Archive for August 2022
Lisa Ballantyne married into a flying family and earned her private pilot’s license in 1977. She flew a Piper Tomahawk until it was sold in preparation for a move to Alaska in 1980. Once in Alaska and since that time, husband Ray Ballantyne (WA Ambassador) has done all the flying in the various planes they…
West Virginia Ambassador Day Job: C-17 Pilot West Virginia Air National Guard Favorite Strip: High Rock, MD Next Adventure: Somewhere in Montana and Idaho
The improvements continue at Illinois’ Havana Regional Airport, 9I0. RAF Illinois Liaison Mike Purpura worked with the local airport authority, and local EAA Chapter 1420, and with leverage from an RAF grant, made this multi-year effort possible. In addition to the new four-season men and womens’ shower/restroom facility, a patio seating area and RAF fire…
On Monday September 19, 2022 Wakulla County Commissioners are expected to effectively close the Wakulla County airport by terminating the Airport license. This will result in the loss of Wakulla’s only public use airport. Once it’s closed it’s lost forever, a loss to Florida and all pilots who enjoy flying to this Florida airfield near Panacea, FL with nearby Gulf fishing, boating,…
The BLM has begun the Public Scoping process to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Utah’s Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument (GSENM). The BLM scoping process is to gather topics that the public thinks should be considered in the EIS and RMP. Your help is needed to encourage the…
California Ambassador Day Job: General Counsel for North America operations of a global semiconductor company. Favorite Airstrip: How can you ask that question?! I am constantly dreaming of every airstrip in the Frank Church Wilderness! Next Adventure: My next flying adventure is a return trip to Alaska for one month just flying and fishing with my wife…
RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton provided an update on the work that has been accomplished at the airstrip and campground near Childs Glacier, where Clayton says, “You can see the glistening face of Childs Glacier and hear it. It’s always moving and you can hear popping, groaning, and booms like cannon fire. Of course, a highlight…
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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…
