Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 1 - 17 of 17
As pilots who enjoy the priv- ilege of ight, I think we have to be very vigilant as we strive to at least maintain the freedoms our predecessors left for us. This is particularly true as those of us who are in general aviation sometimes feel that us “little guys and gals” may play second ddle to corporate and commercial aircraft operators. I am not just talking about how the airspace is being con- trolled, but also how our avi- ation resources are being as- signed. Recently, Jim Peterson, tre...
Brian Ryks thinks a lot about people. As Executive Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC), thinking about people is an inherent part of the job. However, it's what Ryks thinks about people that proves him such an effective leader. He empowers people by believing in them, having reasonable expectations of them, and encouraging them to live well bal-anced lives, including time outside work. Ryks is responsible for the administration and management of MAC's seven-airport...
The FAA on Oct. 12 reopened the $500 rebate program to support Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipage. The program that had ended in September 2017 will now close Oct. 11, 2019. The previous rebate program, which ran from Sept. 19, 2016, to Sept. 18, 2017, issued more than 10,000 rebate payments. The agency is making $4.9 million available under the new rebate program, which will help to fund 9,792 new ADS-B Out installations. Beginning Jan. 2, 2020, aircraft flying in airspace where a transponder is necessary today...
Toy collection for the 2018 Tree of Hope is set for Saturday, December 1st at 1:00 p.m. at Maple Lake Airport (MGG). All volunteer organization so all money goes directly to toys for the children. In 2017, donations delivered by volunteers supplied toys to 39 hospitals across Minnesota. New toys are needed for children ranging in age from infants to 18-years old. Toys or craft items that can be used while the child is in the hospital to help pass the time. Monetary donations accepted also. Help...
In fond memory of Minnesota Flyer founder Sherman P. Booen 1913-2011....
During its fourth annual Girls in Aviation Day, 200 Stars of the North volunteers assisted 1,400 attendees at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie where girls experienced STEM and aviation careers and opportunities. Stars of the North is the Minnesota Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI). "I think we are so lucky to have such a core group of passionate aviators in Minnesota, willing to put in months of time, or just one day, or even an afternoon to create an opportunity to bring the...
Women in Aviation International chapters have been surveyed. Results show Girls in Aviation Day 2018 accomplished its goal of introducing a record number of girls ages 8 to 17 to the career and lifestyle possibilities in the aviation world. As in past years, Girls in Aviation Day was hosted by WAI chapters (including several located on college/university campuses) with additional participation by WAI corporate members including airlines, FBOs, aviation museums, and flight schools. On October...
It's all very hush-hush until timing is right for the official announcement. However, Backus residents couldn't help but notice the professional film crew at the Bayside Resort dock on Pine Mountain Lake in Backus, Minnesota in September, shooting a scene for an upcoming, independently produced television series. Despite a chill breeze, mist hanging in the air, and temperatures struggling to reach 50 degrees, the 21-person crew from California (and other warm climate areas) stayed on task...
When it comes to advocating for a permanent resident living at a community airport, Ed and Connie Newberg, have, quite literally, lived their convictions for 38 years. When they got married in 1977, they moved to the Hector Municipal Airport. "Then resident, Gary (Bipes) had it for sale, and I was already hanging around at the airport quite a bit," said Ed Newberg, "so it just seemed a natural thing to do, live at the airport. We are just a mile from town. It's been wonderful." Hector Airport...
Going back in the old Mystery Plane Contest files from the days when I wrote the column, I was enthralled by a Christmastime event and the response I received from you FLYER readers. Let me explain. During the tensions of the Korean War, the US nuclear strike force included an awesome weapon, a high-altitude, long-range, ten-engine bomber which we were fairly certain could strike at the heart of the Soviet Union. The SAC B-36D aircraft was like nothing else. You only have to watch the opening...
One morning a while ago, a pilot friend awoke and noticed his eyesight was funny. His Venetian blinds looked wavy instead of straight. It seemed that colors weren’t as vivid as they should be. Things seemed a little fuzzy in one eye. He went barreling over to his eye doc and was told he had central serous retinopathy (CSR). This is caused by fluid buildup between the retina and its underlying support on the back of the eye. This leads to a partial a separation of the retina, causing the v...
It's not fertile in Fertile. Well, that's not exactly true. The surrounding area is probably the best farm land in North America, but the town is built on a geological anomaly called the "Sand Hills." Back in prehistoric times, this was the bottom of a glacial lake called Agassiz. As the glaciers froze and melted, Lake Agassiz expanded and contracted. The Sand Hills were formed during one of those cycles as the granular soils were deposited along the edge of the glacier. The Sand Hills might not...
Emil Matthew "Matty" Laird (1896-1982) flew his first design on 15 September 1913. Built in his mother's attic, it got 10 feet into the air. Associated with Wichita and Chicago, Laird was famed for his custom-built sport and racing aircraft. Known initially for the Swallow biplane (about 43 built between 1920 and 1923), in 1924 he began design and manufacture of a series of Laird Commercials that sold well to "sportsman" pilots even during the Depression. Laird biplanes were part of the early da...
Since 2015, Academy College has donated an Aircraft Dispatcher Course to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Schedulers and Dispatch scholarship program. This scholarship provides the recipient with all the necessary knowledge and practical experience to obtain and become an FAA Certificated Aircraft Dispatcher. This year's recipient is Cody Solma. Cody was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Omaha to pursue a...
Flying Technologically Advanced Aircraft is a lot of fun. A few years ago, I was giving an IPC check to a commercial pilot in a Cessna 182 with a G1000, a nice aircraft to fly with unlimited amounts of information available, as well as integrated auto pilot for those long solo flights. As we prepared for the flight, we went over planned activities and my expectations for a good flight. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot engaged the auto pilot and programmed the approach in. I let him take off and...
Check this column each month to see that dates have not been cancelled or changed. Send notices six weeks in advance of publication to the Minnesota Flyer, P.O. Box 750, Sandstone, MN 55072-0750 or mnflyer@pinternet.com or charlotte@mnflyer.com. Dec 1, 2018: Maple Lake, MN, Maple Lake Municipal Airport (KMGG), Tree of Hope donation event, 9.a.m. – 1 p.m., toys delivered to children in Minnesota hospitals by aviation community. Contact Howie and Deb Klier at 952-898-5735 n6870j@aol.com or Elaine Morrow 763-777-9276 pilotelaine@aol.com Feb. 9, 2...
View from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) office window of Brian Ryks, Executive Di- rector/CEO with an inset of Ryks in his office. The feature article about Ryks' history, from his first internship after college, through his first two years at MAC....
