Events

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 attendance skyrocketed to approximately 650,000 – a new record total. That mark is about 7% above 2021's attendance of 608,000. The previous high attendance mark was 642,000 in 2019. More than 800 exhibitors participated in the event, along with 797 media representatives from six continents. "There were several factors involved in the record attendance this year, in addition to the great weather," said EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton. "Programs such as the U.S. A...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

he 50th anniversary of Van's Aircraft RV series was a major element of homebuilt aircraft activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. "While aircraft kits have existed for more than a century, it was 50 years ago that Richard VanGrunsven introduced a model that would move the homebuilt movement into an age where kit aircraft would become dominant," said Charlie Becker, EAA's director of chapters and homebuilt community manager. Today, more than 11,000 completed RV models are the direct...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

The Watermelon Social presented by Wipaire, Inc. is the EAA AirVenture Seaplane Base's big event. The gathering returned this year after a COVID-19 forced absence. First-year EAA Seaplane Base Chairman Shane Albers estimated total attendance at 1,000 participants. The watermelons were sourced through local grocery stories and carved up with machetes. Albers said it takes about a dozen people three hours to set up the event. The Seaplane Base is presented by lead sponsor Wipaire Inc. with...

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds thrilled a large crowd while headlining the 2022 Duluth Air and Aviation Expo Airshow July 16-17. The elite military performance group was scheduled to perform in 2020, an event that was canceled because of COVID-19. This year's attendance was estimated at 50,000 by event organizers. Last year, with the U.S Navy's Blue Angels headlining, the airshow drew about 75,000 attendees, said Ryan Kern, airshow president and founder. The Thunderbirds fly the same planes...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Attendees at Wings of the North's 2022 AirExpo were able to climb aboard an iconic plane of World War II and be transported back in time via big bomber flight. Yankee Air Museum again offered paid B-17G rides during the two-day event July 23-24. The aircraft is based in Belleville, Michigan, It was the 13th from the last ever produced. It was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 16, 1945, and did not go overseas or see combat. In all, 12,731 Flying Fortresses were built during World...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

his year's Ray Fagen Memorial Airshow at Lenzen-Roe-Fagen Memorial Airport in Granite Falls was action-packed, spectacular, and filled with U.S. Navy aviation blue. "Pride of the Pacific" featured more than 40 vintage and period-specific warbirds on the ramp, said Diane Fagen, director of the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. "We are not sure of total numbers yet, but attendance was in the thousands," Fagen reported in a day-later event recap. "The weather certainly was hot, but we do not feel it...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Fergus Falls EAA Chapter 1174 took a hands-on approach to solving a perplexing problem. When Dad's Belgian Waffles wasn't available to provide the main fare for a June 12 fly-in, members purchased waffle irons and organized their own breakfast. "We served 1,061 meals," said Chapter Vice President Dave Jennen, who has been a Young Eagles coordinator for 22 years and flown 1,279 prospective aviators. A group from a local gymnastic club the Fergus Falls Flippers bussed tables and helped in the...

Established in 2016 to celebrate Academy College in Bloomington's 80th anniversary, the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship provides two, $5,000 awards to two aviation degree seeking students pursuing a professional pilot career. This year's recipients are Robert Ezike and McKenna Gordon. Ezike is pursuing the Bachelor of Science Degree in Commercial Aviation at Academy College. He is passionate about introducing the aviation industry to younger individuals, particularly women and minorities,...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Canby Municipal Airport - Myers Field hosts a free regional airshow each Father's Day weekend. The entertainment ranges from off-the-wall aerobatics to high performance aircraft racing and trick shows from a core group of aviators. Airport Manager Matt Wagner reported a great Sunday show despite extremely difficult weather conditions that provided an all-around planning challenge. Free Man Airshows' Bob Freeman offered this summary on his Facebook page: "Made it to Canby with a 60-knot...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Wrapping up another Crystal Airport Open House provided a bittersweet moment for Luke Gustafson. This year's record-setting event was his last as lead organizer. "I'm only 48 years old, but I started with this event when I was 18," Gustafson said, adding he's been at Crystal Airport 30 years and involved with the event 28 years. Maxwell Aircraft Service (Prop Shop) saved the day by providing last-minute hangar space for the event, Gustafson said. "Davey Heskin got things ready, all for free."...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Please check with contacts in this column to see if dates have been cancelled or changed. Send your event information to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish as we have space available. For a full calendar listing, visit www.mnflyer.com and click on the"Events" tab. July 17: Benson, MN: Benson Kid Day Flight Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Benson Municipal Airport Breakfast hosted by Girls Gymnastics. PIC free. Contact: Kurt Flegel, (320) 760-0458. Aug. 4: Nary, MN: Burgers at Nary, 5 to 7 p.m. Nary...

The Minnesota Pilots Association honored the 2022 recipients of the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Awards during the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering. The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 61. This award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first U.S. pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at...

Representatives from the Minnesota Business Aviation Association, Minnesota Council of Airports, and Minnesota Aviation Trades Association attended morning and afternoon briefings with state legislators and MnDOT Aeronautics officials Wednesday, April 20, at Holman's Table in St. Paul during this year's "Aviation Day at the Capitol." House Speaker Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-District 36B, Brooklyn Park), Minority Leader Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-District: 31A, Crown), Assistant Majority Leader Sen. John...

Minnesota Business Aviation Association members gathered Wednesday, May 11, for a luncheon sponsored by Dassault Falcon. Attendees had the opportunity to see a Falcon 2000EX, a wide-body, transcontinental twin-engine aircraft that carries up to 19 passengers. Dassault Aviation Regional Sales Director Chad Winings and Dassault Aviation Regional Sales Manager Tom Carling discussed the company's aircraft technology and innovations. The meeting was hosted by Lifetime Aviation with parking provided...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Please check with contacts in this column to see if dates have been cancelled or changed. Send information to editor@mnflyer.com. June 11: Grand Rapids, MN: EAA Chapter 412 Spring Fly-In Breakfast, Grand Rapids/Itasca County Airport (KGPZ) 8 a.m. to noon. Local merchants silent auction; freewill offering chapter scholarships. Contact: Larry Daigle, (218) 244-3056. June 12: Fergus Falls, MN: Fergus Falls Municipal Airport Fly-In/Drive-In Belgian Waffle Breakfast, Fergus Falls Municipal...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Induction Ceremony and Banquet honored seven Minnesota Aviation personalities Saturday, April 23, at the InterContinental Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport Hotel. The gala was the 32nd annual induction ceremony for the non-profit. Each year, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame selection panel meets to consider new candidates for induction. Selections are made from public nominations. Candidates are determined by panel research. In addition to t...

The 2022 Minnesota Airports Conference visited the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester April 6 to April 8, focusing on airport management, operations, and maintenance. The event was open to anyone interested in general aviation and marked a return to an in-person format. The annual conference was sponsored by the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics and Minnesota Council of Airports and facilitated by the Airport Technical Assistance Program (AirTAP). Highlights from the event included an attendee welcome gat...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Please check with contacts to see if dates have been cancelled or changed. We publish events as print space is available. For a full calendar listing, visit www.mnflyer.com. Click on "Events" tab. Send information to editor@mnflyer.com. Include the following details: Date, City, Two-Letter State Abbreviation, Event Name, ICAO Airport Identifier, Time, EAA Young Eagles If Applicable, Contact Person Name, Phone, Email. If you want to include full menu details and pricing or additional...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Hunting the $100 hamburger is likely to cost a bit more this spring and summer because of rising fuel costs, but that shouldn't deter dedicated pilots from exploring new places when making the aeronautical equivalent of the lazy Sunday drive. Here's the Minnesota Flyer's most recent take regarding five don't miss drop-in destinations when heading aloft in the coming months. If you have an airport to share, drop us a line and we'll add it to our list of locations under consideration. Brainerd A...

Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame

Each year, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHOF) inductee selection committee meets in June to review nomination submissions and to select the following year's inductees. Selection includes evaluation of a candidate's significant aviation contributions to Minnesota, the area of the state the individual represents, and other criteria involving career and professional contributions. This month's banquet will honor the MAHOF 2022 inductees and return the organization to its regular banquet...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

Please check with contacts in this column to see if dates have been cancelled or changed. Send your event information to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish as we have space available. For a full calendar listing, visit www.mnflyer.com and click on the"Events" tab. April 6-8: 2022 Minnesota Airports Conference, Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN. This event focuses on airport management, operations, and maintenance but is open to anyone interested in general aviation. The conference is sponsored...

Tim Hennagir, Managing Editor

The Minnesota Chapter of the 99s Organization for Women Pilots hosted a "Pinch Hitter" Companion Flyer Course at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport on Feb. 19. Written by CFII Cheryl Ann Daml, the course was geared toward single-engine, piston airplanes with an electrical system and steam gauges rather than technologically advanced aircraft. VFR conditions were addressed during the half-day session. More than 30 people attended the course, which ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with breaks every 45 to 60...

Tim Hennagir

Please check with contacts in this column to see if dates have been cancelled or changed. Send your event information to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish as we have space available. March 5: ICEPORT 2022 Fly-In Brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with prize drawings 1 p.m. at Mac's Twin Bay Resort, Mille Lacs Lake. Pilots monitor 122.9. There is no fee for this event but donations welcome. For info, contact Mark Priglmeier (320) 200-8050 or createlift@gmail.com March 19: EAA Chapter 965 Aitkin...