Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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Pilots Michael Grzincich and Mike Miller, and ground crewman Scott Nelson, all with the EAA Young Eagle Program, stand with a group of students from the Moose Lake area who are await- ing their rst ride in a general aviation aircraft. Grzincich's 1964 Cessna 172F is in the background....
In the few hours before his official 18th birthday, Moose Lake, Minnesota resident Anakin Wilson did something he had never done before. He flew an airplane. "I'm the Young Eagles Coordinator from EAA Chapter 237 based out of Blaine Airport," said Michael Grzincich, private pilot and professor of IT at Cambridge Community College. "Scott Nelson, Michael Miller and I came to the Moose Lake Airport today to do an away game with two aircraft. "It's just a beautiful day, nice crisp air, minus 15... Full story
It didn't take long after Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk in 1903 for humankind to believe we could, indeed, fly. The rate at which aviation grew over the next 20 years, accompanied by related confusion and mishaps, made it painfully clear the industry required oversight to establish order and safety standards. President Calvin Coolidge stepped up to the plate in 1926 by signing the Air Commerce Act into law, thereby establishing the foundations of government... Full story
The Super Bowl hosted in Minneapolis brought air traffic from all over the world. Lynx FBO at Anoka County Blaine Airport had up to 85 jets parked on its runways. Many reliever airports provided parking for aircraft during the week leading to the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl Flyover consisted of the P-51 Mustang Sierra Sue which resides at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Renowned American aviator Steve Hinton flew Sierra Sue on behalf... Full story
Since its foundation in 1965, Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI) in Watertown, South Dakota has been training students for the workforce. That training is now recognized on a national level. In 2017 LATI received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, recognizing its standing as "a benchmark for community college reform." For eight continuous years, LATI has been designated a Military Friendly school for going "over and above" in efforts to assist service members. LATI was also name... Full story
Lake Area Technical Institute aviation program students visit the ANG base in Lincoln, Nebraska....
It was one of those events you shouldn't have missed. January 20 presented a perfect day for the Second Annual TrickAir Ski Plane Fly-In at Paul Jackson's Sea Plane Base in McGregor, Minnesota. Over 50 aircraft flew in to the event, some from as far away as Kansas City, Missouri and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The crowd was wowed by Tony Phillippi's Noorduyn Norseman flown in from Anoka County Blaine Airport. "Tony Phillippi was nice enough to come up and show us his beautiful airplane," said event or... Full story
It was back in 1960 when LaVern Knoepke drove to the Pipestone Airport in southwestern Minnesota to check out a 1940 pre-war, stick controlled Aeronca Chief he heard was for sale. "The guy who owned it was 83-years old and wasn't flying anymore," said Knoepke. "So I went out there and yeah, it hadn't been flown for a long time. It had bird droppings on the wings about two inches thick. I thought, oh gosh. This is terrible." The airport manager confidently assured the potential buyer he could... Full story
It's so refreshing to hear good news. That is exactly what Dave Retka, Isle Flying Club President in Isle, Minnesota offers regarding activity at the private grass strip. In his annual report, Retka states the Isle Airport (private) symbol is now shown on aviation sectional charts. Membership in the club has grown from under 60 to 98 in the last year. Since the club is a public non-profit organization, dues are actually tax deductible. The club joined the Recreational Aviation Foundation to... Full story
Spring Grove resident Glenn Kinneberg taxis his 1947 Piper Cub PA-11, heading towards the runway of the Rushford Airport after a Fly-In this past summer. Kinneberg has flown the aircraft for over 70 years....
Spring Grove, Minnesota resident Glenn Kinneberg will be 91 in February. If weather permits, and if he can clear his packed schedule, there is a good chance he will take his 1947 PA-11 Piper Cub out for a celebratory spin. The flight will have another anniversary factor as the PA-11 is the same aircraft in which he received his private pilot license in February 1948...on skis. Having received his Master Pilot Award over 10 years ago, Kinneberg has over 70 years of flying in his log book. His mem... Full story
Twas the Season to be Jolly, and Super Cub Santa was certainly that! "Santa's Elves did a super job decorating the super cub again this year!" said Randy Corfman, President of the MN Pilots Association, who happens to know Santa quite well. "Santa is very Pro-Aviation, and there is no better way to promote Aviation than through these children!"... Full story
Jim Jacobson, owner of Accelerated Aviation Instruction in Albert Lea, Minnesota does a little holiday kidding around with his Christmas tree atop the Seminole used in multi-engine flight training....
In 2015, Jim Jacobson entered into an agreement with Albert Lea Municipal Airport FBO owner, Jim Hanson to provide flight instruction from a building on the airport grounds. Both understood plans for a new terminal at the airport were underway. Over 20 years of experience in aviation, as well as a lifetime of farming in the area had provided Jacobson with ample opportunity to learn how to calmly meet challenges as they arose. So, it was with confidence Jacobson established Accelerated Aviation... Full story
It's been said the best leaders are not those who gather huge numbers of followers, but those who empower others. Such a man is 91-year-old Homer Dobson. "When you write this article, stress the airport, not Homer," said Dobson in an interview at Tracy Municipal Airport in southern Minnesota. A daunting task, given the Homer Dobson Lane sign on the road leading to the airport, a framed photo on the wall of the A&D Building of Homer and Betty, his wife in an antique auto with his 1946 Ercoupe... Full story
There were some great sights at the Wheels and Wings Fly-In/Drive-In in Osceola, Wisconsin this past September. On the agenda were Wissota Skydivers from the Indianhead Sport Parachute Club, individual air show performers Grant Nielson, Mike Weinfurter, and Erik Edgren. Also performing was the Vanguard Squadron, a precision flying team based in Tea, South Dakota. The formation aerobatic team consists of two F-16 pilots, a former Red Baron display team pilot, and an Education... Full story
If you've attended an aviation event at Anoka County Blaine Airport over the course of the past 21 years, chances are high you've met Craig Schiller. You may have known him as the first volunteer at the former Polar Aviation Museum, or even during his term as director there. Perhaps you've bumped into him during his 17 years of service as manager at Golden Wings Museum. Nowadays, you can find Schiller three miles from the airport grounds, still immersed in the past, present, and future of... Full story
Mark Nesheim has such a passion for cooking Classic American Café that he opened a restaurant serving the international jet set. Kimmy Fox, Nesheim's, business partner serves Nesheim's "amazing food" in Wings Airport Café at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. Both relish giving visitors that Minnesota experience as soon as they step off the plane. Real mashed potatoes, homemade bread, soup from scratch, wild rice, fresh Walleye, and a variety of hot dishes are all part of the Minnesota flair a... Full story
Newberg Sky Spray's Air Tractor AT-301 with reciprocating engine in the forefront, flanked by a 1993 AT-502 turbo-prop, and a 1989 AT-502. Also seen is the tail of a 1980 Eagle Aircraft-Bellanca Eagle DW-1. All aircraft were on display for attendees viewing pleasure at Hector Municipal Airport during the annual fly-in....
Mark Satnan's fond childhood memories of time spent with his father in South Dakota impacted the way he lives today. "He worked nights all the time," said Satnan. "He'd drag me out to the shop at night and have me start taking the interior of an airplane out. That's actually how I first got started, taking interiors out of airplanes so he could work on them." After high school Satnan got a job driving truck delivering parts but it didn't take him long to realize that wasn't the job for him. He... Full story
This year's 75 Annual Fly-In Breakfast and Ping Pong Ball Drop at Hector Municipal Airport offered a close up view of some pretty impressive aircraft. Event organizer Ed Newberg issued an invitation to Afton, Wisconsin residents Barry Hammarback and Dave Schmitz to bring their 1962 UH1 "Huey" helicopter. The Huey has attended veteran's and other aviation related events to allow new generations to become more aware of the experiences of their father's and grandfather's. "We thought the Huey is... Full story
Windom Municipal Airport’s August 27 Fly-In Breakfast provided an opportunity for 32 private aircraft beauties to line the field next to the taxiway like models on a spotlit runway. A hearty breakfast of pancakes and French Toast was served by the Lions Club. Jay B Kipfer brought his restored JD pulling tractors, more eye candy for Fly-In attendees. Local residents joined regional pilots who flew in for in the day’s events that not only drew the community together, but added to the growing int... Full story
Flight Line Gifts, a new aviation specialty shop in Blaine, officially opened its doors for business in June. Offerings include books, clothing, cool tech, models, aviation prints, pilot supplies, war relics, and fun toys. In addition, Flight Line Enterprises, LTD president Craig Schiller is also reaching beyond the doors of his own store to create a team atmosphere with neighboring retail outlets and community members by hosting seasonal flea markets in the parking lot at 1033 109th Avenue NE. “I’ve worked with businesses at the Anoka Cou... Full story
It was an impressive lineup at the Anoka County Blaine Airport as efforts were coordinated to present attendees of the Minnesota State Fair with a visual treat beyond anything else they may have observed from the ground. Vintage aircraft participating included a T-28, T-34, P-51, Corsair, TBM Avenger, B-25, and a Huey Helicopter. The August 29 event was in honor of Military Appreciation Day. Seventeen military aircraft, specific to the World War II era participated, including Chuck Datko's T-6... Full story
This year's MSPA's Annual Picnic saw a record number of attendees, in part due to the duo purpose of a much anticipated pig roast combined with the surprise awarding of a commemorative plaque to Bruce Hanson for 41 years of service managing the FBO at Surfside, the Seaplane Base in Lino Lakes. MSPA President Steve Guetter AOPA President Mark Baker awarded the plaque to Hanson at the August 13 event. When Hanson was congratulated, he differed credit to seaplane pilots for their support of the... Full story
