Dear UBCP,

This email is to let you know about a potential safety issue at our back country airstrips and to pass along two flying invitations.

This spring has been very wet in Utah which has made for some muddy airstrips. We recently became aware of some potentially dangerous ruts left by back country pilots at Mineral Canyon. Some airplanes with oversize tires may be able to safely operate at a muddy airstrip but the ruts they leave behind can be very dangerous for pilots who come later. Depending the the lighting conditions, and vegetation growth the dried ruts can be very difficult to spot latter from the air. Unexpected ruts can cause loss of control on an airstrip that may already be close to the limits of the pilot and airplane that come along next. Once they are fully dried they are also very hard and require tools that pilots don't routinely carry to repair.

Many UBCP and RAF members donate their time and money to keep Utah's back country airstrips in good condition. Please do not undo their work and put other pilot's lives at risk by landing at back country airstrips when the conditions may be muddy. If you do accidentally make a rut in an airstrip please repair it. If you are unable to repair it please let us know so we can warn other pilots and formulate a plan for repairing the damage.

There is still more rain in the forecast which will mean muddy airstrips. Please consider whether the thrill of your landing today, on an airstrip that may be muddy, is worth risking another pilot's life later. And once you have determined that it is dry inspect carefully for ruts that may have been left behind by someone less considerate before committing to land.]