One photograph always comes out when people ask about the aircraft I flew. It is a shot taken by a colleague as I flew in my Husky next to Dave Hirschman in the AOPA Sweepstakes Husky south to the Florida Keys. Truth is, we were headed from Frederick, Maryland to Lakeland, Florida; but we were ahead of schedule, and so we linked up with Tim Clifford for a time and kept flying in beautiful Florida weather all the way to Key West.
WORTH THE READ: CRAIG FULLER 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 Craig Fuller, a dedicated RAF supporter and the former President of AOPA.
RAF – Just Doesn’t Get Any Better:
Only a few weeks had passed from the start of my tenure as president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in 2009 when a call came in from a pleasant fellow in Montana. John McKenna proposed we have coffee in Washington, D.C. during his upcoming visit. After telling me just a little about the Recreational Aviation Foundation, run out of his kitchen, I suggested we have lunch.
Within a few days, we were together at a fine dining restaurant sitting at the foot of the United States Capitol. The conversation was engaging and enlightening and would persuade any aviator to jump into a two-seat fabric covered backcountry aircraft and just have fun slipping the surly bonds of earth. I knew then, and time proved it to be more true than I could have imagined, time spent with John, Trish and the backcountry band of pilots making up the RAF would be among the best times I would have at AOPA.
We stood to leave the table when I asked what John was planning for the afternoon. “Simple,” he replied, “I’m going to go see Max. I take care of his dogs and fly him around from time to time.”
My reply, “If you mean the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, let’s sit back down.”
Thus began an extraordinary friendship that spanned two different worlds from the most beautiful backcountry landing strips with the best people in aviation to the halls of Congress and government offices. When I think of the journey I enjoyed with the RAF, there are two things about which I am certain: 1) the aviation community is better and stronger today because the RAF does what it does; 2) I became a better and more passionate aviator.
During my time at AOPA, I logged a few thousand hours of flying in all types of aircraft. The hours in the air I most clearly remember are ones flying my Husky around the country to the places these aircraft go, like Ryan Field. The planes, the places and the people just do not get any better.
Just the other day, one of my favorite photographs from the past popped onto my screen. It brought a smile as I recalled two of the finest people I met through the RAF: Ben and Butchie Ryan. I’d spotted a photo in Ben’s home as he gave me a tour of his memorabilia as a WWII fighter pilot. One picture caught my eye. Ben and Butchie embraced under his aircraft. Turned out, they enjoyed each other just as much as we stood together at the home Ben built for he and Butchie before he cleared the land for an airstrip on the edge of Glacier National Park.
When it comes to the people, the places and the planes, it really does not get better than the RAF.
Thanks for great times!
Craig Fuller
Easton, Maryland
Craig Fuller took his first private aircraft flight in a float plane with his father at age 14 during a vacation in Bend, Oregon. That’s when he committed to becoming a pilot. Training in Northern California while in high school, he flew aircraft for the next 50 years. There was a bit of time off during his White House years (1981-1989) when most of the time aloft was provided by Air Force One or Two. Combining a passion for flying and politics, he was selected to lead AOPA in 2008. It was during his tenure that he joined the RAF and varied his flying from Husky to a Citation jet, along with several aircraft in between. He remains a supporter of RAF and champions the cause at every opportunity.
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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 guest editorial is by Steve Johnson, former RAF Director, Supercub.org founder, and Gold Seal CFI/MEI.
Lock Haven Airport, or William T. Piper Memorial Airport (KLHV), has a legendary past. From 1937 to 1984, it was the home of Piper Aircraft, where the Cub was born. The vintage aircraft community celebrates to this day with its annual “Sentimental Journey” pilgrimage fly-in, and fills the parking areas along both its paved and turf runways. For recreational pilots, it’s a great base location for fly-outs, including scenic flying opportunities over the mixed hardwood forest along the Susquehanna River. The year-round camping area has working restrooms, a pavilion to escape the elements, and a bath house that had deteriorated. RAF Pennsylvania/West Virginia Liaison Chip Vignolini and RAF Pennsylvania Liaison Andy Turner assessed the deteriorating bath house and decided to do something about it. They have been awarded an RAF grant for upgrades and refurbishment. “Our goal is to bring the bath house back to full operational capacity and improve the site’s utility,” Vignolini said. “By replacing damaged siding and applying fresh paint, the project halts deterioration. The other planned bath house and campground improvements ensure that the environment matches the prestige of the aircraft that visit.” The Sentimental Journey Board organized an initial work party in April. Volunteers have provided the specialized machinery and tools to complete the structural work and site preparation. Vignolini and Turner are now ready to line up volunteers to replace an insufficient water heater, install privacy dividers, and integrate an RAF fire ring and RAF information box. CAP volunteers will help with the project. Volunteers will be the primary workforce, bringing their own tools and expertise to the field, from licensed plumbers to seasoned handymen. “Lock Haven has always been built by the hands of those who fly there,” Vignolini said. Work will continue in May, with the goal of being completed for the 2026 season. “The campground and fire ring serve as the ‘social hangar’ where elder pilots pass down knowledge and stick-and-rudder skills to the next generation of aviators.” Vignolini added. Lock Haven Airport can be found in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 14, 2026
“Wow, did they ever get lucky!” When something good happens to a person or an organization, how many times have you heard that phrase? Or maybe even said it yourself? When, in reality, there’s been long term effort building skills, cultivating a growth mindset, expanding networks, and building relationships. When all is added together, this preparation creates a situation where opportunities are likely to arise. Or said another way, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It may appear to the casual observer that the RAF is about to get real lucky real soon. We think we are about to have the year we have been waiting for – well, maybe not waiting for – but rather preparing for. Over the course of the next 12-18 months, we will be announcing more airstrip possibilities and projects than we have ever experienced in a similar period. Leadership has been thinking about this for a good long time, and we have worked hard to be ready. What does that mean? It has meant building what I believe is one of the finest groups of people in aviation. People who are ready to step up and who bring and invest the skills needed to make things happen. It means having saved some money, which gives us the ability to say “Yes” and accept opportunities and the responsibilities they bring. It means having the relationship capital with our partners, be they private or public, that is required to make progress. We want you to know that we will be calling on all of us to give our best effort so we don’t miss our chance to get “lucky.” We will need people to take charge of projects just like you have in the past. We will need people to give some time – or maybe a lot of time – if they can spare it. We will need financial resources to meet the demands that we will be called upon to provide. I think we are ready, and I further think this is going to be one of the most exciting periods we’ve seen in the RAF timeline. I hope you are all in. Since the RAF was founded out here in rodeo country, it only seems appropriate that just before the chute is opened, a simple nod of the head throws it open and signals that big action is about to happen. Here’s to a little “nod of the head.” - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted May 13, 2026
RAF Virginia Liaison Paul Kosubinsky organized volunteers the weekend of May 8-9 to clean up the campsite and install new amenities at Front Royal Warren County Airport, Virginia, KFRR. Assisting were the Warren County Airport Commission and Friends of Front Royal. “Together, we accomplished an amazing amount in a short time. From removing loads of trash to installing the beautiful new RAF-branded fire ring, entrance sign, and flag pole, the campsite has already been transformed into a welcoming destination pilots and campers will enjoy for years to come,” Kosubinsky reported. The team also cut and stacked enough firewood to last several seasons to benefit future visitors. The volunteers also set up an RAF table and greeted visitors during the airport Wings and Wheels event. This public-use airport has a paved 3,000-ft runway and offers camping with access to a porta-potty, indoor restrooms, and a courtesy car. It’s known as a gateway airport to the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. “Thank you again for helping make the KFRR Stokes Airfield Campsite something we can all be proud of. I look forward to many future gatherings around that new fire ring,” Kosubinsky added. Find more on Front Royal Warren County Airport in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 13, 2026
RAF New York Liaison Doug Turnbull organized a work party at Great Valley airfield, N56 near Salamanca, in southwestern New York on Saturday, May 2. The group of volunteers cleaned up the riverbank, performed seasonal maintenance, and added a new RAF windsock. They removed encroaching brush along the 3,200-ft turf runway to make the approach more visible. The airfield is privately owned but open for public use. “Owner Anna Northrup was very appreciative of the fellowship and that she didn’t need to worry about these things. She generously provided morning donuts and coffee and lunch from the adjacent Katy's Fly-In restaurant,” Turnbull said. “The many hands made quick work, and it was good to spend time with other RAF volunteers out in the field working on this strip,” Turnbull added. Find more on Great Valley in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 11, 2026
