BOWSTRING CALL TO ACTION FILLS THE ROOM

RAF Minnesota Liaison Kurt Pennuto wants to thank everyone who took time to respond to a Call To Action regarding Bowstring Airport. The impressive turnout on  May 2  included 43 pilots — many of whom are RAF members — a resort owner, and the videographer who produced the Bowstring Fly in video. Twelve airplanes flew in. The County also received 28 emails, letters and phone calls. All wanted Bowstring to retain its open status. “I was very encouraged that on a Wednesday morning, 45 people showed up to support something they love, be passionate about it and stand up and vocalize the benefits of keeping a remote airport open,” he said. 

Wisconsin Liaison Jeff Russell flew in to attend and said, “It’s a beautiful airport in a great location in the heart of Minnesota’s north woods and lakes area. Kurt did a great job identifying this strip as one with high recreational value and one that the RAF should be involved with.”

The meeting included Itasca county commissioners, airport commissioners and MN-DOT. County Commissioner Davin Tinquist represents the district, and led the meeting by saying “We want to keep this airport open.” They are supportive of the money it generates, with people flying in to recreate. But the county’s biggest issue appeared to be their perception that ownership was exposing them to liability. Evidently, the Commissioners are not aware that in 2012, Minnesota added aviation as a recreational activity to its Recreational Use Statute, providing protection to the land owner/manager. “It’s the responsibility of the pilot to make a proper decision,” Kurt observed. “That’s where I see the education piece for the county.” 

Complicating matters is that MN-DOT is responsible for inspecting the airport, and had noted 17 safety violations — trees that needed to be removed. It appeared the airport commission wasn’t consistent about reporting back how they resolved the issue. 

Kurt is committed to ongoing progress, and welcomed Michigan Liaison Brad Frederick’s offer to present his success working with the state of Michigan.

Both Kurt and Jeff reported that the county commissioners were quite surprised by the turnout. “They specifically noted the RAF’s attendance and appreciated us being there,” Jeff said. 

The meeting served to re-establish communications between the county and the airport commission along with MN-DOT, who informed them of funding that is available for airport safety projects.

“There is still more work to do,” Kurt said, “but for now Bowstring is on good footing.”

Submitted on May 7, 2018

Posted in News

Recent Posts

Luke Reber

By lellington • January 13, 2026
KANSAS STATE LIAISON

RAF ADDS TEXAS LIAISON JEREMY HARRIS

January 13, 2026
When asked, “What do you like about the RAF?” Jeremy Harris quickly answered, “I love to fly, I love being out in nature, and sharing that with other people.” When the opportunity came up to take a more active role with the RAF, Jeremy didn’t hesitate to raise his hand. “I’ve wanted to fly friends and family around since I was a kid. Growing up in central Texas, the idea of freedom, adventure, and seeing new places from the air always stuck,” he says. After two years of college, he joined the US Army and worked as an intelligence analyst supporting combat search and rescue. “Being around airplanes every day only fueled my desire to fly,” he says. After his Army service, Jeremy took his first flight at a small flight school outside of D.C. and was instantly hooked. Life got busy with a new marriage, growing a technology company, even finishing his undergrad and master's degrees, and three great kids. On his 32nd birthday, he earned his PPL. Over the years, he partnered in several airplanes and focused mostly on training. “The sense of adventure slowly faded, until I decided to fly for fun, even if nobody else wanted to go,” he says. He earned his tailwheel endorsement in a J-3 Cub in the mountains of West Virginia. “Flying through mountain valleys and landing on grass strips next to rivers reignited everything for me,” Jeremy said. He bought a Maule M-4 and began flying to backcountry camping spots. In 2022, Jeremy moved back to Texas and purchased a Citabria, where he now provides tailwheel endorsements and spin training. He flies almost every day, and says, "I build relationships with local airstrip owners, and look forward to helping the RAF keep this dream alive—connecting pilots who love flying, freedom, and time spent in nature.” Feel free to reach Jeremy at jharris@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.

RAF ADDS NORTH CAROLINA LIAISON WILL RICHTER

January 12, 2026
The RAF warmly welcomes Will Richter to the State Liaison team. Will began his aviation journey in the midst of his law enforcement career when he had an opportunity to try out for the Greenville, South Carolina Sheriff’s Air Support Unit. He spent the next seven years flying co-pilot on a Bell OH-58 patrol helicopter. As time and finances allowed, Will pursued his sport pilot license flying Weight Shift Control (WSC) trikes, as well as earning his private and instrument ratings in fixed wing aircraft, and a commercial UAS pilot certificate. Now semi-retired, Will is a licensed general contractor in the stormwater and environmental sector. He owns a Sling TSI fixed-wing aircraft, and an Evolution Revolt WSC trike. “I fly several times a week for work and pleasure,” he says. “The mountains of Western North Carolina have always felt like home to me, and I look forward to exploring and connecting with as many airfields as possible to further the RAF mission,” he adds. Will can be reached at wrichter@theraf.org . Submitted January 13, 2025.

RAF FEATURED SUPPORTER: MIKE KUEFLER

By Carmine Mowbray • January 7, 2026
Mike overseeing the St. Ignatius Autumn Pumpkin Drop to benefit local children (pictured on the right).

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS DONE YESTERDAY

January 7, 2026
When we start a new year, we’re tempted to focus only on what lies out in front of us. Yet, what does lie out front is generally some result of the past. To begin, the RAF would like to thank each of you who have responded to our year-end outreach, where we – as best we can – politely ask for your financial support. For those of you who have already responded, thank you, and for those who have yet to do so, we look forward to hearing from you. I was on the phone with long-time friend and early RAF director Tim Clifford. Tim and I were talking about how we best keep in touch with early RAF friends. Even more important, how do we express to you about those people who came before us, and what they accomplished? Dave Myrick of Arkansas was just one such guy. Not even quite sure how Dave entered the RAF, but when he did, we immediately knew he was going to be a family member you were always glad to see. Before there was a Trigger Gap or a Richland Creek, it was Dave who drove (yes, drove) around much of what we know as the heart of the Arkansas backcountry. He did so with the help of a small grant facilitated by the RAF and the Walton Family Foundation. He would get in his little pickup and drive up and down just about every farm road in the Ozarks. He’d take time to meet and talk to landowners and tell them of the backcountry aviation community’s interest in having “places to go.” He was pretty darn effective, as he was the catalyst for what we all know now as the Arkansas backcountry, Fly Oz, and, in general, just great relationships. When not seeking permission to land, he could be found working at a display table telling the RAF story, going to the state legislature to advocate for aviation in the statutes, and rustling up new enthusiastic supporters. When we learned that Dave had passed in 2024, we remembered him as a standout among so many who have built the RAF. People who cared deeply and worked to make it better for all of us. So, what I would like to ask is that we all keep the folks who have done so much to make this RAF thing work close to our hearts.  Next time you enjoy something that’s pretty darn cool, like Trigger Gap, it probably happened because of people like Dave. With that same spirit, let’s all look forward to what lies ahead, and step right up to the bar of 2026; and like Dave would have said, say, “This one’s on me!” - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted January 7, 2025.