Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 551 - 575 of 672
AirSpace Minnesota's Robert Gilruth Tribute Celebration at TFC Bank Stadium on April 23 featured guest speaker Robert Cabana, Director of the Kennedy Space Center. While the celebration honored Gilruth, the father of America's human space flight program, and many others who contributed to the region's innovation aviation legacy, the gathering also focused on supporting a new generation of learners. "There is no lack of enthusiasm for space exploration," said Cabana. St. Paul Mayor, Chris... Full story
In a seminar a few years ago, an FAA psychiatrist was describing the “typical” profile of a pilot. “He is independent, wears a big watch and used to be an Eagle Scout.” Over the years, I’ve found that this description holds true, especially for Part 121/135 pilots who fly for a living. They usually are a bunch of admirably straight arrows. They can be depended upon to keep their ducks in a line. However, as the ill-fated Germanwings Flight 9525 of March 24th demonstrated, there are occasiona... Full story
Thief River Falls, Minn. - Northland Community & Technical College has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program. The award provides nearly $200,000 to be utilized over three years. The project, entitled "Revolutionary Opportunities for Highly Educated Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technicians" will be under the direction of Northland Instructors, Jonathan Beck and Thomas Biller. The project will expand access and awareness about the rapidly emerging UAS industry through...
Four minutes in the Civil Aerospace Medical Institutes's (CAMI) Hypoxia Chamber made a huge impression on qualified participants of the Minnesota Pilots Association Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering. Rogers Shaw brought the portable chamber to the event as part of CAMI's Airman Education Program. "We're giving pilots some portable reduced oxygen environment training in this tent," said Shaw. "It's a great safe environment. There's no partial pressure changes with this because all we're doing... Full story
Conversing with Jim Behrens is a joy on multiple levels. His sense of humor, which pops up with impeccable timing, is evident from the onset of a discourse. This pleasant aspect of Behrens' communication skills is even more impressive when taking into consideration that sometimes the pertinent subject matter isn't actually amenable to laughter. However, no matter what struggles have been served on his life's plate, Behrens meets them with the demeanor of a gentleman. Having grown up on a... Full story
Triple congratulations to Aero Minnesota on their recent achievements. First, it has attained its diligently sought after 141 Flight School Status. Second, the CATS Testing Center at the Aitkin Aviation location is now up and running. Third, two new flight instructors have been hired due to Aero Minnesota's steady and continued growth. Joining the current, highly capable Aero Minnesota team are Lynn Michael Ray and Dave Roether. Lynn Michael Ray, a United States Air Force veteran, has over... Full story
Viking Air Limited, of Sidney, British Columbia, has added Wipaire’s Leesburg, Florida service center to its network of Viking Factory Endorsed Service Centers (FESC). The Leesburg service center joins Wipaire’s headquarters facility in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, as a Viking FESC. “Wipaire and Viking have had a longstanding relationship, working together to support the Twin Otter fleet, from the legacy de Havilland aircraft to the new Viking Series 400 Twin Otter,” stated Chuck Wiplinger, President and COO of Wipaire, Inc. “Receiv...
The president of the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATA), Greg Reigel, recently spent time meeting with staff members from the offices of all of the Minnesota Congressional delegates to thank them for their support of general aviation and to seek additional support on critical issues that will impact general aviation, both nationally and in Minnesota. Representatives from the Minnesota Council of Airports and Minnesota Business Aviation Association joined Reigel. In each of his meetings, Reigel discussed the shortage of pilots and...
ONE Aviation Corporation has been formed to design, develop, and manufacture a family of aircraft, each of which will be a market leader in its category and class. ONE Aviation's core products include the Eclipse 550 twin-engine light jet and the Kestrel K350 single-engine turboprop. "We are excited to announce the formation of ONE Aviation. I feel privileged to lead this experienced team of aviation professionals as we increase production of the Eclipse Jet, further the development of the Kestrel turboprop, and build a suite of General...
It has been a while since we’ve talked about diabetes (January, 2011). Back last fall the FAA revised their rules on certification including acceptable medications and medication combinations. To back up a bit, you might remember that diabetes mellitus is a disorder of glucose metabolism. That’s doc talk for problems with your blood sugar. Your pancreas is an organ that looks a little bit like a fillet of sole. It’s between you liver and spleen in your abdomen. It secretes insulin. Insul...
With the passing of a man so generous, and so passionate about aviation as Edward Erickson, there is much that will be missed. At Ed's Celebration of Life, held in August¬¬ at Anoka Airport last year, wife, Barb Mack, and children, Kathy Pavelko, Susan Beeso, and Eric Erickson were much comforted by the abundance of stories shared by friends, family and aviation enthusiasts whose lives were so highly impacted by this inspirational leader. "Flying was his life," said Barb in a recent i... Full story
Sturgeon Lake resident Randy Cichy looks at Moose Lake Carlton County Airport (KMZH) with two different perspectives. One is through the eyes of a pilot. The other is the view of a grounds keeper. As a pilot, he appreciates the layout of the airport because of some very practical points. It's clean. It's open. It's easy to see. Unlike most pilots, if any of those aspects were to change, the pilot would have to look in the mirror if he wanted to complain about how the grounds are kept because he... Full story
As the saying goes, old habits are hard to break. Sim Flite Minnesota is all about easing out those old habits and firmly establishing new as painlessly as possible. Steve Thibault and Tom Schmelzer, both pilots as well as flight trainers, are co-owners of Sim Flite Minnesota, based in the RC Avionics building at Anoka County Airport in Blaine. Tom Schmelzer points out that Sim Flite Minnesota serves three basic groups of clientele: Pilots getting their instrument ratings, pilots maintaining cur... Full story
Over 50 participants gathered in the Sun Country Airlines Hangar in March to absorb as many of the tips as Emerald Coast Interview Consulting could offer in a three hour presentation. Stars of the North, the Minneapolis chapter of Women in Aviation hosted the event. Emerald Coast typically does an eight hour interview prep for clients. Stars of the North arranged a three hour information session to give members an idea of what may occur during a training period. "It was incredible! said Stars pr... Full story
Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Mitchell Lindsey who soloed in a Cessna 172 from Anoka County Airport on his 16th birthday. The next day, he got his driver's license. "It was scary at first," said Mitchell of his solo flight, "but after the first few minutes it was easier. It was a good time." Mitchell flies out of Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Flying is not a passing fancy for young Lindsey. He plans to continue in aviation, getting his private pilot's license and all the ratings so he... Full story
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) last month welcomed the news that rule-compliant Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment is now on board 10,000 aircraft flying in the United States. The FAA made the announcement at today's Equip 2020 working group meeting that this important milestone was reached in late February. The Equip 2020 working group was established by FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker in October 2014 to encourage the adoption of ADS-B equipage and address challenges to equipage.... Full story
Undoubtedly many of you have been following the Clash of the Titans — the FAA vs. AOPA — over the issue of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It all started back in late 2013 when Dr. Fred Tilton, the then Federal Air Surgeon announced that the FAA was going to adopt a new obstructive sleep apnea policy. He pointed out that OSA is “almost universal” in obese individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 and a neck circumference of 17 inches or more. Therefore he proposed that Aviation Medical... Full story
Nestled among the historic aircraft at the upcoming Minnesota Pilot's Association Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering will be an aircraft that is currently making a history of its own. Creating the perfect contrast to the stalwart collection at the Golden Wings Museum at the Anoka County Airport on April 10-11 will be a personal jet from the Cirrus Vision SF50 series. "We like showing at the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering," said Gary Black, pilot and Cirrus Regional Sales Director for the... Full story
When Jason Erickson was 16 years old he surprised his parents with a call from the Buffalo Airport requesting their presence while he took his first solo flight. "Solo?" his folks replied. "But you weren't supposed to be taking flying lessons until you got your driver's license!" Oops. It seems Erickson just couldn't help himself. At age 14, he started working at the Buffalo Airport, about seven miles from his home in Rockford. He worked after school during the winter, and as much as possible du... Full story
Kristin Kaplan Holsworth is a woman of her word. It is also evident that her grandfather's blood runs in her veins. Reuben W. "Buzz" Kaplan was a Minnesota born family man, businessman and world adventurer who passed away in 2002. However, in the year 2000 he had approached Kristin, his granddaughter with a request that she assist him in writing a book about his life. Picture that. An elderly gentleman asking his granddaughter, who was a sophomore in high school at the time, to help him write a... Full story
The Duluth International Airport (DLH) and the Range Regional Airport (HIB) in consultation with the late congressman’s family, regional leaders, and Duluth Mayor Don Ness, are honored to announce that the DLH passenger terminal will be named in memory of the late U.S. Representative James. L. Oberstar. This decision was made to honor Congressman Oberstar for his lasting legacy in the transportation industry throughout the course of his long legislative career and the key role that he played in the completion of the new DLH terminal project. R...
Cirrus Aircraft in February announced that new aircraft shipments in 2014 were the best company performance since 2008 as the Cirrus SR22 maintained its position as the best-selling airplane in its segment for the 12th year in a row. New unit deliveries for 2014 totaled 308, a 12 percent increase over 2013, securing the industry’s leading market share for the category. Cirrus Aircraft has now delivered over 5,800 new aircraft and the global Cirrus fleet has amassed over six million flight hours. “In just the last 12 months, we have added com... Full story
Vertigo is common. When you were a kid I bet there was a time or two when you spun around and around until the whole world was topsy-turvy or you tossed your cookies! A variant of that happens in flight. When you’re in the clag and abruptly bend down, let’s say to pick up a pencil, suddenly it seems as if either you or the plane is in a spin. Hold still, don’t do anything funny with the stick and it goes away. Accelerate rapidly and the aircraft seems to be pitching up. Slow down quickly and i... Full story
It's hard to think that spring is almost here because, as of this morning’s writing we had a 30 below wind chill, but spring is in our minds. What better way to think about the melting of snow and warming of our hangars than the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering, which is detailed on Page 2, and at right by Dr. Randle Corfman, president of the Minnesota Pilots Association. One of the companies attending the event is Cirrus Aircraft. A story on that is on Page 5. Gary Black, regional sales m...
Airlines are hiring! These are welcome words for students of aviation at Academy College in Bloomington and it shows. Academy College has seen an incredible spike in pilot candidate and other aviation centered enrollments. "Over the past 30 years there have been small pockets of hiring," said Nancy Grazzini-Olson, Academy College President. "However, right now the demand to hire pilots has never been greater, with the hiring trend projected to continue over the next ten years." "It is... Full story
