Jerry Cain

“When I raised my hand at a Montana Pilots Association’s Directors retreat in Bozeman in September of 2003, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Jerome “Jerry” Cain says of his role in the eventual formation of the RAF.


Jerry, as one of the original six Founders, tapped his Defense Department Federal Executive experience and lost no time completing the application for the RAF’s official Montana State and federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity status. By December 2003, the RAF had the credentials to solicit tax-deductible donations. “Jerry was one of those who stepped up and said, “I got this,” and his knowledge and follow-through were invaluable, laying the groundwork for success,” RAF Chairman John McKenna says. Jerry then volunteered to take on the vital task of Secretary/Treasurer on the RAF board.

During fundraising efforts for backcountry airstrips, Jerry and his wife Liz, both animal lovers, donated dog sled rides around their Lincoln, Montana home. “By the end of 2004, we had about $15,000 in the bank and a roster of several hundred,” Jerry recalls. By the time he retired from that role eight years later, RAF membership had grown to several thousand, from all fifty states and about a dozen foreign countries. “I was spending ten to fourteen hours almost every day trying to keep up with it,” he adds. “It’s extremely satisfying to observe how the RAF is progressing and growing.”

Jerry and Liz purchased their retirement ranch a few miles west of Lincoln in 1990 and are devoted to their horses. Liz is a published authorwww.elizabethcainauthor.com, and is passionate about poetry, music, and horses. She campaigned by horseback around her Montana House District during her two runs for State Representative. 


The Cain’s ranch purchase included a hangar at the Lincoln Airport, S69. This motivated Jerry to earn his pilot license in 1993. Having recently sold his Cessna 182, Jerry still keeps his Husky in his hangar there, and

organizes an annual barbecue potluck in July for the local and flying community. Fly-in visitors are invited to camp in the adjacent campground along the Blackfoot River, and hike or bicycle the short distance into town and tour the unique “Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture In The Wild.” Montana Aeronautics Director Tim Conway says, “Although much of the [airport] funding is provided by the FAA and Montana Aeronautics Division, most of the labor is provided by a network of local volunteers, headed up by Jerry. The volunteers play an important role as the airport’s eyes and ears to maintain its safety and usability.” In 2019, Jerry formed the Lincoln Airport Foundation (LAF) as a 501(c)(3) public charity to formally assist the state in the maintenance and improvement of Lincoln Airport. Since then, the airport has remained open year round. Snow storms may close it – only until the volunteers immediately take on plowing to re-open it.


Jerry serves as a volunteer pilot for Pilots N Paws, flying shelter dogs to their new homes. Since 2017, he has personally taken on the task of coordinating rescue flights throughout the northwest (WA, OR, ID, MT, and WY) to and from all over the country, successfully completing transports five to six times each month. He recommends that pilots register with PNPwww.pilotsnpaws.org.

Jerry still loves backcountry flying in his Husky, and as RAF Director Emeritus, Jerry monitors RAF activities. “I could not be more proud of the RAF’s accomplishments, the Directors, and all the other volunteers who make this all possible through their generous support of both their time and their dollars. The RAF is now nationally recognized as the ‘go to’ organization for anything related to recreational and backcountry airstrips.”



Submitted on August 10, 2023.

By Carmine Mowbray

Recent Posts

JUST LUCKY? OR WELL-PREPARED TO OPEN THE CHUTE?

May 13, 2026
“The only people who can change something are the ones who really want to. And not everybody does.” When I read this, it took me back to the early days of the RAF. We saw a troubling trend taking place — the loss of airstrips across the country with no real organized voices to help put the brakes on the decline. And we really wanted to change that. Change demanded new ideas from us. Ideas that we assumed would initially be resisted. This defined our purpose. Good ideas come with the burden of effort and purpose. That separates those with a strong purpose from those without. We wanted to create an organization that would counteract the attrition of backcountry airstrips we saw taking place. We rolled up our sleeves and didn’t look back. Easy to say now that the RAF was lucky, but it was purpose that drove the organization in the early years; that really formed who we are today. A group of people with a purpose who knew we needed more people who thought like we did, and cared; people who took this idea called the RAF and added to it, keeping it unique but effective. We felt that most of the existing business models in the nonprofit space were not what we needed to be, and we pushed forward persistently with our thinking – thinking that required putting our own personal desires aside and pursuing ones that were for a greater good. You joined in. You, too, found purpose in the RAF and now look where we are. Nearly 15,000 of us are making the necessary sacrifices to make our voices heard, to create a better environment for the future of recreational aviation. We have more opportunities today because of you. Each one of us is important to continue the momentum we have gained. To determine what the RAF can do to further our mission to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access. To prioritize the many opportunities coming our way. It is about us, and what we are going to do with the time we have left on this earth. This organization will hopefully give you purpose now and in the future. Most importantly, I really hope it will give you as much sense of accomplishment as it has me. Thank you for what you continue to do. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted April 15, 2026

CAMPSITE IMPROVED AT FRONT ROYAL WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT, VIRGINIA

May 13, 2026
RAF Virginia Liaison Paul Kosubinsky organized volunteers the weekend of May 8-9 to clean up the campsite and install new amenities at Front Royal Warren County Airport, Virginia, KFRR. Assisting were the Warren County Airport Commission and Friends of Front Royal. “Together, we accomplished an amazing amount in a short time. From removing loads of trash to installing the beautiful new RAF-branded fire ring, entrance sign, and flag pole, the campsite has already been transformed into a welcoming destination pilots and campers will enjoy for years to come,” Kosubinsky reported. The team also cut and stacked enough firewood to last several seasons to benefit future visitors. The volunteers also set up an RAF table and greeted visitors during the airport Wings and Wheels event. This public-use airport has a paved 3,000-ft runway and offers camping with access to a porta-potty, indoor restrooms, and a courtesy car. It’s known as a gateway airport to the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. “Thank you again for helping make the KFRR Stokes Airfield Campsite something we can all be proud of. I look forward to many future gatherings around that new fire ring,” Kosubinsky added. Find more on Front Royal Warren County Airport in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 13, 2026

RAF VOLUNTEERS HELP MAINTAIN GREAT VALLEY AIRFIELD, NEW YORK

May 11, 2026
RAF New York Liaison Doug Turnbull organized a work party at Great Valley airfield, N56 near Salamanca, in southwestern New York on Saturday, May 2. The group of volunteers cleaned up the riverbank, performed seasonal maintenance, and added a new RAF windsock. They removed encroaching brush along the 3,200-ft turf runway to make the approach more visible. The airfield is privately owned but open for public use. “Owner Anna Northrup was very appreciative of the fellowship and that she didn’t need to worry about these things. She generously provided morning donuts and coffee and lunch from the adjacent Katy's Fly-In restaurant,” Turnbull said. “The many hands made quick work, and it was good to spend time with other RAF volunteers out in the field working on this strip,” Turnbull added. Find more on Great Valley in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 11, 2026

RAF FEATURED SUPPORTER: ORRIN BANKS

By Carmine Mowbray • May 11, 2026
Along with volunteering his time and talents at RAF work projects, RAF supporter Orrin Banks and his family business have left a positive and lasting mark on airstrips across the West through donated windows and glasswork. When you think of a family business, maybe an old-fashioned country store or corner drug comes to mind. Banks Glass in Jamestown, California, is seeing its fourth generation stepping up, and it’s something Orrin Banks is very proud of. “My grandfather started this business in 1961. I have a large family, and many of them live in the area and work at our company,” he says. He and his cousin are third-generation and manage the commercial side of the business. They grew it right out of the original building into bigger quarters. Speaking of Jamestown, he says, “This was the perfect place to grow up on a ranch near the foothills. My cousin and I got into all kinds of trouble on three-wheelers. Now we’re still the best of friends.” Aviation has played a big role in the success of the business. In 1982, Orrin’s grandfather bought a new Cessna TU206 for corporate flights. Orrin’s dad flew it throughout the 90s when he added a Skywagon 180. Using aircraft for business and pleasure, he introduced young Orrin to flying. Orrin got his license and owned a Cherokee 140. He worked for the US Forest Service, and while working in Libby, Montana, he flew into many of the suitable airports in Montana and the Idaho Panhandle. He returned to Jamestown to work in the family business, and has really found his own mission there. 

VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE SEASONAL MAINTENANCE AT OLYMPIC FIELD

May 8, 2026
A dozen volunteers in seven aircraft and a few cars arrived at Washington State’s Olympic Field on Saturday, May 2, to help with needed maintenance. They enjoyed mostly good weather, being Spring in the Olympic Peninsula. “A lot of things got accomplished in a short amount of time,” RAF Washington State Liaison RAF Ballantyne reported. The crews thinned an adjacent stand of trees to create about 500 feet of a “buck and rail” fence for runway safety. They trimmed around the runway lights and sanded and refinished a large circular table and several chairs for the camping area. The field is privately owned by Ryan Larrance and his wife, Marianne. “Marianne made delicious scones for the arrivals, and a great pulled pork on homemade bread with fixings for lunch,” Ballantyne said, adding, “We had a great time getting to know each other. Many hands truly make light work. We discussed current events in Washington, and even got to play a game for an RAF Yeti.” Olympic Field, near Port Townsend, has a 2,500-ft turf runway, bordered by an equally long pond for seaplanes to land. In 2025, using an RAF grant, volunteers built an off-the-grid bathhouse with a vault toilet and hot shower. The Larrances have a tradition of welcoming fly-in visitors to their field. See Olympic Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 8, 2026