Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 115 - 139 of 196
Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Award Banquet's begin with an oh-so-fun social hour where people get mill around with their favorite beverage, introduce themselves to the inductees, and catch up with each other on what's happened for the past year. Artwork is displayed. Bios on inductees are available. Conversations about aviation abound. Stan Turner was the Master of Ceremonies at the April 30 banquet and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Inductees were Lloyd A. Alsworth, Julie E.... Full story
When John Owen Bohmer, Mike Field, and Dale Fauskee looked at the farm fields in Brooten, Minnesota, in the 1950s, they envisioned an airport...and so the journey began. It started out simple. "We set up a temporary grass strip east of town in a farmer's field," said Bohmer. It was an uncomplicated era when interest in flying was high and just about anybody who wanted a go at it was welcome. Before long, aviation activity outgrew the little grass strip. An associate of Bohmer's, Delbert Anderson... Full story
If you are lucky enough to take flight instruction from Rick's Aviation Adventures, be kind to yourself and schedule time to hear a few stories about Rick Mercil's varied background, as well. One great story you'll want to hear is how Mercil became drawn to aviation in the first place. It was after his schooling in the monastery and before he worked on the Kibutz in Israel. "One summer I had an old beat up 1949 Chevrolet pick up truck," said Mercil. "A buddy of mine and I were sitting on a grave... Full story
Academy College announced the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship at its 80th Anniversary in April. The announcement was broadcast over WCCO radio by Al Malmberg, producer of the World of Aviation, and Nancy Grazzini-Olson, president of Academy College. "We created the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship, up to $40,000, for any student obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in our commercial aviation or commercial pilot program," said Grazzini-Olson. "Applications are now open. Go to our website,... Full story
Wind that kept most pilots on the ground didn't hamper a fire watch flight conducted by DNR observer Ron Goetzinger and pilot Lee Casto with Eagle Air. "That's when they want us most," said Casto in an impromptu interview at the Moose Lake Airport. "When it's warm and windy, that's when fire danger is at its highest, so that's when they want us. "We're not necessarily flying in comfortable conditions. We're flying when it's a little bumpy but that's what we do." Goetzinger worked for the DNR... Full story
With the power behind the Minnesota Council of Airports, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Airport Technical Assistance program, the 2016 Minnesota Airports Conference chalked up a huge, successful, well attended event. A variety of venues were available at the Conference held at Madden's on Gull Lake in April featuring experts in aviation and aerospace fields sharing their experiences in general assembly presentations, workshops and open forums. Subject matters included Airline... Full story
conjunction with Paynesville Town and Country Days, held the second week in June. "We always have a parade on Wednesday," said pilot and Paynesville business owner Aaron Kranz. "They coronate the queen during that time, too. There's a car show, a street dance, just a lot of activity in town that week." The Fly-In will be Friday and Saturday, the last two days of Town and Country Days. A shuttle bus will be available to take people from the airport to the hotel, bars, restaurants, café, retail... Full story
Saturday May 21, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum will present the Holocaust Boxcar Exhibit, its most recent addition to its historical aviation facility. A program to announce the permanent exhibit will begin at 11 a.m. Special guest speakers at the event include Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and Judy Baron, Holocaust Survivor. It will be a rare opportunity to hear first hand experience of the historic occurrence. In... Full story
Being 96-years-old and yet displaying the gleam of a five-year-old in her eyes was just one of the many captivating traits of Elizabeth "Betty" Wall Strohfus. Another was how she made everybody who came in contact with her feel just a little better about themselves after meeting her. Her laughter was contagious, her stories engaging, her love of life bigger than life itself. Yes, the energetic whirling dervish of aviation wore her body out, but Elizabeth Strohfus lives on in the hearts and... Full story
Fourth and fifth graders from the University Avenue Elementary School Aerospace were asking impressive questions during their February visit to the Golden Wings Aviation Museum at Anoka County Blaine Airport. Their advanced knowledge and eagerness to learn could stem from previous visits. "This provides an awesome resources for kids because I'm hearing a lot of really great questions," said Reading Intervention teacher Karla Fox. "I'm hearing how they are taking information they have from previo... Full story
On April 29-30 your MnDOT office of Aeronautics will be at the Anoka County/Blaine Airport (KANE), where the Minnesota Pilots Association will hold their annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering 2016. For more information, please visit Minnesota Pilots Association at mnpilots.org. Feel free to stop by the Aeronautics booth. We invite your questions and comments. We'll be there both days!... Full story
His was an engaging voice causing people to stop their own conversations in a restaurant to listen and comment, "Do you hear that?" It caused people to rush home after church on Sunday to watch the World of Aviation on WCCO television. The amiable tone and enchanting timbre of his voice moved people to approach him at public events to say, "I know that voice. Are you Sherm Booen?" "His voice was so unbelievable," said Thunderbird Aviation president Nancy Grazzini-Olson as she shared memories of... Full story
Representatives of aviation related industries and organizations met with legislators for the Fifth Annual Aviation Day at the Capitol in March to discuss the importance of general aviation airports to their surrounding communities. Gordon Hoff, Executive Director of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) offered focus points to attendees during an informal breakfast in the Senate Building prior to meetings with legislators. Members of the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association... Full story
"We are thrilled," said Academy College President Nancy Grazzini-Olson. "Celebrating 80 years of this college serving the community is such a milestone." Adding to the excitement of the Open House is an announcement of a New Aviation Scholarship being offered through the college, honoring a long time Minnesota aviator (to be announced at the Open House). "With employment opportunities in the aviation industry coming as fast as we can turn out graduates, we wanted to enhance the opportunity for... Full story
When he was in sixth grade in Willmar Elementary School, Brian Bollig knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. "I was building dams when the snow was melting in the gutters, pushing the water different ways," said Bollig. "That's when I knew I wanted to do try to do something with water. That's where my engineering path started." The dream never left him. In time he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Sciences from St. John's University, a Civil Engineering Degree and a Masters Degree in Env... Full story
There has been a multitude of challenges to face in the changing airline industry over the past 39 years. Such times of testing either bring one to one's knees, or build one's ability to run the gauntlet with courage and grace. Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) chose the latter path in his leadership of that organization. A partial list of Hamiel's stellar accomplishments include guiding MAC through deregulation of the airline industry in 1978,... Full story
How long has 17-year-old Mitchell Lindsey wanted to be a pilot? "Since forever," said Lindsey who soloed on his sixteenth birthday and passed his private pilot check ride on his seventeenth birthday. "I've always wanted to be a pilot." Currently a junior at Blaine High School, Lindsey's next goal is an instrument rating, though he doesn't intend to stop there. One day he envisions himself as a commercial pilot for a major air line. His dream is very close to home. Norm Lindsey, his father, is a... Full story
Wings of the North started the New Year off right with their Annual Kickoff Party and Holiday Gathering at Flying Cloud Airport in January. Planning begins now for Air Expo 2016 which will be held in July. However, the first week in May Wings of the North will have a Grand Opening for their official new air museum, something that's been in the works for years. "It really just sort of came together," said museum curator Judy Jasperson. "We have wonderful benefactors who have beautiful airplanes... Full story
Tracy Lovness packs an impressive amount of passion into her flying experience. Commonly, the story about how one becomes a pilot originates with a childhood dream. Lovness breaks that norm. Born, raised, and still based in Stillwater Minnesota just three miles from the home in which she grew up, Lovness began her flying career as an adult. All it took was one demo ride to realize her life was about to change. "It was a perfect summer day," said Lovness. "The instructor flew over our house so I... Full story
Northpoint Aviation, the FBO at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is smoothly keeping stride with ever growing, always progressive forces behind the original formation and development of the region's airfield. In the 1920's Henry Rosko housed Brainerd's first airfield. The 1940's saw a partnership between the city of Brainerd and Crow Wing County resulting in land acquisition and development of a new airport to meet the needs of increased air traffic. Brainerd resident Walter Wieland implored the... Full story
Brad Johnson, Strategic Account Executive at The Nerdery, a custom software design and development company based in Bloomington, activates his belief in the value of involving youth in aviation by volunteering with AirSpace Minnesota. "I had been looking for a way to get involved in promoting aviation to youth," said Johnson, a Go Boldly Ambassador with AirSpace Minnesota's Hub Leader program. "Unless we get youth excited and get them to understand the opportunities that exist in aviation, there... Full story
When he was in junior high school, Tom Stillwell wanted to become a pilot. His pursuit was delayed by one of those pesky adults in an authoritative role who told him wearing glasses would disqualify him for that position. So he did the next best thing. He became a surgeon. It was a circuitous route, attending Hamline University, getting married, beginning a family, going to grad school at the University of Wisconsin, joining the Navy with the provision of receiving a scholarship to attend... Full story
In a day and age when many situations in life change faster than Minnesota weather patterns, it's comforting to know at least one longstanding tradition continues to be upheld to this very day. It is especially comforting when that tradition includes wearing a soft red suit, slinging a bag of toys over one's shoulder and belting out a few ho ho hos, all for the delight of children. The follower of this specific tradition does have his own little twist, however. Rather than the well-known Dasher... Full story
As a very young boy living on a farm in South Dakota, Bob Heavirland sometimes scrambled up a 12-foot snow bank to retrieve the week's mail, wrapped in butcher paper, air dropped from the open window of an Aeronca Champ. Mail from the next town was delivered the same way in a 1948 Aeronca Super Chief. The young boy never dreamed one day he'd own that exact Super Chief. Heavirland explained that, in those days, before the myriad of aircraft regulations we know today, airplanes owned by farmers... Full story
After a situational hiatus, the aviation industry is once more on the rise. Current high demands for pilots has caused flight schools to evolve to meet the needs of students motivated to attain a private pilot license in less than the national average of 65-70 hours of flight time, (often stretched out over a year's time). Accelerated Aviation Instruction, a Part 61 flight school based at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport, offers a 40 to 45 hour flight time program for those wanting to go from ze... Full story
