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

SITUATED

By John McKenna • November 12, 2026
Credit this month goes to Angela Duckworth, whose new book Situated suggests that our best comes when we work to shape our external environment so that good choices become automatic. To an outsider, it might seem obvious where the RAF finds itself today, but I assure you there has been a good deal of effort put into arranging the table so that good things are on it, and good people are there to be a part of it. I believe it starts with our RAF culture. You have heard it before around the RAF campfire when someone asks a question beginning with “why.” The answer they often hear is, “Well, that’s just the way we do it around here.” That applies to how we manage our resources, take on new projects, and most importantly, treat the people we deal with, as well as one another. To build that culture, the RAF has chosen people and partners who share the ideals and values our organization represents. I am pretty sure that most all of us would concur that the RAF has the best of the best when it comes to its greatest asset, its people. Author Duckworth goes on to say that you may not be able to control the world, but you can reign supreme over your surroundings. The RAF, IMHO, has done this as well as any organization. We have clearly focused on sticking to our mission in the backcountry, and that has allowed us to be a useful voice in the larger world of aviation. When you roll the principles of Ms. Duckworth's book into a formula for success, it’s my hope that you will see how the RAF has worked darn hard to be the kind of organization that is respected, and that you all are happy to be part of it. So, the next time you are asked “why” about something the RAF does, you too can answer, “It’s just the way we do things around here.” - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted November 12, 2026

SHOP RAF OUTFITTER HOLIDAY SALE

November 12, 2026
RAF Outfitter Holiday Sale - up to 50% off! Get a head start on your holiday shopping with the RAF Outfitter Holiday Sale! Now through December 31, enjoy up to 50% off select RAF Outfitter gear and apparel. Whether you're shopping for the backcountry pilot on your list or treating yourself to something new, it's the perfect time to stock up on your favorite RAF gear! Start shopping here ! Submitted November 12, 2026

VOLUNTEERS WORK TO KEEP OREGON'S POPULAR RAGER AIRSTRIP SAFE

November 12, 2026
USFS Rager Guard Station Airfield in Central Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest is a popular destination for backcountry pilots. RAF volunteers have long collaborated with the USFS to undertake seasonal maintenance of the airfield. Braving early winter conditions, eight Central Oregon RAF volunteers gathered in early November to improve safety and amenities at the airfield. While fighting a nearby wildfire in 2024, the USFS brought in heavy equipment to grade and profile the 2,800-ft gravel runway. “This greatly increased safety, making it suitable for use by a wider variety of aircraft and pilot capabilities.” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes said. The RAF had previously provided a grant for the installation of a new windsock and picnic table and the rental of equipment to mow the runway, turnarounds, and parking areas. This year, Mayes reported that volunteers in five aircraft flew to the airfield while others drove two and one-half hours hauling their own equipment for mowing and grading. The team cleared overgrown brush from the runway, parking, and camping areas; mowed and leveled the gravel runway; restored a badly weathered picnic table; repainted runway markers; and installed new signage. “Paulina District Ranger Robbie Piehl expressed his appreciation for the volunteers’ commitment to maintaining the airstrip,” Mayes reported. As a result of these efforts, the District Ranger has asked that RAF investigate what may be required to reopen two other long-neglected airfields. Find more information on Rager USFS Airstrip in the Airfield Guide . Submitted November 12, 2026

WORK CONTINUES ON RAF FLY ROCKY TOP AIRFIELD AMMENITIES

November 11, 2026
Volunteers gathered at Rockwood Airport in eastern Tennessee the first weekend of November to continue working on two Fly Rocky Top airfield projects. The RAF project leaders are Tennessee Ambassador Matt Axley and Fly Rocky Top Team Lead Jeff Smith of nearby Lenoir City. RAF Ambassadors Kevin Johnson (OR) and George Weaver (ID), along with Liaison Steve Thompson (OK), traveled to help direct the efforts, aided by dozens of local and regional volunteers, many of whom camped on site. Heavy rains had ceased, leaving morning mists and sunshine for outdoor work. The crew concentrated efforts on a large pilot pavilion at Smuggler’s Landing, the 2,400-ft turf landing area with under-wing camping at Rockwood, KRKW, which will be the basecamp for the network of up to seven backcountry airfields, as part of the RAF’s Expanding the Map initiative. In October, the crew poured concrete for the pavilion, and started building small post-and-beam picnic shelters at McGraw’s Backyard and Higdon Field. The crew focused work on McGraw’s and Smuggler’s Landing. Higdon Field is currently closed, with a planned opening date in 2027.

2026 RAF PHOTO CONTEST CONCLUDES

November 10, 2026
The 2026 RAF Photo Contest has concluded. Thanks to our supporters, we had a great turnout of submissions! Our VPs of Appreciation reviewed and judged them anonymously, selecting 20 winning photos. VP of Appreciation Cindy Cross, who facilitates photo contest submissions, said, “I love the RAF Photo Contest. After logging about 200 entries I feel like I went barnstorming around our country in 31 days. Thanks to everyone who shared their sense of adventure and the passion of flying into recreational airstrips. I can’t wait to go flying again!" Each winner will receive a package of high-quality greeting cards with their photo on the front and photo credit on the back. All photos – even those of the non-winners – are archived for possible future use in RAF publicity, including photo credit. Thank you to everyone who participated! It’s not too early to start thinking about photos for next year’s contest!