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John McKenna Jr. is the Chairman of the RAF. John and his family grew up next door to his dad’s best friend, a businessman who happened to be a Beechcraft Bonanza owner and pi- lot. Aviation became a part of their lives because of the close relation- ship, and John had the opportunity to fly almost any time he was able. “I became the kid who flew all over the northwest region of the coun- try, and I discovered that this was a pretty cool way to see things and to make large stretches of land much smaller.” By 1974, John had earned his private pilot license and was en- tering the life insurance business. As
Family fun at the Ryan Fly-In in Montana.
Sullivan Lake Airport in Washington.
the 1980s rolled around, he bought his first airplane, a Cessna 182, and later acquired a Cessna 185. He and his wife still fly the 185 to this day for business and recreation.
John became successful special- izing in estate planning by honing his ability to cultivate and grow re- lationships. He has the gift of provid- ing his clients the opportunity and comfort level to open up and discuss things most people don’t necessarily enjoy discussing – like death. “I’m not the greatest technical expert in things like the latest legislation or rules affecting estate planning, but I know where to go for that kind of information. I have become really
14 • TWIN & TURBINE / February 2023
good at understanding what people need and how to encourage commu- nication. And I have been able to use my strengths in business to help the RAF.” John treats his clients like fam- ily, and it was similar with the newly formed RAF and Ryan’s 20 years ago.
“We want to partner with public and private owners and help advo- cate to keep their unique airstrips open,” John said. “[The RAF] is in the business of trying to save legiti- mate fun places for people to go. We have developed and worked in con- cert with public agencies and private owners.” The Bureau of Land Manage- ment, National Park Service, Depart- ment of Natural Resources, and US
Arcadia Airport in Florida.
Forest Service all consider them- selves partners of the RAF. State agen- cies are also partners. “We recently set up an agreement with the Texas Parks Department,” he said.
John concluded our conversa- tion saying that RAF membership is about seeking privilege. A pilot’s license does not give you the right to land whenever or wherever you like. It’s a privilege to be able to build the relationships necessary to land somewhere. “We are to airplanes what Ducks Unlimited is to ducks – we’re