Clay Simmons is a cub pilot, and aircraft sales associate for Aerista. He is the youngest cub builder of record (with some help of course), and is involved with the RAF, NBAA, YPO Next Gen and YoPro. When not flying, he enjoys coaching lacrosse, cars, and thinking about flying.
WORTH THE READ: CLAY SIMMONS GUEST EDITORIAL
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 month’s guest editorial is by Clay Simmons, a young pilot and member of the RAF’s Backcountry Etiquette Team.
I’m supposed to be the adult now?
When I say I’ve been flying my whole life, it sounds facetious, but it’s about 99 percent truth. At 10 days old (ish, as it has been a debate) I took my first flight. Since then I have been fortunate enough to see all types of aviation, from the fast and high turbines, to the lowest and slowest of pistons, and a few aircraft in between. I have forever been enamored with anything that defies gravity, despite my wallet’s disdain for the passion.
It was only natural that my corner of aviation is full of the backcountry machines, in the remote environments, as this is how I experienced it growing up. With some phenomenal help, I became one of the youngest airplane builders, finishing a carbon cub just after my 22nd birthday. This leads to the adventures west (thank goodness for autopilot!), where we can see the beauty of the country, the incredible terrain, and of course, the kind of flying we at the RAF all love so much.
I was inadvertently thrust into a position of, at least partially, representing a generation of aviators. At 23 years old, I am about as young and green as they come, but I love to help out and lean in where I can. Along with this has come a unique sense of purpose. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest kids around, getting to experience so much of aviation in just over two decades, so now my focus has shifted. How can I give back? How do I start making a difference now, to give my grandchildren the same wonder I have been able to experience?
The answer is quite simple: we already do.
Whenever I am at the airport, I am the first person to invite anyone, especially kids, to poke at the airplane, sit in it, and explain how things work in an age-appropriate manner. This often leads to the parents learning a thing or two, and profusely thanking me. My response is always the same “Well, it wasn’t very long ago that I was the kid wanting to sit in airplanes too!”. And candidly, nothing makes me happier than sharing what I love so much, and I’d wager if you’re reading this, you’re in the same boat.
This is the giving back that I had been chasing. I had been doing it all along, but I believed that I needed to make a scene out of it, that I had to preach to hundreds of people why aviation matters, how you can make a living in it, and what you need to do, but that’s not the beginning, that’s the end. It starts with one person taking 30 seconds to share what they love. That is the impact.
I am very fortunate to be a part of the backcountry etiquette committee, a group within the RAF dedicated to creating guidelines for how to operate in the remote spaces in order to be most symbiotic with all other parties such as hikers, bikers, rafters, rangers, and more. I talk about giving back and inviting kids into the airplanes, but this is the bigger picture of that purpose. Protecting and curating the spaces we love so much is why we do it. As fun as it is to go enjoy these amazing places, it’s always better with friends and family.
I was fortunate enough to converse with Bill McGlynn about some of these same topics that extend throughout aviation. Getting kids involved, protecting the space we love, and promoting safety. It was a great conversation with some fantastic ideas shared, but the two of us cannot solve these issues alone, it takes an army. That’s part of the reason I love the chance to speak on the topics I hold so dearly, because if even a single person uses it as their reason to invoke change, I’m all for it.
Despite the ramble, I leave you with an ask:
Lean into the 30 second interactions at the airport.
Those 30 seconds of opening someone’s eyes to aviation is the foundation for all of the things that the RAF stands for, the things that we, as pilots and enthusiasts should stand for, and in reality, what aviation is about. Those 30 seconds are how we build our army, to protect aviation for those who get to be the caretakers next. I look forward to seeing y’all in the sky!
Submitted August 27, 2024
Posted in Guest Editorial, News
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THE RAF SPRING SALE IS HERE! Gear up for the flying season ahead! For a limited time, take up to 30% off a selection of RAF Outfitter gear. Show off your support for the RAF and head into the summer flying season in style. Our Spring Sale includes items from Stio and Kuhl, along with hats, jackets, accessories, and more. Check it out before they are gone! Shop the Spring Sale here.
There are two fly-in public use cabins on Heckman Lake in the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District of Alaska. Both are approximately 15 miles from Ketchikan, and open year-round to welcome visitors for what RAF Alaska Liaison Jeff DeFreest calls “a very unique remote recreational experience. Relaxing on the deck gives you a view of the lake, surrounded by the Sitka Spruce and western hemlock forest.” Either site can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay. Each cabin has a table, benches, a wood stove, and an outhouse. Guests should bring their own firewood, as it is not guaranteed. Drinking water is not available; guests should treat the creek or lake water, or bring their own. Southeast Heckman Fly-In Cabin is situated on the southeast shore of Heckman Lake and is only accessible by floatplane. The 16x22-ft pan-abode style log cabin accommodates eight people and is wheelchair accessible. In 2024, the RAF and Seaplane Pilots Association provided grants to restore the cabin. Volunteers, assisted by Misty Fjords Air, collaborated with the US Forest Service to complete work on the cabin, dock, outhouse, and trails. The other cabin is a 12x14-ft pan-abode style that can accommodate up to six people. It can be accessed by float plane or by boating into Naha Bay and hiking six miles on the Naha River National Recreation Trail. Visitors may use the 14-foot aluminum skiff with oars or bring their own short shaft motor. The Naha River is accessible from the cabins and provides opportunities to fish for trout. In season, there are steelhead and salmon runs. The Naha River National Recreation Trail winds downstream six miles through a rainforest where you may spot Roosevelt Lagoon, Jordan Lake, and a waterfall on your way to Naha Bay. Visitors would be wise to bring extra provisions, as occasionally, poor weather can cause extended stays. The RAF Airfield Guide includes information on these cabins. Recreation.gov allows visitors to check availability and find other USFS information on the Southeast Heckman Lake fly-in cabin and Heckman Lake cabin . Submitted April 30, 2026
RAF North Dakota Liaison Brian Rau and Ambassador Jeff Faught have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and North Dakota Aeronautics Commission to develop an underwing camping area at Garrison Dam Recreational Airport (37N). Rau presented a plan to convert an adjacent day-use park with flush toilets, a picnic area, horseshoe and basketball facilities for the camping area. He gained approval from the Corps of Engineers and ND Aeronautics and was awarded an RAF grant to help with the project. “Garrison Dam Recreational Airpark is an excellent existing recreational airstrip. There is fishing, hunting, and hiking available adjacent to the proposed underwing camping area,” Rau said. The ND Aeronautics Commission will develop an existing road into a taxiway to connect the 3,200-ft long turf runway to the new camping area. The Commission has finalized its plans and has awarded the work to a contractor. Rau and Faught will organize volunteers to install signage, remove trees, grind stumps, prepare the camping and tie-down surface areas, install drain tile, and plant 75 new trees. Rau expects the contractors to begin work in June 2026. See the RAF Airfield Guide for information on Garrison Dam Recreational Airport. Submitted April 30, 2026
The RAF has done a deep dive into all 50 states’ Recreational Use Statutes, and you can find them here . The purpose of these statutes is to help keep private lands open to the public for recreation by limiting landowner liability. In its advocacy of recreational aviation, the RAF has made efforts to increase landowners’ protection when allowing others to use their airfields. With added protection, landowners are more willing to open their airfields to public use, with or without certain conditions. Thanks to these efforts, many states now include “aviation” in the named recreational, non-commercial activities in their Recreational Statutes; some states are more general. We invite you to check out your state’s legal language, or feel free to contact either of the RAF’s RUS Liaisons, John Nadeau at jnadeau@theraf.org or Rick McCraw at rmccraw@theraf.org . Our efforts continue to include “aviation” in all states’ statutes, so this information will be updated as needed. Submitted April 30, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray Photo Credit: Ron Barrett, Sullivan Lake, WA
Giant City State Park in southern Illinois has posted a survey asking for public comment on reopening its backcountry airstrip. Your RAF Illinois State Liaison, Mike Purpura, and Illinois Ambassador Dave Warner have diligently worked for several years to bring this exciting project to fruition. This recreational asset will provide access to a place in southern Illinois with distinctive geography, geology, and plant and animal diversity. The State Park offers abundant fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities throughout its 4,000+ acres. Giant City airstrip stands to be a true gem in the region for pilots if opened back up for public use. Your Help is Needed Click on the link below to access the Community Feedback Survey and provide comments supporting the reopening of the airstrip.
