JIM WARK

What do you do when flying to great recreational destinations is just not enough?  For some the answer is to pick up a camera and capture those moments and views to share with others.


Yesterday, we lost a grand master of aviation photography Jim Wark.

For over 20 years Jim provided a view of our country from high above, piloting his Husky from coast to coast with an eye that could see things of interest you or I might never notice.


The stories he shared of logging well over 8,000 hours singlehanded flying and capturing photos, were filled with joy at experiencing the beauty of our land, sadness at the sight of both natural and human destruction and at least once the fear of descending through clouds into mountainous terrain after loss of an engine.

Millions have enjoyed Jim’s photos through his numerous books and most recently when his work was chosen for 5 of the 15 stamps printed in the United States Postal Service Earthscapes stamp series .

From the beginning, Jim was a strong supporter of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), always willing to pitch in with that perfect shot needed for a project or in encouraging others to join the cause and support the mission.


While saddened by his passing, we are fortunate to have in remembrance, a legacy of photos that will continue to encourage pilot and non-pilot alike to take to the air for the greatest view of all.

To see Jim’s work,  click here.

Submitted on June 17, 2015.

Posted in News

    Recent Posts

THE RAF WELCOMES MARCEL LEBLANC AS LOUISIANA STATE LIAISON

August 27, 2026
Submitted August 27, 2025

PUBLIC COMMENTS REQUESTED TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO 10 OF UTAH'S BACKCOUNTRY AIRSTRIPS

August 25, 2026
CALL TO ACTION: Public Comments Requested to Support Access to 10 of Utah's Sensational Backcountry Airstrips The BLM has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the following ten Moab-Monticello backcountry airstrips. Pilot comments will help to open access to the airstrips. Your Comments are Needed by Thursday, September 3. Please use the link below to state in your own words why you support access to these backcountry airstrips: Nokai Dome Piute Canyon Potato Ridge Playa Big Flat Red Canyon Spring Canyon Castle Creek Steer Ridge West Wee Hope Mine

WORTH THE READ: BILL MCGLYNN GUEST EDITORIAL

August 25, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Bill McGlynn, President of the RAF.

VOLUNTEERS CLEAR GLACIER CREEK WITH HAND TOOLS

August 25, 2026
Nestled in among awe-inspiring mountains, Glacier Creek (KGZ) airstrip is 15 nm east of McCarthy in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. On July 11, a work party drawing 25 volunteers was held there, led by RAF Alaska Liaison Stef Goza, her husband Randy, and Alaska Ambassador Bri Norby. They were joined by a group of National Park Service maintenance crew members who’d been flown in the night before and cleared the trail from the airstrip to the cabin before volunteers arrived.

RYAN MINNICK

August 18, 2026
Posted in Ambassadors , Georgia Ambassador