Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 1 - 19 of 19
A 1946 Aeronca 11AC registered to Lowell Einerson of Alexandria pulls into the parking area during the 38th Annual Fly-In & Dine-In Breakfast, Saturday, July 17, in Henning, Minnesota....
It has been a very enjoyable summer this year, sweetened by the proliferation of fly in events following a year of “lockdown.” We rejoice in the opportunity to spend time with our flying friends again, savoring the taste of pancake breakfasts and the like in many communities with an airport nearby. A couple of years ago I wrote a column here borrowing from Charles Dickens’ “they were the best of airports, they were the worst of airports,” pointing out an example of each. It has been a pleasure...
Fertile Municipal Airport is built on the shore of one of the Earth's largest lakes. Unfortunately, the lake went away a few millennia ago. Lake Agassiz was formed by melting glaciers and the famous Sand Hills around Fertile were once the beach. That bit of geological history means the immediate neighborhood belies the name. Mostly oak savanna and prairie, the soil is not good for growing crops. The Sand Hills do provide unique recreational activities and a spectacular natural area called the...
This was my 25th consecutive Oshkosh Convention. The first thing that people ask on my return is "SO-HOW WAS OSHKOSH? WHAT'S NEW?" EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or "Oshkosh" for short has become so large that it's difficult to cover by one person-so Minnesota Flyer's contributing writers were directed to do the logical thing, and divide the editorial responsibilities. I took on the event reporting -the displays-the press gatherings-the forums-and the questions of "what's new?" Contributing writer,...
Homebuilt Kit Champion – Bronze Lindy Lee Hanson Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Van's RV-14A, N11VF Vintage Customized Aircraft Runner-Up Benjamin Redman Faribault, MN 1940 Waco UPF-7, N164 Vintage Custom Class B (86-150 hp) Small Plaque David Smith Milaca, MN 1950 Cessna 170A, N9775A Warbirds-Reserve Grand Champion: World War II Jordan Deters/CAF Minnesota Wing Vultee BT-13A Valiant, N52411 Gold Wrench, CAF Minnesota Wing Warbirds-Grand Champion: Post – World War II James and Patrick Harker For...
AirExpo 2021 at Eden Prairie's Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) had a different field layout when compared with previous years. Featured aircraft were parked between the new Jet Linx Hangar and the East-West Runway. Attendance was a record-setting 7,500 both days of the July 24-25 event, reported Wings of the North Treasurer Gary Kreig. "Back to the Skies" was this year's AirExpo theme. Last year's AirExpo was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many changes to the summer aviation...
The hands-down highlight of the summer aviation season is the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Whether you call it Oshkosh, EAA, or AirVenture, the gathering remains one of the biggest aviation events in the world. Aircraft range from single-seat home built aircraft to giant C-17 cargo planes. Located just over 200 miles from the Twin Cities, Wittman Regional Airport is a short flight from local airspace. The Fisk arrival can be tricky with many planes from all over the U.S. queuing up to land...
Over the past few years, we’ve been setting record temperatures and dealing with the health hazards that go with them. Very few of our general aviation fleet has the luxury of air conditioning. Even if you do, summer flying without adequate fluid intake can mean trouble. A METAR temperature of some 90 degree usually means your cockpit will be boiling at over 100 degree. Add to that the time you spend pulling out your aircraft, pre-flighting, loading luggage and passengers and you’ve worked up a heck of a sweat. Unless you’re filed for up high,...
The summer aviation season hit its stride with the Pan-O-Prog Fly-In July 11 at Airlake Airport in Lakeville. This year's participants were treated to warm temperatures and calm winds in the morning. The pancake breakfast was a huge success with over 1,850 people served. A total of 85 aircraft flew in. There was great variety in the planes that appeared. While the majority of the aircraft present came from the seven-county metro area, Detroit Lakes, St. Cloud, and Racine, Wisconsin were...
Minnesota's largest air show produced record-setting attendance during its post-pandemic return in late June. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels were among the high-flying crowd-pleasers this year at the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo. "In 20 years, this was the most challenging show I've ever worked on," said Ryan Kern, airshow president and founder. Organizers developed four COVID-19- related planning contingencies to meet state and federal health requirements. Saturday set a one-day show attendance reco...
EAA Chapter 1065 welcomed almost 60 aircraft and served nearly 300 meals during the 38th Annual Fly-In and Dine-In Breakfast, Saturday, July 17. About half of the aircraft visiting F.R Steuart Field at Henning Municipal Airport represented first-time attendees, said EAA Chapter 1065 President Grant Smith. "It was a very busy morning as planes started to arrive," Smith added. "I try to meet each pilot as they park, and give them a quick idea of what to do and where to go." Smith said one fly-in...
Everyone likes having their little toys. I feel, as pilots, we are especially attracted to new toys. The latest iPad mount for the cockpit, new avionics, a better headset, the list goes on. I am guilty of this as well. I have so many books and headsets and flight bags and kneeboards. However, I did recently add something to my pilot tools that I am oddly excited about: fire resistant clothes. Let me explain my reasoning. My flying attire has always favored the functional. No sandals, no synthetic fabric, nothing that restricts movement. But...
This month's mystery, the Aeronca Model LB, was literally washed away. Founded on 11 November 1928, the Aeronautical Corporation of America, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the first company to manufacture commercially successful general aviation aircraft. It had the backing of the wealthy Taft family. Located at Lunken Field, Aeronca suffered a major disaster in 1937 when the Ohio River flooded the airport. The Aeronca factory was destroyed and tooling, inventory, and blueprints for the...
Hartzell Propeller has purchased the assets of Tanis Aircraft Products, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of engine preheat systems for fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The Tanis brand will become part of Hartzell Propeller's heated products, which now includes systems for propeller de-ice, piston engine reheat, turbine engine preheat, helicopter preheat, battery, avionics, and cabin preheat. Tanis Aircraft started business in 1974. The company was the first to develop aircraft engine preheat...
The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Approximately 300 attendees helped wing members celebrate July 10 during an open house that featured history flights, a food truck, aircraft tours, a silent auction, and plenty of cake. The Minnesota Wing formed at Fleming Field in South St. Paul as the first charter unit of the national headquarters wing, operating as a maintenance support arm. "Miss Mitchell," the Wing's B-25J, left the anniversary party ea...
Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame inductee Clarence Hines of Stanton, Minnesota, passed away on June 26, 2021. He was 96 years of age. Clarence was one of the last "old time FBOs"-he was "all aviation-all the time." He lived on the Stanton airport-east of Northfield-his house was only several hundred feet from the office. Clarence was a crop duster (flying converted Super Cubs), flight instructor, glider tow pilot, "skydiver driver" (parachute jump pilot), and aircraft mechanic. He also farmed...
Gary Powers Jr., the son of famed Cold War pilot Francis Gary Powers, will give a special presentation at this October's EAA Chapter 25 Banquet in Lakeville. Powers will provide a unique historical perspective on the dramatic shooting down of his father's U-2 spy plane, over Russia, in 1960. The Oct. 3 presentation will follow a social hour and buffet dinner at the Crystal Lake Golf and Banquet Facility, 16725 Innsbrook Drive. Seating is limited. A social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with a cash...
The first Saturday in September the community of Battle Lake will welcome the return of an popular aviation event that will honor two special people. Pat Kostelecky, a driving force behind the Battle Lake Area Community Fund (BLACF) and the "Annual Tribute to Gerry Beck - Gathering of Airplanes," died unexpectedly in November 2019. "We are going forward," said Kathy Deal, a good friend of Kostelecky's and BLACF member. "This year will feature a tribute to Pat, and the annual tribute to Gerry....
Please check if dates have been cancelled or changed. Send info to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish in print as space is available. Sept. 4: Glencoe, MN: EAA Chapter 1658 Annual Sweet Corn & Bratwurst Fly-In, Drive-In, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Glencoe Municipal Airport (GYL) PIC eats free. Drawing for free airplane rides. Free Young Eagle rides 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contacts: Stuart Selchow (320) 583-8367, Jim Benson (320) 310-8522, Ray Dann (320) 864-5805. Sept. 4: Battle Lake, MN: 14th Annual...
