Archive for May 2019
The RAF is primarily volunteer-driven, meaning your donations go directly toward on-the-ground projects that further the RAF mission to preserve, maintain, and create airstrips for recreational access. Volunteer RAF state liaisons identify projects, then apply for RAF funds. A grants committee – made up of State Liaisons, RAF members and an RAF Director – then reviews…
Your help is needed! Custer-Gallatin National Forest has released its Draft plan. The public comment period ends Thursday, June 6, 2019. This Forest encompasses more than three million acres in SW Montana and South Dakota. There are six mountain ranges within the Forest complex. Montana Liaison Ron Normandeau says this Draft “portrays a prejudice against…
Administrative Director Spending her childhood outdoors with family in the mountains surrounding Butte, Montana, Tricia learned all there was to know about setting up a tent, cooking over a campfire and enjoying sharing stories around the fire under the night sky. Aviation was not something she spent much time thinking about. Along came boyfriend John,…
Montana and Texas Ambassador Day job: Estate and business succession planning Favorite airstrip: Ryan Field. There are friends from around the the world at the fire hub after sunset, coffee at sunrise at the barn, and great backcountry flying minutes away! Next adventure: Big Bend, Texas, San Juan’s and Pacific NW A veteran of the US Air Force, after…
Illinois Ambassador Day job: Recently retired, I now have more time to fly. As a consulting forester in West Virginia most of the time since 1979, I’m now living in Southern Illinois and rediscovering my roots. Favorite airstrip: Oh so many to choose from! I enjoyed being based at Eastview (WV67) and flying into Sky Br
Kansas Ambassador Day job: Engineering Test Pilot at Textron Aviation (Cessna Aircraft Company) Favorite airstrip: That’s tough to narrow it down. I can only narrow it down to 3: Moose Creek, Idaho. Thomas Creek, Idaho. Flying B ranch, Idaho. Next adventure: Backcountry flying in Arkansas followed by a rock climbing
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John was blessed to have two neighbors with 1000s of hours in Cessna 185s, and obtained his private pilot license with their encouragement in 2013. They introduced him to the magic of backcountry Idaho and the amazing capabilities of a 185. He purchased his own at the Big Creek Lodge in 2014. John was introduced to the RAF in 2018, at a fly-out to Seeley Lake around AOPA’s Missoula fly-in, and a few weeks later at RAF’s fly-in at Ryan Field. He is a firm believer in the RAF’s mission. Without RAF’s advocacy, he fears the steady loss of precious resources. John retired from the Coca-Cola system in 2017 after 25 years of service. His career prior to Coke included five years in operations consulting with Booz Allen & Hamilton, and three years with Hewlett Packard in Boise, Idaho – where his love of the west was born. When not flying, John enjoys tennis, photography and woodworking – a skill he is actively applying to a new house he and his wife Blythe are building in Longboat Key, FL. His border collie, Tot (pictured here perched on her RTIC cooler throne), isn’t a fan of how loud a 185 is, but thinks Johnson Creek’s airstrip is the most amazing place to chase a frisbee on the planet. jhodgson@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
Liz grew up in Louisiana, but she has lived in Georgia with her husband, Mike, for the past 35 years. They have two grown sons, John and Will. Liz’s interests include reading, DIY projects, walking/hiking, hanging out with friends, and accompanying Mike on camping trips, fishing excursions, or flights in his Carbon Cub. She enjoys spending time at their lake house and especially at their home in Driggs, Idaho. Her favorite vacations usually involve a national park. ltouchstone@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
Ed wanted to fly as long as he could remember. Growing up as an “Air Force Brat,” his early life involved living on air bases, watching airplanes and living among Air Force pilots. His father flew P-47, P-38 and P-51 fighters in the South Pacific during the Second World War. Ed has enjoyed GA flying since getting his license to fly in 1977. He was exposed to and fell in love with backcountry flying only a few years ago. Among other airplanes, Ed has flown several types of backcountry planes. He currently flies a C182 King Katmai. Ed believes in the RAF and wants to do all he can to support the RAF Mission. ecooper@theraf.org Submitted October 30, 2025
Posted in Idaho Ambassador
Paul Kosubinsky’s logbook tells the story of his true love affair with flight – from the J-3 Cub to the Boeing 747. Though he’s flown many different airplanes, “My heart has always remained in the Cub,” he says. Paul has stepped up to take on the role of RAF Virginia Liaison and will team up…
