Lynn has her private pilot rating with ASEL, ASES, instrument rating, high performance, complex, and tailwheel endorsements. She enjoys flying her Super Cub “54-Pop” equipped with 31” Bushwheels around the backcountry of Montana during the summer/fall, and switches to smaller tires and hydraulic wheel skis during the winter and spring months in Montana. She currently serves as an RAF Ambassador and the leader of the RAF’s Backcountry Etiquette Team.
WORTH THE READ: LYNN MARETH 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 month’s guest editorial is by Lynn Mareth, an RAF Ambassador and leader of the Backcountry Etiquette Team.
Spring is in the air here in northwest Montana. The swallows have returned to our place and are making lazy figure eights through the air as they swoop over the river in search of a tasty meal. I just finished a lovely flight in my Super Cub along the jagged snow-capped peaks that border our now lush green valley. As I descended over the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Hungry Horse, I marveled at the roiling waters of the spring runoff and how they elegantly joined a long thread of emerald green waters at its confluence with the South Fork. It’s a sure sign that spring is here and that summer is on its way.
With the summer flying season right around the corner, our RAF Backcountry Etiquette Team has been quietly working in the background on initiatives that promote responsible aviation in the backcountry. Our goal is to help educate and mentor newer pilots and remind seasoned pilots to respect and protect our special places to ensure these airstrips will remain accessible for future generations to enjoy.
When I first envisioned promoting backcountry etiquette within the RAF in the fall of 2023, I wasn’t sure where it would lead, or if it really aligned with the RAF’s mission. The McKennas suggested that we share the idea with supporters during the next regional educational conferences. The consensus was that the RAF should pursue the initiative as it does align with the RAF’s mission to preserve airstrips. Next, we assembled a diverse team of pilots who are passionate about what we are trying to accomplish. The team has been collaborating on a lot of great ideas that we have started to implement, and I am hopeful that our message is well received.
I’m always in awe of the caliber of people we have supporting the RAF. Many of these volunteers willingly provide all three T’s of philanthropy: their Time, Talent and Treasure. It is very rare to have so many volunteers like this in an organization as they continue to work tirelessly in support of the RAF’s mission throughout the year. Sometimes I feel insignificant with what I do in support of the RAF, but I know that even my small contributions are an essential cog in the wheel that keeps us moving forward like the annual cycle of the changing seasons.
Aristotle once said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” which makes me believe that it is the combined interaction of our RAF family that makes this organization so special, and one that I’m truly grateful to be a part of.
Submitted May 23, 2025
Posted in Guest Editorial
Recent Posts
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.
