Luke Lachendro is a Wisconsin RAF Ambassador and founder of Aviation Asset Management Group. He grew up on a private airstrip and has built a career around his lifelong passion for aviation, helping clients navigate aircraft ownership and management. An active volunteer and advocate for recreational flying, Luke is committed to giving back to the aviation community that shaped his journey.
WORTH THE READ: LUKE LACHENDRO GUEST EDITORIAL
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Luke Lachendro, a Wisconsin pilot and an RAF Ambassador.
Preserving More Than Airstrips
In aviation, we often talk about freedom. The ability to lift off from the ground and chase horizons few others get to see. But for me, the real freedom in aviation comes not just from where we can fly, but from who we meet when we land.
As a younger aviator who grew up on a private airstrip in south-central Wisconsin, I’ve been incredibly lucky. Not just to fly over 80 different types of airplanes, but to be surrounded by a tribe of aviators, mentors, and friends who have helped shape my path. That sense of community and shared purpose is at the heart of why I fly, and why I believe so deeply in the mission of the Recreational Aviation Foundation.
Backcountry aviation and grassroots flying are full of technical challenges, regulatory work, and physical labor. But what keeps it moving forward is the people. The airstrip owner who hands you a wrench and a story. The couple who opens their hangar and fires up a grill. The mentor who walks you through your first “real” cross-country. These relationships don’t just make flying better, they make it sustainable, meaningful, and worth protecting.
I’ve found that my aviation family isn’t about blood, it’s about shared passion. The people I’ve met through aviation have opened doors I never knew existed. Opportunities to fly new aircraft, to grow a business, to take on leadership roles, and to give back. And in return, I try to do the same. That spirit of paying it forward and lifting others as you grow is a thread I see woven into every RAF volunteer I’ve had the pleasure to meet.
The RAF understands this better than anyone. Their work isn’t just about preserving airstrips; it’s about preserving access. Not only to places, but also to relationships (very important to focus on this with the next generation of aviators). Every time the RAF protects a backcountry airfield, they’re safeguarding a gathering place. A space where friendships are born over donuts by a windsock, or where a kid gets their first airplane ride that changes the direction of their life.
The beauty of RAF-supported airstrips isn’t just in the views or the remoteness. It’s in the connections. They bring us together in ways that’s unexplainable. In a world that often feels disconnected, aviation remains one of the few places where a stranger on the radio becomes a friend by the time you shut down the engine. As a fellow RAF supporter likes to say, “For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t, no explanation is possible.” The RAF is an excellent steward of explaining the necessity of keeping the impossible, possible!
I’m still early in my aviation journey, and I know there’s a lot left to learn. But one thing has become clear. You can’t solo your way through aviation. You can’t fake it until you make it. You need the hangar talks, the right-seat rides, the advice that only comes from years of experience, trial, and a few mistakes along the way.
To those who have guided me so far, thank you. And to those just starting out: don’t chase the ratings without also chasing the relationships. Because when you need advice, a part, or a place to land, your logbook won’t have the answer. Your friends, mentors, and RAF family will.
Supporting the RAF isn’t just about making a donation (please keep doing that though). It’s about joining a culture that believes flying isn’t a solo act, but a shared experience. It’s about saying yes to being part of something meaningful and lasting. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about where you can land. It’s about who’s there when you do. And if you land at my home airstrip, you want my mom to be there because there’s nothing that beats her dark chocolate chip banana bread after a flight.
Submitted June 26, 2025
Posted in Guest Editorial, News
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At this time of year we are reminded of those who have given so much, so that we and future generations may share the experiences that matter to people like us—a flat place to pitch your tent, a pilot shelter to get out of the weather, or a fire ring to share a beverage and a story with friends. We have all been the benefactor of someone else's generosity which has enriched our lives in the backcountry; that vault toilet didn't place itself, and neither did the firewood. It's a good reminder that we all have opportunities to pay it forward. Like many people, you may be considering year-end charitable contributions. From a one time or recurring gift, to IRA/401k Qualified Charitable Distributions and donations of publicly traded stock, there are several planned giving options to help your gift also benefit you financially. You may not be aware of a new opportunity this year: Those who use the standard deduction (like most taxpayers) can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for couples) for their direct donation to the RAF, without itemizing. This gives everyone a charitable giving tax-advantage, not just high-income donors who itemize.
Cody Koch grew up in Truckee, California, where he developed a love for aviation and the outdoors at a young age. Growing up around airplanes and flying with his dad sparked his interest in becoming a pilot. He went on to earn his Private Pilot Certificate while still in high school and is now studying aviation at Gallatin College through Montana State University, working toward additional ratings with hopes of pursuing a career in aviation. Outside of flying, Cody enjoys camping, off-roading, and just about anything that gets him outdoors. Music is also a big part of his life, whether he’s playing it himself or catching a live show. He has always enjoyed working with his hands and has a particular passion for working on the cars passed down to him by his grandfather. One of Cody’s longtime dreams is to own a Super Cub and explore the backcountry by air. He hopes to one day visit some of the remote airstrips that the RAF works to protect and is glad to be part of an organization that helps keep these places accessible to pilots. Submitted on November 3, 2026
Did you know the RAF can earn Delta rewards when you fly, without affecting your personal SkyMiles or other rewards? Simply add the RAF to your Delta SkyMiles account as your business loyalty program. The RAF will earn points on eligible flights, which we can use for travel to RAF events and other benefits. You keep all your personal SkyMiles! Step 1: Add the RAF to Your SkyMiles Account You only need to do this once. We recommend using Delta.com in your web browser, rather than the Fly Delta app. Log in to your SkyMiles account at Delta.com . Under your Name in the top right corner, select Profile . Under My Profile , select Other Loyalty Programs . Find Business Loyalty Programs , click +Add under Business Travel Program , and select Delta SkyMiles for Business . Enter the RAF's loyalty number, US0056924 , and click Save . Step 2: Select "Business" Before Booking Each time you log in to Delta.com, select "Business" when prompted. This allows the RAF's loyalty number to automatically populate on the Passenger Info page when booking your flight.
The RAF is proud to have become stewards of a very special fly-in destination in western Maryland, along the North Branch of the Potomac River. The RAF has just registered it with the FAA, and you’ll now find High Rock Airfield, 68MD, on your chart. When you think of Maryland, maybe the Star-Spangled Banner comes to mind, or midshipmen on the Annapolis parade grounds. But anyone who’s flown around the state will know why it’s called “America in Miniature.” Within an hour and a half C182 flight from High Rock, one could see diverse geographic contrast between rustic hamlets in the forested ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains, the spreading grid of urban Baltimore, and Maryland’s 4,000 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline. You’d also experience Maryland’s varied climates, from cooler mountain conditions in the west to warmer, more humid conditions near the coast. High Rock’s 1,700-ft turf airfield offers a backcountry setting less than 100 nm from a region with over 10 million residents. As impressive as the solitude, the setting offers visitors its aviation heritage, thanks to the late Robert Armstrong. Pilots “Bob” and his father Harold collected and restored vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship, including a “Lindy Award” at EAA’s AirVenture for their Aeronca Champ restoration. It was Bob’s wish to preserve the airfield for future generations of aviators to enjoy camaraderie in this sylvan setting. High Rock airfield is named after a nearby overlook that rises 1,000 ft above the forest-lined airfield and offers afternoon shade. Visitors can camp near the river, and in season can angle for trout. Enjoy floating the river in your inflatable or SUP. Find more about High Rock Airfield and the required Safety Briefing in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
An extraordinary private airfield in Maryland has been generously gifted to the RAF by the late Bob Armstrong, honoring his family’s lifelong passion for aviation. High Rock Airfield lies within a sweeping bend of the North Branch of the Potomac River and brings another eastern US destination into the RAF’s Expanding the Map initiative. A true gem of the East, it offers a real backcountry experience just 85 nm northwest from where the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac in bustling Washington, DC. “We are humbled to have become the stewards of this special place, and will honor the Armstrong family’s legacy by creating a welcoming place to enjoy the fellowship of backcountry aviation,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. Bob and his father, Lt. Col. Harold Armstrong, were indeed passionate about aviation and based their multiple rare aircraft here. Bob was a lifetime member of the EAA, the Aeronca Club, AOPA, the QB Club, the OX-5 Organization, the Cumberland Soaring Group, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association. He and Harold collected vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship. One Aeronca Champ restoration won the highest “Lindy Award” honors at EAA’s AirVenture competition in Oshkosh.
