RICK MCCRAW

National RUS Liaison

The high, lonesome sound of a passing plane is one of Rick’s earliest memories. He became a practitioner of the aviation arts on earning his private license in 1977, followed soon after by various other tickets. Instrument flying and soaring have been highlights. He’s owned his Bonanza since 1993.


Professionally, Rick has spent “far too many hours not flying,” he says. His first career was in software and database development. The second time around, Rick was a middle-school teacher and, later, an administrator. The latter work included much data analysis and administration of federal and state grants.


“Another formative experience was backpacking,” Rick says, “as some of my best memories were formed in the roadless backcountry of the mountain West.” He hasn’t yet combined aviation with love of the high country but is moving in that direction with his recent tailwheel endorsement and planning for that next airplane, one that might be more backcountry-ready than his Bonanza.

Lately, Rick’s time has been focused on environmental concerns. He conducts wildlife surveys for the state of Vermont and the Audubon Society. He also flies photo surveys for land trusts through Lighthawk.org. This work takes Rick into the world of aerial imagery analysis and GIS systems. He currently serves as a commissioner for the regional solid waste district.


Rick believes in the RAF mission and goals. He began volunteering in 2018, and since then, he’s gotten involved with PowerPoint support and analytics for the RAF Outfitter. He’s also handled reservations for the Ryan Field cabins for the past several seasons. He looks forward to other challenges to come.


Posted in Support Team

    Recent Posts

By lellington September 15, 2026
By John McKenna September 14, 2026
Sometimes one needs to look no further than one's incoming correspondence to find inspiration. Just this past week, folks passionate about the RAF mission reached out to me with suggestions that would bring resources to the RAF. Whether they be one-off items that we might offer, or events like large fundraisers, these folks are offering some thoughts on how we might continue to pay the bills. Additionally, we’re receiving word from folks with new destinations on their mind, and some pretty cool ones at that. Along the way, my inbox – as well as my calendar – is filled with updates on our Expanding the Map effort, with an emphasis on Fly Rocky Top. The Fly Rocky Top initiative in Tennessee is generating strong interest, and for good reason. It feels great. Folks are showing up to pitch in, with significant work projects planned. Trish and I, along with other board members, will be there to lend a hand to this exciting project. We are coming up on our annual year-end letter, which you will be seeing not long from now. In addition to showcasing a few more of our successful projects, we will be seeking your support. Stand by. I’ll wrap this up by letting you know that we could not be more pleased with how you all are doing your part. Thank you. It is so healthy to have an organization that uses passion as a primary energy source. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted September 14, 2026
September 11, 2026
“We had a busy day at Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark, as we continue to work on the underwing camping area,” RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau reported. Rau was awarded an RAF grant in spring of 2026 to convert an adjacent day-use park into an airport camping area, and had organized volunteers who began the project in May. The airport, 37N, is closed while the runway and taxiway are being upgraded by a contractor for the ND Aeronautics Commission.
By Stef Goza September 9, 2026
You know the feeling. You set the airplane down somewhere spectacular, shut off the engine, and enjoy the pristine landscape in front of you. This is why you fly. Keeping airstrips pristine is everyone's responsibility. But one item that doesn’t always make it into the airplane is a good trash bag. Not for the trash you planned to make. For the trash you didn’t. Cans left in a fire ring, fishing line along the river, or food wrappers working their way through the brush. None of it came in your airplane, but you have the ability to get it out. That’s reason enough to tuck a couple of heavy-duty contractor bags in with your tie-down gear. They earn their space in other ways, too. A contractor bag can keep wet or muddy gear out of the baggage compartment, cover equipment in a downpour, collect rainwater, or become an emergency poncho or windbreak. It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little room. Throw a few in the airplane and leave them there. You may not need one for your own trash, but there is a good chance you’ll find another use for it—or find something worth carrying out. Submitted September 9, 2026 By Stef Goza, Etiquette Chair, Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee
September 8, 2026
RAF Colorado Liaison Ken Long, Ambassador Mike Langersmith, and other RAF volunteers participated in an August work event at Marble, Colorado, a mountain airfield about 20 nm up the Crystal River drainage south of Carbondale. Airfield Manager Susan Blue put together the task list and oversaw the event that brought 21 volunteers in ten aircraft and four dogs.