Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 1 - 15 of 15
In a day and age when many situations in life change faster than Minnesota weather patterns, it's comforting to know at least one longstanding tradition continues to be upheld to this very day. It is especially comforting when that tradition includes wearing a soft red suit, slinging a bag of toys over one's shoulder and belting out a few ho ho hos, all for the delight of children. The follower of this specific tradition does have his own little twist, however. Rather than the well-known Dasher... Full story
The cool, still air of the evening tempts you like a siren to take flight. Then the rising moon acts like a beacon, adding to the temptation to fly. While flying at night is beautiful to some pilots, it is intimidating to many others. Though it is about the same as daylight flying in many ways, night flying comes with some important differences. One of these differences is night vision and its unique challenges. It is easier to understand night vision and its associated challenges if you first... Full story
As a very young boy living on a farm in South Dakota, Bob Heavirland sometimes scrambled up a 12-foot snow bank to retrieve the week's mail, wrapped in butcher paper, air dropped from the open window of an Aeronca Champ. Mail from the next town was delivered the same way in a 1948 Aeronca Super Chief. The young boy never dreamed one day he'd own that exact Super Chief. Heavirland explained that, in those days, before the myriad of aircraft regulations we know today, airplanes owned by farmers... Full story
After a situational hiatus, the aviation industry is once more on the rise. Current high demands for pilots has caused flight schools to evolve to meet the needs of students motivated to attain a private pilot license in less than the national average of 65-70 hours of flight time, (often stretched out over a year's time). Accelerated Aviation Instruction, a Part 61 flight school based at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport, offers a 40 to 45 hour flight time program for those wanting to go from ze... Full story
Gary Black is the kind of pilot who doesn't take anything for granted. Though his vast flying experience could easily create overconfidence, Black remains steadfastly faithful to the rules of flight. "We're going to start going through the checklist," said Black as the doors close on the 2015 Cirrus SR22T for a flight from Moose Lake Airport to Anoka County Blaine Airport. "We do have a parachute on board for the whole aircraft. The safety pin is pulled out so the parachute is armed in case of... Full story
Prior to World War II, Yugoslavia manufactured a number of fighters and floatplanes, plus license manufactured the British Bristol Blenheim bomber and Hawker Hurricane fighter. After the war the aircraft industry's recovery took a number of years. Soko, formed in 1951, began with license manufacture of Westland Whirlwind and Gazelle helicopters. In 1957 it initiated work on the Galeb and Jastreb series of jet trainers and light attack aircraft. Then, in 1966, came the Kraguj, a single seat... Full story
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization that honors pioneer and historic Minnesotans for their contributions to aviation, recently announced its 2016 Hall of Fame inductees. These seven individuals will be recognized at a banquet on April 30, 2016 at the Ramada Mall of America in Bloomington. The inductees represent legislators, pilots, flights instructors and inventors. Among the inductees: Lloyd Alsworth (1906-1992) – a native of Sherborne, MN, Alsworth ran the Fairmont Flying School from 1949-1975 where he trained an e... Full story
Bigfork likes to keep ahead of the trends. In 1944 aviation in the United States was focused on winning World War II and General Aviation was not getting much attention. But, in Bigfork the Village Council was thinking ahead to how an airport would benefit their town after the war was won. At the February 8th meeting a committee was appointed to keep the council and citizens "air minded." They did that and by November an application had been submitted to the Minnesota Commissioner of... Full story
The Federal Aviation Administration,(FAA), your office of Aeronautics, and numerous General Aviation organizations work constantly to help pilots fly safely. News, education, guidance, and procedural documents can be produced with the best of information. But in the end it is up to the pilot to assure he/she is well trained, proficient, and truly ready for flight. Recently the FAA released a document titled: FAA Says Fly Safe: Prevent Loss of Control Accidents; National Safety Campaign Intended... Full story
Check this column each month to see that dates have not been canceled or changed. Send notices of events to charlotte@mnflyer.com Feb. 6, 2016: Park Rapids, MN. Fifth Annual Zorbaz Zki Plane Chili Fly-In, 11a.m.-2 p.m., Little Sand Lake, (7 nm NW of Park Rapids on the 042 degree PKD radial, N46.978304 W -94.949727. Robb, (218) 237-1969, robb@zorbaz.com, www.zorbaz.com for updates. Self-serve fuel available at Park Rapids Aviation. Feb. 28, 2016: Warroad, MN. Lions 38th annual Ski Plane Fly-In & Breakfast. Ski Planes land on theWarroad River,...
It is time to think about CARB ICE! Actually any time is time to think about carb ice. So here is a simple reminder: According to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, Pilot Precautions and Procedures to be taken in Preventing Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Induction System and Fuel System Icing Problems, "Heat should be applied for a short time to warm the induction system before beginning a prolonged descent with the engine throttled and left on during the descent. Power lever advancement should be... Full story
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the federally chartered, all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force, which consists of Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions (Nationally) as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, an... Full story
Education at its most basic level is the key to the success of any individual. What ultimately sets us apart from others is our use of what we have learned, and our unending desire to continue learning. One part of MnDOT Aeronautics’ mission is aviation education. We are charged with helping to educate the people of Minnesota about aviation and the positive impact it has upon everyone’s life. We do that through our Technical Bulletins, our Internet Web pages, and even our Facebook and Twi... Full story
It is a good idea to have your favorite mechanic remove your aircraft wheel pants for winter flight operations. By doing so, you will greatly reduce the chances of snow and ice buildup packing into the wheels and brakes, and freezing solid when you climb to altitude. Also, when you remove the wheel pants, you will be able to more clearly see the condition of the wheel, brake pads, and most of the tire. Have your qualified mechanic add an entry to your equipment revision list, and weight and... Full story
Every time I get a new edition of Federal Aviation Regulations/ Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM) I’m amazed that it’s grown as fast as my three-year-old grandson! Pilots operate under an increasingly complex matrix of regulations and aviation medicine is no exception. So I thought it was high time to take a look at some of the legal issues and procedures affecting medical certification. This month we’ll touch on the application and certification process. We’ll also cover the options...
