Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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EAA Chapter 1498 at Detroit Lakes Airport packs a lot of fun into a one-day adventure. July's event included a fly-in complete with breakfast and lunch, a car show offering a few vehicles not seen at most exhibitions, and a skydiving experience from that went well beyond the usual demonstration. Skydive Fargo offered tandem jumps to attendees the day before, during, and after the days events. Much of the success of the airport's activity level is owed to three and four generations of aviation fa...
The Aitkin Flyers Club and Country Road Classic Car Club sponsored the June Fly-In/Drive-In at Aitkin Aviation. In addition to a wide variety of aircraft stopping by, a silent auction, live music, and car show with prizes filled out the activities of the day. Gyrocopter pilot Bill Holzgrove provided a visual treat to attendees in the afternoon when he danced about the skies in his popular little yellow bird, a Vortex M912 Sport Copter. Later he fielded questions about his experiences in the...
When Brian Weidendorf was young, he was torn between two careers, one in aviation, the other in land development. He decided to do both. He obtained his private pilot's license at age 17, after which he steadily gained additional ratings. Airlines weren't hiring in 1981 so he did a two-year stint flying for a company out of Grand Forks, during which time real estate tugged him in that direction as well.. "Real estate turned out to be a better deal," said Weidendorf. "I ended up making enough...
Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) can see the skywriting on the horizon. Unmanned aircraft is not the wave of the future. It is the tsunami of right now. To that effect, they are arming willing students of all ages with the power of information and education. "We will be hosting our first National Science Foundation summer workshop for educators as well as a summer camp for high school students in August at Northland's Aerospace Campus in Thief River Falls," said...
The T-6Thunder North American Flight Team rolled out to perform for the crowds at Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport June 4-5 during a nearly perfect weekend. The event opened and closed with the flag ceremony conducted by the Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol, Anoka County Composite Squadron. Visitors were treated to a wide variety of aircraft.The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing's B-25 Bomber, Miss Mitchell was one of the crowd gatherers. A hometown favorite, the 1949...
Stars of the North, the Minnesota Chapter of the international organization, Women in Aviation, International (WAI) have monthly gatherings emphasizing social functions, aviation based educational dissemination, career enhancement, or community outreach programs. Don't let the name Women in Aviation mislead you. Men are very much a part of the organization as well. WAI welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, unifying everyone together with the goal of learning and helping others....
"For over twenty years the Moose Lake Airport has been holding its Fly-In Breakfast on the third weekend in June. As is the norm, the success of the event is heavily weather dependent. "We haven't had such good weather the last few of years," said chief organizer Larry Peterson. "Last year we had maybe only a half a dozen airplanes or so. The year before that no one could get in." This year, the sun was shining, a mild breeze kept the heat reasonably moderate, and folks were ready to fly...
Buffalo Airport drew people from around the region with its annual Fly-In Breakfast and Car Show on June 12 in Buffalo Minnesota. The Lucas Oil Jump Team opened the air show with an intriguing jump and remarkable precision landing on the warm, windy day. Jump team members include Dun Feess, Nick Halseth (team lead), Karl Lips, Erin Gibbs, and David Hage. Mike Wiskus had his first ride in a stunt plane when he was ten years old. That obviously turned his world upside down, a position Wiskus has...
There is no substitute for experience. A solid reputation for work well done takes years to establish. That is exactly what Darrell Bolduc, Tim Hieb and Kevin Dunrud have accomplished with Bolduc Aviation Services, a highly acclaimed Part 145 repair station based at Anoka County Airport. Bolduc started the business in 1979. Dunrud came aboard as an AP mechanic in 1981. Hieb, also an AP, arrived in 1982. Though there are other long-term employees, Bolduc, Dunrud, and Hieb formed a business...
Aaron Kranz, member of Friends of the Airport and chief organizer of the Fly-In said the blessing a good weather was the beginning of a great day for the Paynesville Fly-In Breakfast in early June. The Fly-In Breakfast was held during Paynesville's Town & Country Days, a week-long celebration of events including a parade, crowing of the Princess, street dance, beer gardens, and other activities. Helicopter rides were the order of the day. Hummingbird Aviation kept the props spinning on its bird...
Not only do Chris Millerin and Mark Lukasiewicz know where they are going, they know exactly how to get there. Both are recent graduates of Lewis University in Chisago. Both have come to Minnesota to earn their Certified Flight Instructor rating as efficiently and effectively as possible. As the aviation industry steadily becomes ripe with employment opportunity, Millerin and Lukasiewicz are preparing themselves to take advantage of the times, even if it means no early summer break. "We wanted...
This is the sixth in a series of thumbnails of the ten most important Minnesota aviation pioneers, from the files of the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. All photos are from the Minnesota Aviation Hall of fame collection. Original photographers are noted where it is known. " Max Conrad was born in Winona, Minnesota the same year the Wright Brothers made their first controlled powered flight, 1903. As a young man, he ventured to Denver, Colorado and took flying lessons in the wake of Charles...
Better seminars, food, camaraderie, weather, or fun just couldn't be ordered. The 2016 Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association's 2016 Safety Seminar at Madden's Resort was enjoyed by attendees, presenters, vendors, and perhaps even employees who had a chance to glance out a window or step outdoors to see the weekend's aviation activity, engage in captivating learning sessions, eat like royalty, and enjoy the company of others. Fun Meters were maxed during the Social Hour in the exhibit area at...
"Three years ago we had our first Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering," said Gregg Strathy, one of the founding directors of the Minnesota Pilot's Association. "This is our third. They just keep getting bigger and better. We've just really enjoyed it." The event was held at the Anoka County Blaine Airport. "We enjoy having everybody out here," said Strathy." Good weather helps. We've got great airplanes on display. We've got great speakers. We hope we are providing a great service for pilots in...
In a moving ceremony to present the Holocaust and POW Boxcar Exhibit at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, speaker Charles Fodor, a Jewish citizen of Budapest relates his experience as an 8-year-old child during the war. Fodor and his grandmother were saved by a stranger from a line of victims walking to their death in a mass shooting on the banks of the Danube River. German Historian Dr. Joachim "Yogi" Reppman (seated behind Fodor) shared his experience with Ron and Diane Fagen, owners of the...
Brady Clark is the first recipient of the first scholarship award presented by the Blaine Airport Promotions Group (BAPG). Graduating from Blaine High School-CEMS program with a 3.99 GPA, Clark is on his way to basic training in the Air Force National Guard, after which he will attend tech school with a focus on hydraulic mechanics for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. Clark is also enrolled in the commercial aviation program for the spring semester of 2017 at the University of North Dakota which...
C.M. Swanson Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restorat...
Sharing a picnic lunch at an airport on a day seemingly special ordered for the event does a lot to encourage children to dream about entering the field of aviation when they grow up. Kindergartners from the University Avenue Aerospace Children's Engineering and Science Elementary (ACES) magnet school did just that as they visited Anoka County Blaine Airport in May. Blaine Airport Promotion Group Founder Harvey Karth and ACES Curriculum Integration Coordinator Kate Watson gathered an impressive...
Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restoration, and...
Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Award Banquet's begin with an oh-so-fun social hour where people get mill around with their favorite beverage, introduce themselves to the inductees, and catch up with each other on what's happened for the past year. Artwork is displayed. Bios on inductees are available. Conversations about aviation abound. Stan Turner was the Master of Ceremonies at the April 30 banquet and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Inductees were Lloyd A. Alsworth, Julie E....
When John Owen Bohmer, Mike Field, and Dale Fauskee looked at the farm fields in Brooten, Minnesota, in the 1950s, they envisioned an airport...and so the journey began. It started out simple. "We set up a temporary grass strip east of town in a farmer's field," said Bohmer. It was an uncomplicated era when interest in flying was high and just about anybody who wanted a go at it was welcome. Before long, aviation activity outgrew the little grass strip. An associate of Bohmer's, Delbert Anderson...
If you are lucky enough to take flight instruction from Rick's Aviation Adventures, be kind to yourself and schedule time to hear a few stories about Rick Mercil's varied background, as well. One great story you'll want to hear is how Mercil became drawn to aviation in the first place. It was after his schooling in the monastery and before he worked on the Kibutz in Israel. "One summer I had an old beat up 1949 Chevrolet pick up truck," said Mercil. "A buddy of mine and I were sitting on a grave...
Academy College announced the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship at its 80th Anniversary in April. The announcement was broadcast over WCCO radio by Al Malmberg, producer of the World of Aviation, and Nancy Grazzini-Olson, president of Academy College. "We created the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship, up to $40,000, for any student obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in our commercial aviation or commercial pilot program," said Grazzini-Olson. "Applications are now open. Go to our website,...
Wind that kept most pilots on the ground didn't hamper a fire watch flight conducted by DNR observer Ron Goetzinger and pilot Lee Casto with Eagle Air. "That's when they want us most," said Casto in an impromptu interview at the Moose Lake Airport. "When it's warm and windy, that's when fire danger is at its highest, so that's when they want us. "We're not necessarily flying in comfortable conditions. We're flying when it's a little bumpy but that's what we do." Goetzinger worked for the DNR...
With the power behind the Minnesota Council of Airports, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Airport Technical Assistance program, the 2016 Minnesota Airports Conference chalked up a huge, successful, well attended event. A variety of venues were available at the Conference held at Madden's on Gull Lake in April featuring experts in aviation and aerospace fields sharing their experiences in general assembly presentations, workshops and open forums. Subject matters included Airline...
