Archive for August 2024
RAF Connecticut Liaison Brian Thomas reports on a successful work party at Goodspeed, 42B over the August 24-25 weekend. Thomas used an RAF grant for materials for campground improvements. “On Saturday morning at 10 we had a great turnout of about twelve to fifteen folks who were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and had co
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 Clay Simmons, a young pilot and member of the RAF’s Backcountry Etiquette Team. I’m supposed to be the adult now? When I say I’ve been flying my…
Located near the San Juan Islands between Port Townsend and Sequim, Washington is privately-owned Olympic Field, WA45 – what RAF Washington Liaison Ray Ballantyne calls, “an exquisite grass runway 2,500 feet long, bordered by an equally long float pond for float equipped aircraft.” To improve the camping area at the ai
Philipp Kureck of Bavaria got his Private license at age 19. To follow his dream to make a career of flying, he decided to build hours in the US where flying is more affordable, and he could land and camp under a wing. His solo adventure in a rented C172 began with a flight in…
Located in the Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon, the Rager Ranger Station has a 2,800-ft gravel airstrip and scenic camping area. When the ranger station’s administrative functions were relocated to Prineville, OR in 2013, the airstrip, constructed in the 1930s, had become hazardous due to encroaching brush, su
Day job: Airline Pilot Favorite airstrip: Moose Creek Next adventure: A flight out to Middlegate, Nevada for lunch
Day job: Flight Nurse Favorite airstrip: Fireweed, AK Next adventure: Flying around the Tordrillos
Pat Hartness laid aside his logbook at age 75 after a remarkable life in aviation.“It was the perfect opportunity to start driving a tractor and still stay actively involved in aviation,” he says. It opened a new chapter of his passion to inspire others. After 8,000 VFR hours in everything from PiperCubs, an AirCam, St
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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…
