Five Don't Miss 'Drop-In Destinations' For Fly-In Fun

Hunting the $100 hamburger is likely to cost a bit more this spring and summer because of rising fuel costs, but that shouldn't deter dedicated pilots from exploring new places when making the aeronautical equivalent of the lazy Sunday drive. Here's the Minnesota Flyer's most recent take regarding five don't miss drop-in destinations when heading aloft in the coming months. If you have an airport to share, drop us a line and we'll add it to our list of locations under consideration.

Brainerd

A visit to Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (KBRD) provides a quick opportunity to enjoy the very lakes that have been part of legends for decades.

In the summer, pilots can enjoy a scenic hike along the shores of the Mississippi through French Rapids immediately adjacent to the airport.

Just 10 miles up the road is one of the world's best mountain biking courses in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

In the winter, cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails are available on airport property for the outdoor enthusiast.

And before leaving for the outdoors, pilots and visitors can fill up at the Wings Airport Café for the energy necessary to take on trails and woodland adventures.

"Aircraft are relocating and T-hangars are filling," reports Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Director Steven Wright. Pilots who relocate use their aircraft for both business and pleasure, connecting Brainerd to various locations popular to most other areas. Aircraft enthusiasts will not be disappointed while enjoying breakfast or lunch overlooking the airfield.

Locally based aircraft include a Republic RC-3 Seabee painted in a naval scheme and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fire Bosses. There's also the occasional visit from a Viking Air Limited CL-415EAF buzzing the skies to protect area resources from forest fires.

Wright said the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission realized the importance of offering an airport café to pilots, passengers, and visitors who frequent the popular regional airport. A public/private partnership has existed in some form since the 1960s when the lunch counter began.

"The airport commission owns the restaurant and a majority of the kitchen components," Wright explained. Wings Airport Café brings fresh food options with local flare to the table and all seats are filled to capacity at times. Local dollars were used in the remodeling of the café, since federal and state aeronautical funding is generally not used to support restaurant facilities.

"There's no better way to market aeronautical opportunities than allowing students, businesses, and recreational visitors to participate in a meal while dreaming of the fascination of flight," Wright said.

Chef Mark Neshiem is owner of the Wings Airport Café. He's pleased with the recent renovation because it provided needed updates to the kitchen and dining room.

"We were able to open for business late last December," Nesheim said. "We noticed right away we could serve more people faster and better. The expanded kitchen really gave us the chance to meet our full potential."

Furthermore, Nesheim said "aviation-specific" regulars who frequent the café are just as happy with the changes as everyone else.

"People fly in just so they can see the new space and eat our food, which is an incredible compliment," he said. "Now that the weather is getting nicer, we've definitely seen an uptick in new flyers, as well as repeat flyers."

Joe Birkemeyer is general manager of NorthPoint Aviation, the FBO that's been located at KBRD since 2013. "We offer flight training and have a full maintenance and avionics facility as well as aircraft sales and acquisition capabilities," Birkemeyer said. "We also have a crew [courtesy] car available to check out local area attractions."

NorthPoint Aviation offers an XP470 engine conversion for Cessna 180 and Cessna 182 series aircraft. "We also have the capability to service seaplanes from the pond at the approach end of Runway 23," Birkemeyer said.

NorthPoint Aviation offers full service with two Jet A fuel trucks and one 100LL fuel truck. Normal business hours of operation for line services are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (winter) and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (summer) seven days a week.

"We are also available after normal business hours for a call out fee, and accept all major credit cards," Birkemeyer added.

Duluth

The largest air show in Minnesota lands at the Duluth International Airport (KDLH) July 16-17 and will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who return after a four-year show absence.

Scheduling a fly-in visit to the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo is a sure way to beat heavy traffic levels on Interstate 35 and other routes leading to Duluth just prior to and after the airshow.

Last year, the two-day airshow produced record-setting attendance during its post-pandemic return in late June. Saturday set a one-day show attendance record.

The fly-in associated with the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo is an important event component that serves general aviation enthusiasts, said Ryan Kern, airshow president and founder. Monaco Air, the local FBO, does a great job coordinating with the Civil Air Patrol, and it's a big part of getting

people into the show, Kern said. "It's something that we want to continue to grow. I wish more people would take advantage of it."

The industry is represented by a mix of business that consists of two mainline commercial carriers and a low-cost leisure carrier, general aviation, cargo, education and manufacturing.

Natalie Peterson, Duluth Airport Authority's director of communications and marketing, said the community is fortunate to have a strong aviation cluster based at KDLH.

Natalie Peterson, Duluth Airport Authority's director of communications and marketing, said the community is fortunate to have a strong aviation cluster based at KDLH.

"Cirrus Aircraft brings innovative engineering to aircraft manufacturing to support a strong general aviation mix,

and Monaco Air specializes in domestic and international quick turns with onsite U.S. Customs available around the clock," Peterson said. "In Duluth, there is truly something

for everyone on every single visit: outdoor adventure and natural beauty, arts and culture, historic sites, world-class attractions and entertainment, an exciting food and drink scene, and incredible events happening year-round."

Granite Falls

The 2022 Ray Fagen Memorial Airshow at the Lenzen-Roe-Fagen Memorial Airport is scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 2022, with a rain date set for June 19.

"Tora, Tora, Tora," the Commemorative Air Force's recreation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, is scheduled Saturday. Fagen Fighters WWII Museum is located directly on the airport and features fully functional iconic World War II aircraft and ground equipment and vehicles as well as a library and theater.

Special exhibits and artwork are also featured throughout the museum's three main hangars. Also featured are fine art, bronze sculptures, interactive multimedia displays.

The facility is designed as a self-guided experience, and gives a rare look into the lives and legacy of America's Greatest Generation.

The museum collection includes two P-51 D Mustangs, a Lockheed P-38, a P-40, a BT-13, a PT-19, a PT-22, and a PT-26. Fully operational authentic World War II ground vehicles are proudly displayed among the aircraft. A very rare WACO CG-4A glider used to silently transport troops during WWII is among the displays. The 357th Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Air Force is represented by the museum's Quonset hut and control tower.

"We are a unique destination airport, mostly due to Fagen Fighters," said Airport Manager Keith Woods. "But, we also have a thriving and revitalized downtown with several new shops, cafes, arts, historical points and several shops that focus on our river community."

Olivia

Set under the big sky of the Minnesota prairie, Olivia isn't just a town; it's a home and a destination full of history, scenic beauty, and recreation.

According to the Olivia Area Chamber of Commerce the biggest don't-miss event is the community's annual Corn Capital Days festival. Celebrated each year around the last full weekend of July, Corn Capital Days features fun and family-friendly live music, parades, a fly-in breakfast courtesy of the Lions Club, the famous Sweet Corn Feed, and so much more. This year's fly-in is scheduled for Sunday, July 31.

"The most unique feature associated with our airport is its proximity to places to go and eat," said Airport Manager Richard Sigurdson. "Lots of traffic comes in for breakfast at the Chatterbox Café a block away, and later in the day for dinner at Max's Grill, a quarter-mile away." And if you want the comfort and convenience of a modern hotel, the Sheep Shedde Inn, a two-story hotel right next to Max's Grill, is the place for you. Otherwise, underwing camping is available.

FBO services are provided by Olivia Flying Service, which operates an FAA-licensed agricultural and light aircraft repair center with more than 30 years of expertise specializing in aircraft maintenance, repair, and restoration. "Our local-based pilots are all avid flyers," Sigurdson added.

St. Paul

When asked to pick the most unique feature located at St. Paul Downtown Airport-Holman Field (KSTP), Airport Manager Mike Wilson is hard pressed for a selection.

"I can't pick just one," he said. "The historical terminal building on the north side of the airport is absolutely beautiful and was constructed in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration project. We have an excellent restaurant, Holman's Table, and the Riverside Hangars currently owned by 3M have a storied history of being used during World War II to modify B-24 bombers." Holman Field also features one of the few remaining Airway Beacons, which was constructed in 1929, overlooking the airport from the river bluff. "I think we are the only airport in the country that has a deployable floodwall to maintain a usable airfield in case of a flood," Wilson added. "We have the best view of downtown, about a mile from our primary runway end."

While St. Paul Downtown Airport is primarily home to corporate aviation, there are several large and small companies that call Holman Field home, Wilson said. "Everyone works really well together and they help each other out when needed. We have a handful of hangars that house single

aircraft as well as the Minnesota Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility." Wilson added the St. Paul community wants everyone and everything on the airport to succeed. This is evidenced by the number of pilots, soldiers, and employees working at the airport that he's able to chat with when they come to Holman's Table for lunch. The historical terminal has been refreshed a couple times over the past few years, he said. There was a renovation for the restaurant space in 2019, the restrooms were remodeled in 2020, and airport maintenance staff recently painted the main level and shined the terrazzo floors. "We are adding pergola style sunshades on the restaurant patio and near the aircraft viewing area outside the airside vestibule," Wilson said. Signature Flight Support has been working on interior updates as well.

St. Paul Downtown was one of two Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) relievers that saw large increases in total operations in 2021

Takeoffs and landings at STP, which has more corporate activity, increased by 29.8%, or more than 9,000 additional operations over 2020.