Pete Smith

Pete cut his teeth on light metal fabrication in the business his father started in northern Virginia 50 years ago. They moved it to the central Montana town of Lewistown 32 years ago, and are now a substantial employer, with over 40 employees in the town of 6,000 folks. Called “HCR” (for Horizontal Curvilinear Re-circulator), their…

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ANDI HOWELL

Andi Howell has been co-piloting (ok, sleeping) in the right seat of their RV9a since her husband, Pete, finished building it in 2006. Finding the RAF has allowed them to unite their interests: Andi’s for camping, hiking and the outdoors, and Pete’s for flying. Her other hobbies include reading, puzzles, games, theater and travel.  Submitted on March…

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VOLUNTEERS REOPEN SACATON AFTER DECADES OF CLOSURE

“After FAA approval and no objections from Forest Service Fire and Aviation, the District Ranger approved Sacaton Landing Strip for recreational access this morning,” RAF New Mexico Liaison Ron Keller reported on January 9, and his dream that Sacaton reopen by New Years was fully realized. This airstrip had lain unusable for three decades. “At least a…

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FAA CLARIFIES CHARTING TERMS

A September 2022 announcement by the FAA stirred up social media chatter and piqued AOPA and RAF attention over the possible removal of a sector of private airfields from charts. On chart legends, the open magenta circle “R” was labeled Non-public use having emergency or landmark value. The FAA bulletin stated that “only private airports…

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ALLIGATOR ARMS

Ever hang out with an alligator? I was at lunch the other day with my older sister. It is somewhat of a joke in our family that she always forgets her purse, or as we say “she has alligator arms.” You know the type. They are the person that allows the check to lay in…

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HEATHER HAIR

Day Job: phone care physical therapist Favorite Airstrip: That’s a secret  Next Adventure: Every day is a chance to make a crazy new adventure Submitted on February 16, 2023.

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Tim Kaseno

For a pilot who has flown all over the world, first as a Navy pilot in Sikorsky H3 helicopters, then flying logistic support in the Beechcraft C12, and the DC9, civilian regional in the Jetstream 4100, and freight for Atlas Air in the B747, Tim Kaseno’s roots run deep in Cornucopia, Wisconsin, a place that draws…

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