RAF EDUCATION CONFERENCE SIZZLES WITH INNOVATIONS

Over 120 RAF volunteers and noted speakers from across the country gathered in Bozeman for the RAF’s biennial Education Conference May 16-19. A dozen flew their own GA aircraft, lining BZN’s ramp with an impressive array. One stalwart volunteer, RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe, took honors for longest distance road trip in his electric SUV with its “RAF ORG” personalized license plate.



Two full-day learning sessions sizzled with fresh imagery of new innovations in aviation and mission fulfillment. Flight Aware’s Dan Baker said their goal isn’t just to display aircraft position, it’s to make aviation safer, and “get more people to their destinations on time.” Charlie Gregoire of Redbird Simulators said their mission is to keep pilots engaged in aviation long term. Redbird’s new curriculum includes backcountry training. Michael Leek demonstrated the impressive Simuvation mobile flight training studio with Redbird’s RAF-branded full-motion simulator and welcomed conference attendees to experience the sim.


Other presentations included the US Forest Service National Dispersed Recreation Program Manager Scott Haas, AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker, Idaho Aviation Association President Andrew George, and Aviat-Husky representatives.


In response to the increase in backcountry usage, the RAF has created the Backcountry Etiquette Team, (BET) and they announced upcoming multilateral messaging regarding respectful backcountry flying practices, similar to Tread Lightly!, a new RAF collaborator.

The crowd was awed by the reveal of the updated interactive Airfield Guide. “This group encompasses some very deep talent,” RUS Liaison Rick McCraw from Vermont observed.

“Sure, we build shelters,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said, adding, “but we build community. And there’s no fence around our community.”


Messages poured in afterwards, such as this from Scott and Barbara Heck: “We continue to be amazed at the volunteer efforts and dedication of RAF members, ambassadors, liaisons and board Members. Because of those volunteers, the RAF is able to “put to work” 84% of all donated dollars. Now that is a high bar!”


John Meade, RAF New Hampshire Liaison wrote, “This was a very well-prepared conference. Probably the best I have ever attended.”

Steve Thompson, RAF Oklahoma Liaison wrote, “I’m humbled by how many people give something to the organization. We gathered a lot of new information from the speakers.”

Lisa Ballantyne, who serves as an RAF VP of Appreciation wrote, “The RAF community is built on honesty, authenticity, integrity, and love.” John Whitelaw, Washington State volunteer added, “The RAF is truly blessed with the best!

See a video of conference highlights here.


The RAF wholeheartedly thanks these generous sponsors who made this educational conference event a success:
Aviat Husky
Avidyne
Beegles Aircraft
Burwell Industries
Capital Flight
Cirrus Aircraft
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Garmin
Jet Aviation
Lightspeed
McKenna Financial
Redbird Flight Simulations
The Cedar Table

Submitted June 14, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray
Photo by Jake Peterson

Posted in News

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RAF OUTFITTER JULY FEATURED COLLECTION

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FEATURING: RAF PULASKI GLASSES Raise a glass to the work that keeps backcountry aviation alive! These RAF Pulaski Glasses are a perfect addition to your bar or a thoughtful gift for any aviation or backcountry enthusiast. Each glass features the RAF’s signature Pulaski tool, a tribute to the hardworking volunteers who preserve, improve, and protect airstrips across the country. Just like the tool itself, these glasses celebrate grit, utility, and a commitment to getting the job done. The Pulaski is a versatile, heavy-duty tool used for trail building, chopping wood, and clearing brush, making it an essential part of backcountry work for RAF volunteers. Made in the USA from high-quality glass, they’re built to last. Get yours today. 

FEATURED AIRSTRIP: DRIGGS-REED MEMORIAL, ID

By Carmine Mowbray • July 1, 2026
You’d have a hard time finding a more beautiful place to fly than Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport (KDIJ). The Grand Teton, Big Hole, and Snake River mountain ranges surround this eastern Idaho valley. Driggs has become a world-class destination for the pilot community. National Geographic magazine listed Driggs as “one of the ten best outdoor recreation destinations in the U.S.” Just a 45-minute drive over Teton Pass is Jackson, Wyoming, a famous Western destination. The airport, at an elevation of 6,257, accommodates aircraft on both its 7,300-ft paved runway and 3,000-ft turf landing area, marked with cones. Note: The SW 3,451 feet of the paved runway is closed until August for reconstruction. Check NOTAMS before landing. Fly-in visitors are welcome to camp underwing at its grassy tie-down area. It’s an ideal gateway to the Idaho backcountry. Enjoy views of the nearby Teton Range from the 12' x 16' cedar pilot shelter. There is potable water, a toilet, power, a gas barbecue, and a charging station nearby. Within walking distance of the campground is the Forage restaurant. A bike shed and loaner bikes, provided by the Idaho Aviation Association Borrow-A-Bike program, are available to ride into town. If you desire a more urban experience or wish to explore further, the airport has rental cars. “It’s a great destination for the pilot community, with access to hiking, biking, fishing, floating, golf and a small town with numerous shops and restaurants,” RAF Director and Driggs resident Tim Riley says. He and a local RAF supporter recently completed a spring cleanup to ready it for the season. The amenities were provided cooperatively through the RAF, the Idaho Aviation Association (IAA), the City of Driggs, and its Airport Board, with financial contributions from each. For more information on Driggs, see the Airfield Guide . Submitted July 1, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray

VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE SEASONAL TASKS AT RYAN FIELD

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It’s bear grass season around West Glacier, Montana, and nearly a score of volunteers from three different states drove in to Ryan Field June 12-13 to complete seasonal maintenance, and enjoyed spotting the showy blooms throughout the woods. Bear scat was also seen in several places – a reminder that a clean camp protects both campers and wildlife. The airfield remains closed until the new runway grass has stabilized for landing, so watch the Airfield Guide for an announcement that the field has re-opened. As a result, there was no annual Ryan Fly-in this year. Volunteers removed downed trees, cleared and marked hiking trails, mowed around the buildings and part of the runway, cleaned bear boxes, the pilot shelter, cabins, and barn. “We welcomed new volunteers and continue to work hard maintaining the field. We are as eager as everyone for the grass to take good hold so the runway can open again,” Administrative Director Tricia McKenna said. Submitted June 30, 2026

MAGEE, ID FLOOD MITIGATION ASSESSMENT BEGINS

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RAF President Bill McGlynn met in mid-June with the US Forest Service, Idaho Dept of Aeronautics, and Idaho Aviation Association to evaluate steps to improve Magee (S77) airstrip, 23 nm east of Coeur d’Alene. On the way, Bill picked up Joe Sober, one of two airport engineers from Oklahoma City who have volunteered their professional services and have been instrumental in creating maintenance and remediation plans on Idaho backcountry airstrips. “The Forest Service engineering teams have too much on their plate just addressing roads, so having this resource to make airstrip engineering assessments and plans is instrumental to resolving challenges on USFS airstrips like Magee,” McGlynn said. The improvement project at Magee has been organized through a Cost Share Agreement that the RAF has with the USFS. McGlynn, Sober, Willy Acton of the Idaho Airstrip Network, along with USFS District Ranger Holly Hampton, Don Macintosh of IAA, Dan Conner of Idaho Aeronautics, and RAF Idaho Ambassador George Weaver investigated the sources of flooding that plague Magee airstrip every spring and analyzed means of redirecting the problematic water. Magee airstrip was created in the 1940s by the Corps of Engineers as a hidden fighter base in case of a Japanese attack on the western US coast. A dike that was built to channel water away from the runway has eroded over the past eighty years. Sober took numerous measurements and will develop a plan to submit to the USFS for approval. Work could begin over the next year or two to recover about 700 feet of runway. “We truly could not do this work without our volunteer engineers and are very fortunate to have their expertise,” McGlynn said. Weaver said, “The airstrip is a real gem, and the restoration work will make it a great backcountry destination.” Submitted June 28, 2026

TEAMWORK GETS THINGS DONE AT HISTORIC MEDICINE BOW, WYOMING

June 26, 2026
“It was really nice to spend some time with Wyoming folks cleaning up a little piece of history,” RAF WY/UT Ambassador Karen Larson said of the May 30 work party at Medicine Bow airport, on the historic US airmail route. RAF Wyoming Liaison Joe Feiler organized the work and reports that about 15 people with a wide range of backgrounds arrived at 9 am to help. Attendees included RAF supporters, EAA Chapter 420 members, local residents, as well as Lee Cook, Medicine Bow airport board member and town council member.