WORTH THE READ: NEIL MORTINE 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 Neil Mortine,  a marketing and relations executive, RAF Supporter, and husband of RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine.

An Aerophobic Speaks Out


My name is Neil, and I suffer from Aerophobia – an extreme, irrational fear of flying. My fear includes take offs, landings, being locked in small spaces, loss of control, pre-flight anticipation, and motion sickness.


I say this with embarrassment, knowing that flying is statistically safer than driving a car or perhaps even walking out your front door. But knowing that doesn't help.


My wife Christine is a recognized and experienced aviator and safety advocate in an industry where less than 10% of pilots are women. She is a CFII, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and accomplished backcountry pilot. She is an officer in numerous aviation groups.


Christine once skillfully guided her Cessna 185 into a heavily wooded suburban neighborhood following engine failure. Her primary thought was “not to kill anyone else.” Three weeks after her emergency landing, she was flying and teaching again.


None of this eases my fears, but I bravely move forward. It’s exciting locating our house from above, flying between canyon walls and landing in remote backcountry locations. It’s truly beautiful — when I open my eyes. 


I’ve met many incredible people from the Recreational Aviation Foundation who share a passion for its mission. In my career, I’ve served many clients and on numerous boards. Rarely have I seen an organization more focused, or more consistent and precise in its messaging and branding — and more enjoyable to be around — than the RAF.


I enjoy the thoughtful and well-organized spouse events at RAF volunteer gatherings, often being the only male. The restaurants, museums, alpaca farms, skijoring competitions, and microbrewery visits are awesome.


Another group I enjoy is the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Male spouses are referred to as “forty-nine-and-a-halvers,” (yes, half a human being), damaging my already low aviation self-esteem. Regardless, I wear my “Friends of the 99s” hat and lapel pin proudly.


When Christine and I travel together, it’s often assumed I’m the pilot. Based on the lopsided gender percentage difference, I understand the perception. When I explain that Christine is the pilot and I have a career in marketing and communications, interest in me quickly fades and they look desperately for her.


I’m very quiet — almost mute — when flying with Christine. I don’t want to distract her. I limit my witty banter and forego sudden movements. She has warned me not to touch anything. But I’m 6’2” and my arms, feet and legs are touching everything. She once referred to me as “dead weight.” And it didn’t sound positive.


We made a backcountry flight from Boise, ID to Sisters, OR several years ago over beautiful remote and roadless terrain. Ten minutes into the flight, I felt an urge to urinate. This was after no water or coffee consumption for hours to avoid such a situation. I asked how much longer before we landed, and Christine gave me the estimated arrival time and said, “hold it.” The urge accelerated. I asked if she could land the plane for a few minutes, but she pointed to the landscape below and suggested using a clear zip lock bag, “and make it quick.” She added that she would “kill me” if I got “one drop” in her plane. Despite being more nervous than ever, I successfully handled the problem. We landed in Sisters with a strong crosswind, and I had to do the walk of shame across the ramp holding the bag in clear sight of all observers.


In conclusion, I’m doing my best to overcome my flying anxiety, but it’s a work in progress. I’ve received great counsel from RAF members. But some advice is better than others. To overcome my fear of snakes, I was invited on a snake hunt. I had no choice but to report this person to social services. Similarly, I won’t overcome my fear of flying by doing aerobatics. Christine has one of those planes as well.


In the meantime, I’m enjoying being a co-owner of two planes I don’t fly and attending RAF gatherings as a land-loving spouse - and more fully understanding the love my wife has for this incredible community of pilots and supporters.

Neil Mortine is the vice chairman of one of the largest independent marketing and communications agencies in the country. He is a PRWeek Global Public Relations 500 leader and has been honored for his professional and civic leadership by Columbus Business First as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” in Central Ohio. Neil and his wife Christine live in Worthington, Ohio, with their two cats. They are the proud parents of four adult children, and enjoy hiking, biking, traveling and spending as much time as possible with their six grandchildren.

Submitted June 18, 2026

Posted in Guest Editorial, News

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FEATURED AIRSTRIP: HIGH ROCK, MD

By Carmine Mowbray • October 30, 2026
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

GEM OF THE EAST: HIGH ROCK AIRFIELD IN MARYLAND EXPANDS THE MAP

By Carmine Mowbray • October 30, 2026
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.

ARIZONA'S GRAPEVINE RUNWAY CRACK SEALED

October 29, 2026
The Arizona Pilots Association (APA) and US Forest Service completed crack sealing at Grapevine airstrip, 88AZ, in September after a few weather postponements. The RAF helped arrange the project through its Cost Share agreement with the Tonto National Forest. As a result, the US Forest Service paid a portion, and the APA paid the lion’s share of the crack sealing. “Our contractors did a great job on the recent crack seal project,” APA officer and RAF supporter Tommy Thomason said. Grapevine airstrip near Roosevelt Lake offers camping, and APA volunteers have added two ramadas and fire rings. There are two vault toilets thanks to the RAF's Cost Share agreement. APA’s Mike Andresen organizes work parties for weed and erosion control to make sure the facilities are in order. Visitors are invited to fly in and camp together the third weekend of each month September through April. See the Grapevine page on APA’s website here for the safety briefing, RSVP contact, and other details. The RAF thanks the APA for their continued collaboration at backcountry airstrips and for all of their contributions towards general aviation in Arizona. Find more about Grapevine in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 29, 2026

AOPA REGIONAL MANAGERS FEATURED AT RAF OCTOBER ONLINE MEETING

October 29, 2026
More than 40 RAF key volunteers were apprised of current AOPA advocacy efforts during an annual online meeting with AOPA’s State Advocacy team of Regional Managers on October 13. Leon Jackler, Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy, began with appreciation for the RAF, saying, “You’re the people actually swinging axes and clearing brush. Thanks for all of your committed volunteers.” He then introduced each AOPA Regional Manager to discuss their specific action items. Common to most of the seven regions was the need for vigilance on taxes and fees, limiting the use of ADSB to extract fees, preserving existing airports, and preventing states from putting aviation fuel taxes into their general fund, called “revenue diversion.” A strong theme in each region was appreciation for the successful RAF-AOPA collaboration. One of several examples of this teamwork was the cooperative success adding “aviation" to Louisiana's Recreational statute, “on the first try.” Collaborative efforts continue to preserve Agua Caliente airport in California, Aeroflex Andover airport in New Jersey, and others. In closing, RAF Chairman John McKenna reiterated the value of this partnership. “I’m proud of the relationship that exists here. We’ve got people who care.” Visit AOPA's state advocacy page here . Submitted October 29, 2026 Cover Photo Credit: Jim Stevenson, Knik River, AK

WORTH THE READ: CINDY CROSS GUEST EDITORIAL

October 22, 2026
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 Cindy Cross, RAF VP of Appreciation.