WORTH THE READ: LIBBY MAUS 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 Libby Maus, a co-pilot and RAF volunteer.
From the Right Seat:
Less than 10 years ago, I was afraid to fly in an aircraft with only one engine with only one pilot. It seemed like double jeopardy to me. Then, my husband bought a Cessna T182T to enjoy in the lovely Montana summers. Yikes! His experience as a C-130 pilot in the ‘70s was of some comfort, but….
I decided to take some flying lessons with a highly recommended CFI, to see if I could overcome my fears and maybe enjoy this new adventure with Steve. Dave Boyd was an encouraging, patient instructor! Once he explained how every part of the plane helped it fly and even glide, I realized that if the engine failed, I was halfway there.
We went up for my first flying lesson as a companion co-pilot for two hours, after the on-the-ground lesson.
After that two hours, I was sure I could be comfortable flying with Steve and could even learn to fly and land safely. I continued to take lessons with Dave, while enjoying our Montana summers. He taught me some safety measures for flying in the mountains, as well as for flying anywhere. The more I learned about the process in the air and the more people I met through the RAF, the more I loved flying with Steve in “our 182”.
One summer, Richard McSpadden was visiting MT and went flying with me, as my instructor. He realized how my story of fears was like so many others and asked me to help with a new AOPA Safety Institute video about being a “companion co-pilot.” He, too, was a patient and encouraging instructor, and I agreed to participate in the video project. You can see the entire video, which has several segments, on the AOPA website.
I am now enjoying many adventures in the beautiful country we are fortunate to call home! We fly to Texas, our primary home, every fall. We visit friends in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Some of them live on airstrips, some near low-to-moderate-traffic airports. Flying as a co-pilot is much more interesting and enjoyable than just tagging along in “Steve’s airplane”!
We return to MT in June, annually, and spend many evenings around campfires or in homes with the RAF friends, during the summer. It is a new and different kind of travel for me and we can enjoy it together.
The RAF is now part of our extended family. I already had many friends and family members to enjoy, but these new friends are special, too. We love ALL of the people and places that are part of our life, and we will forever be grateful for the open arms of all the RAF folks!
Libby Maus is the wife of a former USAF pilot who is a current ambassador for the RAF in Texas. She was a teacher in Texas schools for many years and raised their daughter and son in the Dallas area. Libby has had a few different hobbies but no background in aviation. She has volunteered at a Children’s Hospital, Equest (a therapeutic horseback riding program), and a middle school math program for students struggling in math. She has always enjoyed music – piano and fiddle – as a player and a teacher.
Submitted August 20, 2025