Archive for 2025
The RAF has some remarkable friends, and among them was long time generous RAF supporter Charlie Kuyk, retired USAF Major-General. Folks may remember that Charlie and USAF Colonel and NASA Astronaut Frank Borman were good friends, dating back to their time together at West Point in the late '40s. Charlie went into bombers, and Frank went into fighters, but they stayed fast friends through their lives. Frank passed away in 2023 in Billings, MT, and we regret to report that Charlie passed away this December in Gig Harbor, WA, at age 99½. “We were fortunate to reunite these two a couple of times as they told stories of their lifetimes, with then-RAF Director Pete Bunce graciously acting as moderator,” RAF President Bill McGlynn said. “The joke was that everyone understood why Charlie became a three-star general, while Frank remained a colonel. Frank's retort was that he logged more flight hours than Charlie by flying around the moon.” Charlie had an amazing 36-year military career spanning the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base and an Air Force Wing Commander, and a general officer in the R&D division of the Air Staff at the Pentagon, where he oversaw the development of the Cruise missile systems and stealth aircraft technology. “Most importantly, Charlie stood out as a good friend and an avid aviator, never losing his enthusiasm to climb into airplanes like ours, and go fly with someone,” McGlynn said, adding, “Blue skies and tailwinds, Charlie. You are remembered fondly.” By Carmine Mowbray Submitted December 31, 2025.
When RAF friends gather around the fire hub at an airfield, there’s always a good story to be told. We have brought that love of storytelling into digital format with RAF Podcasts, and hope you enjoy hearing the variety of perspectives shared on the topic of recreational aviation. Each podcast is hosted by RAF President Bill McGlynn, whose easygoing interviewing style naturally brings out some wonderful stories from our interviewees. Enjoy listening on theraf.org under the News tab, or search for “The RAF and Backcountry Flying” on your favorite podcast app, such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts . Submitted December 31, 2025.
For the sixth year, our friends at Hartzell Propeller have generously extended their popular $1,000 discount for RAF supporters on four backcountry propellers designed for short takeoffs, climb-out power, and short landings in rugged environments. In addition, Hartzell contributes $250 to the RAF for each new Hartzell prop sold due to this special offer now through 2026! “We are so very proud to continue our support for the RAF and backcountry flying,” said JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell Propeller, a Signia Aerospace company. Hartzell Propeller is a global leader in advanced aircraft propeller design and manufacturing. With more than a century of experience, the company designs next-generation propellers with innovative blended airfoil technology. “We love this partnership. It’s a real benefit to current RAF supporters, and a welcome incentive to becoming an RAF supporter,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said. Details on the four propellers can be found here . “Hartzell Propeller’s ongoing commitment directly benefits pilots and helps protect the airstrips that make backcountry flying possible. This is a win for the entire aviation community,” McKenna added. Submitted December 30, 2025.
It’s flying season in Florida, and with mild seasonal temperatures and plenty of clear weather, it’s the perfect time to visit Blackwater Airfield, 8FD3 near Munson, FL. About 39 nm northeast of Pensacola, you can roll out on the smooth 4,000-ft turf airfield in the peaceful mixed pine State forest near Krul Lake Recreational Area. For years, the RAF has been especially proud of the many improvements brought about by hardworking volunteers with the help of RAF grants. Dedicated volunteers have worked together to preserve and improve this destination in cooperation with the Florida Department of Forestry. A scenic trail off the south end of the field takes you to 6.5-acre spring-fed Krul Lake for a refreshing dip. Wander a bit farther along the Sweetwater trail to the Sweetwater suspension bridge. Keep going eastward another hour to 107-acre Bear Lake, where a well-maintained trail circles the lake. To facilitate “leave no trace” use, you’ll find dumpsters in the campground. History buffs might enjoy exploring the nearby historic grist mill and Frick sawmill. As the sun dips low, your campfire comes to life, and so might the camaraderie with any others camped there. People gather for friendship and flying stories, and sometimes acoustic music breaks out beneath the starlight. If you happen to have your instrument, you’d be invited to join in! A team of RAF and other local volunteers recently spent a weekend refreshing the amenities, barbecue grills, and runway markings. “Arriving in twenty-one aircraft, it was an impressive turnout and a testament to the draw of Blackwater Field and the RAF community,” RAF Florida Ambassador Shane Hartman said, adding, “The sense of community that defines the RAF was on full display. From shared meals and campfire conversations to new friendships and lasting memories, Blackwater Field once again proved why it is such a special place.” For more information about Blackwater, and the required pre-arrival permission and safety briefing, see the Airfield Guide. By Carmine Mowbray Submitted December 29, 2025.
At about this time, every year, we have this conversation at the RAF about what our year end letter (code for asking for your financial support) should say to you, and about the RAF and the accomplishments of the past year.
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 guest editorial is by Stef Goza, a pilot and an RAF Alaska liaison.
Bill credits aviation for much of his success in business and the ability to serve his companies and family. What began in a Champ, and a Tri-Pacer owned by five people, turned into what Bill calls, “a key business tool” in which he accumulated 9,000 hours – in a Cheyenne, a Pilatus, and a TBM, where ninety-five percent of his flying was for business. “My retirement enabled me to recall ‘Why I Learned to Fly’, a slogan from an old RAF video.” Bill’s son, Patrick, purchased the C185 they now share. “While attending a business function, some associates arrived in corporate jets. As they joined up on the tarmac, the jet pilots gathered around Patrick’s 185, and one of the passengers asked, ‘What’s special about this?’ No explanation needed for this RAF audience,” Bill says. “My involvement in the RAF is, in a partial way, repaying the rewards aviation has endowed me with. Having been involved in many worthwhile nonprofits, this is one where financial support is only part of the picture. Physically participating in great projects that have a lasting effect, with good people, returns a great personal benefit,” he says. “My only regret is that I wasn’t there at the start.” Bill and his wife Jane are privileged to be able to split time between their long-time home in eastern Nebraska and Scottsdale, Arizona. While still serving on several boards, he enjoys golf “about every third shot,” biking, cars, and reading, but always looks forward to the time he can be involved in the RAF. “It’s flying with a purpose,” he adds. Bill can be reached at bdugan@theraf.org
A Christmas gift of flight lessons from his parents started Scott Anttila’s aviation journey in 1985. “I learned at Johnson Field, a small grass strip tucked into the woods in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and that early exposure to simple backcountry flying stuck with me,” Scott says. Growing up in the U.P., he spent a lot of time outdoors and found that flying was another way to get to the places he liked to explore—especially the ones most people never saw. As he earned more ratings and eventually moved to the Detroit area for work, Scott realized he needed a way to stay connected to northern Michigan. He bought an airplane and used it to get back to the smaller airstrips and lake country he enjoyed. Along the way, he also flew gliders out of Frankfort, soaring along the Sleeping Bear Dunes and towing sailplanes over the Great Lakes. “Those flights gave me a different appreciation for the landscape and made me even more interested in the small, out-of-the-way airports scattered around the state,” he says. Visiting those kinds of places, Scott first came across the Recreational Aviation Foundation. He started using RAF-supported airstrips both inside and outside Michigan. “I noticed how well-kept they were and how much access they opened up,” he says, adding, ”Over the years, I’ve watched a number of grass strips close, which made the RAF’s mission feel especially important to me. Maintaining these airstrips keeps aviation connected to the outdoors and makes it possible for more people to reach the quiet, remote areas that inspired me to fly in the first place.” Scott joins the other two RAF Michigan Liaisons, General Grant and Tanmoy Ganguly. He can be reached at santtila@theraf.org . Submitted December 11, 2025.
“The word that comes to mind when I think of our second Walker Ridge work party is magical,” RAF California Liaison Doug Lumgair said, "even though it started off again with a truck stuck in the mud.” Volunteers began arriving Friday afternoon in a tailwheel Rans, a Super Cub, and Lumgair in his Cessna 170. A pickup with a big dump trailer brought the Polaris Ranger, and more pickups arrived. The runway surface posed major problems with boulders protruding from the surface. Everyone was eager to get started with pry bars and remove them. Once they fired up the generators to power the hammer drills, they discovered that this was the best method for attacking the rocks below the surface and breaking them up into pieces that they loaded into the trailer for removal. “At times, it felt like we had taken on an impossible task. But with steady work and persistence, by afternoon, we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Lumgair said. In the Friday evening fire circle, they made new friends while sitting around a propane fire pit that had been cleverly transformed into a radiant heater by placing a washing-machine drum over it. Walker Ridge lies in a dark-sky area. Before the full supermoon rose, Lumgair said they could see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The campsite at the south end of Walker Ridge has a gorgeous view of the valley, and the view became “even more breathtaking as Central Valley tule fog filled the valley and the supermoon lit the fog, creating a shimmering white lake.” Lumgair said. Saturday morning, two crews quickly organized with hammer drills, and others began cutting brush along the runway edges. Volunteers had already removed what Lumgair called an incredible amount of brush during their first work party, but Saturday, they hauled out twelve more trailer loads. Late on Saturday, they had enough time to work on the rock outcroppings in the south turnaround area as well. "It was amazing that we were able to cut and haul so much brush and break down rocks and fill the resulting holes—all in one steady, hard-working day. Thank you very much to everyone for supporting the RAF in so many ways,” he said. Some stayed Saturday night to enjoy another beautiful evening. Work remains, and Lumgair is planning more work parties in the coming year to complete further improvements, some of which will require additional approval from the BLM. “Please let me know if you get up there this winter. I’d love to hear your thoughts and see any photos of your experience, Lumgair added. Doug Lumgair can be reached at dlumgair@theraf.org . Submitted December 11, 2025.
Chris Nugent, Arizona Pilots Association President, calls himself a “lifelong aviation geek” and has the CV to show it. He’d flown a J-3 in high school, then laid aside his flight aspirations for family and his demanding career. His aviation experience spans from simple stick and rudder, a glider rating, to building parts for Mars Rovers and Apollo launch vehicles during a 40-year career in aerospace engineering, including two decades at the Naval Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland. He retired after serving as chief engineer for Pacific Scientific in Phoenix, building inertial reels, restraint harnesses, and explosive devices for ejection seats. His wife then encouraged his own aviation journey with a gift of five flight training hours. When Chris entered the flight school, he spotted a Carbon Cub, and said to his instructor, “Let’s fly that instead of the Cherokee!” That preference led him to his embrace of everything the RAF does to preserve places a Cub might fly. Chris’s wife supported his decision to buy a Carbon Cub, and he never looked back with longing for anything else. “Experimental is the way to go,” he says, adding, “I don’t need permission to perform maintenance.” He also got his glider rating, since Arizona is the ideal place for training. Now his grandson is pursuing that rating, “A good foundation for tailwheel flying,” Chris added. Engaging with the Arizona Pilots Association and the RAF deepens his aviation interests, and he pitches in on the collaborative work parties. “We just had a maintenance weekend at Grapevine. It was really productive,” he said. Thanks to RAF Arizona Liaison Mark Spencer and Tommy Thomason, who built a great working relationship with the US Forest Service, the District Ranger approves these volunteers to maintain the strips, saying, “Let us know if you need anything.” Chris was pleased with the RAF's work to organize a necessary architectural study for the bunkhouse at Double Circle Ranch, another USFS strip. Following the study, work will be planned to preserve the structure for pilots’ overnight use. Chris finds joy in more than flying and working together. He is serving as APA President, and is especially proud that since its founding in 1978, the membership has funded significant scholarships for dozens of young people interested in flight and aviation maintenance. Just this year, members contributed enough for ten $3,000 awards. APA also has a dedicated backcountry committee that works hard statewide to preserve its recreational strips."We are grateful for our relationship with the RAF, which is awesome,” he says. In October, Chris attended an RAF educational conference in Silver City, New Mexico, and said, “I was impressed with the RAF's leadership and their commitment to the mission. It’s a good model to follow.” “I’d rather spend more time on scholarships and backcountry stuff,” he says, but he is also working hard to push back on proposed landing fees at Falcon Field, where he keeps his Carbon Cub and the J-3 he flew in high school. He also joined the MOSAIC initiative to broaden Sport Pilot privileges and expand Light Sport Aircraft size, weight, and speed specs. If you see Chris at one of his many aviation engagements, be sure to thank him for his devotion and advocacy to further both the RAF and APA missions. By Carmine Mowbray Submitted December 15, 2025
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At this time of year we are reminded of those who have given so much, so that we and future generations may share the experiences that matter to people like us—a flat place to pitch your tent, a pilot shelter to get out of the weather, or a fire ring to share a beverage and a story with friends. We have all been the benefactor of someone else's generosity which has enriched our lives in the backcountry; that vault toilet didn't place itself, and neither did the firewood. It's a good reminder that we all have opportunities to pay it forward. Like many people, you may be considering year-end charitable contributions. From a one time or recurring gift, to IRA/401k Qualified Charitable Distributions and donations of publicly traded stock, there are several planned giving options to help your gift also benefit you financially. You may not be aware of a new opportunity this year: Those who use the standard deduction (like most taxpayers) can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for couples) for their direct donation to the RAF, without itemizing. This gives everyone a charitable giving tax-advantage, not just high-income donors who itemize.
Cody Koch grew up in Truckee, California, where he developed a love for aviation and the outdoors at a young age. Growing up around airplanes and flying with his dad sparked his interest in becoming a pilot. He went on to earn his Private Pilot Certificate while still in high school and is now studying aviation at Gallatin College through Montana State University, working toward additional ratings with hopes of pursuing a career in aviation. Outside of flying, Cody enjoys camping, off-roading, and just about anything that gets him outdoors. Music is also a big part of his life, whether he’s playing it himself or catching a live show. He has always enjoyed working with his hands and has a particular passion for working on the cars passed down to him by his grandfather. One of Cody’s longtime dreams is to own a Super Cub and explore the backcountry by air. He hopes to one day visit some of the remote airstrips that the RAF works to protect and is glad to be part of an organization that helps keep these places accessible to pilots. Submitted on November 3, 2026
Did you know the RAF can earn Delta rewards when you fly, without affecting your personal SkyMiles or other rewards? Simply add the RAF to your Delta SkyMiles account as your business loyalty program. The RAF will earn points on eligible flights, which we can use for travel to RAF events and other benefits. You keep all your personal SkyMiles! Step 1: Add the RAF to Your SkyMiles Account You only need to do this once. We recommend using Delta.com in your web browser, rather than the Fly Delta app. Log in to your SkyMiles account at Delta.com . Under your Name in the top right corner, select Profile . Under My Profile , select Other Loyalty Programs . Find Business Loyalty Programs , click +Add under Business Travel Program , and select Delta SkyMiles for Business . Enter the RAF's loyalty number, US0056924 , and click Save . Step 2: Select "Business" Before Booking Each time you log in to Delta.com, select "Business" when prompted. This allows the RAF's loyalty number to automatically populate on the Passenger Info page when booking your flight.
The RAF is proud to have become stewards of a very special fly-in destination in western Maryland, along the North Branch of the Potomac River. The RAF has just registered it with the FAA, and you’ll now find High Rock Airfield, 68MD, on your chart. When you think of Maryland, maybe the Star-Spangled Banner comes to mind, or midshipmen on the Annapolis parade grounds. But anyone who’s flown around the state will know why it’s called “America in Miniature.” Within an hour and a half C182 flight from High Rock, one could see diverse geographic contrast between rustic hamlets in the forested ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains, the spreading grid of urban Baltimore, and Maryland’s 4,000 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline. You’d also experience Maryland’s varied climates, from cooler mountain conditions in the west to warmer, more humid conditions near the coast. High Rock’s 1,700-ft turf airfield offers a backcountry setting less than 100 nm from a region with over 10 million residents. As impressive as the solitude, the setting offers visitors its aviation heritage, thanks to the late Robert Armstrong. Pilots “Bob” and his father Harold collected and restored vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship, including a “Lindy Award” at EAA’s AirVenture for their Aeronca Champ restoration. It was Bob’s wish to preserve the airfield for future generations of aviators to enjoy camaraderie in this sylvan setting. High Rock airfield is named after a nearby overlook that rises 1,000 ft above the forest-lined airfield and offers afternoon shade. Visitors can camp near the river, and in season can angle for trout. Enjoy floating the river in your inflatable or SUP. Find more about High Rock Airfield and the required Safety Briefing in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
An extraordinary private airfield in Maryland has been generously gifted to the RAF by the late Bob Armstrong, honoring his family’s lifelong passion for aviation. High Rock Airfield lies within a sweeping bend of the North Branch of the Potomac River and brings another eastern US destination into the RAF’s Expanding the Map initiative. A true gem of the East, it offers a real backcountry experience just 85 nm northwest from where the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac in bustling Washington, DC. “We are humbled to have become the stewards of this special place, and will honor the Armstrong family’s legacy by creating a welcoming place to enjoy the fellowship of backcountry aviation,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. Bob and his father, Lt. Col. Harold Armstrong, were indeed passionate about aviation and based their multiple rare aircraft here. Bob was a lifetime member of the EAA, the Aeronca Club, AOPA, the QB Club, the OX-5 Organization, the Cumberland Soaring Group, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association. He and Harold collected vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship. One Aeronca Champ restoration won the highest “Lindy Award” honors at EAA’s AirVenture competition in Oshkosh.
