Archive for June 2023
Moose Creek Ranger Station is one of the oldest in the USFS at 102 this year. The short runway (04/24) at the Ranger Station turns 92 this year. The runways were created with heavy equipment brought in piece by piece and reassembled, but once the Wilderness Act was signed in 1964, mechanized equipment was no longer allowed.…
After an extended hiatus, the RAF Podcast is back! In Episode #12, RAF Liaison Al Clayton describes growing up in Alaska and opening a new airstrip adjacent to Childs Glacier on the Copper River.
Dan Prill of Sand Coulee, Montana, has interests as varied as the snacks aisle at your supermarket. From flying his Cessna 185 off his own airfield, to the slower pace of trolling for fish in his kayak. For many summers, Dan and his wife Margie flew their SuperCub on floats to his family’s rustic fly-in…
Each year, the Montana Pilots Association coordinates a work party with the US Forest Service at Meadow Creek airstrip, 0S1 above the South Fork of the Flathead River along the Bob Marshall Wilderness. MPA volunteers, MT Aeronautics staff, the occasional state aircraft and RAF volunteers mow the airstrip, tie-down and
Texas native John Cyrier became enamored with aviation at age 11, when his older brother flew him in a J3 Cub to a local airshow. He received his private pilot license shortly after graduating from Texas A&M University where he was in the Air Force ROTC and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. John currently owns…
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This month’s guest editorial is by Julie Boatman, the editor-in-chief for Flying Media Group. A Mountain Mentor: The RAF provides more than just support for our favorite places to fly. Moun
The RAF has added a new podcast about flying, airplanes, and how and why people bond with this organization. In podcast #12 you’ll hear host Bill McGlynn’s conversation with our first Alaska Liaison Al Clayton, native of Seward and raised along the famous Copper River. Find out if a glacier really does toss Copper Rive
“Since 1926, planes have been rolling on the grass at Waterbury. Through the hard work of many, N41 exists today and has earned its right to be preserved so that future generations of aviators can experience true grassroots aviation,” RAF Connecticut Ambassador Brian Thomas says. In that spirit, Brian applied for, and
RAF California Ambassador Alan Cossitt coordinated a successful work party on June 17 at Gravelly Valley Airport in the Mendocino National Forest. Volunteers helped to drag and smooth the gravel 4,000-ft runway. “A special thanks goes to Frank Aebly, District Ranger, for working with the RAF to make this happen,” Cossi
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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
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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…
