RAFE June Newsletter
- Sandy Rusk
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
June is here, and RAFE has been busy!
As we move into summer, we are focused on keeping projects moving, improving communication, preparing for Oshkosh, and making it easier for members and volunteers to know how they can help.
RAFE only works because people show up. Whether someone is working on aircraft, organizing, sharing posts, bringing ideas, or just coming out to learn, every effort matters. Every person who gets involved helps keep these aircraft and this mission moving forward.
RAFE’s main goal is simple: To keep these aircraft flying!
Thank you for supporting our goal!
Hangar Activity
These are the best times for members and volunteers to come out, see what is happening, and get involved. RAFE’s regular activity days are:
Monday evenings
Wednesday evenings
Saturdays
We are working on making these days more organized and easier to follow so people know what is planned, who will be there, and where help is needed. If you take the time to come out, we want you to feel welcome and know how you can be useful.
There is always something to do. Some jobs are hands-on with aircraft, and others are things like cleaning, organizing, planning, helping with events, or keeping things moving behind the scenes.
Not everyone has to be a pilot or mechanic to make a difference. RAFE welcomes all!
Beaumont Canard Base Update
There has been progress at the Beaumont Canard Base!
RAFE has acquired another hangar, which gives us more space and more flexibility for aircraft preservation and restoration work.
The hangar door repairs have been completed, which was an important step in keeping the space usable and secure.
Work is also continuing on the Solitaire in preparation for Oshkosh. The gas shock has been removed, and we are currently working on getting the correct replacement part.
Aircraft preservation is not always glamorous, but it is always important.
Formation Training Weekend
One of the things we would like to host this summer is a formation training weekend.
RAFE’s main goal is to fly. The restoration, preservation, maintenance, organizing, fundraising, and volunteer work all support that bigger goal: keeping these aircraft active, visible, and in the air.
A formation training weekend would give us a chance to bring pilots together, build skills, and help keep the flying side of RAFE moving forward in a safe and organized way.
Oshkosh 2026 Theme
RAFE’s Oshkosh 2026 theme has been chosen:
RAFE Unlocked: The Hidden Joys of Canard Flight
This theme came from ideas shared by our volunteers and focuses on what makes Rutan aircraft so special to fly. The view, efficiency, stability, design, and the feeling that keeps owners and pilots hooked.
The “unlocked” concept gives us a fun way to create curiosity and answer the questions people ask when they see these airplanes.
"Why does it look like that?"
"What makes a canard different?"
"Why do owners love them so much?"
The overall message is simple:
There’s a reason Rutan owners smile when they talk about these aircraft. Come find out why.
This theme honors Burt Rutan’s designs, the history, and the restoration work, while putting the flying experience front and center. These aircraft are not just historic, they are exciting, efficient, capable, and loved by the people who fly them!
RAFE exists to keep that experience alive and unlock it for the next generation.
Marketing efforts for shirts, flags, social media, and other materials began last week.
Volunteer Spotlight
We are going to continue highlighting the people who help keep RAFE moving forward!
Volunteer Spotlight: Justin Gifford
Justin has an engineering background in both the aerospace/defense industry and as a quality engineer at a machined parts manufacturer for Space X. Justin has accumulated many volunteer hours at RAFE's Ellington base and now operates the Beaumont Canard Base. As the sole member at the Beaumont Canard Base, he recently acquired a second hangar and is doing extensive work to both, including conjoining the hangars.
He is the pilot sponsor for the 'Sid Tolchin' Long EZ, which currently lives at the Beaumont hangar, and is housing the Beaumont Cozy project, which was donated to RAFE as well. The Solitaire is also on site as maintenance is being performed in preparation for Oshkosh.
Justin's main focus in the group is helping with day-to-day administrative duties, event planning, advertisement design, photography/videography and social media.
----Thank you, Justin, for being part of RAFE and helping support the mission!
Come for the Canards, Stay for the Fun
RAFE promotes preserving, restoring, and flying Rutan aircraft, but our volunteers are what makes it special.
We take the mission seriously, but not every moment is serious. The best groups are the ones that have fun, and that is what we want RAFE to be... The 'Rutan Aircraft Fun Experience!' A place where people can learn, laugh, get involved, and feel like they are part of something worth showing up for.
Volunteer Communication
We are focusing on streamlining our communication with our members and volunteers.
We need a better way for members and volunteers to know when people will be at the hangar, what projects are happening, what help is needed, who is coordinating each area, how new volunteers can get plugged in, and what events or workdays are coming up.
We are looking at better tools and systems to help with this, including a volunteer management platform and a more consistent calendar process.
The goal is to make it easier for people to participate and easier for RAFE to keep everyone informed.
Good communication helps people show up, and showing up is what keeps RAFE going!
Membership Matters
Membership helps support RAFE’s mission and keeps people connected to what we are doing.
It is also one of the easiest ways to stay involved, attend activities, support the aircraft, and be part of the RAFE community.
If you know someone who loves aviation, experimental aircraft, canards, Rutan designs, or just wants to be part of something different, invite them to join.
Membership is only $35.
Looking Ahead
Over the next few months, we will continue working on better volunteer organization, clearer communication, more consistent activity days, event preparations, membership growth, fundraising opportunities, aircraft preservation and maintenance, formation training, sharing the Rutan story with more people, and most importantly, flying these amazing aircraft.
There is a lot to do, but there is also a lot of opportunity.
Thank you for being part of RAFE and helping keep this mission moving forward.
RAFE — Rutan Aircraft Flying Experience
The homebuilts that led to space!
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