RAF IMPROVES AIRFIELD GUIDE WITH UNIVERSITY SOFTWARE TEAM

The RAF partnered with Montana State University’s Computer Science  Software Factory  to improve the  Airfield Guide’s  functionality, and incorporate ForeFlight usage.

MSU has Montana’s highest ranking Computer Science (CS) department, and launched the Software Factory, an innovative way to expose students to real-life businesses and organizations. Dr Clemente Izurieta, PhD oversees the program that is run by senior CS students. Students in this capstone class form teams and work with real companies and organizations to develop beneficial software. Representatives work with the students throughout the school year. The organization pays a donation to the program to help maintain the lab, and provide opportunity for students to attend tech conferences, for example.

The RAF project created a simple user interface within the  Airfield Guide  to automate the creation and upload of a flight pack into ForeFlight. Software developer Chip Gibbons, of the Tailwind Aviation Foundation was most involved in helping with design, as he had the largest role in creating the Airfield Guide. “The team at Montana State was great to work with and their product will go a long way to making the information in the Airfield Guide available to folks when there is no internet access,” Gibbons said. It is ready for its rollout for general use.

Three MSU students, Greg Fulbright, Lenin Lewis, and Josh Anderson teamed up on this project for the opportunity to work with real clients and create real products. “The Airfield Guide has become an important tool for aviators to discover and safely fly to incredible airfields that we all care about,” RAF President Bill McGlynn said. “This engagement with MSU’s Software Factory has been a great way to add value to the Airfield Guide, while sharing some real-world experience with these three graduating seniors,” he added.

McGlynn, Gibbons, and RAF Marketing Director Kodi Myhre worked with the team throughout the 2021-2022 school year, beginning with design; devoting the second semester to building the product, meeting weekly. “It was a fun project,” Gibbons added.

“We had a great time working with our team and are very happy with their final product,” Myhre said. “We appreciate everything Dr. Izurieta did to involve us with the Software Factory. It was a valuable experience for us and we’re thrilled to offer this product to continue improving the Airfield Guide.”

Submitted May 31, 2022
Photo above: From L-R: Kodi Myhre, Josh Anderson, Lenin Lewis, Greg Fulbright

Posted in News

    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.