Minnesota DNR Aviation Celebrates 75 Years

By any measure 1947 was an auspicious year. Yes, that was 75 years ago and included some very interesting and historic events. The Brooklyn Dodgers acquired Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play major league baseball, from their AAA farm team the Montreal Royals. In Minnesota the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) purchased its first airplanes.

Back then it was called the Department of Conservation and the legislature provided funding for two aircraft. One was a variant on the Piper Cub called the "Cruiser."

It was a tube and fabric "tail dragger" that theoretically could seat three. Reserved for the pilot was the front seat with an extraordinary view. Two people could sit in the back, but they'd have to be very good friends.

Edward Stinson's Voyager was the second airplane. Stinson also built tube and fabric tail draggers, but the Voyager was a conventional four-seater with two in front and two in back. Both planes had skis for winter operations and were soon replaced by the much more suitable Piper "Super Cub."

Another event that year was Thor Heyerdahl navigating a raft called the "Kon-Tiki" between Peru and Tahiti supposedly proving a relationship between the Polynesians and Native Americans. Heyerdahl found his way by the stars and currents. In 1947 DNR pilots navigated by compass and clock, no GPS back then.

In the 21st century the DNR deploys a fleet of 11 aircraft in support of its missions. Three are helicopters and six of the airplanes are traditional tail draggers that operate on skis in the winter.

Two are equipped with amphibious floats for when the water is in liquid form. A tricycle gear Quest Kodiak is the largest of the group and a second Kodiak will be added soon. They all have state-of-the-art GPS equipment.

Fundamentally, natural resource aviation hasn't changed that much in 75 years. Pilots have to be good at "stick and rudder" flying and low-level navigation.

Being able to pay attention to what's happening outside the cockpit while controlling the aircraft is an essential skill.

Economic comparisons between 1947 and today are pretty interesting. Seventy-five years ago, the legislature appropriated $8,000 for two aircraft. Two Kodiaks are worth about $4 million now. Robinson made $5,000 for his first season and maxed out at $42,500.

In 2022, the minimum salary for first year baseball players is $563,000 and the Twin's Carlos Correa is the highest paid ball player at $35.1 million.

The Cruiser and Voyager are now considered classic aircraft. If the two could be found and restored to their original condition they would be worth something north of $100,000. Of the current fleet the oldest is a 1979 Cessna 185 which is practically a classic itself.

Another significant aviation event of 1947 was the United Nation's convention of the International Civil Aeronautics Organization, which went into effect April 4. The 75th anniversary of that event was celebrated very formally in Seoul, Korea.

Not to be outdone, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed April 5, 2022, to be DNR Aviation Day which was celebrated with a gathering of the department's aviators at a newly acquired hangar in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.