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

RAF AND USFS COLLABORATE ON LOST CREEK, MI IMPROVEMENTS

August 28, 2026
RAF Michigan Liaisons Tanmoy Ganguly and Scott Anttila met with district U.S. Forest Service staff prior to starting work at Lost Creek airstrip, now MI45, (formerly 5Y4) in the Huron-Manistee National Forest in north-central Michigan. “We had a very constructive discussion about what the RAF does, and what we envision for future amenities at Lost Creek airstrip,” Ganguly said. The mid-August work weekend attracted 16 aircraft and 20 volunteers, including new MI Ambassador Ryan Minnick, MI Ambassador Ehsan Hamtaei, and IN Liaison Bill Steinmetz, many of whom enjoyed camping overnight in the forested setting. The crew was joined by nearby residents who donated their time, tools, and machinery to help and provided snacks.

RAF LOUISIANA LIAISON CAPTAIN MARCEL LEBLANC (RET)

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 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.