Jo Schumacher

The RAF can’t say enough about Jo Schumacher and all she does for the organization.

“Jo works her fanny off at Sullivan Lake, Sun ‘n Fun and other events, helping “man” the booths, cooking for RAF crews, cleaning, and organizing,” says RAF’s Tricia McKenna. “She is just a great cheerleader, supporter, and hard worker. And just loads of fun!”


Jo’s volunteer work at the RAF follows a career of 21 years in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard that included duties as a heavy equipment operator, airplane crew chief, and mechanic on KC-135 tankers worldwide, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt prior to and during Desert Storm.


She is one of the lucky ones who can call two beautiful places home: growing up on the beaches in Southern California and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After getting off USAF active duty, she joined the Air National Guard and in her spare time, obtained her AA degree in Botany.


Jo’s love for aviation began when she was on active duty with the USAF and got a ride in the right seat of an O-2 (Cessna 337). She went on to obtain her private license. Over the years she’s logged 350 some hours, mostly in Cessna’s.


When she’s not involved in all things “air,” Jo spends her time gardening, quilting, camping, and hiking. She also enjoys photography and art.


We love Jo and appreciate all she does for the organization.

    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

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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.