KARL JUNGCLAUS

South Dakota State Liaison

Karl Jungclaus, born and raised on a small farm in southern Indiana with a grass strip, was surrounded by his father’s passion for all things aviation, from RC models, homebuilts, ultralights to GA aircraft. His maternal grandfather was a corporate pilot, instructor and A&P. “Their early influences set the path for a lifetime of flying both professionally and recreationally,” Karl says.


Karl attended college in North Dakota in 1987 and earned ratings and experience swiftly. Instructing – including aerobatics and tailwheel – charter, predator control, air ambulance, and freight hauling all added experience toward his career as a major airline pilot.

He met his future wife, Kari, while they both were employed at an FBO in Minot, North Dakota in the early ‘90s. They settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and raised two sons while Kari taught school for 25 years. 

Along the way, the couple bought aircraft and built a hangar at Sturgis Airport (49B). Beginning in 1998 with a 1946 J-3, a Cessna 180J followed in 2009. Most recently, a 1959 K35 Bonanza has been added. 

Currently, they balance their time between home in the Black Hills, helping with Kari’s family farm in North Dakota, and float flying the 180 from the Alaska lake cabin. 

“I look forward to expanding recreational flying destinations within South Dakota and utilizing the resources and fellowship the RAF offers,” Karl says.

605-574-0130
kjungclaus@theraf.org.


    Recent Posts

September 29, 2026
October 1st is the first day of the 2026 Photo Contest! It’s time to gather your favorites from the last year of flying.
September 29, 2026
An RAF grant was awarded to Wyoming Liaison Joe Feiler and VP of Appreciation Toni Wright for improvements at Thomas Memorial Airport (76V) in Glendo, WY. Wright assembled the grant application details and secured commitments from the mayor, city council members, and others. “Of all the airfields in Wyoming, Glendo holds the highest recreational value, and aligns best with the RAF mission,” Feiler said. The maintained turf airstrip is adjacent to Glendo State Park. Within walking distance, there is camping, hunting, fishing, and canoeing. The park has 45 miles of non-motorized hiking and biking trails and an archery range. It is a 30-minute walk to town or Glendo Reservoir. The grant will provide materials for a new vault toilet, a 10x20 prefab Pine Ridge cabin with a solar charging station, a picnic shelter, and an RAF fire ring. “Several folks offered whatever help would be necessary. It is all very exciting,” Wright said. She and Feiler are hopeful for community buy-in from the City, the Wheatland pilot group, and EAA Chapter 420. They have already received a few private donations. “I landed there before a city council meeting, and a pilot landed right after me. We chatted about the project, and he immediately donated cash from his wallet and said that an additional check would be on the way. I took this as an amazing sign that there is tremendous interest from pilots in providing more amenities at Glendo,” Wright said. Volunteers and the city will provide machinery and labor for excavation and dirt work. The mayor volunteered to do the framing. The city will provide gravel, and food and drinks for the work crew. Volunteers will do all staining, painting, and trim work. Wright said that she and Feiler will secure loaner bikes for visitors in conjunction with the Torrington police department. For over 20 years, Glendo has hosted an annual fly-in, which sees hundreds of attendees with airplane rides, parachuting, a free barbecue lunch provided by the city, and other family-friendly activities. This year, Feiler and Wright announced the grant to attendees, with Glendo’s mayor and town council members also present. RAF WY/UT Ambassador Karen Larson was also there for the announcement. The project could be completed by the end of fall 2026, weather permitting. “I personally am so excited I can barely sit still!” Wright added. 76V is in the RAF Airfield Guide .
September 29, 2026
“Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge isn’t just a place where work happens – it’s where magic happens,” says Holle Campbell, Gillette's caretaker. “There is truly something special about this place that compels pilots and non-pilots alike to come from faraway destinations, like Florida and California, to participate in RAF work weekends.”
September 29, 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 Matt Axley, a pilot and RAF Tennessee Ambassador.
By lellington • September 15, 2026