Fly-Ins Continue As Summer Winds Down

Fly-in organizers around the state encountered two interesting challenges during the month of August. One was breakfast condiment-related and the other involved weather conditions.

The hot, sultry days of late summer produced scattered storms and low ceilings that forced many pilots to make go/no-go VFR decisions the day of an event. Several events with high attendance had to send volunteers scrambling to the store when the pancake syrup ran out.

The Flyer's most recent calendar listings included events in Aitkin, Milaca, Superior, Wisconsin, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Mankato, Forest Lake, Moose Lake, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Litchfield, and Grygla.

This update features coverage from six events that occurred prior to our September press date. Don't forget to check Page 3 for additional aviation event listings.

If you don't see your event, send information to editor@mnflyer.com. We will publish it when space is available.

EAA Chapter 965 ran out of regular syrup, light syrup, cups, and even pancake mix, reported Aitkin Flyers President Jackie Brix.

"We had all the pancake mix in Aitkin at one point, and had it brought in from Crosby. We kept supplied by runners we had

designated just for that task."

Low ceilings all day kept planes from arriving, so many pilots and families drove in from as far as Duluth, St Cloud, and Minneapolis to attend Wild Rice Pancake Breakfast, Brix said.

"We had approximately 550 people go through the breakfast line and more than 600 in attendance Sunday, Aug. 8," she added. Classic cars, antique tractors and motorcycles also participated. Brix reported 26 kids signed up for Young Eagles Flights throughout the day.

Money raised during the fly-in supports the EAA Chapter 965 Young Eagles program. "We also have scholarships available on years when our funding is up," Brix said. "Our group has 'Meet a Pilot' events at local libraries, and talks to many youth groups throughout the year."

In the past, Chapter 965 members have purchased a new beacon for the airport and provided funding to help the International Organization of Women Pilots, also known as the Ninety-Nines, paint compass roses on the tarmac. "Our main focus is always on the children," she said.

Many past Young Eagles have approached chapter members and told them that their aviation career started at the Aitkin Municipal Airport, Brix said. "Some have become airline pilots, commercial pilots, ATC controllers, and mechanics. Some are flying just for fun and have their private license, but they've told us that it all started with a first flight they will never forget."

EAA Chapter 1638 Vice President Sheri Smith reported Forest Lake Lions Club members planned pancakes for 350 people at the chapter's Aug. 21 event. The 'cakes were all gone by 10:20 a.m.

"Weather was a definite factor affecting attendance," Smith said, estimating that 25 planes participated. "Winds were gusting at 15-20 knots and we had a low ceiling of 1,500 feet." Hangar 97, an event and flight venue at the airport, opened its hangar for the pancake breakfast seating.

This allowed attendees to see the potential of the flight and event venue.

After the posted end time of 1 p.m. Smith said Hangar 97 staff scheduled food trucks and provisioned tacos and other food up until 11 p.m.

A disc jockey was also on-site for music and dancing. The public was welcome and helicopter rides started at 9 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m.

"Pizza was offered once the pancakes ran out," Smith said, estimated that 75 people were served. The Forest Lake Lions Club uses proceeds from the event to support the community.

Not counting the Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers, more than 25 volunteers helped make the Forest Lake event a tremendous success.

"The CAP were instrumental in safely marshalling and parking aircraft-and they were super impressive in their professionalism," Smith said.

EAA Chapter 642 Chapter Treasurer Doug Reichel reported a record-setting event in Mankato Sunday, Aug. 15. "We served 1,062 plates. In past years, we've been down to 700 or 800 and as high as 1,450," Reichel said. "The number of breakfasts we served was down a little bit, but we had 125 airplanes, a record number. It was a gorgeous day. We received good pilot feedback."

Proceeds from the Mankato fly-in fund aviation-related scholarships, Reichel said. "We didn't give out any scholarships this year because we weren't able to fundraise because of COVID-19. We are reviewing our revenues from this year, and I'm sure there will be future scholarships."

Mankato Composite Squadron – Civil Air Patrol cadets helped 50 volunteers work the event. "They helped park airplanes and worked inside the hangar," Reichel said. "They were absolutely great."

Glenn Weibel from Winsted, Minnesota, did an exceptional job in helping to control air traffic at Mankato. "It was the first time we had a traffic adviser work the breakfast," Reichel said.

Milaca American Legion Post 178's large tent came in handy Sunday, Aug. 8. Commander Matt Kruschke reported post members served about 300 breakfasts.

"Our numbers were significantly down due to poor visibility and rain," he said. "Not a single plane was able get in due to fog and visibility less than a quarter mile."

Milaca event proceeds went to support the post's Honor Guard, which provides military honors for veterans who have passed."

Milaca attendees were able to observe two aircraft despite the poor weather.

Alan Sheppard's 1950 Mooney M-18C was on static display by the tent and Dave Smith and Mark Westling's 1950 Cessna 170A was parked on the ramp nearby. Earlier in the week, the beautifully maintained Cessna had returned from AirVenture in Oshkosh, where it had won a Small Plaque in Vintage Custom Class B.

In June, a taxiway reconstruction was completed at Milaca Municipal Airport. Bolten & Menk served as engineering firm for the project, said City of Milaca Airport Manager John Oldenburg.

The Moose Lake-Carlton County Airport's annual fly-in pancake breakfast is a collaborative event.

It's organized by the Lake Air Flying Club and the Moose Lake Kiwanis Club.

Approximately 475 people were served Sunday, Aug. 21, said Craig Prudhomme, incoming Kiwanis president.

"Threatening rain into the early morning might have kept some fly-in guests from attending," Prudhomme said. "We had a bank of low clouds which may have deterred some pilots. The low ceiling held off the plane rides for about an hour, but they cleared and we had steady flights."

Normally, the Moose Lake event is scheduled in June, during Father's Day weekend, but COVID-19 pandemic concerns kept that from happening, Prudhomme said.

"Finding the Aug. 21 date was a work in progress and limited the time we had to advertise, particularly in flying publications," he said. "Our event occurred the same time as the Carlton County Fair and there was the Ragnar Run, which came right by the airport."

The Moose Lake Kiwanis Club is a member of the Moose Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber assisted with marketing and soliciting additional event volunteers.

Also present from the Chamber were its executive director and a junior ambassador, Prudhomme said.

The Kiwanis Club uses its fly-in proceeds to support Dollars for Scholars for three local school districts – Moose Lake, Barnum, and Willow River. Thirty-six club members worked the pancake feed and a Cloquet EAA Chapter 1221 volunteer worked flight control, Prudhomme said.

Larry Peterson, First National Bank of Moose Lake president and longtime fly-in breakfast organizer, reported 12 to 15 planes participated in the event. "We've had as many as 60 or 70 planes in a good year," Peterson said, adding the Lake Air Flying Club has provided funding for staining the airport sign out by the road. In recent years, the club has purchased the curtains or blinds for the arrival/departure building and the couch for pilots to use if needed. "We also purchased the TV and antenna for the building in case pilots get stuck while enroute," he said.

Almost 1,500 attendees enjoyed the Paynesville Municipal Airport Airshow Saturday, Aug. 7. Weather was rainy in the morning and there was afternoon rain in the forecast, reported Thomas Freed, representing Friends of the Paynesville Airport. Five to six planes visited, and approximately 800 breakfasts were served. Proceeds will be used to expand the 2022 airshow.