RUS LIMITATIONS

Some courts recognize

only those activities

listed in the statute.

It is the RAF’s goal to

ensure that “aviation

activities” are included

in every state’s RUS.

RUS AMENDMENT PROGRESS

RECENT WIN: OKLAHOMA

GRAND ISLE AIRPORT OK18

RECENT WIN: OKLAHOMA

GRAND ISLE AIRPORT OK18

RAF state liaisons Steve Thompson (OK) &

Dave Myrick (AR) worked with SuperCub.org

member Mike Sisemore to pass HB1009, which

amended Oklahoma’s RUS.

As a result, Mike is again hosting his popular

“Tail-Dragger Fly-In” at OK18.

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

PUBLIC LAND USE PRACTICES USFS District Rangers and BLM Managers regularly

revise land use practices, typically on a 10-year cycle.

“The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires

every national forest or grassland managed by the Forest Service

to develop and maintain an effective Land Management Plan.”

- USDA Website

“Land use plans and planning decisions are the basis for every on-

the-ground action the BLM undertakes.”

- BLM Handbook H-1601-1

PUBLIC LAND USE PRACTICES

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Access to airstrips on public land is influenced

by claims about noise impacts.

The RAF’s goal is to provide scientific

evidence regarding these claims

RESEARCH PLAN Scientists and RAF pilots collect bio samples from a mix

of species in back country settings where aircraft do and

do not operate.

Lab analysis compares stress enzyme levels.

Results published in peer-reviewed wildlife science

journals to ensure acceptance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The RAF thanks the following for their support:

The AOPA Foundation’s financial support of this initiative

Dr. Ric Hauer – Volunteer Lead Scientist

Professor of Limnology and Director of the Institute

on Ecosystems at the University of Montana

The scientists and pilots who are volunteering their

aircraft, time, expertise, and financial resources

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

ARIZONA BACKCOUNTRY

AIRSTRIPS

ARIZONA BACKCOUNTRY

AIRSTRIPS The Arizona Pilot’s Association and the RAF have worked

together to reopen and maintain five airstrips within the

state.

Pleasant Valley, Double Circle Ranch, Grapevine,

Redcreek, and Grand Gulch are all open to the public.

The APA website has detailed information about each site.

Grapevine Double Circle Pleasant Valley

BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK

BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK After a year of friendly collaboration with Texas Parks and

Wildlife officials, the RAF was able to convince the park

service to list the 5,000' paved strip as a public use airport

in late 2013.

Several privately owned airstrips in the area are also open

to the public.

Taurus Mesa (4TE4)

Hot Springs (3TE4)

Fulcher Ranch (3TE8)

“BIG CREEK FOUR”

PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST

“BIG CREEK FOUR”

PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST In 2004, the USFS proposed that the airstrips be

classified as “emergency use only,” which would halt

maintenance and effectively close the strips.

The Idaho Aviation Association, Montana Pilots

Association, and Recreational Aviation Foundation

intervened to ensure that the airstrips would remain

open to the public.

The Idaho Pilots Association website has detailed site

information available on their website.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Chicken Strip was closed for safety reasons

following a flood.

The RAF entered into an MOU with the National

Park Service to provide strip maintenance

resulting in the reopening of Chicken Strip.

RYAN FIELD 2MT1

RYAN FIELD 2MT1 Private airstrip gifted to the RAF by Ben & Butchie Ryan

Located one mile southeast of West Glacier, MT & site

of the annual RAF Summer Fly-in

Contact information along with a pilot safety briefing is

available on the RAF website under Pilot Resources.

BLACKWATER 8FD3

BLACKWATER 8FD3

Joint project with local pilots & the Florida State

Forest Service

Provisional use of Blackwater Airfield in the

Blackwater Florida State Forest.

Prior approval from Forest Service is required (available on the RAF website under Pilot Resources).

UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BREAKS

NATIONAL MONUMENT

UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BREAKS

NATIONAL MONUMENT Years of planning with the BLM to develop a plan to

preserve these 6 airstrips.

The Montana Wilderness Assoc. & The Wilderness

Society challenged this project through the courts.

The RAF and MPA financed litigation which resulted in a

favorable outcome for recreational aviation.

RUSSIAN FLAT M42

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST Led by RAF Board Member Dan Prill.

Resulted in the construction of the first new airstrip on

USFS land in over 50 years.

Contact info & pilot safety briefing is available on the RAF

website under Pilot Resources.

FORT KENT AIRSTRIP MAINE

FORT KENT AIRSTRIP MAINE The Fish River Flying Club wanted to reopen this

municipally-owned airstrip, closed due to lack of

maintenance. A sticking point was concern over liability.

The RAF educated stakeholders about the RUS, who

then enthusiastically approved reopening.

The RAF also contributed funds to aid in maintenance.

Pilots can access this uncharted strip by contacting Tom

Voisine at 207-834-5685 for a safety briefing.

Missouri River

Breaks

Death Valley Blackwater Forest

AIRSTRIP MAINTENANCE

Reed Ranch Russian Flat

Ryan Field

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

PILOT SHELTERS Double Circle Ranch, AZ

PILOT SHELTERS Escalante, UT

PILOT SHELTERS Bozeman, MT

PILOT SHELTERS Ryan Field, MT

PROJECTS Recreational Use Statute

Wildlife Research

Airfields

Pilot Shelters

Marketing Outreach

GREAT ALASKA

AIRMEN’S GATHERING

AOPA SUMMIT

FT. WORTH

Sun ‘n Fun

Red Bird facility

San Marcus, TX

Del Amo Flying Club

Torrance, CA

NBAA

Las Vegas

SOUTHEAST REGION

POINTS OF INTEREST

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND State park located on the Georgia Coast.

Offers great recreation within easy reach of the field.

World class FBO with world class hospitality.

Rent electric carts from Red Bug Motors to get around.

25 miles of nature trails for walking and cycling.

Golfing, horseback riding, fishing, boating, beach

access, tennis, dining, historic home tours, etc.

PEACH STATE AERODROME

PEACH STATE AERODROME Airfield owner and RAF member Ron Alexander hosts

many public events year-round.

Airfield open to the public.

Excellent restaurant – Barnstormer’s Grill.

Host to the RAF’s 2013 Backcountry Refresher Clinic.

Visit www.peachstateaero.com for more information.

BERG PARK AERODROME 9GA2

BERG PARK AERODROME 9GA2 Airfield owner and RAF member Steve Berg hosts many

public events year-round at his 2378’ grass airfield.

Located in Midway GA, near the coast.

Space available for camping with running water and

toilets.

Contact Steve Berg for more information: 912-884-8666

BLACKWATER 8FD3

BLACKWATER 8FD3

Joint project with local pilots & the Florida State

Forest Service

Provisional use of Blackwater Airfield in the

Blackwater Florida State Forest.

Prior approval from Forest Service is required (available on the RAF website under Pilot Resources).

NEW RIVER GORGE WV32

NEW RIVER GORGE WV32 Privately owned 2950’ paved strip near the New River

National Forest.

Camping, lodging, & restaurants.

Outfitter ‘Adventures on The Gorge’ will pick you up at

the airfield: adventurewestvirginia.com

Skydiving operator located on the field. Visit

www.skydivenrg.com

Contact Gary Kessler for permission: 615-585-6114.

AWARDS & GRANTS The RAF was again awarded the Lightspeed

Aviation Foundation’s 2013 Pilot's Choice

Award.

AOPA Foundation ‘Giving Back’ Grant was

awarded to the RAF to conduct “scientific

research into the stress-related effects of

aircraft noise on wildlife.”

KEEPING UP WITH THE RAF

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welcome!

Thank You