CHIP VIGNOLINI

Chip was born in Fort Myers, Florida, but feels that Western PA is home, since his family settled there when he was ten. His dad served in the Air Force and the family moved around the country quite a bit when he was young. Chip’s interest in aviation began while living on March Airforce Base in Riverside, CA, with hearing B52s flying overhead. He has pictures of himself flying control-line models in the desert with his dad.


Chip completed a Professional Pilot Program in community college and started flying in 1989. At age 19, in 1990, he earned his private pilot license. “Aviation jobs were limited in the early 90’s, so I transferred to West Virginia University in Morgantown where I earned a BS in Wildlife Biology,” Chip explains. He then earned his Executive MBA from Colorado Technical University, and has been an engineer for a major wireless provider for 24 years, holding various leadership roles. His team engineers network infrastructure across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Focusing on building his career and a family, he set flying aside until 2009 when he again immersed himself in aviation. “I average 100-plus flying hours a year, have my seaplane rating and tailwheel endorsement,” he says. He flies a variety of singles in his flying club based at his home airfield, Zelienople, PA, where he serves on the Condor Aero Club as Director of Maintenance, responsible for all coordination of maintenance across the entire fleet. Chip is a Field Director for the Seaplane Pilots Association, and is FAA Drone Certified. While involved in RC aircraft, he competed internationally with gliders and precision aerobatics. “I also designed, kitted, and sold a hand-launch glider called the Ariel,” he adds.


Chip is dedicated to charitable service, and is a VP on the Pennsylvania Wireless Association board, and sits on its Foundation Board. “Our primary goals are fundraising events for charities such as Homes for Our Troops and wireless industry education,” he says.

“I have a passion for aviation and the outdoors. I spend most weekends flying to events nationwide, camping, and finding a stream or lake to wet a line,” he says. He also likes to ride motorcycles, golf, hunt, fish, travel, and snow ski, yet finds time to do all his own work on vehicles and home improvements. “I love being a part of the RAF. This organization is amazing. It’s structured, we have responsibilities. Not to mention it fits into all my interests perfectly,” Chip adds.

Chip can be reached at cvignolini@theraf.org

    Recent Posts

MARCEL LEBLANC

By lellington • September 15, 2026

DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR

By John McKenna • September 14, 2026
Sometimes one needs to look no further than one's incoming correspondence to find inspiration. Just this past week, folks passionate about the RAF mission reached out to me with suggestions that would bring resources to the RAF. Whether they be one-off items that we might offer, or events like large fundraisers, these folks are offering some thoughts on how we might continue to pay the bills. Additionally, we’re receiving word from folks with new destinations on their mind, and some pretty cool ones at that. Along the way, my inbox – as well as my calendar – is filled with updates on our Expanding the Map effort, with an emphasis on Fly Rocky Top. The Fly Rocky Top initiative in Tennessee is generating strong interest, and for good reason. It feels great. Folks are showing up to pitch in, with significant work projects planned. Trish and I, along with other board members, will be there to lend a hand to this exciting project. We are coming up on our annual year-end letter, which you will be seeing not long from now. In addition to showcasing a few more of our successful projects, we will be seeking your support. Stand by. I’ll wrap this up by letting you know that we could not be more pleased with how you all are doing your part. Thank you. It is so healthy to have an organization that uses passion as a primary energy source. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted September 14, 2026

GARRISON DAM RECREATIONAL AIRPARK IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE

September 11, 2026
“We had a busy day at Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark, as we continue to work on the underwing camping area,” RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau reported. Rau was awarded an RAF grant in spring of 2026 to convert an adjacent day-use park into an airport camping area, and had organized volunteers who began the project in May. The airport, 37N, is closed while the runway and taxiway are being upgraded by a contractor for the ND Aeronautics Commission.

PACK A TRASH BAG

By Stef Goza • September 9, 2026
You know the feeling. You set the airplane down somewhere spectacular, shut off the engine, and enjoy the pristine landscape in front of you. This is why you fly. Keeping airstrips pristine is everyone's responsibility. But one item that doesn’t always make it into the airplane is a good trash bag. Not for the trash you planned to make. For the trash you didn’t. Cans left in a fire ring, fishing line along the river, or food wrappers working their way through the brush. None of it came in your airplane, but you have the ability to get it out. That’s reason enough to tuck a couple of heavy-duty contractor bags in with your tie-down gear. They earn their space in other ways, too. A contractor bag can keep wet or muddy gear out of the baggage compartment, cover equipment in a downpour, collect rainwater, or become an emergency poncho or windbreak. It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little room. Throw a few in the airplane and leave them there. You may not need one for your own trash, but there is a good chance you’ll find another use for it—or find something worth carrying out. Submitted September 9, 2026 By Stef Goza, Etiquette Chair, Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee

VOLUNTEERS CLEAR WILLOWS, TREES FROM MARBLE AIRFIELD

September 8, 2026
RAF Colorado Liaison Ken Long, Ambassador Mike Langersmith, and other RAF volunteers participated in an August work event at Marble, Colorado, a mountain airfield about 20 nm up the Crystal River drainage south of Carbondale. Airfield Manager Susan Blue put together the task list and oversaw the event that brought 21 volunteers in ten aircraft and four dogs.