RAF LIAISON BRIAN RAU INDUCTED INTO NORTH DAKOTA’S AVIATION HALL OF FAME
The RAF is proud to announce that North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau has been selected for induction into the state’s Aviation Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be March 5th at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium in Bismarck. The social begins at 6 p.m. and the banquet begins at 7 p.m. For ticket information call 701-328-9650.
“Brian Rau will join the prestigious group that currently includes 43 other individuals who have all had a significant impact to the growth, development, and promotion of aviation in North Dakota,” according to the official news release.
Brian’s father was a spray pilot, after gaining flight experience in Korea flying combat missions in an F-80. Brian earned his private pilot license in 1975 and his commercial in 1979. After earning a degree in agronomy, he returned to his family farm.
Brian established Medina Flying Service, and has been involved in agricultural aviation at all levels – grower, local, state, regional, and national. His passion for sustaining and growing the industry through technology and education while ensuring safety for all involved has helped him become well known as a leader within the industry.
An active 30-year member of the ND Agricultural Applicator Association, Brian has also served and held leadership positions on multiple national boards and committees. Brian chaired a national committee that developed professional aerial application guidelines. That document is now being used to develop international standards by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). Brian is currently a PAASS presenter (Professional Aerial Applicator Support System), providing safety information to other Aerial Applicators across the country.
Brian became the RAF North Dakota Liaison in 2010. He and his wife Elly consider the Utah backcountry their favorite flying vacation destination on those rare occasions when farming, and his administrative and advocacy chores allow.
Brian’s love for aviation is contagious and he has encouraged and helped many people to understand and advocate for the aviation industry. Brian has also worked to inspire and promote aviation careers. Each year he attends the North Dakota’s Business Aviation Association’s fifth grade career fair where he sparks interest in nearly 900 students from across the region.
As representative of the applicator industry, he helped the state rewrite its pesticide application laws. He also led the effort for safer low flying conditions by establishing regulations for marking and reporting meteorological evaluation towers (METs). He also chaired a national government relations committee to enact federal statutes requiring the marking and entry into a database of towers.
An active community member, Brian has been a paramedic for 30 years and does EMS instruction for first responders. He has served many different roles on the fire department and on numerous occasions was called upon to drop water on wild fires.
Brian’s contributions to his community and to aviation deserves recognition and a place in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.
Congratulations Brian — We are pleased you make time to volunteer for the RAF!
Submitted on February 14, 2019