THE RAF WELCOMES MARCEL LEBLANC AS LOUISIANA STATE LIAISON

Marcel “Frenchy” LeBlanc is a retired 25-year Naval Aviator living in St Francisville, Louisiana. He is currently employed by Daher Aircraft Company as its VP of US Strategic Development, as well as the company’s U.S.-based Engineering Test pilot for Kodiak and TBM.


Marcel’s interest in aviation began as a young boy and blossomed into a full-blown passion in high school after he saw the little-known film “Top Gun” at his local theater. He attended the US Naval Academy and began his Navy flying career in earnest in 1995, spending the next 20+ years as an F/A-18 pilot. He served in operational commands, including assignment as the commanding officer of a carrier-based F/A-18 squadron and as a U.S. Navy test pilot, where he had the opportunity to fly an assortment of military and civilian aircraft and helicopters. He retired from the Navy in 2016 to begin his career with the Quest Aircraft Company, located in Sandpoint, Idaho.


It was at Quest (now Daher) that Marcel discovered the true joys of backcountry flying. Beginning with his arrival in the summer of 2016 and continuing today, Marcel has sought every opportunity to take aircraft into the backcountry strips of the United States. Included among his trips were several efforts to support the RAF mission in Idaho. In 2025 Marcel was appointed to his new role and subsequently relocated to Louisiana, where he quickly volunteered to support the RAF in its Bayou State mission.

Submitted August 27, 2025

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By Carmine Mowbray • August 14, 2026
Join the excitement as the RAF continues its momentum Expanding The Map, making these the most exciting years in our history! We encourage you to explore the growing number of destinations where you can share the joys of recreational aviation with family and friends. This time, we’re announcing the reopening of Keg Knoll Airstrip in central Utah, closed years ago by the designation of the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area. Thanks to RAF efforts to gather widespread support from pilots and RAF allies, the BLM has allowed this airstrip to be reopened for public access. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig has led the effort over the past three years in advocating for the reopening of Keg Knoll airstrip. Various meetings were organized with the BLM to explore whether the airstrip could be reopened as allowed by the Wilderness Act. After the BLM prepared an environmental assessment of the airstrip, they issued a final decision to approve Keg Knoll airstrip for reopening, subject to a set of reasonable conditions that protect the wilderness area. Keg Knoll Airstrip has outstanding recreational value and offers pilots ready access to a true wilderness experience. Visitors can experience dispersed primitive camping next to their airplanes, hiking around Horseshoe Canyon, and stargazing under the dark skies at night. “One thing that makes Keg Knoll airstrip unique is the accessibility of the relatively easy two-mile hike to Colonnade Arch, also known as Five-Hole Arch,” RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig points out. Keg Knoll is now open, with a cooperative work party to further improve the airstrip and install a windsock planned for the fall that will include volunteer pilots and the BLM. Since Keg Knoll airstrip is in a Wilderness area, no motorized or mechanized devices are allowed, so volunteers will be limited to the use of hand tools to perform maintenance. Current reports state the airstrip itself is in good shape, but pilots must be aware that the south 700 feet of the original airstrip is closed, and will be marked with rock X’s. What remains open is 2,000 feet of runway length. “We will need help from all the pilots who visit Keg Knoll airstrip to be good stewards to help protect and preserve the Wilderness environment for this special airstrip,” Lessig said. For more information about Keg Knoll, visit our dedicated web page . Submitted August 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray