The RAF and Backcountry Flying

Steve has been in aviation, quite literally, all his life. He carried on his father's vocation in aviation and wound up with a career that included test flying pretty much every Boeing commercial airplane. Listen in to hear some of his stories and love for the 747-8.

Philipp came to the US from Germany to build ticket time. He used the RAF Airfield Guide to fly around the Western US and learned what backcountry flying was all about. You can view Philipp's photos of his adventures at: https://www.instagram.com/philipp.kur/

A discussion with Clay Simmons of the RAF Backcountry Etiquette Team on how to help sustain flying as an acceptable means of accessing the backcountry.

Many aviators have flown to Alaska, but fewer have done it in the dead of winter. Listen to Jeff describe his trip and how important painter's tape is in the trip!

Al Clayton describes growing up in Alaska and opening a new airstrip adjacent to Childs Glacier on the Copper River.

Listen to Sarah and Filip discuss all the fun and adventure of "flamping" across America as a relief from pandemic isolation.  Go to FlampAmerica.com for the photo journal of their trip.  

November 8, 2021: RAF Podcast #10 with Bill Brine - RAF Director, discussing the steps involved in saving a recreational airstrip.

This is a great discussion about "Spad's" 20 year career in the Air Force, including leading the Thunderbirds, transitioning to General Aviation and civilian life and now his third career as the Director of the Air Safety Institute and the joint initiative between the ASI and the RAF to reduce accidents in the backcountry.

Bill chats with Amrat Chugani about his career in aviation, learning to fly in Florida, getting his tailwheel endorsement and why he's a part of the RAF volunteers and what's next...

John McKenna talks about Ben and Butch Ryan and the donation of their airfield to the RAF to preserve their love of aviation and the land.

Bill chats with John Nadeau about growing up next to an airfield in Massachusetts, finally becoming a pilot and an airfield owner which lead him to become the RAF's knowledge leader in the Recreational Use Statutes initiative.  This is a very informative podcast for anyone who owns (or knows someone who owns) an airfield and has concerns about liability.  

Bill talks to Katie about growing up on a ranch in Montana, becoming an airline pilot, a communications director for GAMA, then program director for AOPA before going full circle back to the ranch where she grew up to raise cattle and fly her 180 around the Montana backcountry.

Bill discusses Carmine's experiences learning to fly, volunteering for the RAF. flying to Alaska with Chuck Jarecki and the background for her book "Havoc Red" about flying bombers to Russia via Watson Lake Canada.  

Bill talks with Tim Clifford retired RAF VP and Board Director about learning to fly in Ohio, helping build the second story of the RAF and opening new backcountry airfields in Florida.

Bill has a conversation with Steve Thompson about his learning to fly at 16 in Texas, becoming an airline pilot and finally an RAF State Liaison.

Interview with John McKenna, the Chairman of the Recreational Aviation Foundation and one of the founders.  John talks about the early days of founding the RAF and figuring out how to make a difference in saving backcountry airstrips.