Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 1 - 16 of 16
Joelle Peterson's Alaskan journey through her grandfather's flight log....
One of the nice things about cold weather is the opportunity to sit down on the couch, or in our favorite chair, and think about things we would like to do when the weather warms up, when spring finally gets here. I think that is true for people of all walks of life in Minnesota, but particularly true for aviators. At this time of the year, we start to think of how nice it will be to go out to the hangar and get the aircraft out without scooping/pushing snow, without needing to preheat the...
Spatial disorientation can be defined quite simply as the inability to correctly orient oneself with respect to the earth’s surface. It is caused by a variety of sensory illusions. Pilots are especially vulnerable at night and in certain weather conditions. This is because sensory illusions can occur regardless of a pilot’s proficiency or experience. The body’s sensory system normally provides enough information to our subconscious to adequately orient us for normal, earthbound activity. In the environment of flight, however, the sensory syste...
In 1965 Gus DeWeedt was flying over Anchorage, Alaska when he was caught in a sudden storm. He lost control of his plane and crashed, killing him. One year later his granddaughter, Joelle Petersen, was born in New Brighton, Minnesota. Peterson never knew her grandfather beyond the picture on the wall. All she knew was that he met his death flying into an Alaskan mountain. Petersen grew up and eventually left Minnesota. She spent a significant portion of her adult life living in Europe, working i...
One of the benefits of being a pilot is the ability to see and visit things for yourself. I've managed to visit every state in the U.S., every Canadian Province or Territory, and 83 countries around the world, plus Antarctica, all from the comparatively low altitude of a General Aviation aircraft. In addition to being able to see the sights, I've been able to visit with the people at these sites-and not just the people in major metro areas, as pilots, we get to experience the land and the...
Landing a plane can be an issue if you don’t consider all the variables and understand the airplane characteristics that you are flying. Landing is by far the hardest part to learn when training and the part that causes the most accidents. Most CFIs fly different planes on a regular basis but most pilots fly only their airplane. Do they stay proficient in their plane? As habits are developed (good or bad) they continue to deteriorate if not kept up with proficiency training. By the time a p...
This past year we have had the unfortunate opportunity to read about a number of aircraft accidents. Far too many of these accidents were pilot error. Worse yet, a number of these accidents ranging from GA, to corporate, military, and the airlines were caused by and effect called the normalcy bias. Normalcy bias sometimes referred to as “analysis paralysis,” is a reference to a person (or peoples) mental state when facing a disaster. When in that state of consciousness it (normalcy bias) causes people to underestimate the possibility of a dis...
This piece was submitted by Agnes A. Dansl Ph.D. It is a compilation of notes from a speaking engagement. Agnes states that she is 92 years old and has worked as a high school math teacher, counselor and principal. She was the first in her family to receive a college education. THE FLIGHT OF THE INCORRIGIBLE DAUGHTER My story doesn't hold a candle to the stories of the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. I did not fight in any battles. Most of my story begins in St. Cloud,...
Bill Hazelton was born in Minneapolis, MN. His first airplane ride was at Wold-Chamberlain Field in 1932 in a Travel Air biplane. Following High School graduation, he worked as a telephone lineman and then as a hardware store employee. He began flying at Freeman Aircraft Service in February 1933, also in an OX-5 Travel Air and received his Private, Commercial and Transport licenses in the same year. He worked briefly at Freeman as an instructor and special assignment pilot. Hazelton spent the...
What better flying weather than a crisp clear February day in Minnesota. You’d think you were flying a helicopter with the short takeoff runs. The air is smooth and the visibility unlimited in bright sunshine. The reflection from the snow is dazzling. I sure hope you didn’t forget those sunglasses! Sunglasses are a very important and often underappreciated piece of a pilot’s equipment. They are critical to optimize visual performance in the cockpit. If you have a good pair, they will reduce eye fatigue, reduce the negative effects of harsh...
Less than seven years after the Wright Brothers first powered flights the air age came to Springfield, Mn. A pilot who called himself Captain Foster (it's true, you cannot make this stuff up) arrived in town to do demonstration flights in his "homemade" airplane. Foster must have made an impression because by the 1930s Springfield had become one of the first Minnesota Communities to own and operate a municipal airport. Originally the settlement was named "Burns" after two brothers who were...
Formed in October 1936, with a new factory at Fishermen's Bend, in Melbourne, Australia, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) gave Australia a much needed national facility for aircraft manufacture. With Wing Commander Lawrence Wackett as chief designer, CAC began manufacture of trainers for the RAAF. Its first major product was a modified version of the North American NA-16, called the Wirraway, of which 755 were built. With access to modern fighter aircraft from Britain or the United States...
Thank you for your article on the Tree of Hope which appeared on page 19 of the current issue of Minnesota Flyer. This is a well-written summary of the history and current events with Tree of Hope. The results for this year's work are impressive. This year Tree of Hope distributed toys to: -32 Minnesota hospitals -2 Wisconsin hospitals -2 North Dakota hospitals -5 Ronald McDonald houses -2 Twin Cities homeless shelters Unfortunately, the Flyer article totally neglected to mention where all the...
Charlie Wiplinger Named CEO, Bob Wiplinger announces semi-retirement and becomes Chairman, effective January 1, 2020. South Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 2020 – Wipaire announces Bob "Wip" Wiplinger has entered semi-retirement and his son, Charlie Wiplinger, is taking the helm as CEO. Bob served as President since 1979 when he purchased the company from his father and founder, Ben Wiplinger. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the company. Charlie has held the title of President since 2...
Paul Van Brunt of Lakeville, MN was awarded the 2020 CFI of the year Minnesota FISDO GL15 and FAAST team award. Paul is a CFII, MEI, IGI, and AGI with over 5,000 hour's instruction given in all types of planes from tail draggers to multi-engine. Also, an A&P, he works for Air Trek North flight school. Paul is a FAAST team representative with the Minneapolis FSDO and AOPA member. His impressive record had more than 30 students Pass their check rides last year. His success rate is very high. He...
Check this column each month to see that dates have not been canceled or changed. Send notices six weeks in advance of publication to the Minnesota Flyer, P.O. Box 449, Moose Lake, MN 55767 or, verlena@mnflyer.com. Attention Pilots Be sure to get a Flight Service briefing from (800) WX-Brief before every flight and check your destination airport status. March 14: Carlton CountyAirport (COQ), Cloquet, MN. Fly in/ Drive in, rain/snow or shine 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Food will be served. For more information: (218-348-0608) call or text. March 23:...
