Cleaning A Backcountry Airfield

Happy Monday!

Last week was a fast week.

A few trips to the Western Slope. Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta. Then two nights at the Marble Airfield for the RAF work party. I saw airplanes being made. Metal bent, formed, cast into shape. Built relationships with pilots from across the State and slept under the stars alongside the banks of the Crystal River.

Let's dive in.

Following last week's introduction at the Grand Junction Regional Airport board meeting, I toured Spirit Engineering's manufacturing facility.

Aircraft engineer Lafe Wood warmly greeted me. Another gentleman joined us; Larry had just secured a serial number for the SE-1, Spirit's single-seat aircraft.

A row of polished silver vintage single-engine airplanes parked outside a long hangar, mountains in the distance.

It was awesome to see manufacturing in action. People on the assembly line. Large industrial-grade equipment. American ingenuity at its finest.

Two men examine a small aircraft engine with a wooden propeller, mounted on a stand in a workshop.

The Weekend

Animated clip of a man in a dark polo shirt standing on a television studio stage.

I went to Marble. One of my favorite places on Earth. Volunteered at the Recreational Aviation Foundation's first annual work party.

Roughly ten planes flew in. Folks from all over the state.

Animated clip of a grassy mountain airstrip bordered by pine forest.

Corporate jet pilots. Semiconductor engineers. Military veterans. It was a wonderful group.

We cleaned up the airfield. Thinned the sprouting willows encroaching on the runway.

A selfie on a grassy backcountry airstrip, with a group of volunteers and a utility vehicle behind.

Removed a tree that was out of place.

Volunteers beside a utility vehicle loaded with cut tree trunks and branches, mountains behind.

And enjoyed family meals at the only spot in town.

A group gathered at a long wooden table under a patio umbrella outside a restaurant, with a dog nearby.

I also witnessed a plane crash - first for me.

The pilot, the only man on board, was able to walk to the ambulance with some assistance.

It was a terrible accident that ended in the best way possible.

No serious injuries. No spark. No fire.

It's not often we find ourselves in potentially catastrophic situations.

But the way the group came together, without hesitation, to get him out of the aircraft and to safety was a moment I will cherish forever.

I share this because we need to understand the risks we're dealing with.

I'm not talking about numbers on a screen. I'm talking about when a massive hunk of metal crumples like a paper airplane.

Grateful for the opportunity to join this group.

Thank you, Sue, Ken, the RAF, the town of Marble, Slow Groovin' BBQ, and the Walton family for being such wonderful hosts.

Godspeed.

Animated clip of a small high-wing airplane parked on a grass airstrip in a forested valley.

P.S. I’m looking to connect with seasoned commercial RE developers.
Please message me if this is you!