Pan-O-Prog Packed With Participants

The summer aviation season hit its stride with the Pan-O-Prog Fly-In July 11 at Airlake Airport in Lakeville.

This year's participants were treated to warm temperatures and calm winds in the morning. The pancake breakfast was a huge success with over 1,850 people served. A total of 85 aircraft flew in. There was great variety in the planes that appeared.

While the majority of the aircraft present came from the seven-county metro area, Detroit Lakes, St. Cloud, and Racine, Wisconsin were represented.

Aircraft ranged from WW II era bomber and trainers to single seat homebuilts, to a weight-shift control Airborne Model XT-912. Some of the more unique airframes were included a Bristell LSA, a Moravan Z242L, and a SPA Panther.

The Minnesota State Patrol brought helicopter "Trooper 9" to Airlake. It was open for tours and it was very popular with young and old aviation enthusiasts.

At precisely 10 a.m. all eyes turned skyward as two of the huge C-130s of the Minnesota Air National Guard Flying Vikings did a fly-over of the field.

There were plenty of homebuilt aircraft in attendance. Two personal favorites were Pietenpol Air Campers, an 87-year-old design featuring a Model A engine.

Paul Jacobus and his volunteers did a great job organizing the event, which benefits the Lakeville Lions. Formed in 1953 to serve the Lakeville community, the Lions donate funds back to support worthy causes in the Lakeville area.

Panorama of Progress, or Pan-O-Prog, began largely due from the success of the development of Lakeville's Airlake Industrial Park.

Since 1967, the community of Lakeville has been celebrating its successes with the summer event.

People and organizations involved with this year's fly-in included Blaine Peterson, Metropolitan Airports Commission airport manager, the Civil Air Patrol, Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, the T-6 Thunder Flight Team, 934th Airlift Wing and Cub Foods.