>> 1/11/2012 - IMPORTANT INFO FOR VOLUNTEERS - The purpose of this email
is to convey some vinal important details on this weekend's restoration
project....(more)
> 1/10/2012 - RESTORATION PROJECT (Bob Carter). This morning I had
the good fortune of meeting face to face with Ranger Jardine to discuss the
restoration of Grapevine. In summary......
(more)
>>1/9/2012 - MAKING DONATIONS (Bob Carter) This has evolved rather
quickly and we were not prepared for ondaitons and consequently, do not have
formal direction for doing so. I will flooow-uo on the 501c-3 Tax
Deduction details......(more)
>>LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN: Our Brothers and Sisters in the Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) in
coordination with the RAF has issued a CALL TO ACTION to all Backcountry Pilots and Enthusiasts for assistance in their efforts to bring Recreational Aviation to the attention of the Colorado BLM and include.....(more)
>> A Note from Mark Spencer, Arizona Liaison - Recreational Aviation
Foundation. I want to share some details
about the long term hopes for Grapevine. Our progress on Forest
Service Airstrips across the country, and now in AZ, has bee the result
......
(more)
>> Grapevine Work Party - January 14-15, 2012: Attached is a Flyer
for the upcoming Grapevine Work Party......(more)
(Flyer)
WANT TO MAKE A DONATION specifically to help APA maintain backcountry
airstrips? Any amount, large or small, helps and is appreciated.
Make checks payable to --
The Ariozna Pilot's Association
P.O. Box 61242
Phoenix, AZ 85082-1242
Make note on the check that it is a donation to help the Backcountry
Airstrip Project.
The following are the fly-ins tentatively planned for the 2012 season.
The destinations and dates may change. If you are interested in helping
coordinate any of these events, please contact Tommy Thomason or the contact
person(s) listed with each event. We are also trying to 'rate' the various
destinations according to runway conditions.
Level 1: non paved, occasionally maintained. 50+ feet wide, more
than 3000 feet long, firm surface, may have high density altitude.
Level 2: non paved, not regularly maintained, narrow (less than 50
feet), usually at least 3000 feet long, firm surface, may have some ruts or
wash outs, high density altitude.
Level 3: non paved, not maintained, narrow, short (typically less
than 2000 feet), rough, soft or sandy, runts, wash outs, obstacles (rocks,
bushes, trees, cactus, etc.)
4-Pillars Fly-in 2011
Back Country Fly-Ins for 2012
January 14, 2012 (CANCELLED) The
January Fly-In to Alamo Lake has been cancelled due to personal schedule
conflicts. Anyone still wishing to go and enjoy a great lunch at the
restaurant is certainly encouraged to do so.
February 11, 2012 - Pleasant Valley
(P48) Lake Pleasant. (Level1) Contact6 Bernie Gross or Tommy
Thomason. Back Country forums to include short and soft field
techniques, survival , mountain flying, etc.
April 14, 2012 - Superior, AZ
(E81) (Level 1) Contact Joe Monks or Tommy Thomason.
Fly-out lunch to Kearny, campout, history lesson from town mayor.
May 12,2012 - Grapevine, (Level 1)
We are still working on this one but have high hopes we will get
authorization to have the fly-in, picnic, camping, fishing, etc.
4-Pillars Fly-In December
17, 2011
NOTE: The Four Pillars fly-in is still on for this
Saturday the 17th of December. We will be making the final go no-go
decision today or tomorrow ( DECEMBER 14-15) depending on wx forecasts,
AZ BACKCOUNTRY FLYERS & ENTHUSIASTS
Due to the success of the Fly-In this last February, the
owners (Steve & Maria Voss) have agreed to let the
Arizona
Pilots Association (APA) host a second recreational
fly-in/campout at Four Pillars (AZ21). Tommy Thomason (T2) with the
assistance of Mark Spencer (RAF liaison) plan on serving a hamburger
lunch and your appetites are welcome...for a small donation. Refer
to the attached Flyer for additional details and if you plan to go,
please RSVP to help with lunch planning.
Mark and T2 will provide the latest in our efforts to open
airstrips on US Forest Service lands for public use, which include
PleasantValley,
Grapevine and Eagle Creek. All the aforementioned airstrips will
require Work Parties to restore the airstrips to a safe condition,
including a maintenance plan for their continuing use. You input and
assistance is valued in the planning and implementation of the
restoration and maintenance.
For your information, the following is brief outline of the
potential work required to restore Grapevine, which was recently
submitted to the Tonto
National Forest – Roosevelt District
Ranger for approval:
TIMELINE
CALL FOR
VOLUNTEERS - DECEMBER
i.Put out a call for Volunteers
ii.Build our Team of Volunteers and organize the
Work Parties
PLANNING
- JANUARY
i.Fly-Outs/Drive-Outs to the airstrip for Site
Investigations and Evaluations of the conditions
ii.Prepare a draft of the Scope-Of-Work for the
restoration of the airstrip including continuing maintenance for its
safe use and submit to USFS for approval
iii.Finalize the Scope-Of-Work and Continuing
Maintenance Plan for USFS approval
CONSTRUCTION - FEBRUARY
i.Finalize Work Party duties and responsibilities
ii.Prepare Construction Schedule
iii.Mobilize
iv.Complete the Work
INAUGURAL
FLY IN – MARCH OR APRIL
SUGGESTED WORK PARTY OUTLINE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
LOGISTICS
i.Auto & Aircraft Parking
ii.Food, Lodging, Camping
iii.Entertainment
iv.Clean-Up
CONSTRUCTION CREWS & EQUIPMENT
i.Grading & Drainage
ii.Grubbing
iii.Asphalt Sealing
iv.Landscape Restoration
1.trimming
2.seeding
3.Contours
v.Airport Specialties
1.Wind Sock
2.Segmented Circle
3.Edge Reflectors
4.Stripping including numbers, thresholds,
parking, centerline & etc.
vi.Non-runway Items
1.Fence Repairs at the perimeter of the airstrip
2.Existing Trail Restoration
3.Trail Markings, from the airstrip to points of
interest and Trail Identification
4.Signage
1.“Leave No Trace”
2.Airstrip Safety Guidelines
3.Airport Identification Sign
INAUGURAL
FLY-IN
i.Flyer
ii.Food, Lodging, Camping
iii.Clean-Up
CONTINUING MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
i.Regularly Scheduled Airstrip Maintenance
MASTER PLANNING (RAF Models)
IMPROVEMENTS
i.Toilet Facilities
ii.Campgrounds
iii.Tie-Downs
iv.Shade Structure
At this time, we are awaiting a response from the USFS.
Many have offered to
volunteer their time and resources for the restoration of Grapevine
and other airstrips. If you have an interest helping in any of the
airstrip restoration projects, please let either T2, Mark or myself
know.
We all look forward to seeing our family of AZ Backcountry
Flyers & Enthusiasts and sharing the joys of flying at the Four
Pillars Fly-In.
