Archive for January 2025
Washington State RAF Liaison Ray Ballantyne has secured another RAF grant, this one to help provide materials for a multi-purpose kiosk at Olympic Airfield between Port Townsend and Sequim, WA. RAF Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson aided by RAF Supporter Jay PerryCook, developed a prototype and budget for the kiosk, wher
Dave Schuler of Apgar, Montana, lives very near Glacier National Park’s West entrance, and within six miles of the RAF’s Ryan Field. He and his wife Cindy are some of the few folks who call it home year round, as it gets pretty quiet when the Park closes for the season and heavy snows blanket the forest.…
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 John Priscu, an RAF supporter and a Regents Professor Emeritus at Montana State University, Bozeman. Like many in General Aviation, I got the aviation bug in my…
The Bureau of Land Management issued their final decision on January 17, 2025, for Utah’s Henry Mountains Travel Management Plan (TMP), specifically naming thirteen airstrips as approved for recreational use. RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back Country Pilots Board Member Wendy Lessig has followed the lengthy planning proc
Tennessee Ambassador Day job: Corporate pilot at Rogers Group in Nashville Favorite airstrip: Sky Ranch TN98 Next adventure: Explore more airstrips in Tennessee/Falcon 2000LXS training in February
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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…
