Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 196
The T-6Thunder North American Flight Team rolled out to perform for the crowds at Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport June 4-5 during a nearly perfect weekend. The event opened and closed with the flag ceremony conducted by the Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol, Anoka County Composite Squadron. Visitors were treated to a wide variety of aircraft.The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing's B-25 Bomber, Miss Mitchell was one of the crowd gatherers. A hometown favorite, the 1949... Full story
Stars of the North, the Minnesota Chapter of the international organization, Women in Aviation, International (WAI) have monthly gatherings emphasizing social functions, aviation based educational dissemination, career enhancement, or community outreach programs. Don't let the name Women in Aviation mislead you. Men are very much a part of the organization as well. WAI welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, unifying everyone together with the goal of learning and helping others.... Full story
"For over twenty years the Moose Lake Airport has been holding its Fly-In Breakfast on the third weekend in June. As is the norm, the success of the event is heavily weather dependent. "We haven't had such good weather the last few of years," said chief organizer Larry Peterson. "Last year we had maybe only a half a dozen airplanes or so. The year before that no one could get in." This year, the sun was shining, a mild breeze kept the heat reasonably moderate, and folks were ready to fly... Full story
Buffalo Airport drew people from around the region with its annual Fly-In Breakfast and Car Show on June 12 in Buffalo Minnesota. The Lucas Oil Jump Team opened the air show with an intriguing jump and remarkable precision landing on the warm, windy day. Jump team members include Dun Feess, Nick Halseth (team lead), Karl Lips, Erin Gibbs, and David Hage. Mike Wiskus had his first ride in a stunt plane when he was ten years old. That obviously turned his world upside down, a position Wiskus has... Full story
There is no substitute for experience. A solid reputation for work well done takes years to establish. That is exactly what Darrell Bolduc, Tim Hieb and Kevin Dunrud have accomplished with Bolduc Aviation Services, a highly acclaimed Part 145 repair station based at Anoka County Airport. Bolduc started the business in 1979. Dunrud came aboard as an AP mechanic in 1981. Hieb, also an AP, arrived in 1982. Though there are other long-term employees, Bolduc, Dunrud, and Hieb formed a business... Full story
Aaron Kranz, member of Friends of the Airport and chief organizer of the Fly-In said the blessing a good weather was the beginning of a great day for the Paynesville Fly-In Breakfast in early June. The Fly-In Breakfast was held during Paynesville's Town & Country Days, a week-long celebration of events including a parade, crowing of the Princess, street dance, beer gardens, and other activities. Helicopter rides were the order of the day. Hummingbird Aviation kept the props spinning on its bird... Full story
Not only do Chris Millerin and Mark Lukasiewicz know where they are going, they know exactly how to get there. Both are recent graduates of Lewis University in Chisago. Both have come to Minnesota to earn their Certified Flight Instructor rating as efficiently and effectively as possible. As the aviation industry steadily becomes ripe with employment opportunity, Millerin and Lukasiewicz are preparing themselves to take advantage of the times, even if it means no early summer break. "We wanted... Full story
Better seminars, food, camaraderie, weather, or fun just couldn't be ordered. The 2016 Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association's 2016 Safety Seminar at Madden's Resort was enjoyed by attendees, presenters, vendors, and perhaps even employees who had a chance to glance out a window or step outdoors to see the weekend's aviation activity, engage in captivating learning sessions, eat like royalty, and enjoy the company of others. Fun Meters were maxed during the Social Hour in the exhibit area at... Full story
"Three years ago we had our first Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering," said Gregg Strathy, one of the founding directors of the Minnesota Pilot's Association. "This is our third. They just keep getting bigger and better. We've just really enjoyed it." The event was held at the Anoka County Blaine Airport. "We enjoy having everybody out here," said Strathy." Good weather helps. We've got great airplanes on display. We've got great speakers. We hope we are providing a great service for pilots in... Full story
In a moving ceremony to present the Holocaust and POW Boxcar Exhibit at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, speaker Charles Fodor, a Jewish citizen of Budapest relates his experience as an 8-year-old child during the war. Fodor and his grandmother were saved by a stranger from a line of victims walking to their death in a mass shooting on the banks of the Danube River. German Historian Dr. Joachim "Yogi" Reppman (seated behind Fodor) shared his experience with Ron and Diane Fagen, owners of the... Full story
Brady Clark is the first recipient of the first scholarship award presented by the Blaine Airport Promotions Group (BAPG). Graduating from Blaine High School-CEMS program with a 3.99 GPA, Clark is on his way to basic training in the Air Force National Guard, after which he will attend tech school with a focus on hydraulic mechanics for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. Clark is also enrolled in the commercial aviation program for the spring semester of 2017 at the University of North Dakota which... Full story
C.M. Swanson Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restorat... Full story
Sharing a picnic lunch at an airport on a day seemingly special ordered for the event does a lot to encourage children to dream about entering the field of aviation when they grow up. Kindergartners from the University Avenue Aerospace Children's Engineering and Science Elementary (ACES) magnet school did just that as they visited Anoka County Blaine Airport in May. Blaine Airport Promotion Group Founder Harvey Karth and ACES Curriculum Integration Coordinator Kate Watson gathered an impressive... Full story
Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restoration, and... Full story
Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Award Banquet's begin with an oh-so-fun social hour where people get mill around with their favorite beverage, introduce themselves to the inductees, and catch up with each other on what's happened for the past year. Artwork is displayed. Bios on inductees are available. Conversations about aviation abound. Stan Turner was the Master of Ceremonies at the April 30 banquet and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Inductees were Lloyd A. Alsworth, Julie E.... Full story
When John Owen Bohmer, Mike Field, and Dale Fauskee looked at the farm fields in Brooten, Minnesota, in the 1950s, they envisioned an airport...and so the journey began. It started out simple. "We set up a temporary grass strip east of town in a farmer's field," said Bohmer. It was an uncomplicated era when interest in flying was high and just about anybody who wanted a go at it was welcome. Before long, aviation activity outgrew the little grass strip. An associate of Bohmer's, Delbert Anderson... Full story
If you are lucky enough to take flight instruction from Rick's Aviation Adventures, be kind to yourself and schedule time to hear a few stories about Rick Mercil's varied background, as well. One great story you'll want to hear is how Mercil became drawn to aviation in the first place. It was after his schooling in the monastery and before he worked on the Kibutz in Israel. "One summer I had an old beat up 1949 Chevrolet pick up truck," said Mercil. "A buddy of mine and I were sitting on a grave... Full story
Academy College announced the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship at its 80th Anniversary in April. The announcement was broadcast over WCCO radio by Al Malmberg, producer of the World of Aviation, and Nancy Grazzini-Olson, president of Academy College. "We created the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship, up to $40,000, for any student obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in our commercial aviation or commercial pilot program," said Grazzini-Olson. "Applications are now open. Go to our website,... Full story
Wind that kept most pilots on the ground didn't hamper a fire watch flight conducted by DNR observer Ron Goetzinger and pilot Lee Casto with Eagle Air. "That's when they want us most," said Casto in an impromptu interview at the Moose Lake Airport. "When it's warm and windy, that's when fire danger is at its highest, so that's when they want us. "We're not necessarily flying in comfortable conditions. We're flying when it's a little bumpy but that's what we do." Goetzinger worked for the DNR... Full story
With the power behind the Minnesota Council of Airports, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Airport Technical Assistance program, the 2016 Minnesota Airports Conference chalked up a huge, successful, well attended event. A variety of venues were available at the Conference held at Madden's on Gull Lake in April featuring experts in aviation and aerospace fields sharing their experiences in general assembly presentations, workshops and open forums. Subject matters included Airline... Full story
conjunction with Paynesville Town and Country Days, held the second week in June. "We always have a parade on Wednesday," said pilot and Paynesville business owner Aaron Kranz. "They coronate the queen during that time, too. There's a car show, a street dance, just a lot of activity in town that week." The Fly-In will be Friday and Saturday, the last two days of Town and Country Days. A shuttle bus will be available to take people from the airport to the hotel, bars, restaurants, café, retail... Full story
Saturday May 21, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum will present the Holocaust Boxcar Exhibit, its most recent addition to its historical aviation facility. A program to announce the permanent exhibit will begin at 11 a.m. Special guest speakers at the event include Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and Judy Baron, Holocaust Survivor. It will be a rare opportunity to hear first hand experience of the historic occurrence. In... Full story
Being 96-years-old and yet displaying the gleam of a five-year-old in her eyes was just one of the many captivating traits of Elizabeth "Betty" Wall Strohfus. Another was how she made everybody who came in contact with her feel just a little better about themselves after meeting her. Her laughter was contagious, her stories engaging, her love of life bigger than life itself. Yes, the energetic whirling dervish of aviation wore her body out, but Elizabeth Strohfus lives on in the hearts and... Full story
Fourth and fifth graders from the University Avenue Elementary School Aerospace were asking impressive questions during their February visit to the Golden Wings Aviation Museum at Anoka County Blaine Airport. Their advanced knowledge and eagerness to learn could stem from previous visits. "This provides an awesome resources for kids because I'm hearing a lot of really great questions," said Reading Intervention teacher Karla Fox. "I'm hearing how they are taking information they have from previo... Full story
On April 29-30 your MnDOT office of Aeronautics will be at the Anoka County/Blaine Airport (KANE), where the Minnesota Pilots Association will hold their annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering 2016. For more information, please visit Minnesota Pilots Association at mnpilots.org. Feel free to stop by the Aeronautics booth. We invite your questions and comments. We'll be there both days!... Full story
