Ray Thomas submitted this photo and note: “I took this photo of this Cessna 180 with amphib floats just after midnight from our cabin at Butterfly Lake in Alaska. We spent over 20 years flying into this beautiful lake from Anchorage, Alaska.”
backcountry flying
Utah’s Keg Knoll Airstrip Now Open for Backcountry Pilots
Following three years of dedicated advocacy by the Recreational Aviation Foundation and its allies, Keg Knoll Airstrip in central Utah is now open for backcountry pilots.
Picture of the Day: The Last Best Airspace
Richard Wissenbach submitted this photo and note: “Return flight from the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness in Montana, just north of Yellowstone and Dutton Ranch. Truly the Treasure State. TU206C piloted and owned by Brian Hawkes, photo by Richard Wissenbach.”
RAF Grant Expands Aviation Camping at Parlin Field
The Recreational Aviation Foundation has awarded a second grant to upgrade pilot camping amenities at New Hampshire’s Parlin Field. Discover how local volunteers are utilizing these funds to build a new covered shelter and add conveniences for visiting aviators exploring New England.
RAF Bags Another Airstrip
Fly to Southern California’s backcountry again. Discover how the Recreational Aviation Foundation successfully reopened scenic Monache Meadows airstrip.
Vashon Aircraft Unveils the New Ranger Grand Teton
Vashon Aircraft has introduced the Ranger Grand Teton, a new flagship model specifically designed to maximize the FAA’s new MOSAIC regulations.
Volunteers Restore Monache Meadows Airstrip In High Sierras
After decades of neglect and unofficial closure, the Recreational Aviation Foundation has successfully restored California’s Monache Meadows airstrip. Thanks to 15 years of persistent volunteer efforts and Forest Service cooperation, this remote High Sierra destination is now safely open for backcountry pilots.
Picture of the Day: Buffalo River Airport
Teresa White submitted this photo and note: “Joe Wilson took this photo June 14, 2026, in Marshall, Arkansas, as I was departing. Best little airport in Arkansas. It has camping onsite, mountain bike trails, and bikes. It is close to several Buffalo River outfitters to canoe or kayak and is a very short hop to Richland Creek, a Recreational Aviation Foundation jewel.”
Picture of the Day: Idaho Backcountry Visit
Tom Gresham submitted this photo and note: “A Cessna 182 sits on Bernard Airstrip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area. This stop was part of a multi-day training session in backcountry flying. Many of the airstrips in the backcountry are long enough for a Skylane, but density altitude remains a constant factor.”