Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Dronetech debuts at annual event
Jack Larson flies over the crowd in the Wing's of the North Air Museum's AT-6D at the Wing's of the North AirExpo 2018 at Flying Cloud Airport, July 14-15.
Three T-6/SNJs kept attendees' necks crained and eyes on the sky at the WOTN AirExpo.
Jon Beck, Northland Aerospace UAS Program Manager instructs Mia Johnson (9) as Larry Johnson looks on.
Ryan McDonald, Northern Star Council Activities/STEM Director greets attendees of DRONETECH in the entryway at the Wings of the North Air Museum.
Two of Northland Aerospace's drone fleet rest on the floor in an area netted off from all fly zones at the WOTN AirExpo 2018.
Frankye Wells, Kylie, Kingston, Kiera, Kaden, and KamilleWells celebrate Kaden's birthday at the AirExpo. Behind them is the WOTN TBM-3 Avenger torpoedo bomber.
The Hawker Sea Fury FB MK.11, affectionately referred to as Sawbones took her turn in the air at the AirExpo for the crowd's enjoyment. The aircraft is owned by Robin Crandall, piloted by Curt Brown at the AirExpo.
Sam and Lana Kenan strolled the Flying Cloud Airport grounds. Behind them is a Stearman Bi-Plane flown by George H.W. Bush, now displayed at the Wings of the North Air Museum.
Civil Air Patrol Sergeant Ben Haddley, orginally from the United Kindom, now living in the Lake Minnetonka area, stands at ease with the WOTN Vultee BT-15 resotation project behind him.
New to Wings of the North AirExpo for 2018 was Northland Community Technical College Aerospace's DRONE TECH program. UAS Instructor/Program Manager Jon Beck and Boy Scouts of Northern Star Council Activities/STEM Director, Ryan McDonald teamed up to offer attendees a hands-on experience flying drones.
"When the opportunity to partner with Northland Aerospace, Wings of the North, and Pathfinder (a section of the Boy Scouts planning adventures, trips, service, and projects) to do a DRONE TECH event, we couldn't pass it up," said McDonald. "It offers STEM programing to our participants to help broaden their education, show them opportunities, and have fun working with drones. We're lucky to have the folks from Northland who are very familiar with, trained in, and licensed for unmanned asset flying."
With safety being the highest priority to all parties involved, Northland Aerospace arranged for drones to be flown inside netting they hung in the hangar adjacent to the WOTN Air Museum on the hill at Flying Cloud Airport.
The air show, announced by aviation historian and professional Emcee, Tom Lymburn, took place above the education tent, vendors, and static aircraft displays on the airport grounds, well away from the museum.
Among attendees during the two-day AirExpo event was Mitch Osowski, owner of Tin Tail Numbers and an aspiring pilot, who got a special bird's eye view of the air show. Osowski had the privilege to passenger behind pilot Chuck Cook in Cook's T-28 Trojan as he shared the sky with Stephen Bohlig in a T-34, Walt Fricke in a T-34, and Jim Skogen in a T-34.
"It was an experience of a lifetime," said Osowski. "It was quite amazing to see the skilled pilots all move together as one. They use hand signals to communicate and would change formation on a dime. Even "smoke ON" was synchronized. It was impressive and an honor to be part of it. "
On the ground among the vendors was Civil Air Patrol Sergeant Ben Haddley, originally from the United Kingdom but currently living in the Lake Minnetonka area. Haddley joined the Civil Air Patrol to further his future plans.
"I joined CAP because I want to be part of the military and eventually join the SAS back in the UK," said Haddley. "The SAS is a higher branch of the Royal Air Force. They are like your special forces guys here. I'd absolutely love to join them. In the meantime, I am making the difference I can where I am right now."
Among visitors of the AirExpo was Kamille Wells, a fifth-grade teacher at Whittier Elementary School in Minneapolis, who was attending the event with her mother, nieces and nephews.
"It is my nephew Kaden, who just turned 15, it's his birthday gift. He wants to be a pilot in the Air Force."
Sunny, warm weather mixed with outstanding aircraft performances, military Veterans with whom to speak, drones to fly, food vendors providing delicious treats, and all kinds of people who just love aviation made attendance at the WOTN AirExpo a highly pleasurable experience for all.
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