Archive for June 2025
DEAN CASTILLO
Dean Castillo grew up in Florida, the son and grandson of lifelong pilots and outdoor enthusiasts. His grandfather was a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Naval Aviator who, as Dean says, “Never passed up on an opportunity to ‘take her around the patch.’” Dean and his father spent countless days exploring the…
Read MoreTHE RAF WARMLY WELCOMES DEAN CASTILLO OF VIRGINIA TO THE LIAISON TEAM
Dean Castillo grew up in Florida, the son and grandson of lifelong pilots and outdoor enthusiasts. His grandfather was a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Naval Aviator who, as Dean says, “Never passed up on an opportunity to ‘take her around the patch.’” Dean and his father spent countless days exploring the…
Read MoreGOING TO OSHKOSH?
Join the RAF at AirVenture again this year! You’re invited upstairs on Hartzell’s Rooftop (booth #289, just outside of Hangar B) on Tuesday, July 22 from 9-11 a.m. for coffee, the best donuts around, great views and conversation! On Wednesday, July 23, visit the Pilot Proficiency Center for Backcountry Flying Day: Classroom 1 Sessions:9:30am Flying Idaho’s…
Read MoreWORTH THE READ: LUKE LACHENDRO 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 Luke Lachendro, a Wisconsin pilot and an RAF Ambassador. Preserving More Than Airstrips In aviation, we often talk about freedom. The ability to lift off from the ground…
Read MoreFEATURED RAF SUPPORTER: PAUL WELKE
Paul and Angela Welke own Island Airways at Welke Airport (6Y8) on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, 27 nm from Charlevoix (KCVX), where the business also has a base. RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant says, “Paul is always offering his services and has been incredible about answering calls for help from North Fox Island, 18…
Read MoreMEET TAYLIN TRAFTON, NEW RAF MARKETING COORDINATOR
They say that Montana is one small town with a big backyard. Taylin Trafton experienced that small town feel when she was looking for a job related to the outdoors, and saw that the RAF was hiring. Then she recognized Kodi Myhre’s name as the contact person. Like Kodi, Taylin grew up in Lewistown, Montana. Taylin…
Read MoreRAF AWARDS GRANT FOR MOAB AIRSTRIPS CULTURAL STUDY
Five Moab area airstrips are located within a short hike or bike from spectacular red-rock canyons and mountains, and two are suitable for pilots to practice backcountry landings without disturbing other recreational users, RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig reports. “All five are excellent airstrips for camping under the dark Utah skies,” she added. But none…
Read More“NOT SMART” VS “STUPID”
Not sure about you, but I likely have been both. As a recent blog post suggested, not smart is a passive act, remedied with learning, experience, and thought; while stupid is active – the result of someone who should have or could have known better, but decided to do something selfish, impulsive, or dangerous anyway.…
Read MorePACIFIC CITY AIRPORT GETS RAF GRANT FOR LARGE BIKE SHED
RAF Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson just received an RAF grant for an 8’x12’ bike shed to hold 15 bikes at Pacific City Airport, KPFC on the Oregon coast, about 16 nm south of Tillamook. Johnson is working with the adjacent landowner, and Friends of Oregon Pacific City State Airport (FOPCSA) on this cooperative project. RAF…
Read More‘BACKCOUNTRY’ MEANS MORE THAN YOU THINK
For many, the word “backcountry” brings to mind a setting in the wilderness. We at the RAF consider “backcountry” to be more than a place. It describes a style of flying we enjoy. Where patterns may not be rectangles, and where extra care must be taken to safely land and depart. In our world, “backcountry”…
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