RAF Podcast #8: Amrat Chugani

Amrat in a cockpit

Bill chats with Amrat Chugani about his career in aviation, learning to fly in Florida, getting his tailwheel endorsement and why he’s a part of the RAF volunteers and what’s next…

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AIRFIELD HOME OF BEARHAWK TO GET RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

RAF Virginia Liaison Alan White has been awarded an RAF grant to make improvements to Barrows Field (VA04) in Fincastle, Virginia. Barrows is home to R&B Aircraft, makers of Bearhawk aircraft. White’s plans include establishing a camping and picnic area along the river, repairing the outhouse, clearing encroaching limbs, and installing an RAF windsock. He expects…

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POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF TONGASS WILDERNESS CABINS

RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton, RAF members Bill Rusk and Jeff DeFreest report that the US Forest Service cabins primarily in Southeast Alaska that are available for public use may be in jeopardy of closure. Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest National Forest, and includes 142 cabins accessible by boat, trail, seaplane, and a…

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JEREMY VAUGHAN

Virginia and North Carolina Ambassador Day Job: General Manager at Dix Aviation at W78 airport Favorite Airstrip: Mine: 00VA Next adventure: Various airports or grass-strips in VA

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LISA ELLINGTON

Website Volunteer Lisa Ellington, a fifth-generation Texan, grew up on a farm in South Texas. Every day was an adventure with horses, cows, pigs, and chickens (most of whom were pets), as well as numerous dogs and cats. Her family took fun summer trips around the US, such as hiking the Grand Canyon, canoeing the…

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IAA AND IDAHO AERONAUTICS SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT: HOODOO MEADOWS AIRSTRIP

Idaho Aviation Association (IAA) and Idaho’s Division of Aeronautics are seeking public comments in support of rehabilitating Hoodoo Meadows Airstrip. Hoodoo Meadows is located in Idaho’s Salmon-Challis National Forest. For the last two years the IAA has worked with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), US Forest Service, Idaho Fish & Game, and RAF to help make…

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BILL STEINMETZ

Indiana State Liaison Bill grew up in a flying family. He graduated in 1979 from Purdue University in Indiana with a degree in Professional Pilot Technology. “I was teaching and flying Part 135 in what was then a horrible aviation job market,” he says. Eventually becoming engaged full time in a family construction business, Bill…

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AOPA STATE ADVOCACY TEAM AND RAF KEY VOLUNTEERS MEET VIRTUALLY

Mike Ginter, Vice President of AOPA’s Airports and State Advocacy anchored an RAF “Fire Hub Chat” session with State Liaisons, Ambassadors and the RAF Board on February 16. AOPA organizes its US membership into seven multi-state regions in order to focus on specific issues. (Only the Alaska region is comprised of a single state.) All…

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MEGHANN MCKENNA

Vice President of Appreciation Meghann and her dog Roger are longtime friends of the RAF.  Meghann owns and operates an insurance and financial planning practice based out of Bozeman, Montana. Roger is currently between employment opportunities and not looking very hard. While most of Meghann’s time in the air is spent sitting in an exit row…

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USFS RENEWS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH RAF

RAF Chairman John McKenna and US Forest Service Recreational Director Michiko Martin on January 6 co-signed a five-year renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the USFS and the RAF.  “The RAF has worked consistently for the last eighteen years to build a good working relationship with the Forest Service at the district, regional, and…

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