RAF FEATURED SUPPORTER: MATT RHOADES

Matt Rhoades caught the flying passion from his employer at Setpoint Systems Inc. who flew a Cirrus out of Centennial, Colorado. One day he picked up Matt and a colleague from their Scottsdale meeting and flew them to Las Vegas for dinner. “That planted the seed,” Matt says. “It’s one thing to land at McCarran in a 737 looking out the little window. It’s another thing to be in a Cirrus with a 360º view!”

In 2013, Matt transitioned to Meta (Facebook) in Prineville, OR. From his floor-to-ceiling office window he can watch operations at the airport, including the Forest Service initial-attack rappelling training from Sikorsky helicopters. After an introductory flight over Maui, that first entry in his new logbook inspired him to finish his PPL then fly the backcountry. Matt credits instructor Lee Smith for excellent training, as they experienced strips throughout Idaho’s backcountry including 1,500-ft Krassel USFS airstrip. “The pursuit is unique for everybody,” Matt says, “and when he signed me off, it was a big milestone for me.”



Having grown up in Colorado, Matt says learning to fly in the Oregon-Idaho region was equally beneficial. “We have a hyper diversity of environments. We have rocks, rivers, and terrain out here.” He says in his C182 he can be at the Oregon coast or Eastern Oregon in under an hour; Seattle or Reno in two hours. “Its a great place to live, a 200-mile radius is unbelievable.” He folds his bike and fits it perfectly in his 182. 

He dreams of flying commercially in Alaska, or maneuvering a turbine floatplane in the busy waters of metropolitan Seattle. “If all my dreams came true, I would be a DPE, doing check rides to pay the bills,” he adds.

When Matt learned of the aviation organization that helped a landowner open his private airstrip for public access, he was impressed. He learned of the Ryan Field fly-in where he met, “such a quality of people,” and offered to help by providing Facebook ad credits. He joined a work party at McKenzie Bridge organized by Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes. “This might be the best organization on earth for my interests,” he realized. He recognizes the impact of RAF efforts on national policy. “Thanks to every supporter who’s picked up a shovel, a pencil, or a dollar bill. This mission means everything to me.”

Another area where Matt contributes is on Pilots and Paws missions, organized by RAF Director Emeritus Jerry Cain. “He does a great job of pilot-minded planning,” Matt says. 

“I’m a big cyclist and outdoor enthusiast,” Matt says modestly, for a fellow who routinely logs 3,000-6,000 miles a year. “I am a firm believer that the best thing you can add to your airplane is a bicycle.”

Matt’s father was a commercially-rated pilot who’d ceased flying decades ago. Upon seeing Matt go through pilot training, it rekindled his passion. The elder Rhoades got re-current training and joined a flying club. They flew his club plane to Santa Fe for an AOPA fly-in, flew to the High Sierra, and attended AirVenture together. On reflection, Matt admits that before he started flying, he and his father didn’t realize they had much in common. “After 33 years of not having much to bond over, we’ve done some terrific things together,” Matt says.