Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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Minnesota Pilots Association President Randy Corfman received a resounding early indicator scheduling should continue for the Seventh Annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering (GMAG) May 21-22 at Buffalo Municipal Airport (KCFE). This winter, MPA completed a survey of its 700-plus members to gauge interest after last year's COVID-19 related cancellation was announced in mid-March. Ninety-two percent of those surveyed said the association should hold the event even with the likelihood of a...
At long last the grass is starting to uncover from the snow, and even though brown wisps of green are visible. Spring is in the air and we are feeling the excitement that accompanies the melting of snow and the chirping of birds as they return to Minnesota. The birds are certainly not the only ones who are more than ready to take flight … so are aviators! We have some tasks that need tending to, including tasks to have the cobwebs cleared from our aircraft and from us as pilots. The members o...
If you have information you would like us to share please send it to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish as we have space available. May 21-22: The Seventh Annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering (GMAG) is scheduled for May 21-22 at Buffalo Municipal Airport (KCFE). This year’s event will be COVID-19 safe and will feature educational sessions and a variety of aviation product vendors. Visit the Minnesota Pilots Association website www.mnpilots.org and click on the page links for pilot, attendee, sponsor, exhibitor, and advertiser i...
A small investment can result in a big improvement. In 2020, a simple project at the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport added considerably to airport safety by relocating a taxiway. Coincidentally, this was the oldest pavement on the airport and very much needed of replacement making the project very cost effective, a good two for one deal. In simple terms, the taxiway was too close to Runway 17/35. FAA language is more complicated, but the result was the same. Advisory Circular 150/5300-13A...
Organizer Mark Priglmeier reports ICEPORT 2021 was a huge success. A record-setting number of airplanes visited Mille Lacs Lake for the early March event. According to Priglmeier, the goal of the ice flying event has remained simple since its inception. Create a special place for pilots to spend time during the winter while enhancing their proficiency. "Yes, we blasted our record. But it's not about how many planes we get," Priglmeier said, recapping the March 6 event. "It's about people...
Breast cancer is common. Currently, the average risk for a woman in the United States to develop breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. That’s about a 1 in 8 chance. Fortunately, if it is detected early the outlook is good. That’s the reason screening mammograms are so important. When to start yearly mammograms is controversial. The Mayo Clinic recommends starting at age 40. The American Cancer society opts for age 45 and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, age 50. Obviously, if you have a family history of breast cancer, you...
“Hey Kurt, can you come over and sign off the new wing bolts I installed in my Bonanza?” or similar is a much too often request made of me as an A&P. But I will say God bless the owner for even asking for another set of “licensed” eyes to look at the work performed. Much of owner maintenance never gets a second look. 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A, Subpart C, lists the 31 tasks that may be performed by a pilot/owner as preventive maintenance, but I’ll not reprint them here. First note of interest is that you can perform preventive maintenan...
Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke was established in October 1913 to license build Morane-Saulnier monoplanes. From these, it evolved its own series of Eindeckers fitted with synchronized machine guns. Further license work followed with L.F.G. Roland D. II biplane fighters. In May 1917, Pfalz produced its own fighter design, the 160 hp Mercedes powered D. III. In the spring of 1918, it built its best fighter, the D. XII, which competed with the Fokker D. VII in the June 1918 Aldershof fighter competition....
The six general aviation airports operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) collectively grew operations in 2020 by two% to total 326,044, or 6,381 more takeoffs and landings than in 2019. The general aviation airports are often referred to as reliever airports because they relieve congestion that would otherwise occur at the MAC's major airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP). More than half of all registered aircraft in Minnesota are based at the MAC's reliever...
Smokey Bear's campaign started on Aug. 9, 1944 and is the longest running public service advertisement in U.S. history. Fire safety is just as important today as it was during World War II. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry has all kinds of support for fire prevention. Brochures and other reading materials are available plus DNR Forestry sponsors education events and seminars. DNR Forestry provides wildfire protection on nearly 17 million acres of Minnesota's...
Discover Aviation Days organizers have received many inquiries about the popular event at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport (Janes Field) and its eventual return. According to Craig Schiller, DAD Planning Team member, the non-profit organization is still intact and is financially sound, but like most events, DAD was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The event will continue to be on hold until state mandates allow such large gatherings again. “At this time, we hope to hold DAD again in June 2...
The sky over Buffalo this summer will be missing the sight and sound of a 450 hp Stearman biplane. The red with black trim airplane has been a familiar sight in the area for many years. But time marches on and things inevitably change. Early afternoon on Thursday, March 4, Boeing Stearman N65691 lifted from the Buffalo Airport, likely for the very last time. It was piloted not by its long-time owner and restorer Ray Johnson, but by a ferry pilot who took advantage of relatively warm spring...
Forty Minnesota Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets and senior members received an unforgettable hands-on lesson in aerospace education in February as they flew through clear, cold skies circling their hometowns aboard two UH-60 Blackhawks. The joint effort was hosted by the Minnesota Army National Guard's 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade based out of St. Paul and the Delano-based Skyhawk Composite Squadron of Minnesota's Civil Air Patrol Wing. Also participating were Civil Air Patrol...
