Archive for November 2022
Iowa State Liaison Ken spent his early years in western Kentucky and Tennessee where he learned the joy of outdoor activities from his father, uncle, and grandfathers. In 1994 he moved to Indiana and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University. Since 2002 Ken has lived in eastern Iowa and he is currently employed…
“We just concluded our phase two work party at Sacaton landing strip, and I think we are about ninety percent finished,” RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reported. Approval must come from the Glenwood District Ranger before Sacaton is open for general recreational use after decades of closure and neglect. As of now, u
“Fifteen volunteers braved hours of rutted out 4×4 roads to come help rebuild Chicken Strip in Saline Valley on November 5 and 6,” RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov reported. It’s ironic that an airstrip in the driest place in North America suffers occasional flooding, but a regional deluge in July created washou
Florida Ambassador Day Job: Fire Department Manager of Lifeguards / Student Favorite Strip: Any strip that has grass and a nice view Next Adventure: Instrument Flight training
RAF supporters with the popular O-470 model engine will be thrilled to learn that Hartzell Propeller has expanded the applicability of its popular three-blade aluminum Voyager props. The Voyager is now STC approved for Cessna aircraft powered by Continental 470-A (s/n 41000 and higher) -J, -R, and -S engines. This incl
Not everyone could get volunteers to show up for outdoor work on a Wisconsin airfield on the windy shores of Lake Superior in December. But RAF Director Jeff Russell and Wisconsin Liaison Amanda Levin were successful gathering a dozen folks who cheerfully helped take on maintenance and improvements at Cornucopia, inclu
RAF Georgia Ambassador and Bonanza pilot Eric Davis and his father Gary evaded poor flying weather and made the four-hour drive and boat ride into Creighton Island in October to make a variety of improvements to the unique fly-in island setting. They have proven to be a multi-skilled “dynamic duo” when it comes to upke
“I’ve had a lot of good fortune,” RAF Supporter Bob Rose says of his career path. Rather than be drafted and sent to Vietnam, Bob applied for pilot training in his hometown of Syracuse Air National Guard unit and was selected for a year of active duty at Laughlin AFB in Texas for Undergraduate Pilot…
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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…
