WORTH THE READ: MARK BAKER 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 from Mark Baker, President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.



There are many thousands of pilots in this great country, flying millions of miles each year to many thousands of great destinations — near and far, big and small, paved and rocky. And, still, we treasure the fact that we’re a close-knit community. When we meet up with fellow aviators, we’re all among friends.


The general aviation community has a shared interest in not only pursuing this great passion we have for flight, but protecting it and, together, ensuring that our freedom to fly is never threatened and remains open. We are more powerful when we come and stand together as partners.


Partnership is a key word for AOPA. Not only do we appreciate our members, who allow us to do what we do, but we treasure the relationships we have with a variety of organizations — all under the banner of promoting and protecting general aviation. Whether it’s our business partners and advertisers, fellow general aviation organizations, type clubs, and those with a special mission — like the Recreational Aviation Foundation — we stand strong as one.


Our special relationship with the RAF is a prime example of how two like-minded organizations come together to protect this shared passion. We’re like-minded about access, passionate about safety and diligent in ensuring that generations to come are able to experience the exhilaration and freedom of being above it all. We bring different experiences and skills to the table, but they all meld as one when safeguarding general aviation.


While formally founded 20 years ago, I know the mission of the RAF — to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access — is something that dates back to the early days of aviation, in the true spirit of adventure and discovery. The RAF is an extremely important player in making sure we can continue to explore through the air.


The RAF was one of the first groups with which I forged a bond when I became the head of AOPA nearly a decade ago. I still remember that special Southwest fly-around when I saw first-hand the passion and camaraderie of the RAF. I have always had a special place in my heart for backcountry flying to remote locations, having taken a variety of airplanes from one side of this nation to the other — to the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, the Florida Keys, Pacific Northwest, Northern Wisconsin, and so many points in-between. I’m sure that many of you reading this have seen me with my revered Super Cub in one of the special places in which the RAF focuses its work.


The RAF quickly showed me that it was the leading voice and force in keeping access to all of these special places, and more, open to all of us. Not all of us across the country understand and appreciate what general aviation brings to our local communities, in terms of economic impact, jobs, and the ability to pursue something uniquely American. The RAF has stood tall and firm, ensuring we have access to so many airstrips in many special locations.

Simply stated, the RAF gets things done. And done well.


I became fast friends with a group of important folks at the RAF, such as John McKenna, Bill McGlynn, Tim Clifford, and many others. Since then, the RAF has become an important partner — to both myself as an aviator and to AOPA. There are so many special people at the RAF, its leaders and all of the volunteers I see at events and amazing locations. I know when I see those orange shirts, that I, and all of general aviation, is in very capable hands.


Great partnerships happen when people and organizations are aligned in their values and mission. While many of us consider our flying to be play, there is a lot of work that goes on to protect this play. The RAF truly defines the mantra of work hard, play hard. 


I look forward to seeing many orange shirts in 2023 and in the years to come.


Mark Baker is the President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Submitted on December 28, 2022.

Posted in Guest Editorial, News

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RAF OUTFITTER JULY FEATURED COLLECTION

July 5, 2026
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

June 30, 2026
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

June 26, 2026
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.