The Recreational Aviation Foundation preserves, improves, and creates airstrips for recreational access.

The RAF is proud to announce the successful renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management, establishing a framework of cooperation between the two entities. “This renewal has been years in the making," said RAF Chairman John McKenna, who signed the document on February 26. "It is a huge stride toward fulfilling the RAF mission and ensuring our continued successful cooperation with this major federal land manager,” he added. The original MOU was negotiated in great part by RAF Arizona Liaison Mark Spencer, and was mutually signed by the RAF and BLM in February, 2015. In brief, the MOU outlines BLM/RAF collaboration to preserve, maintain, and improve existing backcountry airstrips on BLM-managed lands, and mutual efforts to support safe and responsible recreational aviation. According to Cory Roegner, Bureau of Land Management Deputy Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor Services, "This renewed MOU marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing collaboration, and we look forward to the continued great work we'll accomplish together." Key persons in executing the MOU are RAF State Liaisons, who will be included in the early planning stages whenever aviation access might be affected, and to initiate appropriate airstrip maintenance and improvement projects. This agreement is in effect for the next five years, and is renewable upon mutual consent. Submitted March 10, 2026 Photo By: Ben Carlson, Mineral Canyon, UT

There are all kinds of ways for volunteers to help the RAF mission, and this month we feature pilots Lindsay and Paul Tarkleson of Bozeman, MT, who set aside whatever they may be doing to model RAF logo wear in front of their photogenic Cessna 170 for the RAF Outfitter, the RAF's online gear store. If it means taking a break from her busy dental office, or finding help tending their four-year old and three-month-old baby, that’s what she and Paul do. Lindsay is a native of Bozeman. Her father, RAF Supporter Jim Booth, flies a Cessna 180 and years ago inspired Lindsay to get her pilot's license, which she did in 2015 in a Citabria named “Daisy.” Not long after, she decided to buy a Cessna 170, which she and Paul fly out of Bozeman Yellowstone Field today. Lindsay earned her seaplane rating and says, “I’ve never flown a nose wheel airplane unless you count the amphibious floats.” Paul explains, “We were flying Jim’s Cessna 180 back to Montana from Maine, and it was clear two pilots would be better than one, so I decided to get my license, too.” He learned in the C170 in Bozeman, and when he showed up for his flight test, he told the FAA examiner that he needed to get the test going, since he borrowed the taildragger from his wife, “and needed to get it back before my wife discovers it’s gone.” Paul, a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy, spent years sailing all over the world for the Merchant Marine. He was at home on the seas, but gave up the ocean life for aviation, a natural switch that fulfilled that passion. “It’s as similar as it can be to the ocean, but the exact opposite,” he says. With two young daughters and a busy family business, Paul is very happy not to be away seven months of the year. Paul serves as Lindsay’s lab technician, and his schedule is such that they can prioritize the needs of the kids, blessed with occasional help from Lindsay’s parents, who live nearby. Bozeman is a great place to raise a family, the Tarklesons feel. “The schools are great, and our airport is only thirty minutes away,” Paul adds. Lindsay and Paul credit their friend and RAF photographer Jake Peterson for their introduction to the RAF. The Tarklesons manage to fly often, mainly throughout the West, including a flight to Oregon to pick up their puppy, who now flies with them to go bird hunting. “We fly into airstrips in Montana and Idaho that the RAF supports and helps maintain; so for that, we are forever grateful,” Lindsay says. Submitted March 3, 2025