Archive for February 2025
Tech Volunteer Steve was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio just an hour from the birthplace of aviation. He fell in love with airplanes at an early age and has been flying ever since. That passion grew exponentially when he landed off-airport in a tailwheel airplane for the first time and discovered the world of backcountry aviation.…
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about how we get so much done at the RAF. It all starts with building a relationship. Relationships truly make things happen. What you’ll note generally about a strong relationship is that it’s built on a shared personal connection. Not one designed to drive clicks, but rather one that…
California State Liaison Douglas Lumgair grew up in San Diego with summers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where his great love for the outdoors took shape through backpacking, fishing and horsemanship. “At age 17, I set out across the country and Alaska, working various jobs and building real-world experience,” he says. By his mid-20s, with some…
From flying in and helping build amenities at Ryan Field, MT, to flying delivery missions for projects at Forest Service airstrips in Idaho, RAF Supporter Robert Miller’s contributions to the RAF over the years have been many. Robert Miller was raised “one ridge over” from Charleston, West Virginia’s airport, close enough that he was one…
The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day period to receive public input on a proposal to re-open 2,500 feet of the dirt Taylor Flat Airstrip. The comment period ends April 3, 2025. The airstrip lies outside the Green River Wild and Scenic River corridor and the right-of-way would allow public aviation use for 30…
The Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina was the site of a very special RAF work party March 3-4 to assemble a colossal RAF Fire Hub. The crew of around 20 included Triple Tree Aerodrome founder Pat Hartness and local Triple Tree volunteers, RAF Chairman John McKenna, and RAF volunteers from as far as Florida, West Virginia…
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 Nadeau, one of the RAF’s RUS Liaisons and a longtime RAF supporter. When Opportunity Knocks, Open the Door – Better Yet, Knock First – Opportunity Ma
Volunteers from Utah Back Country Pilots, (UBCP) recently made the effort to fly in to Ibex-Tule Valley Hardpan dry lake bed after learning that visitors had left a mess. The area is popular for primitive camping and is accessible by car. The volunteer pilots spent two days refurbishing the area, and removed two old ve
The RAF Board naturally evolves, and at this time, we are celebrating the extraordinary contributions to the vision, leadership, and success of the RAF provided by retiring Directors Pete Bunce and Todd Simmons. “The impact that Todd and Pete have had with the RAF has been tremendous, and they’ll remain valued friends
Did you know that the RAF is a Delta SkyMiles for Business member? This means that when you book a ticket on Delta, the RAF can receive points for your travel. It does NOT affect any of your SkyMiles or other bonus programs. It is purely a benefit to the RAF. We can redeem the…
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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…
