RAF FEATURED SUPPORTERS: JULIE BOATMAN AND STEPHEN YEATES

Anyone whose pulse quickens at the sound of a pair of Pratt & Whitney radials can identify with the passion that lifts Julie Boatman into the sky for her profession and her pleasure.

Like the perfect pairing of wine and entrée, her husband Stephen Yeates complements her skills and drive with his own passion to nurture aspiring flight students. And they both feel the draw of a quiet mountain creek or meadow, and allow time for recreational aviation among the demands of their business. They both helped at RAF work parties at Moose Creek, ID, taking up the opportunity to arrive in Daher’s loaner Kodiak, Julie flying under the expert tutelage of JC Carroll in front of a full load of materials and crew supplies for the huge fence project. “We do other philanthropic flying, but those tend to be solo efforts. The RAF brings together pilots and enthusiasts,” Julie says. “The shared physical effort creates a camaraderie where you really learn about people.” Her thoughtful reflection on the spirit of the Moose Creek project appeared in the Dec 23/Jan 24 issue of FLYING Magazine.

Closer to their Hagerstown, MD home – an hour by 182 – is what Julie calls a hidden gem, Clarion County, PA, where she and Stephen also pitched in with other RAF volunteers to reclaim the woodsy camping area. Read Julie’s take on it here.

This couple met while on professional assignments in Singapore, and bonded shortly thereafter. But it could have been anywhere in the world — Lisbon, Bangkok, Hawaii, Paris, or the UK – while engaged in their respective aviation professions. Stephen was tapping into his ~25,000 flight hours flying for the airlines, training zero-time foreign students with ATP aspirations. Julie was working for Jeppesen on the other side of that training contract. Stephen says he was impressed with “this diminutive person with a big character,” and they discovered many shared passions, aviation topping the list. They recognized in each other the desire to give something as intangible as their time — vesting their love of flying, literally around the world.

“Even though aviation’s Lingua Franca is English, there are challenges teaching students for whom English is a second language,” Julie says. An early experience as a non-native speaker during a French horseback riding lesson, “. . . taught me empathy for students who are not native English speakers,” she said. It was a valuable life lesson she taps to this day.

Stephen says that his fulfillment comes when he hears from a former student who has achieved his or her aviation dream. Acknowledging that the United States is the world’s optimum place to pursue and practice aviation, Stephen pointed out the cultural challenges foreign students face, especially the young women. Julie added that the typical non-American student may never have driven a car and may lack that mechanical exposure. “You may be starting out from scratch,” she said.

They could pilot a wide range of aircraft, but Stephen and Julie have chosen to partner in an Air Cam. The open-cockpit twin has the same wingspan as a 182, but cruises at a third the speed. “It’s perfect for aerial photography,” Stephen says, the ideal platform for his pursuit of artistic expression.

They recently marked their tenth year as an indie aviation marketing and consulting enterprise, with JulietBravoFox Media. They are equal and complementary partners who serve their clientele with the energy of start-up entrepreneurs. “It’s the perfect gig in retirement,” Stephen says. Their slightly slower schedule allows them more volunteering opportunities, including RAF projects.

Back at home, they prefer shelter animals, and have taken into their hearts and hearth cats and dogs. Julie says much of her writing is inspired while she’s walking their current rescue, a senior Vizsla.

Julie’s work reveals her deep love and mastery of aviation, and her joy in “sharing and illuminating the stories” of the aircraft, and what impels people to fly them. You can find her stories and Stephen’s photography at JulietBravoFox Media.

She and Stephen have embraced “The RAF Way” and she says, “Getting something accomplished together then sitting around the fire, enjoying the great outdoors is quality time.” She elegantly and simply says it all: “The RAF is the sum of its hearts.”


By Carmine Mowbray

Submitted October 8, 2025

    Recent Posts

MARCEL LEBLANC

By lellington • September 15, 2026

DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR

By John McKenna • September 14, 2026
Sometimes one needs to look no further than one's incoming correspondence to find inspiration. Just this past week, folks passionate about the RAF mission reached out to me with suggestions that would bring resources to the RAF. Whether they be one-off items that we might offer, or events like large fundraisers, these folks are offering some thoughts on how we might continue to pay the bills. Additionally, we’re receiving word from folks with new destinations on their mind, and some pretty cool ones at that. Along the way, my inbox – as well as my calendar – is filled with updates on our Expanding the Map effort, with an emphasis on Fly Rocky Top. The Fly Rocky Top initiative in Tennessee is generating strong interest, and for good reason. It feels great. Folks are showing up to pitch in, with significant work projects planned. Trish and I, along with other board members, will be there to lend a hand to this exciting project. We are coming up on our annual year-end letter, which you will be seeing not long from now. In addition to showcasing a few more of our successful projects, we will be seeking your support. Stand by. I’ll wrap this up by letting you know that we could not be more pleased with how you all are doing your part. Thank you. It is so healthy to have an organization that uses passion as a primary energy source. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted September 14, 2026

GARRISON DAM RECREATIONAL AIRPARK IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE

September 11, 2026
“We had a busy day at Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark, as we continue to work on the underwing camping area,” RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau reported. Rau was awarded an RAF grant in spring of 2026 to convert an adjacent day-use park into an airport camping area, and had organized volunteers who began the project in May. The airport, 37N, is closed while the runway and taxiway are being upgraded by a contractor for the ND Aeronautics Commission.

PACK A TRASH BAG

By Stef Goza • September 9, 2026
You know the feeling. You set the airplane down somewhere spectacular, shut off the engine, and enjoy the pristine landscape in front of you. This is why you fly. Keeping airstrips pristine is everyone's responsibility. But one item that doesn’t always make it into the airplane is a good trash bag. Not for the trash you planned to make. For the trash you didn’t. Cans left in a fire ring, fishing line along the river, or food wrappers working their way through the brush. None of it came in your airplane, but you have the ability to get it out. That’s reason enough to tuck a couple of heavy-duty contractor bags in with your tie-down gear. They earn their space in other ways, too. A contractor bag can keep wet or muddy gear out of the baggage compartment, cover equipment in a downpour, collect rainwater, or become an emergency poncho or windbreak. It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little room. Throw a few in the airplane and leave them there. You may not need one for your own trash, but there is a good chance you’ll find another use for it—or find something worth carrying out. Submitted September 9, 2026 By Stef Goza, Etiquette Chair, Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee

VOLUNTEERS CLEAR WILLOWS, TREES FROM MARBLE AIRFIELD

September 8, 2026
RAF Colorado Liaison Ken Long, Ambassador Mike Langersmith, and other RAF volunteers participated in an August work event at Marble, Colorado, a mountain airfield about 20 nm up the Crystal River drainage south of Carbondale. Airfield Manager Susan Blue put together the task list and oversaw the event that brought 21 volunteers in ten aircraft and four dogs.