I just recieved this in an email from a friend. I'm pretty sure this is new news as the last time I was in there a couple years ago I didn't see it. Thought I'd pass it along, finally some good news for a change.

For Backcountry Pilots, A New Place To Stay

Pilots who are ready to get out and explore the western U.S. this summer will find a warm welcome in Bozeman, Mont., thanks to the folks at the Recreational Aviation Foundation. Volunteers have built a new pilot shelter on land donated by the Gallatin Field Airport (KBZN), with bath and shower facilities, lots of green grass, a barbecue pit, and tie-downs. Pilots are welcome to stop by for a lunch break or to camp overnight. "It is a free facility and a wonderful aviation amenity," John McKenna, of the RAF, told AVweb this week. "The Bozeman airport would love to encourage out-of-the-area pilots to use it. They just need to know it exists."

The public airport offers two paved runways plus a grass strip, and fuel is sold on the field. Yellowstone National Park is nearby, and the area is a popular fly-fishing, hiking, and outdoor recreation destinations. "I know when I have traveled across the country, finding a place like this pilot facility would be like finding a gem," said McKenna. He also added that the RAF will be hosting a work party this weekend to help wrap up work on a new grass strip under construction in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It will be the first new airstrip on U.S. Forest Service land in over 45 years, he said.

If this is old news, let me know (a search turned up nothing).

Google this:
Recreational Aviation Foundation

The original announcement was made on December 1, 2004.

It is a very nice facility and I recall that the RAF mission is to build several more of them. I think it would be great to have these kinds of things all over the place!

Thanks for the info... I see I have a lot of catching up to do.

Great idea indeed, CO needs some good fly-in camping strips.

Speaking of Bozeman....the Montana Antique Aircraft Association's annual fly-in is at nearby Three Forks, the weekend after Oshkosh. They usually have a temporary tower setup, and ALWAYS have a beer truck, showers, food etc.

And on the Saturday of Three Forks we have a breakfast at Wilsall, which is just north of Livingston.

He also added that the RAF will be hosting a work party this weekend to help wrap up work on a new grass strip under construction in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It will be the first new airstrip on U.S. Forest Service land in over 45 years, he said.

Anyone know what strip that was?

That's Russian Flat SW of Lewistown. Type it in to Google Earth and you'll see it. Or go here:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.0 ... 087891&z=4

We did enjoy this pilot shelter on our way to the BCP fly-in. It was wonderful. Don't forget to turn the sprinklers off before you turn in. There is an unmarked switch on the north most structure post.

skymaule wrote:We did enjoy this pilot shelter on our way to the BCP fly-in. It was wonderful. Don't forget to turn the sprinklers off before you turn in. There is an unmarked switch on the north most structure post.

Ha! Too little, too late for some of us Thanks just the same

mountainmatt wrote:Great idea indeed, CO needs some good fly-in camping strips.

Isn't that the truth!

Don't be reluctant to join the RAF, along with UBCP and IAA. And participating in their efforts. They do a lot to keep these strips open, and maintaining them . Working with gov't agencies to keep these strips open, and fighting against others that would like to see them closed. Without their efforts, these strips, along with our favorite activity, would slowly become a part of history .

Gary

I would add that the Montana Pilots Association has been around for a loonnnngggg time, and has done just as much or more than any of the aforementioned outfits to keep strips open, and defend pilot's rights. I strongly suggest that anyone support the Montana Pilots Association. They've been coordinating work sessions at several back country strips for many years as well as serving as an advocate for us all. Im' a member, and I don't live in Montana, but I fly there... http://www.montanapilots.org/

MTV

We are the oldest pilots assoc in the country, established in 1939. The lessons learned when Montana got its wilderness areas were diligently applied when Idaho got theirs.