CHRIS ARNO

Maine State Liaison

Chris was born, grew up, and now lives in Dover Foxcroft in central Maine. After high school, Chris took after his father in the utility power line trade and now owns a power line construction company that he started with his father who has since retired. Chris has always had a vast interest in aviation, and during his youth had a large collection of RC airplanes. In 2019 at the age of 47, he received his private pilot license – his seaplane rating and tailwheel endorsement soon followed.


Chris has been flying a 1942 Aeronca Super Chief Seaplane and recently completed a three-plus year total overhaul of a Cessna L-19 Birddog along with his IA. “The project started with only the firewall in a jig, and the rest of the airplane built new around it,” he says. It has many performance upgrades and is rigged for wheels, skis and amphibious floats. “The lovable ‘one niner’ (L-19) turned into a bucket list item that I didn’t know I wanted,” Chis added. “I swear that I didn’t have the RAF in mind for the color scheme. My wife Diane picked out the colors for it.”


While still a student pilot owning a Piper Cherokee, Chris had hopes of building a hangar at Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Field, (44B) a 3,000-ft grass strip in his hometown. The airport was named for Charles A. Chase Jr. who was tragically killed in December of 1959 while flying his Cub dressed as Santa. The Chase family gifted the airfield to the people of Dover Foxcroft but neglected to stipulate that it remain an airfield in perpetuity.


When Chris learned that the town manager and board had plans to close the airport for a solar power generation farm, he joined the dedicated group of individuals who formed the Save the Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Facebook page. It attracted 1,000 followers along with much of the town, as well as Chase family members determined to save the airport.


“The town manager was one postage stamp away from sending the paperwork to the FAA to shut down the runway when this all started,” Chris says. He was introduced to the RAF.


Together with the support of RAF supporters Steve Mason, John Meade, Rene Robillard, and Andy Rowe. Wearing their signature orange, they attended public meetings along with townspeople and Chase family members. The town manager and board of selectmen decided not to close the airport. “The airport is now doing well with three new hangars that have been built since I built mine,” Chris said.


Chris is heavily involved with the charitable organization “Wings for Wishes” that benefits the Make A Wish Maine Foundation which raised over $60,000 in 2023. Wings for Wishes is held each August and brings people together from all over the country to a private airfield in Exeter, Maine. “We eat, laugh, fly, and enjoy each other’s company for a few days but most importantly, we raise money to put smiles on the faces of kids and families who might not have that opportunity without the help of Make A Wish,” he says.


“The RAF has been a big part of my aviation background already, and I have been lucky enough to meet so many great people in the organization. I look forward to seeing more good things we can do to help create, maintain and preserve backcountry aviation!


207-852-1881

carno@theraf.org

Recent Posts

RAF OUTFITTER SPRING SALE

May 4, 2026
THE RAF SPRING SALE IS HERE! Gear up for the flying season ahead! For a limited time, take up to 30% off a selection of RAF Outfitter gear. Show off your support for the RAF and head into the summer flying season in style. Our Spring Sale includes items from Stio and Kuhl, along with hats, jackets, accessories, and more. Check it out before they are gone! Shop the Spring Sale here.

FEATURED AIRSTRIP: HECKMAN LAKE, AK

April 30, 2026
There are two fly-in public use cabins on Heckman Lake in the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District of Alaska. Both are approximately 15 miles from Ketchikan, and open year-round to welcome visitors for what RAF Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest calls “a very unique remote recreational experience. Relaxing on the deck gives you a view of the lake, surrounded by the Sitka Spruce and western hemlock forest.” Either site can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay. Each cabin has a table, benches, a wood stove, and an outhouse. Guests should bring their own firewood, as it is not guaranteed. Drinking water is not available; guests should treat the creek or lake water, or bring their own. Southeast Heckman Fly-In Cabin is situated on the southeast shore of Heckman Lake and is only accessible by floatplane. The 16x22-ft pan-abode style log cabin accommodates eight people and is wheelchair accessible. In 2024, the RAF and Seaplane Pilots Association provided grants to restore the cabin. Volunteers, assisted by Misty Fjords Air, collaborated with the US Forest Service to complete work on the cabin, dock, outhouse, and trails. The other cabin is a 12x14-ft pan-abode style that can accommodate up to six people. It can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay and hiking six miles on the Naha River National Recreation Trail. Visitors may use the 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars or bring their own short shaft motor. The Naha River is accessible from the cabins and provides opportunities to fish for trout. In season, there are steelhead and salmon runs. The Naha River National Recreation Trail winds downstream six miles through a rainforest where you may spot Roosevelt Lagoon, Jordan Lake, and a waterfall on your way to Naha Bay. Visitors would be wise to bring extra provisions, as occasionally, poor weather can cause extended stays. The RAF Airfield Guide includes information on these cabins. Recreation.gov allows visitors to check availability and find other USFS information on the Southeast Heckman Lake fly-in cabin and Heckman Lake cabin . Submitted April 30, 2026

GRANT AWARDED FOR GARRISON DAM (37N), NORTH DAKOTA

April 30, 2026
RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau and Ambassador Jeff Faught have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and North Dakota Aeronautics Commission to develop an underwing camping area at Garrison Dam Recreational Airport (37N). Rau presented a plan to convert an adjacent day-use park with flush toilets, a picnic area, horseshoe and basketball facilities for the camping area. He gained approval from the Corps of Engineers and ND Aeronautics and was awarded an RAF grant to help with the project. “Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark is an excellent existing recreational airstrip. There is fishing, hunting, and hiking available adjacent to the proposed underwing camping area,” Rau said. The ND Aeronautics Commission will develop an existing road into a taxiway to connect the 3,200-ft long turf runway to the new camping area. The Commission has finalized its plans and has awarded the work to a contractor. Rau and Faught will organize volunteers to install signage, remove trees, grind stumps, prepare the camping and tie-down surface areas, install drain tile, and plant 75 new trees. Rau expects the contractors to begin work in June 2026. See the RAF Airfield Guide for information on Garrison Dam Recreational Airport. Submitted April 30, 2026

AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR AIRFIELD OWNERS

By Carmine Mowbray • April 30, 2026
The RAF has done a deep dive into all 50 states’ Recreational Use Statutes, and you can find them here . The purpose of these statutes is to help keep private lands open to the public for recreation by limiting landowner liability. In its advocacy of recreational aviation, the RAF has made efforts to increase landowners’ protection when allowing others to use their airfields. With added protection, landowners are more willing to open their airfields to public use, with or without certain conditions. Thanks to these efforts, many states now include “aviation” in the named recreational, non-commercial activities in their Recreational Statutes; some states are more general. We invite you to check out your state’s legal language, or feel free to contact either of the RAF’s RUS Liaisons, John Nadeau at jnadeau@theraf.org or Rick McCraw at rmccraw@theraf.org . Our efforts continue to include “aviation” in all states’ statutes, so this information will be updated as needed. Submitted April 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray Photo Credit: Ron Barrett, Sullivan Lake, WA

CALL TO ACTION: COMMENTS REQUESTED TO REOPEN GIANT CITY AIRSTRIP

April 29, 2026
Giant City State Park in southern Illinois has posted a survey asking for public comment on reopening its backcountry airstrip. Your RAF Illinois State Liaison, Mike Purpura, and Illinois Ambassador Dave Warner have diligently worked for several years to bring this exciting project to fruition. This recreational asset will provide access to a place in southern Illinois with distinctive geography, geology, and plant and animal diversity. The State Park offers abundant fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities throughout its 4,000+ acres. Giant City airstrip stands to be a true gem in the region for pilots if opened back up for public use. Your Help is Needed Click on the link below to access the Community Feedback Survey and provide comments supporting the reopening of the airstrip.