DAN PRILL

The RAF is especially proud of Dan’s work getting the Russian Flat Airstrip approved and built in Montana’s Lewis and Clark National Forest – the first new airstrip on U.S. Forest Service land in over forty years. Dan worked throughout seven years of meetings and two more years of construction with all volunteer labor, so today many people can use the airstrip for camping and recreation. Dan was awarded the RAF’s Golden Pulaski for his work on Russian Flat at an annual fly-in there.

A key to advancing the RAF mission is educating land managers, policy makers and Senators and Congressmen. Dan has been to Washington, D.C. many times during his tenure. The U.S. Forest Service adopted its new planning rule during a six-week series of meetings, and Dan attended all of those meetings. His time and expense paid off, as today the Planning Rule acknowledges the importance of recreational aviation. RAF volunteers carry on Dan’s commitment to the process, and attend the public meetings.

The RAF website is critical to its mission. When it had to be upgraded, Dan volunteered to be the “project manager” and worked with John Kounis of Pilot Getaways magazine. The improved website now incorporates a membership database and is invaluable to the operation.

Aviation trade shows have played a large role in RAF’s growth, and Dan and his wife Margie have attended nearly all of them. Margie always pitched right in to help with the work and the hospitality.

Dan has traveled all over the country during his tenure on the board. He treasures the friendships he and Margie have made. “Even though I won’t be a director, I will still work hard for the RAF in any way I can,” Dan says, and urges others to support the organization by volunteering or donating, “and enjoy the resources of recreational and backcountry airstrips. The airstrips are why we do this, so go enjoy them.”

406-788-1185
dprill@theraf.org

Posted in Former Director