WORTH THE READ: STEF GOZA 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 Stef Goza, a pilot and an RAF Alaska liaison.

Backcountry Etiquette: Balancing Freedom and Responsibility

Flying in the backcountry is a privilege. It’s one that comes with a responsibility we don’t talk about enough: being a good steward.


Being a good steward isn’t complicated, and most of it is just common sense. It’s being aware of your prop wash so you’re not blasting someone’s tent into the bushes. It’s packing out what you brought in. It’s spending time at the place you just landed instead of racing off to the next “best” spot. It’s knowing that your actions, both in the air and on

the ground, speak for all of us who love backcountry flying.


Etiquette isn’t something written down; it’s something you learn from watching, listening, and caring enough to do it right.


My relationship with the backcountry is like a trust: something I’ve been given the privilege to care for. Every landing, every campfire, every quiet evening beside the airplane is part of that agreement. I get to enjoy it, but I’m also responsible for taking care of it. That trust is between pilots and the land, between freedom and responsibility.


When you camp next to your airplane, listening to the sweet sounds of the wild and wishing that moment would never end – that’s what we’re protecting. The silence. The solitude. The gratitude of realizing how lucky we are to be here.


The next generation of pilots deserves that same experience. The wide-open spaces, the challenge, the beauty of landing somewhere most people will never see. We take care of it not because someone told us to, but because we love it.


Practicing good stewardship starts with preparedness. It begins long before you take off. A solid preflight isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about knowing your airplane, your limits, and the environment you’re stepping into. Preparedness is what earns you the privilege of flying there safely and coming home with good stories instead of lessons learned the hard way.


In addition to packing out what you brought in, bring an extra trash bag and pick up those half-burned cans someone else left behind. It’s not a big deal - it takes two seconds, and it’s one of the simplest ways to be a good backcountry neighbor. Leave it better than you found it.


That also refers to inspecting where you just landed. Take a few minutes to walk the strip, checking for hazards like rocks, ruts, or debris. Noticing washouts or overgrown brush helps land managers, and who knows, your trip report might spark the next RAF work party.


Minimizing your impact isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing better. Be mindful of the marks you leave… from your tire tracks to your campfire ashes. Nobody wants to be the pilot whose ruts are still there two years later.


Being aware of others goes a long way. As more pilots explore the backcountry than ever before and as outdoor recreation continues to grow, awareness and respect matter more than ever. (2025 Outdoor Participation Trends Report)


The backcountry is big enough for all of us if we fly it with intention.


When you’re taxiing, take it slow and notice where your prop wash is headed. Shut down and be willing to push the airplane out of the way instead of blasting everyone with dust. Give others space on the strip. Be mindful of your surroundings and of those who are sharing it with you. Stay awhile and enjoy it.


Because at the end of the day, good airmanship in the backcountry isn’t just about how you handle the airplane; it’s about how you handle the privilege of being there.


Aviation author, Michael Maya Charles, once wrote, “…our approach to flying should be the same, as if someone is watching us, evaluating our every move. Because they are. No matter where we step, we leave footprints in the sand.” (1992, January. What makes a pro. Flying Magazine.)


Most of us started flying the backcountry because it makes us feel alive: the quiet, the challenge, the way the light hits the mountains while you’re sitting by your airplane, coffee in hand, thinking, I can’t believe I get to be here. That’s what we’re protecting.


The backcountry: fly it like you want to keep it…forever.

Stef Goza learned to fly as a teenager in Iowa and eventually found her way north to Alaska, where the freedom of backcountry flying became part of her everyday life. She serves as one of the Alaska State Liaisons for the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the Chair of her local 99s Chapter. 


With a background in leadership, mentoring, and community outreach, Stef brings a practical approach to aviation advocacy, working to strengthen connections within the general aviation community. Stef enjoys exploring the backcountry with her husband and capturing the beauty of their adventures through her award-winning photography. 

Submitted December 23, 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

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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

HELP THE RAF EARN DELTA REWARDS—AT NO COST TO YOU!

November 2, 2026
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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
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