Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 301 - 325 of 672
As is commonly known, inclement weather tends to put a damper on parades, lemonade stands, and aviation fly-ins. Such was the situation with the Moose Lake Carlton County Fly-In Breakfast, Saturday, June 16 when low clouds prevented the normally robust attendance by area pilots. Even though rain and the threat of rain kept many aviators from the airport, drive-in traffic was proof positive of interest in the annual event. Glen Kowitz of Moose Lake had his Ultralight T-Bird on display on the... Full story
If you are looking for a role model to pick up a few pointers on how to be respectful to your heritage, drive or fly to Granite Falls, Minnesota for the next Ray Fagen Memorial Airshow. If you missed June's show this year, you missed a lot. From the opening ceremonies to the last of the evening's fireworks, the Fagen Family is all about paying homage to the Greatest Generation. This year's annual event was filled with thrilling aircraft displaying unique abilities in the air for an enthusiastic... Full story
Major Heather Penney held her audience captive recounting her experiences as an F-16 pilot called into action after the Pentagon was struck by terrorists on September 11, 2001. At the conclusion of her presentation at the Wings of the North Air Museum (WOTN) in June, Penney spent another length of time fielding questions from her interested listeners. Yet, the focus of Major Penny's presentation was not on herself. It was on the "average, everyday Americans who answered the call," including fire... Full story
One of the most positive aspects of community airport events is the family friendliness component. Always the Sunday before Father’s Day, this year’s Rush City Fly-In of June 10, gathered people of all ages to see aircraft as inspiring as the UH1-H “Huey” Helicopter famously flown in the Vietnam War, a 1941 Stinson L-5 from the Minnesota Commemorative Air Force, piloted by Jerry Kyser, president of honor Flight Twin Cities, several T-6s piloted by Chuck Datko, John Bormes, and Chris Koelzer... Full story
Photographer Chris Lundberg captured the essence of the day with this image of the Saturday, June 23, Fly-Over at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul in honor of the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall, a three quarter replica of the wall in Washington D.C. There are 58,318 names listed on the wall by date of when each was killed. In the sky, at the top of the photo are three T-6 aircraft, followed by three T-34s in the missing man formation, and a T-28. In the foreground is a "Huey" UH-1A helicopter... Full story
Buffalo Airport was the place to be June 10 for the sights and sounds of Mike Wiskus of West Metro Aviation and his Pitts S- 1-11B aerobatics aircraft. Wiskus flew right side up, upside down, tail down, nose down, vertical climb, extreme dive, and any other possible position in which man commands his aircraft to fly for the thrill of the crowd. In a surprise guest appearance, stunt pilot, Craig Gifford also gave the eyeballs of attendees something to fasten on with an air show performance of... Full story
This is the final person in a list of the ten most important figures that have shaped Minnesota aviation over the years. In previous chapters, you have learned about Clarence Hinck, Shorty DePonti, Speed Holman, Ray Miller, Walter Bullock, Max Conrad, Charles Lindbergh, Chuck Doyle and Jeff Hamiel. Each figure a giant in their field and known across the region for their accomplishments. Saving for the last of my top ten, the one person who really made General Aviation known and respected in... Full story
Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport held in June offered a great pancake breakfast, FAA Safety Seminars, a Warbird Fly Over, T-6 Squad Fly-Overs, a K-9 Demonstration, Huey Helicopter Reenactment, an Education and Veteran's tent, and a parade of antique automobiles. Golden Wings Museum was open for public tours of its vintage aircraft. Food vendors supplied hot and cold menu items. Natured provided rain the first day of the two-day event and a chill wind the second but those... Full story
Nothing cools off an extremely hot day like free ice cream and taking a turn at letting water escape from an official fire hose. Kids visiting the Crystal Airport Fly-In on an upper 90-degree day for their June 17 Fly-In, had the opportunity to do both. Though cloud cover graciously lent some relief from the sun's rays, high humidity pushed perceived temps up enough for the local Dairy Queen owner to offer several freezers full of free Dilly Bars to attendees of the event. Crystal Airport... Full story
Phil Fisher was drawn into the field of aviation through his certified welding skills and desire to help others. Over 27 years ago, a friend of Fisher's, who was also a member of the Planes of Fame aviation group asked if he would be willing to come to a hangar to help with some welding needs. The answer was yes, not only to do welding jobs, but eventually to become a member of the group. When Planes of Fame moved its aircraft to Palm Springs, Fisher remained in Minneapolis where he was born and... Full story
In the Beginning One typical school day as we were in the shop supervising our students' projects, two individuals I had never met walked into the school and introduced themselves. John Bucher, Maintenance Consultant for Banc of America Leasing and Eric Olson, Maintenance Manager for General Mills Air Transportation. Eric was a graduate of the A&P program back in 1993 and he wanted to show John his alma mater. After touring they said, if the school was interested, they would contact me at a... Full story
A variety of seaplanes nestle into place on the beach at Madden's Resort on East Gull Lake in Brainerd, host of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association 2018 Seaplane Pilots Safety seminar the weekend of May 18-20. Educational presentations by aviation experts, and banquet's deserving of royalty ruled the weekend. Education, entertainment, gourmet dining contribute to continued growth and popularity of this annual gathering.... Full story
The Minnesota Pilots Association Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering, held 27-28 April at the Anoka County Blaine Airport, Jane's Field, hosted by the Golden Wings Aviation Museum, was a compendium of educational seminars, aviation related vendor booths, award ceremonies, and people admiring vintage aircraft in the museum as well as aircraft flying into the two-day event. Attendees included an impressive presence of members of the Boy Scouts of America.... Full story
Michael France, Managing Director of Safety and Training for the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) held an Industry Town Hall meeting hosted by Thunderbird Aviation in Eden Prairie, May 10. Discussion points included the shortage of skilled employees for aviation centered businesses, engaging in programs encouraging youth to become more involved in aviation, individual FBO services pricing structures, embracing the drone movement, and the dwindling number of volunteers, not only in NATA, but for organizations across the board.... Full story
Wipaire, Inc.® has welcomed Andrew San Giacomo as Director of Aircraft Services with oversight of Wipaire's wide range of services. Andrew will lead and manage teams in Minnesota specializing in aircraft maintenance, avionics repair and installation, paint refinishing, and custom interiors. His responsibilities will include ensuring Wipaire's high standards for safety and quality are met, along with maintaining compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and all other applica... Full story
"Keep it nice and low to the ground. We're going to try it one more time. Ready? All right. You have control." These words spoken by Associate Dean of Aerospace at Northern Community and Technical College, Curtis Zoller sharpened the focus of Northern Star Council Boy Scouts as they stood in line in the BaseCamp concourse waiting their turn to pilot the unmanned aircraft. Prior to flying drones, attendees get a feel for the soft touch controls by practicing on a bank of computers simulating... Full story
If the idea of a three-digit income, variety in the workplace, and free airline tickets to anywhere in the world is appealing, becoming an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic for a major airline may be just the right fit for you. Understanding the diversity of opportunities afforded an A&P may also help you make your decision. "There are all kinds of aspects and different categories of this job," said Delta Airlines A&P Kevin Hill. "It's not limited to just working on airplanes." Having... Full story
Editor's note Grandpa Steve Young reported that grandson Phoenix was delightfully surprised with the cover and feature story in the April Issue of the Minnesota Flyer magazine. "Surprised" is the key word as Grandpa had not told the young aviation enthusiast he was going to appear in the magazine. The two have been supporting each other's love of aviation for several years. The Minnesota Flyer invites readers to share your stories of how you inspire youth with the joys of general aviation.... Full story
MATA is proud to announce a new Mentorship Program available exclusively to its members who may need or want some advice or guidance with respect to their operation. MATA Mentors will consult with the member to provide basic information and answers to questions, and will also refer the member, as needed, to resources who can further assist the member in addressing the particular question or issue. Members may contact the Mentorship Program Chairman, Bill Mavencamp from St. Cloud Aviation, for... Full story
It was a celebratory afternoon and evening April 21 as the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Wings of the North Aviation Museum at Flying Cloud Airport to present the wall of inductee plaques. "I'm very proud that we have such a great home," said Chairman of the Board of Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, Noel Allard, who has been with the organization for 30 years, and is an inductee himself. "As we were hanging these plaques, we saw and handled 194 plaques,"... Full story
Thanks to Minnesota Flyer reader, Steve Young of Wadena who wrote to us about several treasured experiences in aviation. He and Wendy, his wife also flew to Moose Lake for an interview in our Meet Me in Moose Lake series. We are pleased to share the following excerpts from his stories. Sparking an interest in aviation One winter day when I was about 10 years old, I was riding the bus home from school when I saw a "little yellow airplane" sitting in the snow covered field adjacent to our farm....
It may seem difficult to make a connection between pheasant hunting and a trip to Arkansas to retrieve a Learjet, but for Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI) in Watertown, South Dakota, the dots are there. Back in 2015, Eric Olson, a former student of LATI who went on to become involved in corporate aviation, was pheasant hunting in Castlewood, South Dakota with John Bucher, a corporate aircraft maintenance consultant. Together, they decided to tour Eric's alma mater. That tour ultimately... Full story
Ol' stomping grounds We displayed our 7,000th Edition SR22T and Vision Jet on the aircraft carrier, USS MIDWAY CV-41, in San Diego. I flew off this carrier in 1985-1987 . It was great to show over 500 of our Cirrus partners in sales, service and training from around the world my old stomping grounds during Cirrus Customer Experience (CX 2018). PS, what is that black and white striped thing under the jet? Platinum Athens Blue I also have the first 2018 SR22 G6 demo aircraft in Platinum Athens... Full story
This year's Aviation Day at the Capitol, sponsored by MATA, MBAA, and MGA will kick off at the KSTP terminal building at Holman Field, then move to the Capitol. Wondering if you ought attend? Recommendations are for personnel at Fixed Base Operators, airport managers, airport commissioners, mayors, city council members, business aircraft owners and operators, corporate flight departments, aircraft technicians, aviation support service professionals, pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Attendees... Full story
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), the leading proponent of legislation calling for the removal of air traffic control from the FAA, announced he would no longer pursue the controversial proposal. AOPA, along with hundreds of other aviation groups and organizations across the political spectrum, opposed the legislation, and AOPA members contacted their representatives in Congress more than 200,000 times asking them to oppose the bill. In a statement,... Full story
