Kevin Johnson

An extraordinary privately owned airfield in Maryland has been gifted to the RAF by the late Bob Armstrong, out of the Armstrong family’s passion for aviation. High Rock Airfield lies within a sweeping bend of the North Branch of the Potomac River and brings another eastern US destination into the RAF’s Expanding the Map initiative. A true gem of the East, it offers a real backcountry experience just 85 nm northwest from where the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses the Potomac in bustling Washington, DC. “We are humbled to have become the stewards of this special place, and will honor the Armstrong family’s legacy by creating a welcoming place to enjoy the fellowship of backcountry aviation,” said RAF President Bill McGlynn. Bob and his father, Lt. Col. Harold Armstrong, were indeed passionate about aviation and based their multiple rare aircraft here. Bob was a lifetime member of the EAA, the Aeronca Club, AOPA, the QB Club, the OX-5 Organization, the Cumberland Soaring Group, the Soaring Society of America, and the Vintage Sailplane Association. He and Harold collected vintage aircraft and gathered numerous awards for their pristine workmanship. One Aeronca Champ restoration won the highest “Lindy Award” honors at EAA’s AirVenture competition in Oshkosh.

The Arizona Pilots Association (APA) and US Forest Service completed crack sealing at Grapevine airstrip, 88AZ, in September after a few weather postponements. The RAF helped arrange the project through its Cost Share agreement with the Tonto National Forest. As a result, the US Forest Service paid a portion, and the APA paid the lion’s share of the crack sealing. “Our contractors did a great job on the recent crack seal project,” APA officer and RAF supporter Tommy Thomason said. Grapevine airstrip near Roosevelt Lake offers camping, and APA volunteers have added two ramadas and fire rings. There are two vault toilets thanks to the RAF's Cost Share agreement. APA’s Mike Andresen organizes work parties for weed and erosion control to make sure the facilities are in order. Visitors are invited to fly in and camp together the third weekend of each month September through April. See the Grapevine page on APA’s website here for the safety briefing, RSVP contact, and other details. The RAF thanks the APA for their continued collaboration at backcountry airstrips and for all of their contributions towards general aviation in Arizona. Find more about Grapevine in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 29, 2026

More than 40 RAF key volunteers were apprised of current AOPA advocacy efforts during an annual online meeting with AOPA’s State Advocacy team of Regional Managers on October 13. Leon Jackler, Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy, began with appreciation for the RAF, saying, “You’re the people actually swinging axes and clearing brush. Thanks for all of your committed volunteers.” He then introduced each AOPA Regional Manager to discuss their specific action items. Common to most of the seven regions was the need for vigilance on taxes and fees, limiting the use of ADSB to extract fees, preserving existing airports, and preventing states from putting aviation fuel taxes into their general fund, called “revenue diversion.” A strong theme in each region was appreciation for the successful RAF-AOPA collaboration. One of several examples of this teamwork was the cooperative success adding “aviation" to Louisiana's Recreational statute, “on the first try.” Collaborative efforts continue to preserve Agua Caliente airport in California, Aeroflex Andover airport in New Jersey, and others. In closing, RAF Chairman John McKenna reiterated the value of this partnership. “I’m proud of the relationship that exists here. We’ve got people who care.” Submitted October 29, 2026 Cover Photo Credit: Jim Stevenson, Knik River, AK

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 Cindy Cross, RAF VP of Appreciation.