Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 1 - 14 of 14
Aviation enthusiasts from the region will gather April 26 at the Capitol in St. Paul to look their state legislators in the eye, offer a warm handshake, and establish (or refresh) a personal relationship. Aviation Day at the Capitol is arranged by the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), Minnesota Council of Airports (MCOA), and the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATA). Mike Beard, a member of all three organizations, also has a history of 12 years as a member of the...
For years, Michael J. Grzincich kept a photograph his mother gave him of his four-year-old self sitting in the cockpit of his grandfather's 1964 Cessna 172F. "I remember seeing that plane," said Grzincich. "I remember the flight when I thought the wheel pants were pontoons. When Grandpa flew over Lake Superior, I asked him if we could land on the water. He said no." Now all grown up, the boy who was raised in Hibbing, Minnesota also remembers his grandmother's affinity to that specific...
If you have heard the name Charles Lindbergh, you already know why he is so well known. His May 20-21, 1927 solo flight, ninety years ago this May, from New York to Paris is perhaps the single most significant flight ever made. There is little more that needs be told that isn't readily available in a thousand books and newspapers. What may be interesting to note is exactly how he is related to Minnesota, other than having been raised in Little Falls. Lindbergh was actually born in Michigan...
The Hiners had previously built a CH-300-and also completed a set of amphibious floats for it. Like every other floatplane operator, they were always looking for an aircraft with MORE-more range, more cabin room, more baggage room, and more performance. They found what they were looking for in the Rebel. After assurances that the previously-built floats would work on the Rebel, the deal was sealed. If the Rebel looks vaguely familiar, it may be because the design was partly scaled down from the...
When people take their places at the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet on April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bloomington, regular attendees will notice a marked change. Since its inception in 1988, Noel Allard and Mary, his wife have managed and arranged the annual event. This year the Allard's are transitioning banquet management to Delta Air Lines First Officer, Cheri Rohlfing. "By the sound of it Cheri has everything under control," said Allard. "Things are looking good. We're going...
Look for a few changes in the Fourth Annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering (GMAG) coming April 29-30 to the Anoka County Blaine Airport (KANE). "Something new this year is, we are holding it on a Saturday and Sunday instead of a Friday/Saturday format," said President of the Minnesota Pilots Association Randy Corfman. "Everyone is looking forward to that." While the event has grown from 600 to 900 visitors on the strength of the educational presentations, networking opportunities, and...
We all enjoy aviation whether it be a few laps in the pattern, a trip with friends for lunch or visiting family out of state. But, many pilots reach a point in their aviation career when they begin to wonder if there is something more. And, that's where charitable, humanitarian or compassionate flying can bring a new depth to your aviation adventures! There are many types of compassionate flights, including taking patients to medical treatments, fish and wildlife monitoring and support of disaster areas. Today we are going to discuss some...
Minnesota Sea Plane Pilots Association's Spring Sea Plane Safety Seminar will be splashing down on May 19-21 at Madden's Resort at Gull Lake...especially Saturday afternoon during the accuracy landing contest. "Any of the pilots that fly up and are registered participants in the conference are welcome to participate in that contest," said MSPA president Steve Guetter. "It's usually a fairly tight competition. "The past few years we've had airplanes ranging from Piper Cubs all the way up to...
Milaca is a shortened version of Mille Lacs. The name, given to an area in Central Minnesota by 18th century French traders, translates as “Thousand Lakes”. Milaca is the seat of Mille Lacs County, but the County only has 34 lakes. The City is on a river that connects Lake Mille Lacs to the Mississippi. Water has an important role in the religion of Native Americans. The Dakota call it the “Spirit” or “Mystic” River. The French had a different kind “spirit” in mind and named it the Rum River....
Last month we took a look at some of the provisions of BasicMed, a new way to legally fly without a Third Class Medical Certificate. We talked about the restrictions on aircraft type and operation as well as the basic procedures a pilot will have to follow if she/he elects to go this route to establish medical qualification. Bottom line-if you are a healthy person under the age of forty, it's probably easier and more cost effective to stick with the traditional Third Class Medical. If, however,...
PZL or Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze was established in January 1928 to be Poland's main aircraft design and manufacturing concern. Known in the early 1930's for a series of parasol wing monoplane fighters designed by Zygmunt Pulaski, PZL went on to produce one of the finest twin engine bombers of the pre-WWII era. The PZL 37 Los (Elk) had excellent performance and, had the war not intervened, would have been exported to a number of countries. After the German blitzkrieg, what was left of PZL was...
Warroad Lions Club held their 39th Annual Fly-In Breakfast in February, bringing in a wide variety of aircraft from around the regions. Landings were on the Warroad River. God weather, fantastic aircraft, and a delicious breakfast made for a great Fly-In! Rick Mercil of Rick's Aviation Adventures was all smiles, as were many attendees in their picturesque surroundings. Mercil, a Certified Flight Instructor for almost 40 years, with 10,000 flight hours, flew his 1956 Cessna 180 from Sunset Lodge...
Check this column each month to see that dates have not been canceled or changed. Send notices of events at least six weeks in advance of publication to the Minnesota Flyer, P.O. Box 750. Sandstone. MN 55072-0750 or mnflyer@cpinternet.com or charlotte@mnflyer.com. June 3-4: Duluth Air Show, duluthairshow.com June 11:Fly-In/Drive-In Waffle Breakfast, 8a.m - 1p.m., Fergus Falls Municipal Airport. Sponsored by Fergus Falls Area EAA Chapter 1174. June 11: EAA Chapter 688 Annual Fly-In Breakfast, all you can eat! Montevideo Airport (MVE), 8:00...
