RAF AIRVENTURE ACTIVITIES BRING CROWDS
Again this year, the RAF was highly visible and active throughout AirVenture week at Oshkosh July 21-27. Beginning Monday morning at Daher’s press conference, the RAF awarded Daher CEO Nicolas Chabbert with its prestigious Golden Pulaski for his commitment to the RAF mission. “We were proud to present him with this well-deserved award,” RAF President Bill McGlynn said, adding, ”It’s our way to thank Daher Kodiak and Nicolas, especially, for all their extraordinary support of RAF efforts keeping backcountry airstrips available for recreational access.”
RAF’s traditional Tuesday morning Donuts and Coffee on the Hartzell Rooftop was the place to be again. ”We always enjoy seeing old and new friends at this event. We served a lot of coffee and a record number of donuts, and we loved seeing all of the orange shirts flock to the Hartzell building,” RAF Operations Coordinator Kodi Myhre said. “Thank you to Hartzell Propeller for hosting us again this year. We appreciate their friendship and generosity,” RAF Director Steve Taylor said.
Throughout Wednesday, EAA and Redbird’s “Backcountry Flying Day” in the Pilot Proficiency Center, the RAF presented several seminars discussing backcountry flying, etiquette, and accessibility. The RAF extends a big thank you to Charlie Gregoire of Redbird Flight Simulators for organizing the seminars, all the presenters for sharing their knowledge, and everyone who attended.
To recognize its many volunteers, the RAF placed more tribute tiles in the vicinity of AirVenture’s gateway Brown Arch. An RAF supporter had pre-purchased an array of tiles, and each year, volunteers’ names are engraved and added. “We added twenty new names at the Brown Arch this year, and our volunteers had fun going to see their respective tiles,” RAF Volunteer Coordinator Erin White said.
“Throughout the busy week, we ran into many people wearing RAF gear and cherished our reunions with volunteers, friends, and meeting new RAF supporters,” McGlynn said.
Submitted July 31, 2025