I am very fortunate to come from a family, generations, of aviators. This is a photo of my grandad, Oliver Walton Simmons, taken in front of his Stearman trainer when he was only 22 years old. While later in life he was far too humble to have considered himself part of “the Greatest Generation”, that is exactly what he was for aviation and more. He flew the B-26 closer to the end of WWII and later privately for business in Georgia. He passed his love of aviation on to all three of his sons: Bill – a naval aviator, Bob – an aerospace engineer; and John (my dad) – a flight medic in the Army. They all did the same for their families and the legacy continues today to its fourth generation with my son Clay.
WORTH THE READ: TODD 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 Todd Simmons, the President of Customer Experience at Cirrus Aircraft, and the Vice President of the RAF.
Give me a sign …
In a world of non-stop stimuli, streaming anything and near limitless ‘information’, it can pay to take a step back from it all to find real direction and guidance in our lives. Those influences often can come from people we are close to, especially when a) we look carefully; and b) their life experiences have shaped them in significant ways.
Let me briefly share with you how three particular folks have been an important part of my life and how the way they lived their lives and their accomplishments have shaped and inspired my thinking about The RAF and our purpose.
Next is my close friend Jeff Smith…on the far right in this photo as we flew the backcountry together at the end of Summer just a few weeks ago. Jeff is instrument-rated, tailwheel, two-time airplane builder (RV and Carbon Cub), EAA chapter vice president; and in addition to all that he’s the most recent director of world’s premier research institution, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in East TN.
There he led more than 6,000 of the world’s foremost scientists, engineers, researchers, and staff; oversaw the Enterprise Frontier, the world’s first and fastest exascale supercomputer; and two of the world’s most powerful sources of neutrons for research: the High Flux Isotope Reactor and the Spallation Neutron Source…you get the point. Jeff has used these resources and the platform of ORNL to help address some of the most complex national and global challenges that society faces. With breakthroughs in science, medicine, materials, technology – aviation – and more, through his leadership he has empowered and inspired others to pursue and achieve very (very!) big ideas and outcomes.
Third, we all lost a proficient and passionate aviator, tireless flight safety advocate and true RAF supporter with the very untimely and recent loss of Richard McSpadden. Here we are together with friends at Trigger Gap a few years back. A former Commanding Officer of the Thunderbirds and most recently the recognized voice for general aviation flight safety, I was fortunate to know Richard personally, fly the backcountry with him, and call him a mentor.
Through his thoughtful guidance and counsel, five years ago he helped me find the courage, humility, and voice to tell my own accident story….which was then and still is the best therapy I have ever received. I am eternally grateful to Richard for that.
But it’s his own words that paint the picture of someone who so well understood his opportunity to make an impact in aviation. ‘Flying has brought so much to my life and in many ways has been my life. The feeling of gratitude to the many people who’ve boosted me here comes back frequently… in ways that it seems unfair that I was exposed to aviation and given opportunities few have…and I feel a growing urge to give back, cast a wider net and expose more people to this splendid experience that can change the trajectory of a life.’ I know I speak for all of us when I say that the gift of Richard’s contributions to aviation has been ours, that it is actually all of us that have unfairly but so gratefully had him in our lives and that together we shared the sky and a passion for flight.
So what do Oliver, Jeff, and Richard all have in common in the way that they each live or have lived their lives, their commitment to others, and the lasting legacy and impact of their efforts? Summed up simply, each has ‘left flying and aviation better than they found it’ …profoundly so.
And so it is for each of us and our talents, gifts, effort and engagement with The RAF, our commitment to the mission, and our motivation to sustain the culture – culture that I believe can be summed by that same simple phrase that the lives of these three folks represent. I am confident you each know similar folks that challenge, inspire, and motivate – think about them often and the example of their lives when you appreciate the opportunity, privilege, and obligation we have to ‘leave things better than we found them’ through The RAF.
Fly safely,
-Todd
Todd is the President of Customer Experience at Cirrus Aircraft, where he has worked for 15 years. His passion is recreational flying, primarily in his SuperCub, with his wife Melissa, son Clay, and daughters Anna and Cameron. He furthers his passion by serving as the Vice President of the RAF.
Submitted on October 26, 2023
Posted in Guest Editorial, News
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RAF New Hampshire and Vermont Liaison John Meade was awarded a second grant for additional camping amenities at New Hampshire’s Parlin Field, 2B3. This time, the RAF has helped fund a covered camping shelter built by local volunteers for use in case of inclement weather. The shelter will soon have a roll-down tarp for use when occupied. Campers will also soon find solar shower bags and portable charging stations available at the campsites, as part of the grant. Pilots have enjoyed the six campsites with picnic tables and fire rings funded by a 2019 RAF grant, with local pilots providing the volunteer labor. “Over the past few years, the Parlin campsites have served pilots flying into New Hampshire to camp. I know that many visitors use this as a hub of operation to see all of New England,” Meade said. He points out that the FBO can be opened with a key code for access to a restroom and conference table. There are bicycles if one wishes to tour the Sugar Hill Trail System or ride the two miles to town for groceries – including local maple syrup – and restaurants. There is self-serve 100LL available. The field is both paved and has two turf runways. In May, Meade had organized volunteers to provide seasonal cleanup, in cooperation with Heath Marsden, part-time airport manager. Find out more about Parlin in the Airfield Guide .
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We have a BIG announcement planned for AirVenture this year, and you're invited to join us to celebrate the news. Put these special events on your AirVenture schedule for Tuesday, July 21: 8:30 - 10:30 am: Donuts & Coffee at the Redbird Booth, #301 11:30 am - 12:45 pm: RAF Forum - Beyond The Pavement by Mike Goulian, Forum Stage #10 We can't wait to share what our volunteers have been working on. Submitted June 15, 2026
“It's hard to describe the emotions associated with this effort,” said RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov of the restoration of Monache Meadows airstrip, on the Kern Plateau south of California’s Mount Whitney. This High Sierra airstrip had been accessed for recreation for years until the US Forest Service unofficially closed it in the 1970s citing the Wilderness Act, although the strip is not in a Wilderness area; it lies between the Golden Trout and South Sierra Wildernesses. The RAF is thrilled to announce that Monache Meadows is officially charted as L80, and has been brought back into safe operation after many years of neglect. It is open for public access, thanks to years of effort and support by RAF volunteers and donors. RAF California Liaison Rick Lach first learned of the airstrip in the 80s on a Jeep excursion planting trout in the High Sierras. Lach became an RAF Liaison in 2011, and determined ways to approach the appropriate land managers about restoring the airstrip for use after being abandoned. Persevering for 15 years with respectful communications with a series of District Rangers, he finally delivered a breakthrough in 2024 when the Forest Service agreed to include Monache Meadows in its scope of work, allocating some funds in cooperation with RAF volunteer efforts. "After years of patience and persistence, I am glad to announce that we have restored Monache Meadows back to safe operation to be enjoyed by pilots once again," said Lach. Both Lach and Barilov organized repeated work parties, seeing as many as 20 volunteers making the arduous drive to help. A Monache resident and RAF supporter donated the windsock. The remote area is popular for camping, hiking, and fishing, and up until now was only accessible seasonally by a rough and rocky road, requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles. The road becomes soft and impassable during wet conditions and closes due to snow. Barilov said, “We appreciate everyone's help. The strip ended up nearly 2,400 feet in length, is very flat, and is covered with grass. Frankly, it looks like one of the best grass airstrips I have ever landed on.” The airstrip lies at an elevation of 7,874, so those wishing to access it must consider density altitude, and that it seasonally gets heavy snows. The RAF's Expanding the Map initiative is a nationwide effort focused on opening, improving, and restoring access to airstrips, helping connect aviators to more of the places they love to explore. Learn more about Monache Meadows Airstrip and how the RAF is Expanding The Map . Submitted July 15, 2026 By Carmine Mowbray
By Matt Foster - Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee Chair Your backcountry adventure likely involves a heavily loaded airplane, a short strip, challenging terrain, and limited options. Your practice should reflect those realities – at your home airport. Weave exercises into your normal flying, and consider bringing someone along to observe and keep you honest. Make your normal operations backcountry-ready operations. Seek out an instructor with backcountry experience or challenge your local instructor to learn about your upcoming mission and play a role in your preparation. Load the airplane as you expect to fly it. Bring the camping gear, survival equipment, and ballast that simulates your expected weight and center of gravity. You’ll learn more about how the airplane performs when it's configured for the mission…not when it's empty and light. Make all your landings “spot” landings (remember: your “worst” landing is your standard). Know your performance for takeoff distance and power settings. Learn to lean for density altitude. Practice these calculations for your aircraft. Fly non-standard patterns where airports allow. Practice go-arounds with varying flap settings. Practice slow flight and canyon turns. You can do many of these on every local mission with only a little more thought and purpose…and it can be fun and rewarding. Visualize the adventure, and practice before you launch your adventure. The backcountry is no place to discover your limitations. Submitted July 14, 2026 Photo Credit: Bill Brine
