Dan found time to learn to play the fiddle, and enjoys bluegrass music. At the time of this writing, he and his son Ted are preparing to fly the RV-7 that they completed in his shop at home in Sand Coulee. Their youngest son’s family lives close by, and their daughter is fulfilling a Navy career, currently based in San Diego.
Dan Prill
Dan Prill of Sand Coulee, Montana, has interests as varied as the snacks aisle at your supermarket. From flying his Cessna 185 off his own airfield, to the slower pace of trolling for fish in his kayak.
For many summers, Dan and his wife Margie flew their SuperCub on floats to his family’s rustic fly-in fishing lodge on Prill Lake in Saskatchewan. The couple treated fly-in guests to comfortable rooms, mornings fishing in the lake, abundant meals of fresh-caught walleye, Margie’s homemade blueberry pies, and a cooler full of adult beverages, all flown in.
Engineering runs in Dan’s family, and Ted and his twin brother Tom surprised Dan with a custom fabricated kayak trailer that he uses in Montana and Arizona to enjoy river and lake fishing. Dan and Margie also find great sport plying the Arizona, California, and Nevada deserts on their side-by-side, basing out of Quartzsite, Arizona in the winter.
A founding director of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, Dan served on its board for ten years; eight years as Vice President. “The RAF is especially proud of Dan’s work throughout the approval and construction of Russian Flat airstrip in Montana’s Lewis and Clark National Forest,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said.
“The RAF has always taken the ‘high road’ when dealing with policy makers. Our data is science based, and we approach issues in a kind and courteous manner,” Dan says. That approach had results, and in cooperation with the Montana Pilots Association, and the USFS District Ranger, the first new airstrip on U.S. Forest Service land in over forty years was opened for public use. Dan stayed on the task throughout seven years of meetings and two more years of construction, with all RAF and MPA volunteer labor. His efforts earned him an RAF Golden Pulaski Award, which honors exceptional volunteers for their hard work on behalf of the RAF.
“While working in Montana, we formed our mission and learned the right way to do things,” Dan says. The RAF then used those principles to advance its mission throughout the country. Early on, Dan was asked to accompany McKenna and other RAF volunteers to meet officially with federal lands managers in Washington, D.C. He met a half dozen times face-to-face with decision makers, always wearing the signature orange RAF shirt. On one of the trips, he and McKenna were invited to a formal Senate reception. McKenna looked at Dan in his orange shirt and jeans.
“You packed a white shirt, tie, and jacket?” McKenna asked.
Dan took a cab to the closest menswear store, took out his credit card and bought new black shoes, slacks, white shirt and sport jacket to be appropriately dressed. “I did buy an orange tie,” he quipped. His time and expense paid off. As a result of those meetings, the USFS Planning Rule now acknowledges the importance of recreational aviation.
Margie is just as devoted to the RAF mission, and has helped staff many trade shows and events. She cooks, serves, and turns out sweet baked goods at fly-ins, cheerfully including KP duty, and keeps the kids entertained with games and activities. Margie also serves as an RAF VP of Appreciation and has hand-written over a thousand thank you cards – and counting.
Prills have always included their family in their pursuit of recreational aviation, and both Ted and Tom are pilots. Tom and Dan helped roof the pilot shelter at Ryan Field. Dan and Margie have included their grandkids in aviation activities since they were tots, and the photogenic kids have appeared in many Ryan Field images. “We know how important it is to preserve this opportunity for future generations,” Margie says.
“Margie and I treasure the friendships we’ve made during our association with the RAF,” Dan says. As Director Emeritus, Dan still advocates for the RAF. He urges others to “support the organization by volunteering or donating, and enjoy the resources of recreational and backcountry airstrips. It’s why we do this. It’s why we learned to fly, so go enjoy them,” he adds.
Submitted July 14, 2023.
Posted in Featured Supporters
Recent Posts
Good friendships happen over time, and the RAF loves making good friends. Beginning in 2009, John Nadeau of Massachusetts – the first RAF State Liaison east of the Rockies – approached The Nature Conservancy in Maine about restoring and reopening Red Pine Grove, a remote paved airfield on land along the St. John River just a dozen miles from Quebec. Pointing out our common goals of good land stewardship, he wondered if TNC would consider partnering on the idea. RAF Maine Liaisons Andy Rowe and Steve Mason joined the conversation. Andy had good friends in the region, and Steve, a long-time Northern Maine bush pilot and logger, added professional credentials. Pilot and new TNC Trustee John Sowles joined as well and widened the friendship circle. Not long after, Arkansas Liaisons Dave Powell and Harper Goodwin identified a pristine hilltop meadow above the Kings River in northwest Arkansas on land owned by The Nature Conservancy, locally known as Trigger Gap. Encouraged by the friendship beginning up North, the two RAF Liaisons engaged TNC in conversation about partnering on building an airfield, with its far lighter environmental footprint than a road. “What was merely raw land and a vision by some determined backcountry pilots became a common goal of both organizations,” Harper says. Thanks to this successful partnership with TNC, volunteers from the RAF and Fly Oz built a new turf airfield, pavilion, and toilet at Trigger Gap, and announced its opening in October, 2016. “Our partnership with the Recreational Aviation Foundation has always been built on trust, stewardship and a shared love for the outdoors,” says Roger Mangham, State Director of TNC in Arkansas. “Trigger Gap gives people a way to experience the Kings River landscape while demonstrating what we know in Arkansas to be true, that conservation and recreation can go hand in hand.” The airstrip's visitor log has proven that many folks enjoy landing lightly on the land and pitching their tents. Evening brings fellowship together around the fire in the pavilion. Often, acoustic music spreads to the surrounding forest. Things were still happening back up in Maine. Nadeau says, “We stressed the RAF culture and our desire to enhance the Red Pine facility to the benefit of all users. I pointed out to their Boston attorney that statutes protect TNC. It helped that we spoke with the same accent.” In spring of 2021, TNC signed an agreement with the RAF to open and maintain the runway. “TNC recognized that remote Red Pine Grove was a wonderful, already built resource that was easily accessible by small aircraft to provide just the sort of outdoor recreation The Nature Conservancy favored and promoted,” Nadeau added. Common purpose binds friendships, and friendships build trust. These two examples of trust and friendship prove a mutual commitment to good land stewardship, and the idea that nature and people can thrive together. Submitted October 13, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
People are the backbone of the RAF. You’ve heard this before from many business leaders, but with the RAF it is not simply a catchy phrase; the people are truly our key asset. A financial institution would speak to its cash assets as to why you should put your funds with them; an energy company might show its proven reserves as a reason to invest in them. An automaker would like you to appreciate their cutting-edge manufacturing equipment so they stay competitive and turn out trouble-free products. Sure, we too have tangible items on our balance sheet that are important tools we use to get things done: tools to build, and tractors to mow airfields. We have property and equipment that we own, and some that we lease. We have always worked hard to hold the line on expenses, saving funds in order to both take good care of what we have and be ready to act on future opportunities. Without a doubt, the line item that gives the RAF its strength is its people. We believe it would be hard to find another organization, at least within the aviation space, that has the amount of passion that our people bring to the RAF all across the country. This did not come overnight, nor do we take it for granted. This focus on connected volunteers has been a strategic objective of the RAF since its founding. The projects come to us because of the places we get involved in, and the places come our way because of our people. People who are always looking for opportunities to make one more spot that special place. We are proud of the people who call themselves friends of the RAF, and we hope those of you who spend a good deal of your time advancing the mission will continue to do so. What’s more, we would be gratified if you continue to bring others along. Most who don’t yet know us will likely find us a welcoming community. One that is excited to have them. As I have often said, we originally came for the airplanes, but what keeps us coming back are the people. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted October 13, 2026
The RAF is excited that our Expand the Map initiative to open and rehabilitate airfields is off to an impressive start. As a result, we are seeking an airport engineer who is willing to volunteer their consulting services on airfield projects around the country. "Our supporters have many talents and areas of expertise," President Bill McGlynn said. “Please let us know if you’re an airport engineer who would be interested in volunteering your knowledge to improve recreational airfields.” Please contact Erin White, RAF Volunteer Coordinator, ewhite@theraf.org . Submitted October 8, 2026.
Like many people at this time of year, you may be considering your charitable contributions. The RAF is fortunate to have a deep bench of professional financial planning talent with several planned giving ideas to help you enjoy the advantage of tax benefits while benefiting the RAF mission. You can even specify a project that you'd like to support. You may not be aware of a new opportunity this year: Those who use the standard deduction (like most taxpayers), can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for couples) for your direct donation to the RAF, without itemizing. This gives everyone a charitable giving tax-advantage, not just high-income donors who itemize. If you have any questions, a great way to start is to contact RAF Texas/Montana Ambassador Steve Maus, CLU, MSFS, and Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy. Reach him at: smaus@theraf.org .
FEATURING: RAF FLY ROCKY TOP COLLECTION This summer, the RAF proudly announced the Fly Rocky Top Airstrip Network, opening up a new way to experience the beauty, adventure, and recreational flying opportunities of East Tennessee. Now, you can take a little Fly Rocky Top spirit with you wherever you go! The new Fly Rocky Top Collection has officially landed at the RAF Outfitter, with something for just about everyone. From adventure-ready KÜHL layers to hats, a lightweight women’s performance shirt, and stickers, the collection was made for days at the airstrip and everywhere your adventures take you in between.
