Minnesota Pilots Association Gets Ready For GMAG

Minnesota Pilots Association President Randy Corfman received a resounding early indicator scheduling should

continue for the Seventh Annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering (GMAG) May 21-22 at Buffalo Municipal Airport (KCFE).

This winter, MPA completed a survey of its 700-plus members to gauge interest after last year's COVID-19 related cancellation was announced

in mid-March.

Ninety-two percent of those surveyed said the association should hold the event even with the likelihood of a continued pandemic.

"We had a 68% response rate to that survey, which is pretty good," Corfman said. "About a third of the respondents said they were going to come whether we implemented COVID-19 precautions or not. "The rest said they would come as long as Gov. Tim Walz says it's safe."

So, from a membership standpoint, MPA received a resounding "Yes, Do It!" as far as scheduling was concerned, according to Corfman.

"We are going to encourage people to wear masks," Corfman said, adding GMAG organizers won't require masks outside.

"If the weather is amenable, we will have the hangar doors open," he said. "If that's the case, people should be able to not wear masks if they are sitting inside."

COVID-19 protocols will also apply to seating logistics. Corfman said chairs will be placed 6 feet apart to maintain the proper distance.

"We are going to stagger the start and stop times for the hangar flying sessions," he added. "Not everyone will be able to come to the exhibit area at the same time."

Corfman said he attended the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association Annual Safety Seminar last September at Madden's Resort and observed

successful COVID-19 protocols at that event.

Regarding vendor interest, Corfman said he received a number of quick renewal responses.

"I really didn't have to bang the drum," he added. "We have a couple of new vendors who have come out of the woodwork. They see the importance of this event, and getting everyone back together again."

GMAG attendees have told Corfman they want more historical talks on the schedule, and next month's event will deliver two intriguing speakers.

James Johns began working at Mid-Continent Airlines' hangar after he graduated from high school and shortly before he entered college in August of 1952.

Ten years after the fact, he haunted the Minneapolis hangar where all of the Doolittle Raider B-25Bs had been modified prior to their bombing raid over Japan.

He became acquainted with many of the mechanics and personnel who worked on the medium bombers, and discovered historical documents within the hangar.

"He gives a tremendous talk," Corfman said, referring to Johns' WW II presentation about Minnesota's critical connection to the historic 1942 Pacific Theater event.

Buck Wyndham graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and joined the U.S. Air Force to fly his dream airplane, the A-10 Thunderbolt II also called the "Warthog."

He became one of the very first pilots to take the mighty Warthog into battle, flying numerous missions during Operation Desert Storm. His book, "Hogs in the Sand: A Gulf War A-10 Pilot's Combat Journal" details his military aviation experiences.

"He is one of the most talented people I've ever met," Corfman said. "He's a fabulous photographer and he's great with drones."

Visit the Minnesota Pilots Association website http://www.mnpilots.org and click on the page links for pilot, attendee, sponsor, exhibitor, and advertiser information. Also see next month's edition of the Minnesota Flyer for last-minute GMAG updates.