WORTH THE READ: MARK BAKER 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 from Mark Baker, President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.



There are many thousands of pilots in this great country, flying millions of miles each year to many thousands of great destinations — near and far, big and small, paved and rocky. And, still, we treasure the fact that we’re a close-knit community. When we meet up with fellow aviators, we’re all among friends.


The general aviation community has a shared interest in not only pursuing this great passion we have for flight, but protecting it and, together, ensuring that our freedom to fly is never threatened and remains open. We are more powerful when we come and stand together as partners.


Partnership is a key word for AOPA. Not only do we appreciate our members, who allow us to do what we do, but we treasure the relationships we have with a variety of organizations — all under the banner of promoting and protecting general aviation. Whether it’s our business partners and advertisers, fellow general aviation organizations, type clubs, and those with a special mission — like the Recreational Aviation Foundation — we stand strong as one.


Our special relationship with the RAF is a prime example of how two like-minded organizations come together to protect this shared passion. We’re like-minded about access, passionate about safety and diligent in ensuring that generations to come are able to experience the exhilaration and freedom of being above it all. We bring different experiences and skills to the table, but they all meld as one when safeguarding general aviation.


While formally founded 20 years ago, I know the mission of the RAF — to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access — is something that dates back to the early days of aviation, in the true spirit of adventure and discovery. The RAF is an extremely important player in making sure we can continue to explore through the air.


The RAF was one of the first groups with which I forged a bond when I became the head of AOPA nearly a decade ago. I still remember that special Southwest fly-around when I saw first-hand the passion and camaraderie of the RAF. I have always had a special place in my heart for backcountry flying to remote locations, having taken a variety of airplanes from one side of this nation to the other — to the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, the Florida Keys, Pacific Northwest, Northern Wisconsin, and so many points in-between. I’m sure that many of you reading this have seen me with my revered Super Cub in one of the special places in which the RAF focuses its work.


The RAF quickly showed me that it was the leading voice and force in keeping access to all of these special places, and more, open to all of us. Not all of us across the country understand and appreciate what general aviation brings to our local communities, in terms of economic impact, jobs, and the ability to pursue something uniquely American. The RAF has stood tall and firm, ensuring we have access to so many airstrips in many special locations.

Simply stated, the RAF gets things done. And done well.


I became fast friends with a group of important folks at the RAF, such as John McKenna, Bill McGlynn, Tim Clifford, and many others. Since then, the RAF has become an important partner — to both myself as an aviator and to AOPA. There are so many special people at the RAF, its leaders and all of the volunteers I see at events and amazing locations. I know when I see those orange shirts, that I, and all of general aviation, is in very capable hands.


Great partnerships happen when people and organizations are aligned in their values and mission. While many of us consider our flying to be play, there is a lot of work that goes on to protect this play. The RAF truly defines the mantra of work hard, play hard. 


I look forward to seeing many orange shirts in 2023 and in the years to come.


Mark Baker is the President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Submitted on December 28, 2022.

Posted in Guest Editorial, News

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MAGEE, ID FLOOD MITIGATION ASSESSMENT BEGINS

By lellington • June 26, 2026
RAF President Bill McGlynn met in mid-June with the US Forest Service, Idaho Dept of Aeronautics, and Idaho Aviation Association to evaluate steps to improve Magee (S77) airstrip, 23 nm east of Coeur d’Alene. On the way, Bill picked up Joe Sober, one of two airport engineers from Oklahoma City who have volunteered their professional services, and have been instrumental in creating maintenance and remediation plans on Idaho backcountry airstrips. “The Forest Service engineering teams have too much on their plate just addressing roads, so having this resource to make airstrip engineering assessments and plans is instrumental to resolving challenges on USFS airstrips like Magee,” McGlynn said. The improvement project at Magee has been organized through a Cost Share Agreement the RAF has with the USFS. McGlynn, Sober, Willy Acton of the Idaho Airstrip Network, along with USFS District Ranger Holly Hampton, Don Macintosh of IAA, Dan Conner of Idaho Aeronautics, and RAF Idaho Ambassador George Weaver investigated the sources of flooding that plague Magee airstrip every spring and analyzed means of re-directing the problematic water. Magee airstrip was created in the 1940s by the Corp of Engineers as a hidden fighter base in case of Japanese attack on the western US coast. A dike that was built to channel water away from the runway has eroded over the eighty years. Sober took numerous measurements and will develop a plan to submit to the USFS for approval. Work could begin over the next year or two to recover about 700 feet of runway. “We truly could not do this work without our volunteer engineers and are very fortunate to have their expertise,” McGlynn said. Weaver said, “The airstrip is a real gem, and the restoration work will make it a great backcountry destination.”

TEAMWORK GETS THINGS DONE AT HISTORIC MEDICINE BOW, WYOMING

June 26, 2026
“It was really nice to spend some time with Wyoming folks cleaning up a little piece of history,” RAF WY/UT Ambassador Karen Larson said of the May 30 work party at Medicine Bow airport, on the historic US airmail route. RAF Wyoming Liaison Joe Feiler organized the work and reports that about 15 people with a wide range of backgrounds arrived at 9 am to help. Attendees included RAF supporters, EAA Chapter 420 members, local residents, as well as Lee Cook, Medicine Bow airport board member and town council member.

STEVE JONES

By lellington • June 25, 2026
Steve Jones was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio just an hour from the birthplace of aviation. He fell in love with airplanes at an early age and has been flying ever since. That passion grew exponentially when he landed off-airport in a tailwheel airplane for the first time and discovered the world of backcountry aviation. He first encountered the RAF while attending a “Peaks to Pavement” seminar in 2019, where he met Ohio State Liaison Christine Mortine. Since that time he has enjoyed supporting the RAF including getting his hands dirty helping with campsite improvements at Noble County Airport. He has also supported technology projects for the HQ team and RAF volunteers. As a State Liaison for Ohio he will be focused on initiating new grant projects, adding more recreational airports in Ohio to the RAF Airfield Guide, and increasing RAF engagement and collaboration. Steve is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BA in Aviation Management and is a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes football fan. He works in Flight Operations for a large private aviation company where he has worked for the past twenty years. He resides in Pickerington, Ohio with his wife Kasey who is also an aviation enthusiast. Steve can be reached at sjones@theraf.org (614) 353-8895 

RAF VOLUNTEER STEVE JONES STEPS INTO OHIO RAF LIAISON ROLE

By lellington • June 25, 2026
Joining RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine is Steve Jones, who is stepping into a Liaison role from having volunteered on RAF technology projects. Raised in Columbus, Ohio just an hour from the birthplace of aviation, Steve fell in love with airplanes at an early age. That passion grew exponentially when he discovered the world of backcountry aviation. He first encountered the RAF while attending a “Peaks to Pavement” seminar in 2019, where he met Christine. Since then, he has enjoyed supporting the RAF by helping on campsite improvements at Noble County Airport. As a new Ohio Liaison, he will focus on initiating new grant projects, adding more recreational airports in Ohio to the RAF Airfield Guide, and increasing RAF engagement and collaboration. Steve is a graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Aviation Management and is a loyal Ohio State Buckeyes football fan. For the last twenty years, he has worked in Flight Operations for a large private aviation company. He resides in Pickerington, Ohio with his wife Kasey who is also an aviation enthusiast. Steve can be reached at sjones@theraf.org

WORTH THE READ: NEIL MORTINE GUEST EDITORIAL

June 25, 2026
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 Neil Mortine, a marketing and relations executive, RAF Supporter, and husband of RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine.