Posts by Lisa Ellington
BILL ABLES
It was natural for Bill Ables of Enterprise, Oregon, to take up backcountry flying and advocacy. He makes a stunning image when he approaches a forest strip in his beautiful 1952 red Cessna 170B. Bill has served as RAF Ambassador, but has made the commitment to step up as Liaison, joining RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes. Bill…
Read MoreRon Normandeau
It’s hard to believe that Ron Normandeau’s aircraft started out as a box of airplane parts. Ron, of Polson, Montana built a beautiful 1947 Aeronca Chief and now enjoys flying his own plane. He began flying in 1962 between junior and senior high school years, and earned his license. Ron’s wife Kathi earned her private…
Read MoreCHRISTOPHER JOLLY
Christopher Jolly was introduced to aviation the day following his arrival into this world. His father was participating in a remote control sailplane competition and brought him to the flying field that day. He eventually grew up and also competed in remote control sailplane competitions, ultimately qualifying to represent the U.S. junior team and placing…
Read MoreNEW MEXICO VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE NEWLY-OPENED SACATON
Once the USFS District Ranger deemed Sacaton “re-opened” last January after it had lain dormant and overgrown for decades, RAF New Mexico Ron Keller lost no time organizing help to improve it and make it safer and more appealing for recreation. On the weekend of April 13-16 Keller gathered three volunteers to work on the…
Read MoreAVEY FIELD IMPROVEMENTS PRESERVE SAFETY
RAF Washington Liaison Dave Whitelaw has been awarded an RAF grant to preserve amenities and increase safety at Avey Field, (69S) near Laurier, WA. The field is owned by Bob Davis of Orient, WA, and is adjacent to a Washington-British Columbia Port-Of-Entry. Customs agents are nearby making this strip convenient for travelers to and from Canada. …
Read MoreR.M. “BOB” BURLEY
Vermont State Liaison What began as frequent 12 mile bicycle rides to a local Vermont airport in the early 1950’s quickly evolved into a full-fledged airport rat manifestation. Along the way, peripheral excursions have included: retired international corporate executive (F-10 company), former Air Force officer, pilot, stints as Highway Engineer, logger, Operations Director for a…
Read MoreJeff Smith
Kentucky Ambassador Day job: Architect Favorite strip: Locally is Lee Bottom, IN, but I love all the strips represented as FlyOZ! Next adventure: Oshkosh and Door County, WI
Read MoreRAF HONORS VOLUNTEERS DURING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
April 16-22 is this year’s National Volunteer Week and the RAF proudly recognizes and honors its corps of outstanding volunteers. RAF Board Chairman John McKenna put it this way in his “Worth the Read” essay last month, “ ‘I got it’ was what built the RAF, and continues to propel it forward.” The RAF counts…
Read MoreBob Martin
Three things stand out among RAF supporter Bob Martin’s passions: aviation, his devotion to Havana Regional Airport, and the newspapers his family started in 1855. Bob is the fourth continuous generation to publish these Illinois community newspapers.Very few people can talk about how their family members were contemporaries of Abraham Lincoln long before he became…
Read MorePete 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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