PASSION NEEDS PERSISTENCE TO GET ANYWHERE

“Ambition is the path to success, but persistence is the vehicle you will arrive in.” William “Bill” Bradley, the former NBA star and US Senator from New Jersey said this. Substitute “Passion” for “Ambition,” and you’ve pretty well summed up the RAF.

Everything at the RAF starts with building a relationship. That relationship can be with another person, another organization, or even a place. And that can take persistence. You don’t have to dig too deeply to find examples of these kinds of relationships that make for the foundation of RAF success. Thanks to the relationships you’ve built, the RAF is the largest aviation organization dedicated to protecting the fun and unique places to fly all across this country. 

Almost daily, I hear a story or two about some random or planned activity that helps fulfill the RAF mission. Take Trigger Gap, 17A, near Bentonville, Arkansas. This place, and the people who have been a part of it since Day One embody Bill Bradley’s quote. An idea, fueled by passion –with a willingness to be persistent – turned a grassy hilltop into one of our country’s premier backcountry locations. A place open and accessible to anyone who takes a little time to learn about it, and considers their own capabilities.

The Trigger Gap volunteer team began by building an enduring relationship with landowner The Nature Conservancy. Along the way, they leveraged funds from the RAF, and partners Fly Oz, and persistently turned that hilltop meadow into the premier place it is today that many of us have experienced. You can read more about the Trigger Gap story in this month’s edition. The Airfield Guide is a great place to find its airfield information.

Other organizations ask us, “How do you do it?” I suspect they ask because it appears easy from the outside looking in. I can tell them the RAF story, but it would only make sense to them if they really understand that the RAF attracts the finest bunch of people that aviation has to offer.

What strikes me most about all the persistent groups engaged in the RAF mission, like these Trigger Gap volunteers, is that they deserve our support. They truly are making a difference, and I hope along with me, you can find a way to help out as well. For sure go visit Trigger Gap, and explore the many other RAF places we are proud of. And, if you have yet to become a financial donor to the RAF, I would hope you will consider doing so. And if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, then all you need to do is reach out and we will tell you how you too can help grow the mission of the RAF. 

So, with summer flying season on us, get out there and see what there is to see. Be mindful of others both in the air and on the ground, and above all, enjoy and be safe.

– John McKenna, RAF Chairman

Submitted on June 10, 2025.

Posted in News

Recent Posts

FINDING PURPOSE IN THE EFFORT

April 9, 2026
“The only people who can change something are the ones who really want to. And not everybody does.” When I read this, it took me back to the early days of the RAF. We saw a troubling trend taking place — the loss of airstrips across the country with no real organized voices to help put the brakes on the decline. And we really wanted to change that. Change demanded new ideas from us. Ideas that we assumed would initially be resisted. This defined our purpose. Good ideas come with the burden of effort and purpose. That separates those with a strong purpose from those without. We wanted to create an organization that would counteract the attrition of backcountry airstrips we saw taking place. We rolled up our sleeves and didn’t look back. Easy to say now that the RAF was lucky, but it was purpose that drove the organization in the early years; that really formed who we are today. A group of people with a purpose who knew we needed more people who thought like we did, and cared; people who took this idea called the RAF and added to it, keeping it unique but effective. We felt that most of the existing business models in the nonprofit space were not what we needed to be, and we pushed forward persistently with our thinking – thinking that required putting our own personal desires aside and pursuing ones that were for a greater good. You joined in. You, too, found purpose in the RAF and now look where we are. Nearly 15,000 of us are making the necessary sacrifices to make our voices heard, to create a better environment for the future of recreational aviation. We have more opportunities today because of you. Each one of us is important to continue the momentum we have gained. To determine what the RAF can do to further our mission to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access. To prioritize the many opportunities coming our way. It is about us, and what we are going to do with the time we have left on this earth. This organization will hopefully give you purpose now and in the future. Most importantly, I really hope it will give you as much sense of accomplishment as it has me. Thank you for what you continue to do. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted April 15, 2026

RAF OUTFITTER APRIL FEATURED COLLECTION

April 5, 2026
FEATURING: THE RAF DOG COLLECTION MODELED BY JOSIE & MUD Outfit your four-legged co-pilot for every adventure! From airplane rides to backcountry trails, this collection has everything they need to travel in comfort and style. Featuring two new additions—a stainless steel Orvis dog bowl and DawgMuffs—alongside RAF favorites like the collar, leash, and bandana. This collection includes items designed and created by RAF supporters. Shop the Dog Collection 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 April 5, 2026.

KELLI GANT

April 3, 2026
Call To Action Volunteer

TIME TO REVIEW AIRSTRIP SAFETY BRIEFINGS

March 30, 2026
As you're planning your 2026 flying adventures, remember to review safety briefings for the airstrips you plan to visit. The RAF strongly recommends you review safety briefings and print a copy to have in your airplane - it's even required to fly into some airfields, like Ryan Field (2MT1). For those airfields, pilots flying in are required to review the briefing on an annual basis, and now is the perfect time to catch up on any changes to the runway/area that happened throughout the winter. You can find safety briefings on the RAF Airfield Guide . If an airfield in the Airfield Guide has a required briefing, the airfield listing will clearly indicate it and have a tab to view the briefing. Submitted March 30, 2026 Photo By Jim Stevenson

RAF VOLUNTEERS BEGIN TO RESTORE HISTORIC RANGER AIRFIELD HANGAR

March 30, 2026
RAF Texas volunteers and Ranger Airfield Foundation volunteers helped begin restoration of the historic 1928 Ranger Airfield hangar on March 28. “A Wright biplane landed here at the field in 1911, and people have been using it ever since,” Ranger Airfield Foundation Founder Jared Calvert said. He noted that Amelia Earhart landed there in a Pitcairn Auto Gyro. Richard Bach, Pancho Barnes, and General Patton also landed at the field. It’s the oldest continuously used turf field in Texas.