RAF ADDS NORTH CAROLINA LIAISON WILL RICHTER

The RAF warmly welcomes Will Richter to the State Liaison team.

Will Richter began his aviation journey in the midst of his law enforcement career when he had an opportunity to try out for the Greenville, South Carolina Sheriff’s Air Support Unit. He spent the next seven years flying co-pilot on a Bell OH-58 patrol helicopter. As time and finances allowed, Will pursued his sport pilot license flying Weight Shift Control (WSC) trikes, as well as earning his private and instrument ratings in fixed wing aircraft, and a commercial UAS pilot certificate.

Now semi-retired, Will is a licensed general contractor in the stormwater and environmental sector. He owns a Sling TSI fixed-wing aircraft, and an Evolution Revolt WSC trike. “I fly several times a week for work and pleasure,” he says.

“The mountains of Western North Carolina have always felt like home to me, and I look forward to exploring and connecting with as many airfields as possible to further the RAF mission,” he adds.

Will can be reached at wrichter@theraf.org.

Submitted January 13, 2025.

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

HOWIE BOHL

February 24, 2026

CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR

RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HCRC

February 24, 2026

Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026