TIM RILEY

Vice President

Tim Riley has devoted many volunteer hours organizing and assisting on airstrip improvements in Idaho and Montana. He has also worked closely with the US Forest Service to foster cooperation and support RAF goals on public lands across the country.
Riley is a native of upstate New York. His introduction to aviation was as a youngster in a Beaver on floats on the lakes in the Adirondacks. He has lived and traveled around the world during a career in the data networking and security industry.

Starting with hang gliders and paragliders, Tim has flown foot-launched gliders thousands of miles across California, Nevada, and the Western US. “You never knew where the day was going to end, but it was guaranteed to be an adventure. You might even share a few thermals with a condor or hawk along the way,” he says.

As his kids grew, Tim switched to airplanes to share the joy of flying with his family, accumulating over 30 years of recreational flying experience. “From Baja to the Florida Everglades, from Mount Rushmore to Niagara Falls, recreational aviation is an incredible way to see the country,” he says. Tim’s additional aviation pursuits included owning a flight school and maintenance shop, providing flight instruction, and selling new and used aircraft. Tim has served on the Driggs Airport Board and currently volunteers to fly animal rescue flights.

Tim and his wife Janette – also a rated pilot – are based in Driggs, Idaho. The couple enjoys hiking, kayaking, skiing, and especially backcountry flying and camping.

“By far, over the years, the best thing about flying has been the incredible number of kind and generous people we’ve met,” Tim says, adding, “the RAF is the epitome of this flying and family spirit. It is a privilege to work with such a group on preserving access for everyone to enjoy.”

triley@theraf.org
408-210-8765

5 Comments

  1. Frank R Schelling on June 1, 2021 at 6:53 am

    Hello Tim,
    Thanks for this nice introduction. We will welcome your visit to another potential RAF site at Tellico Plaines, TN (Monroe County) just East of Sweetwater TN ( 37874); between Knoxville & Chattanooga. Larry Harris is President of the Airfield Club. Our landscape is beautifully located near National Forests.
    We are in touch with RAF Regional representative, Steve Lewis who promises a visit when his Aircraft is flight ready.

    I’ve restored a 1918 Curtiss Jenny ( 2004 Oshkosh Grand Champion ; Antique Airplane Association, Grand Champion 2005; Reno’s Rolls Royce Heritage Grand Champion 2007. Currently I’m nearing restoration completion of a 1928 TravelAir 4000, which had a commemorative flight by Charles Lindbergh, February 1928; as well as a replica WW1 SE5a in progress.

    A warm welcome to TN and
    Best regards,
    Frank Schelling

  2. Frank R Schelling on June 1, 2021 at 6:55 am

    See above

  3. Terry Hofer on June 1, 2021 at 7:00 am

    I like the plane, great color scheme.
    Is it a Sportsman ?

  4. Jay PerryCook on June 1, 2021 at 7:16 am

    So proud of Tim and his efforts with The RAF. With his career in business development, engineering and negotiations, Tim is an ideal steward for this mission. I’m so grateful that he introduced me to the fine people and pilots involved. After 23 years of flying adventures together, I always look forward to our next.

  5. Michael Touchstone on June 4, 2021 at 6:34 am

    Congratulations Tim! I look forward to seeing you in Driggs in June.

Leave a Comment