Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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James "Jim" Baker is a native of Mankato, MN. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He learned to fly at Luke Field in Phoenix, Arizona. He conducted his solo flight in a Stearman. After earning his wings, Jim was assigned instructor duty in the Stearman at the Air Training Command. In 1945, Jim completed training in the B-25 Mitchell bomber and was awaiting deployment orders when Japan surrendered. After his transition from active duty in 1947, he returned to Minnesota and joined... Full story
March 18, 2020 Due to recent events and to help prevent the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHOF) has decided to postpone our annual Inductee Banquet. It will be held in the same location, at the MSP Intercontinental Hotel on November 7, 2020. All associated banquet events, such as the Plaque Unveiling, will also be postponed. The health and safety of all involved is our top priority. Considerations were made to cancel the event, but our mission at MAHOF is to honor our inductees and give them the... Full story
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 18, 2020) Even as in-person aviation gatherings have become less available this spring, EAA’s webinar series begins a second decade of providing aviation information, knowledge, and community to pilots everywhere. The EAA webinars provide group opportunities on topics ranging from aircraft maintenance and technology to pilot certification and flying clubs. In addition, specific webinars provide guidance to specialized areas such as EAA chapter leaders, aerobatic pilots, and more. “Ten years... Full story
Results to inform recruitment strategies and retention of women aviation. March 6, 2020 – Recognizing the global aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge to meet the hiring needs of aviation professionals in the workforce, Women in Aviation International worked with Dr. Becky Lutte, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute, on a series of studies to provide a current look at where the gaps in employment are for women in aviation. Together, the study results can be used by aviation companies and o... Full story
On February 15, the main hangar of West Metro Aviation was filled with the aroma of hot chili as EAA Chapter 878 hosted their 3rd Annual Chili Feed Fly-In/Drive-In at the Buffalo (MN) airport. Mike Wiskus generously donated the use of his hangar, and the "Friends of the Buffalo Airport" (FOBA) and Steve Blyseth provided use of their tables and chairs. This event began three years ago as a social and fundraising event, giving pilots a destination to shake off the winter cold, plus to encourage... Full story
My blood pressure was about to spike. The youngest daughter had just told me she was going to the Marine Corps Ball. This was a successful and self-assured young woman, who could take care of herself very nicely. No matter. I was having flashbacks to a much different era, and the only time I'd ever been to a Marine Ball. November 10, 1775 is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Initially called the Continental Marines, their birth place was "Tun Tavern" in Philadelphia. Appropriately... Full story
Highlights and photos: Courtesy of aviation writer/photographer Jeremy D. Dando Aviators in Minnesota are hardy folks. They do not let the long cold winters put an end to their flying. Not wanting to remain in hibernation the first fly in of 2020 was organized for 01 January, 2020! John Holand had the idea for a New Year's Day fly-in and did all the heavy lifting to get a group of aviators interested in heading up to Brainerd from the Twin Cities area. If you needed additional motivation to go... Full story
Isle Airport Flying Club member Dave Retka terms it a "fight for survival" of the Isle Airport in a letter to airport supporters in early January. After growing membership of the club and making a positive difference in this small community of 751, located on the southeast edge of Mille Lacs Lake, the airport's survival is now in question. Just last July, 45 airplanes landed on its perfectly manicured grass runway, including one from the middle of South Dakota, Aberdeen. During the pancake break... Full story
Born in Bremerton, Washington, on June 7, 1945, Hancock lived in Washington until he was 22. This is where he learned to fly and in 1963, soloed in a Cessna 140. He learned to fly in a Cessna 140 and 170 while pursuing his airframe and powerplant licenses. He finished his A&P at the University of Illinois. He went on to earn his instructor and multi-engine ratings. Over the years, he would earn several more ratings. In 1967, Hancock applied to Northwest Airlines for work and was hired as a... Full story
William "Bill" Mavencamp was born in Maple Lake, Minnesota on January 19, 1927. His first airplane ride was with a barnstormer in a biplane at the age of 6 in his hometown. In 1947 he soloed in a J3 Cub in Monticello. He earned his instrument rating in 1965. In 1971 he was designated by the FAA as a flight examiner and instrument rating examiner. He became seaplane rated in 1974. Through his career he owned over 20 airplanes. During his lifetime he flew most of the Piper, Cessna, and Beechcraft... Full story
Minnesota is a vast and rural state, with much of it remaining unknown to outside residents. However, with the release of a new app, aiming to familiarize pilots with the state’s airports, flying over Minnesota’s endless forests and prairies will hopefully become much less daunting. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Aeronautics and Aviation division recently released the Minnesota AirportFinder App. In essence, the app is a digitized version of the MnDOT Airport Directory and Travel Guide. It is intended to provide all pos... Full story
January 16, 2020 - EAA is very concerned that the FAA's proposed rule on Remote Identification (RID) of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) could have a severe detrimental impact on traditional model aviation, and is preparing a full package of comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The rule would require most UAS, no matter whether they are "drones" or traditional model aircraft, to carry equipment that identifies the device and broadcasts its location. Additionally, many would be... Full story
Donald Berndt, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, lived to age 95 and passed peacefully after suffering a stroke on December 15, 2019. Donald was born at home near Mayer, Minnesota, prematurely, after his mother suffered a fall on the ice on their farm. They kept him warm on the wood stove oven door with little hope of his survival. He was strong, a survivor from the start, and thrived. Don had a lifelong passion for aircraft that was fostered by Elmer Sell, the owner of Sell Airfield across the field from his home. During WWII, when the time neared... Full story
Spatial disorientation can be defined quite simply as the inability to correctly orient oneself with respect to the earth’s surface. It is caused by a variety of sensory illusions. Pilots are especially vulnerable at night and in certain weather conditions. This is because sensory illusions can occur regardless of a pilot’s proficiency or experience. The body’s sensory system normally provides enough information to our subconscious to adequately orient us for normal, earthbound activity. In the environment of flight, however, the sensory syste... Full story
In 1965 Gus DeWeedt was flying over Anchorage, Alaska when he was caught in a sudden storm. He lost control of his plane and crashed, killing him. One year later his granddaughter, Joelle Petersen, was born in New Brighton, Minnesota. Peterson never knew her grandfather beyond the picture on the wall. All she knew was that he met his death flying into an Alaskan mountain. Petersen grew up and eventually left Minnesota. She spent a significant portion of her adult life living in Europe, working i... Full story
This past year we have had the unfortunate opportunity to read about a number of aircraft accidents. Far too many of these accidents were pilot error. Worse yet, a number of these accidents ranging from GA, to corporate, military, and the airlines were caused by and effect called the normalcy bias. Normalcy bias sometimes referred to as “analysis paralysis,” is a reference to a person (or peoples) mental state when facing a disaster. When in that state of consciousness it (normalcy bias) causes people to underestimate the possibility of a dis... Full story
This piece was submitted by Agnes A. Dansl Ph.D. It is a compilation of notes from a speaking engagement. Agnes states that she is 92 years old and has worked as a high school math teacher, counselor and principal. She was the first in her family to receive a college education. THE FLIGHT OF THE INCORRIGIBLE DAUGHTER My story doesn't hold a candle to the stories of the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. I did not fight in any battles. Most of my story begins in St. Cloud,... Full story
Bill Hazelton was born in Minneapolis, MN. His first airplane ride was at Wold-Chamberlain Field in 1932 in a Travel Air biplane. Following High School graduation, he worked as a telephone lineman and then as a hardware store employee. He began flying at Freeman Aircraft Service in February 1933, also in an OX-5 Travel Air and received his Private, Commercial and Transport licenses in the same year. He worked briefly at Freeman as an instructor and special assignment pilot. Hazelton spent the... Full story
Thank you for your article on the Tree of Hope which appeared on page 19 of the current issue of Minnesota Flyer. This is a well-written summary of the history and current events with Tree of Hope. The results for this year's work are impressive. This year Tree of Hope distributed toys to: -32 Minnesota hospitals -2 Wisconsin hospitals -2 North Dakota hospitals -5 Ronald McDonald houses -2 Twin Cities homeless shelters Unfortunately, the Flyer article totally neglected to mention where all the... Full story
Charlie Wiplinger Named CEO, Bob Wiplinger announces semi-retirement and becomes Chairman, effective January 1, 2020. South Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 2020 – Wipaire announces Bob "Wip" Wiplinger has entered semi-retirement and his son, Charlie Wiplinger, is taking the helm as CEO. Bob served as President since 1979 when he purchased the company from his father and founder, Ben Wiplinger. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the company. Charlie has held the title of President since 2... Full story
Paul Van Brunt of Lakeville, MN was awarded the 2020 CFI of the year Minnesota FISDO GL15 and FAAST team award. Paul is a CFII, MEI, IGI, and AGI with over 5,000 hour's instruction given in all types of planes from tail draggers to multi-engine. Also, an A&P, he works for Air Trek North flight school. Paul is a FAAST team representative with the Minneapolis FSDO and AOPA member. His impressive record had more than 30 students Pass their check rides last year. His success rate is very high. He... Full story
Noel Allard shared this excerpt from his "Sherm Booen" files. He promises "more to come." Sherm Booen spent late 1943 and 1944 in Foggia and other US Air Corps bases in Italy. He served as a civilian tech rep of the Honeywell Corporation. Though not Air Corps, he was emplaced with the 5th Bomb Wing and wore an officer's uniform. His job was to instruct flight crews on the use of the Honeywell C-1 autopilot to control a bomber on its bomb run while linked to the famous Norden Bombsight.... Full story
For 73 years, Maxwell Aircraft Service has been the premiere aircraft service shop of the Upper Midwest. Maxwell Aircraft Service – which is based out of Crystal – specializes in aircraft propeller, governor repair and overhaul. They are known to pilots for their high-quality craftsmanship and fast service. All work done by them is backed by a one-year 1,000-hour warranty. Maxwell Aircraft Service is a FAA approved and licensed company. In addition, they are an official Hamilton Standard, Sen... Full story
My name is Macklin Caruso and I will be taking the reins as the new editor at Minnesota Flyer. It is a real honor to work for such a historic Minnesota publication with longstanding ties to the aviation community. I'll put all of my cards on the table, I am not a pilot. I am however a longtime journalist. As is often the motto with journalism, those who don't can hopefully at least write about it. That's what I hope to do while working for the Minnesota Flyer. I intend to thrust myself full... Full story
Continuing an ongoing series by Tom Lymburn. Some aircraft look right in the air. Nothing compares to the graceful elliptical wing of R.J. Mitchell's classic Merlin engine Spitfire, Kelly Johnson's elegant Lockheed P-38 Lightning, or North American's purposeful and efficient P-51 Mustang. When it comes to airliners, the Lockheed Constellation and later Super Constellation are in a category all their own. I announced the CAF Ghost Squadron shows at historic Hollman Field and Fleming Field from... Full story
