As the most active flying forum around and also since we are focused on backcountry flying, why don't we get better organized to support access to airstrips? It seems to me that this group could get more involved, at least politically. Of course there is the RAF and IAA, but are we lending them more support than financial? We know individual members who do, but can we as a group get more focused to support specific efforts and leverage RAF and IAA efforts more than we already have?

Such as, what airstrips do we believe should be reopened in the Frank Church Wilderness? How about a poll to show support for favorite candidates? How about the recent closings in the Owyhee? What more can we do to turn that around?

Just asking to stimulate ideas and discussion.

Does any know what is the status of reopening ID 042 - CASCADE RESERVOIR, D 049 - FALCONBERRY, and others is? An update would be good to hear; my brief efforts searching the IAA site didn't reveal any current information.

Seems like we could focus more efforts on positive actions to assist others in their efforts to keep the drive alive to advance opening more strips. Your thoughts?

Good idea, may have to have another name and web location, not everything posted here would be good to have on an advocacy forum.

My 2 cents worth don't reinvent the wheel. If you have a burning desire to get in the trenches contact your local RAF rep. I am sure he/she will put you right to work.

One thing we should all do more of is write paper letters to anyone who will help keep strips open or have power to open new back country strips.

Go in person to see there people and go see your elected politicians. As we heard at Johnson Creek they are really impressed when a constituent shows up to talk. They deal primarily with paid lobbyist.
Remember be nice.

We have this section which is where all these issues should be placed. Then we can find them when we need them. Zane has said this many times. Make a good descriptive title so we can find it when we search.

Aviation Regulation and Law
Discuss the legality of flying the backcountry, FARs, advocacy, and aviation relevant legislation. Please post other non-aviation related legislative or political topics in Off Topic or Hot Air. Registered users only.

G'Day

What the heck, I'll throw in my cent and a half with a few disjointed thoughts.
If you want to turn the group into an official advocacy group or even a PAC that brings on a whole raft of legal requirements.
Bylaws, lawyers, the IRS etc. come to mind.
On a much simpler note an agreement between members to do things like "pack it in, pack it out" and to otherwise keep your footprint as light as possible which I think most of us agree with anyway would be a good idea. Maybe put that on the home page where Joe Public would see when he accidentally accesses this site while searching for back country porn.
If we start attracting attention to this group you will find some Congressional staffer tasked with reading the entire website and all of those old discussions that are better left out of the public eye. That leads to news leaks to CNN talking about those pesky rich pilots tearing up the pristine wilderness with their 6 burner Coleman stoves and cases of beer.
I guess I am agreeing with OregonMaule, use the existing organizations, they are already set up and there is no need to duplicate their work other than writing your congressperson personally.

Well, much as it probably pains him, I have to agree with Oregonmaule....

Advocacy works best when everyone speaks with a unified voice. That said, write those comments, and email is as good as paper, as long as its an independent thought, as opposed to a cut and paste from some newsletter.

MTV

One of the best things we can do here is get the word out when there are calls to action. The Minam lodge airlift is a prime example. Most of the pilots that showed up are regulars on this site.

All good points to be sure. Just to be clear on my initial post, however,

Of course there is the RAF and IAA, but are we lending them more support than financial? We know individual members who do, but can we as a group get more focused to support specific efforts and leverage RAF and IAA efforts more than we already have?

means just that. I'm in no way suggesting anything BUT Providing More Support for these excellent organizations and their first-class efforts! Assuming positive intent goes a long way here; admittedly though I could have made the above statement more clear.

So, yes, as all posts on this thread have good ideas and suggestions, and since we are all more effective speaking with a unified voice as MTV says, lets take time time to think this through and come up with ways to do that more effectively.

I'll be without intent access for the next 2-weeks so I won't be posting again for a while; keep rolling along to stimulate more discussion and ideas, I hope?

$$$$. I think money talks. Support in the form of money will likely help the most. The fly in this year was a great example. Good discussion backed up with some $$$$$.

Maybe more than one annual event that not only "hits the radar", but also raises some more money would be good???

$$$$. I think money talks. Support in the form of money will likely help the most. The fly in this year was a great example. Good discussion backed up with some $$$$$.

Maybe more than one annual event that not only "hits the radar", but also raises some more money would be good???

Gents-

I believe (in all my ignorance & innocence) you have to be like a certain Mr. Jonathan Marvel. You have to sue sue sue. Then when you finally win a settlement reinvest the "winnings" in more law suits. I have spoken to un named & never identified US Forest Service rangers (who are more green than I prefer) who talk about Western Water Sheds with fear & frustration.

Now, who gets more respect, the few hodge podge guys (who work steady jobs & contribute to society as a whole) or the radical who's entire waking moment is to ruin several sects of a population in the name of conserving & "saving" the environment/planet.

Just my frustration & hours of contemplation.

P.S. log onto Western Water Sheds & read the web site. & crested wheat grass is planted by private/BLM to better the range.