Archive for September 2024
Director Joe Brown spent 33 years in the aviation industry and in a family business with his father and brother. Until 2023, he and his brother owned Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Engine Technologies and Hartzell Aerospace Welding. His professional life, social life and family life are deeply connected to aviation, “and the friendships that unfold in…
October 1 is the first day of the 2024 Photo Contest! It’s time to submit your favorites. From October 1-31, send us your best photos of scenic, recreational airstrips. Again this year, we are including the “RAF Mission” category, for photos we feel best illustrate people enjoying recreational aviation, regardless of r
A group of volunteers flew in and camped at Ryan Field on the October 11-13 weekend to prepare the airfield, the cabins, bear boxes and barn for Montana’s winter. Nights were chilly and clear, making Northern Lights very visible. Daytime sunshine put fall colors on display, and made outdoor work very enjoyable. A hal
When Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher-Kodiak Aircraft, learned that a 350-pound 10-gauge steel bear box needed to be delivered to Montana’s Schafer Meadows, he enthusiastically offered to fly the mission in a Kodiak. His avid support stemmed from Daher Kodiak’s cordial relationship with the RAF, kindled in 2022. RAF Dire
AF Supporter Mike Kuefler reports that the new Pavilion at the St. Ignatius Airport is ready for use. Funded in great part by an RAF grant secured by RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower, the total cost of the 16 x 24-ft structure, including its central fire ring was $12,764. “It’s a flagship model timber frame…
RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig has been heavily involved in following and providing updates on Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) planning by the BLM. She submitted substantive comments on behalf of the RAF, and reports that the BLM released its final Resource Management Plan on August 30. The Bo
RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back Country Pilots Board Member Wendy Lessig reports that the BLM has issued the Henry Mountains draft Travel Management Plan for public comment, open through October 26. “There are 30 airstrips in the Henry Mountains, roughly one fourth of all of Utah’s airstrips on BLM land,” Lessig said. T
RAF Illinois Ambassador Dave Warner invited the Carbondale-based Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois, AASI to bring a selection of professional quality telescopes to privately owned Henderson Field, 95IL last year. “It was an easy sell, since we have such dark skies,” he said. “ Again this year, Warner organ
Another Spanish moss-draped oak-lined Georgia island airfield is being reclaimed from its fast-growing subtropical environment. Owners of Patterson Island airfield, G21 have already invested a huge effort reclaiming this overgrown 2,000-foot long runway that hadn’t been used in over a decade, “and have made it look lik
Volunteers gathered at California’s Lone Pine Death Valley Airport, O26 September 14-15 to paint the airport’s terminal building. RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov and RAF Nevada Ambassador Mike Bradford joined folks from Friends of Lone Pine Airport (FLPA), the non-profit group of local volunteers who recognize
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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…
