Christen Otto

Please welcome Christen Otto, who has been helping out with social media for several months!

Christen’s interest in aviation sparked early—first during a small airplane ride on a family vacation in middle school and later solidified when a high school friend flew her to Philadelphia just to grab a “Philly in Philly” (cheesesteaks). That sense of adventure led her to leave home at age 20, landing in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she took a job at a busy FBO.

While working there, she met her now husband, Trever, a licensed pilot working through his ratings at a local flight school. At the time, Trever owned a Grumman Yankee (AA-1A), and together they spent years flying throughout Florida and along the East Coast. After Trever was hired by Air Wisconsin Airlines, they moved to Virginia, where Christen worked in accounting and office management at a law firm for over a decade. During that time, they launched and ran a successful aircraft repossession business—an adventurous chapter in their journey. After the birth of their first child, they relocated to Trever’s home state of Wisconsin, where they now raise their two children,Tanner and Aislyn.

Over the years, Christen and Trever have owned and sold 14 different aircraft. Today, they’ve settled on two favorites: a Maule M5 and a classic 1940 Piper J-3 Cub. For the past seven years, Christen has owned and operated an aviation business specializing in logbook digitization and auditing, combining her professional background with her aviation passion. Her husband is a First Officer with Southwest Airlines. On warm summer evenings, she enjoys flying low and slow in the Cub with Trever—door open, soaking in the beauty of Wisconsin from their private grass strip. She also rides motorcycles and gravitates toward anything adventurous.

As a family, they love traveling in their Maule, often camping under the wing—from quick weekend getaways to cross-country adventures. One of their most memorable trips was a bucket-list flight from Wisconsin toIdaho’s Johnson Creek, with stops at several national parks along the way. Though not a licensed pilot, Christen enjoys taking the controls—and continues adding to her aviation story. She grew up in Maryland, surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay, where a love of water and boating first took root.

Christen can be reached at 
cotto@theraf.org.

Posted in Support Team


Recent Posts

February 5, 2026
Our RAF Beanie Collection is proudly made in Bozeman, MT by our friends at Sauce. Designed to keep you warm on cold days, these beanies are perfect for winter adventures like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and—of course—flying! Available in adult one-size-fits-all and kids’ sizes. Get your RAF Beanie today and stay warm wherever your adventures take you! We’re excited to feature Shayla Swanson, founder of Sauce, in our latest RIF RAF newsletter. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Shayla is a competitive Nordic ski racer who launched her beanie company in Bozeman after relocating to complete her education. Learn more about Shayla’s journey and the story behind Sauce here .  If you have questions, please email contact@theraf.org or call 406-582-1723. Your RAF Outfitter purchase is greatly appreciated and furthers the mission to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access. You can support the RAF mission all year by shopping at the RAF Outfitter online store. Products are being added regularly, and items are thoughtfully selected for durability and suitability for pilots, by pilots. We welcome photos of supporters using RAF gear! Please send your images to ewhite@theraf.org , and let us know if we have permission to post them on social media or our website. Submitted January 5, 2026.
By lellington February 1, 2026
Day Job: Restaurant Owner and College Student Favorite Airstrip: TIE SO FAR: Trigger Gap (17A) and John Harris Field (AR05) Next Adventure: Spring airplane camping in New Mexico
By lellington February 1, 2026
Day job: Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Calix, Inc. Favorite airstrip: Transylvania Community Airport (3NR3) Next adventure: Haven't flown out west since 2023, so that'll be my next flying adventure.
By lellington February 1, 2026
TN AMBASSADOR
January 29, 2026
Your RAF Directors met January 22-24 for their annual in-person board meeting in Bozeman, MT, with Director Bill Brine coming the farthest from his home on Martha’s Vineyard. Director Emeritus Alan Metzler of Pennsylvania attended, in spite of the heavy weather forecast in the Northeast. RAF Alaska Liaison Stef Goza attended, demonstrating the great distances these volunteers are willing to travel to be present. The RAF Board meets monthly, but this annual get-together allows time to explore opportunities in more detail, and set areas of focus. RAF Kansas Ambassador Bruce Latvala was elected as RAF Secretary, joining current RAF officers . Director Steve Taylor of the Seattle area is stepping down as an active board member, but will continue his wholehearted support of the RAF mission. This year’s meeting included special guests to discuss topics relevant to upcoming RAF initiatives. Director Emeritus Todd Simmons presented a new hub and spoke network of backcountry airfields in Tennessee, with the opportunity for RAF support. Director Matt Foster updated the group on the goals and responsibilities of the Safety, Education, and Etiquette (SEE) Committee. The board reviewed opportunities to support new airfield locations on both public and private lands; and were given a customary review of RAF financials. By Carmine Mowbray  Submitted January 29, 2026