Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Anoka County Blaine Airport gathers plane crowd
Ethan Deters (11), Bill Tischer, and Jim Tomski give a thumbs up from the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing's Ryan PT-22 aircraft at Discover Aviation DAys at Anoka County Blaine Airport.
The T-6Thunder North American Flight Team rolls out to perform for the crowds at Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport June 4-5 during a nearly perfect weekend.
Caleb (9) relaxes so comfortably on his Uncle Scott Grieger's 1941 N3N that you'd never guess his first flight ever was from Missouri to Minnesota just three days before the event. Then, Grieger took him up in a J3 Cub. Now Caleb is all about being a pilot!
Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport opened and closed with the flag ceremony conducted by the Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol, Anoka County Composite Squadron. Pictured saluting the flag are Cadet Cally Jacobson of Blaine, Cadet Peter Hoban of Andover, and Cadet Evan Mcnair of Blaine. Also present were 1st LT Andrew Nelson, 1st LT Janet Nelson, and supervisor Cadet Michael Uden of Blaine. The T-6 Thunder North American Flight Team flies in formation over the flag during the ceremony.
Amanda Sears prepares for a photo of her daughter, two-and-a-half-year-old Alice, as the little one peeks out of a picture perfect setting, the nose of the HU-16B Grumman Albatross Triphibian (land, water, skis) aircraft hangared at Anoka County Blaine Airport. The aircraft was on display during Discover Aviation Days, much to the delight of attendees.
In the education tent Vince Parker, WWII Veteran shares stories and photos of his tail gunner experiences in the U.S. Army Air Force to visitors Ray Fritz and Zach, his son of Andover, Minnesota and Doug and Carol Olson of Buffalo, Minnesota.
Joe, a four year old visitor at Discover Aviation Days, was more excited about the hands on opportunity provided by EAA Chapter 237 than any other display on the Anoka County Blaine Airport grounds...except maybe the hot dog vendors.
Mark and Michelle Finnestad from Oak Grove, Minnesota enjoy the sights and sounds at Discover Aviation Days with Riley, their year and a half old grandson. Even road construction on I35 didn't stop the Finnestad's from attending the event.
Aaron Heisterkamp and Courtney Baerg, his fiancé stand with Anita and Chuck Baerg in front of Greg Herrick's Stinson 6000B Trimotor airliner, at the themed hangar dance held at the Golden Wings Aviation Museum at Anoka County Blaine Airport, Saturday evening of the Discover Aviation Days event. Ms. Baerg is wearing her grandmother Leona Gimler's dress, while Mrs Baerg is wearing a dress sewn by Gimler. A flight instructor for North Star Aviation, Heisterkamp knows the value of tradition. Yes, did ask her folks for her hand in marriage. Yes, he did get down on one knee, engagement ring in hand, to propose. Yes, she did accept. On such tradition was America the beautiful built. On such tradition will it remain strong.
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 Hawker Sea Fury, nick named "Sawbones" after its orthopedic surgeon owner Curt Brown, parked for a while to allow visitors a close up view. At times Sawbones played with the other Warbirds in the sky, much to the entertainment of the crowds. Brown has spent almost as much time in the skies as he has on the ground if you take into account his hours as a commercial airline pilot, Air Force pilot, space shuttle commander, and Reno Race participant with Sawbones.
Cloud cover was high enough to provide a background for the magnificent birds without interfering with the impressive visuals offered by the highly skilled pilots.
A new vendor at this year's Discover Aviation Days was Bill Bune president of Guns of Freedom based in Anoka, Minnesota. Bune began collecting firearms as a high school kid but moved to the professional category through the years. All the firearms displayed during Discover Aviation Days were operable, though none were loaded. Some folks are nervous around guns but not Bune who is a licensed vendor and manufacturer.
"If someone were standing here with a machete, I'd be worried," said Bune. "With an empty gun, it's no big deal."
Among the pieces on display was a 50 year old M16 registered prior to 1986 with a price tag of $20,000 which actually is kind of a big deal.
Many of the folks attending the annual Hangar Dance held at Golden Wings Aviation Museum Saturday evening dressed in period clothing representative of the WWII era. They danced to big bands sounds, ate popcorn, and posed for photos.
The education tent with vendors and Veterans was packed with visitors both days. EAA Chapter 237 was busy as usual with their kiddie plane rides. Young Eagle Rides were available as weather permitted.
The highly successful event left visitors looking forward to next year's Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport.
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