Peyton, a Wisconsin native, grew up with a passion for adventure and fully embraces an active, outdoor lifestyle. With a degree in Marketing, she has established herself in the digital space within the outdoor industry.
WORTH THE READ: PEYTON ARNDT 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 Peyton Arndt, a pilot and volunteer for the RAF’s Social Media Team.
As I delve deeper into the world of aviation, I realize just how unique my introduction to flight has been. Unlike many, I didn’t grow up with my eyes fixed on the sky or obsessing over airplanes. It wasn’t until my early 20’s that I even discovered the world of general aviation. However, my childhood was spent immersed in the outdoors with a love for adventure and exploration, which laid the perfect foundation for what would come later – my introduction to the RAF.
My path to aviation was anything but straightforward. It was long, bumpy, and filled with unexpected turns, but nonetheless it’s brought me here today. Life is full of choices and moments that alter our course, shaping us in ways we can never anticipate. For me, that defining moment came in the remote wilderness of Canada, where a boating accident left me with a traumatic T10 spinal cord injury. In a single, life-shattering instant, everything changed.
I was suddenly at the edge of a life I could no longer recognize, grieving the future I had always imagined. But in the midst of that devastation, I made a choice – to pick up the cards that life had dealt me and play them with everything I had. My recovery led me down unexpected roads, introducing me to people and experiences I never would have otherwise crossed paths with. One of those first encounters was with a pilot who owned an airplane back in my hometown, a meeting that would become a pivotal turning point.
What began as an escape – flying to feel free from the weight of the world on the ground – quickly transformed into something much more profound. Becoming PIC didn’t just give me command of a machine that defied gravity – it reignited a belief in myself to take back control of my own life. The privilege of flight helped me find the courage I once knew that had been hiding out beneath the surface. Although, none of it was easy. I quickly concluded that there was no fixed path for individuals like me, I’d have to carve out my own.
As time turned aviation into a passion, along came the RAF, seamlessly weaving together the different chapters of my life. The organization felt like a rare haven – one where goodness, camaraderie, and purpose still thrived in this world. I immediately felt a deep sense of connection and community within the world of aviation.
With that sense of connection came a deep desire to give back. Aviation had been an unexpected gift in my life, and I’m determined to pay it forward. I’ve started by volunteering my time and marketing skills but aspire to do more. As someone once told me, “One day I would tell my story – how I overcame everything I went through – and it would serve as someone else’s survival guide.” So, that’s exactly what I’ve set out to do.
It has become my personal mission to advocate for those who dream of flying but are uncertain about the unique path it will take to get there. Whether by sharing my own struggles and triumphs or by being a voice for the Able Flight scholarship that gave me the chance to earn my pilot’s license, I am dedicated to making aviation accessible for all. With MOSAIC on the verge of transforming the one-size-fits-all approach to conventional FAA certifications, the opportunities for sport pilots are expanding like never before. I want to show others how they too can build an adapted airplane to fit their needs and achieve what once seemed impossible.
People often say, “The sky is the limit,” but I believe the sky should have no limits. The freedom to soar into remote backcountry places—the heart of the RAF’s mission—should be within reach for anyone bold enough to dream it. It’s the boundless sense of possibility that I hope to share with others, inspiring them to chase their own skies, no matter the adversity.
In 2020, she became an Able Flight scholarship recipient, earning her sport pilot license—an achievement that fueled her passion for aviation and led her to build her own experimental airplane. Outside of work, Peyton enjoys traveling to new destinations and cherishing time with her family and beloved dogs.
Submitted October 20, 2024.
Posted in Guest Editorial, News
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The RAF is excited that our Expand the Map initiative to open and rehabilitate airfields is off to an impressive start. As a result, we are seeking an airport engineer who is willing to volunteer their consulting services on airfield projects around the country. "Our supporters have many talents and areas of expertise," President Bill McGlynn said. “Please let us know if you’re an airport engineer who would be interested in volunteering your knowledge to improve recreational airfields.” Please contact Erin White, RAF Volunteer Coordinator, ewhite@theraf.org . Submitted October 8, 2026.
Like many people at this time of year, you may be considering your charitable contributions. The RAF is fortunate to have a deep bench of professional financial planning talent with several planned giving ideas to help you enjoy the advantage of tax benefits while benefiting the RAF mission. You can even specify a project that you'd like to support. 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 your direct donation to the RAF, without itemizing. This gives everyone a charitable giving tax-advantage, not just high-income donors who itemize. If you have any questions, a great way to start is to contact RAF Texas/Montana Ambassador Steve Maus, CLU, MSFS, and Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy. Reach him at: smaus@theraf.org .
FEATURING: RAF FLY ROCKY TOP COLLECTION This summer, the RAF proudly announced the Fly Rocky Top Airstrip Network, opening up a new way to experience the beauty, adventure, and recreational flying opportunities of East Tennessee. Now, you can take a little Fly Rocky Top spirit with you wherever you go! The new Fly Rocky Top Collection has officially landed at the RAF Outfitter, with something for just about everyone. From adventure-ready KÜHL layers to hats, a lightweight women’s performance shirt, and stickers, the collection was made for days at the airstrip and everywhere your adventures take you in between.
RAF key volunteers from across the nation gathered at Seattle’s Museum of Flight for a two-day RAF Educational Conference that ended Saturday, September 26. The days were filled with discussions about ways to further the RAF mission, beginning with the US Forest Service. The RAF Board of Directors and AOPA co-president Katie Pribyl and board member Peter Burwell updated the group over breakfast, and RAF Liaisons reported on airfield projects. Other presentations included author Richard Kyte on the importance of community, the RAF Safety, Education and Etiquette (SEE) committee reported on its messaging to pilots, Garmin presented its new Axis platform, author Richard Holm presented on the history of aviation’s role in the Idaho backcountry, and RAF Georgia Ambassador Dhruv Thakkar discussed the use of Digital Control Towers. Attendees also received an update on the RAF Airfield Guide and heard from RAF staff on tips for holding work parties and connecting RAF supporters. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig, RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller, and Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson were presented with the RAF's Wind Beneath Our Wings Award for outstanding volunteer contributions to the RAF mission. Among the attendees were National RUS Liaison John Nadeau and his wife, who drove thousands of miles from Maine to join. "It was well worth the trip to learn about important projects fellow volunteers are working on from coast to coast, and how they successfully handle difficult situations using the RAF Way." The conference concluded with a talk from former and current principals of the adjacent Raisbeck Aviation High School. Dinner was later held in the high school, at which retiring RAF Director Steve Taylor was honored. Attendees enjoyed seeing their fellow volunteers and meeting new friends. Volunteers walked away feeling inspired and energized, with new ideas to continue their efforts preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational access. Submitted September 1, 2026 Photo by Jake Peterson
The RAF extends its appreciation to Steve Taylor of the Seattle area for his dedicated service on the RAF Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025. Throughout his time on the Board, Steve generously shared his aviation experience, perspective, and relationships in support of the RAF mission. He contributed to numerous RAF efforts, including the RAF Kodiak missions in support of airstrip work on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, and has been a valued advocate for the organization and recreational aviation. Steve also played an important role in helping bring the RAF’s 2026 National Educational Conference to Seattle. The gathering gave RAF volunteers, supporters, and partners an opportunity to learn, connect, and spend time together at the Museum of Flight and Raisbeck Aviation High School—two places that reflect Steve’s long-standing commitment to aviation and aviation education. In recognition of Steve’s service to the RAF and his support of the next generation of aviation leaders, the RAF made a donation to Raisbeck Aviation High School in his name during the conference. Steve’s contributions to the RAF extend well beyond any single project or event. We are grateful for the time, experience, relationships, and enthusiasm he has shared with the organization over the years, and we are proud to recognize him as a Director Emeritus. “We can't thank Steve enough for his devotion to the ongoing success of the RAF. He has ‘changed the game' for us in many ways and raised our stature as a volunteer organization,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. Submitted September 1, 2026
