I’m excited to share this news with you. Due to the size of Texas the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) determined they needed a second Texas State Liaison. They asked if I would fill that position and I was happy to accept.

Congrats Phil!

Congrats!

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

Since it's mostly private land, does that mean you're taking lots of ranchers out to dinner? [emoji41][emoji3]

How are you going to fulfill that obligation while you're in Alaska 5 months of the year?

Thanks guys.

Zzz wrote:Since it's mostly private land, does that mean you're taking lots of ranchers out to dinner? [emoji41][emoji3]

That, and working with some of the river/lake authorities (such as the Army Corps of Engineers) to open up bellow high water mark areas to aircraft. Although everything is full now that's just a temporary condition in Texas.

DeltaRomeo wrote:How are you going to fulfill that obligation while you're in Alaska 5 months of the year?

Good question. A primary duty is to represent/introduce the RAF's mission at aviation events to pilots who have an interest in Backcountry/Off-Airport flying. No better place for that then the Texas STOL Roundup, and the additional events the Texas STOL Roundup participates in such as the Apache Pass Fly-in and Fort Worth Alliance Airshow. All of these occur outside the time I'll be in Alaska. Another primary duty is to try and open up areas to pilots/aircraft for recreation. That's mostly about communication/education which of course can be done from anywhere thanks to the Internet.

FYI, Chase Snodgrass out of Presidio is the other Texas State Liaison and one of the things he has been working on is getting the Big Bend area opened up to us. I was just out there this last weekend with a few friends. A vast area to be sure with some excellent potential.

Getting the Recreational Use Statute amended would have removed one barrier to getting private lands opened, but thanks to the Trial Lawyers that is clearly dead in the water, at least for now.

Welcome to the low pay, long hours and emensly gratifying position of State Liaison.

Rick Lach
California State Liaison

Good on you Phil
Thanks
That is a great organiztion.
Gary

pacerpilot wrote:Welcome to the low pay, long hours and emensly gratifying position of State Liaison.

Rick Lach
California State Liaison

What? Wait a minute. There's pay? Nobody mentioned pay? I clearly remember the conversation and there was no mention of pay. (quote from Air America completely butchered by me, was actually something to do about toe loss).

Congrats Phil!
They made a great choice. Lawyers... See you next week.
Chris

Phil, you'll make a great asset to TX and the RAF.

Thanks for signing up and giving your time and energy.

pacerpilot wrote: Welcome to the low pay, long hours and emensly gratifying position ....

Maybe that explains something. Off topic, but...
You know how AOPA has "airport representatives" which are part of their "Airport Support Network"?
I've been flying off and hanging out at my airport for over 20 years, and I've never met or even heard of our listed ASN rep. Furthermore, I've tried to get ahold of him, both through AOPA and otherwise, and never been able to. Guess he's just in it for the money and the glory.