Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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It's been said the best leaders are not those who gather huge numbers of followers, but those who empower others. Such a man is 91-year-old Homer Dobson. "When you write this article, stress the airport, not Homer," said Dobson in an interview at Tracy Municipal Airport in southern Minnesota. A daunting task, given the Homer Dobson Lane sign on the road leading to the airport, a framed photo on the wall of the A&D Building of Homer and Betty, his wife in an antique auto with his 1946 Ercoupe... Full story
There were some great sights at the Wheels and Wings Fly-In/Drive-In in Osceola, Wisconsin this past September. On the agenda were Wissota Skydivers from the Indianhead Sport Parachute Club, individual air show performers Grant Nielson, Mike Weinfurter, and Erik Edgren. Also performing was the Vanguard Squadron, a precision flying team based in Tea, South Dakota. The formation aerobatic team consists of two F-16 pilots, a former Red Baron display team pilot, and an Education... Full story
If you've attended an aviation event at Anoka County Blaine Airport over the course of the past 21 years, chances are high you've met Craig Schiller. You may have known him as the first volunteer at the former Polar Aviation Museum, or even during his term as director there. Perhaps you've bumped into him during his 17 years of service as manager at Golden Wings Museum. Nowadays, you can find Schiller three miles from the airport grounds, still immersed in the past, present, and future of... Full story
Mark Nesheim has such a passion for cooking Classic American Café that he opened a restaurant serving the international jet set. Kimmy Fox, Nesheim's, business partner serves Nesheim's "amazing food" in Wings Airport Café at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport. Both relish giving visitors that Minnesota experience as soon as they step off the plane. Real mashed potatoes, homemade bread, soup from scratch, wild rice, fresh Walleye, and a variety of hot dishes are all part of the Minnesota flair a... Full story
Newberg Sky Spray's Air Tractor AT-301 with reciprocating engine in the forefront, flanked by a 1993 AT-502 turbo-prop, and a 1989 AT-502. Also seen is the tail of a 1980 Eagle Aircraft-Bellanca Eagle DW-1. All aircraft were on display for attendees viewing pleasure at Hector Municipal Airport during the annual fly-in....
Mark Satnan's fond childhood memories of time spent with his father in South Dakota impacted the way he lives today. "He worked nights all the time," said Satnan. "He'd drag me out to the shop at night and have me start taking the interior of an airplane out. That's actually how I first got started, taking interiors out of airplanes so he could work on them." After high school Satnan got a job driving truck delivering parts but it didn't take him long to realize that wasn't the job for him. He... Full story
This year's 75 Annual Fly-In Breakfast and Ping Pong Ball Drop at Hector Municipal Airport offered a close up view of some pretty impressive aircraft. Event organizer Ed Newberg issued an invitation to Afton, Wisconsin residents Barry Hammarback and Dave Schmitz to bring their 1962 UH1 "Huey" helicopter. The Huey has attended veteran's and other aviation related events to allow new generations to become more aware of the experiences of their father's and grandfather's. "We thought the Huey is... Full story
Windom Municipal Airport’s August 27 Fly-In Breakfast provided an opportunity for 32 private aircraft beauties to line the field next to the taxiway like models on a spotlit runway. A hearty breakfast of pancakes and French Toast was served by the Lions Club. Jay B Kipfer brought his restored JD pulling tractors, more eye candy for Fly-In attendees. Local residents joined regional pilots who flew in for in the day’s events that not only drew the community together, but added to the growing int... Full story
Flight Line Gifts, a new aviation specialty shop in Blaine, officially opened its doors for business in June. Offerings include books, clothing, cool tech, models, aviation prints, pilot supplies, war relics, and fun toys. In addition, Flight Line Enterprises, LTD president Craig Schiller is also reaching beyond the doors of his own store to create a team atmosphere with neighboring retail outlets and community members by hosting seasonal flea markets in the parking lot at 1033 109th Avenue NE. “I’ve worked with businesses at the Anoka Cou... Full story
It was an impressive lineup at the Anoka County Blaine Airport as efforts were coordinated to present attendees of the Minnesota State Fair with a visual treat beyond anything else they may have observed from the ground. Vintage aircraft participating included a T-28, T-34, P-51, Corsair, TBM Avenger, B-25, and a Huey Helicopter. The August 29 event was in honor of Military Appreciation Day. Seventeen military aircraft, specific to the World War II era participated, including Chuck Datko's T-6... Full story
This year's MSPA's Annual Picnic saw a record number of attendees, in part due to the duo purpose of a much anticipated pig roast combined with the surprise awarding of a commemorative plaque to Bruce Hanson for 41 years of service managing the FBO at Surfside, the Seaplane Base in Lino Lakes. MSPA President Steve Guetter AOPA President Mark Baker awarded the plaque to Hanson at the August 13 event. When Hanson was congratulated, he differed credit to seaplane pilots for their support of the... Full story
Lots of eye catching air traffic, food to salivate over (graciously served by Grant County Lions), an FBO fast becoming famous far beyond its local borders, an energetic, savvy engineering firm presenting the airport’s 25-year Master Plan, Paul Brutlag’s flyby in his impressive 1950 T-6G Warbird, and airplane rides for all those interested made a highly successful Elbow Lake Municipal Airport Fly-In and Open House hosted by Lakes Area Pilots Association August 5. Angela Holm Joe Gimse and Ang... Full story
Pope County Flyers member, Don Lilienthal submitted several photos of the July 1, Starbuck Airport Fortieth Annual Fly-In Breakfast which was held in conjunction with Starbuck Heritage Days. Eight planes loaded with tents, sleeping bags, and other gear arrived on Friday, June 30 for the festivities. According to Lilienthal, the hangar doors opened at 5 a.m. to allow Chris Cakes Catering, Pochahontas, Iowa to begin breakfast preparations. Lilienthal did a flyover at 5:30 in his 1972 Skyhawk as a... Full story
Saturday morning, July 15, the skies around Rushford Municipal Airport looked a lot like MSP on a weekend. For at least two hours, planes were stacked up awaiting their turn to land. EAA Chapter 919 members displayed their expertise in directing 90 aircraft from the wild blue to parking spaces on the ground. The reason for all the hubbub? The official dedication of the Robert W. Bunke Field, complete with a Mustang, Corsair, and Avenger fly-by, courtesy of Wings of the North Museum at Flying... Full story
Isle Airport hosted a most pleasant July 8 evening of under wing camping, a movie, bonfire, popcorn, and beverages in a two-day fly-in event that coincided with Isle City Days in northwestern Minnesota. "We had about 15 airplanes that came and camped," said Isle Airport Flying Club member Dave Retka. "We showed the Great Waldo Pepper movie. We had a nice evening." The grass strip displayed a nice grouping of vintage aircraft including a 1946 Stinson Voyager straight 108, Curtiss-Wright 1929... Full story
The theme of this year's Wings of the North AirExpo held at Flying Cloud Airport July 15-16 was Heroes & Legends. An Evening with Eagles Dinner and Symposium was held at the Wings of the North Air Museum Hangar featuring guest speaker NASA Astronaut Franklin Musgrave who flew on six spaceflights. Among the variety of aircraft on display Saturday and Sunday at the airport grounds were military aircraft like Marine CH53 Phoenix helicopters and F-4 Phantoms. There were vintage aircraft owned by...
The 12th Annual Dennis Kirk Patriot Ride was held July 8 at the Anoka County Blaine Airport at the Lynx FBO. The Patriot Ride recognizes and remembers the 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, and pays tribute to veterans, law enforcement, and their families for their contribution to the safety and freedom of citizens of the United States. The day-long event includes a 50-mile ride, special recognition p... Full story
It was a day to fly, to be sure. The June Fly-In Breakfast at the Moose Lake Carlton County Airport brought people out in droves, not only to eat pancakes and see the wide variety of aircraft, but to pay homage to people who affect aviation. From Ted Philman's family who received a plaque on his behalf for his contribution to sustaining the Moose Lake Carlton County Airport. Cirrus Aircraft employees Alexey Belkin and Brendon Butkiewicz arrived in the Cirrus SR20 with the Breast Cancer Ribbon... Full story
Aircraft attracting attention at the Aitkin Airport's 23 Annual Fly-In Breakfast June 25 included the LifeLink III helicopter, Adventure North Flying Services's 1979 Grumman Tiger, and Platt Hubbell's 1946 Republic Seabee,a an Oshkosh Grand Champion (2005) and Sun and Fun Grand Champion (2006). The Seabee was wrecked and sunk in Lake Shasta, California in January 2010. Hubbell purchased it in 2012 and had it flying again by March 2014. He hangars the aircraft in Brainerd.... Full story
Saturday, June 24, Faribault Airport officially commemorated the Liz Wall Strohfus Field. Pat Rice and Kathy Larson of the American Association of University Women presided over the ceremony, which opened with the Posting of the Colors by the Color Guard and Honor Guard. Dignitaries who honored the well-loved WASP included U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Faribault Mayor Kevin Voracek, and American Aviation Heritage Foundation president Terry Baker, Major Stacey Meiser of the Minnesota Air National... Full story
With the acute shortage of people to fill currently vacant positions in the airline industry, companies are looking for ways to draw interest to their specialty fields. One proven, effective way to reach out is to offer financial support for schooling. Following is a partial list of scholarship opportunities ranging from $500 to $5,000. Academy College www.academycollege.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/academy-college-scholarships AOPA www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/learn-to... Full story
When your first airplane is the one you made of clothespins right around the time you learned to walk; when your father is a commercial airline pilot; when your mother encourages you in your aviation adventures, you've got a better than fair chance of buying, building, and flying aircraft for the rest of your life. John F. Hanson has a comfortable way of mixing boyhood dreams and experiential realities with human emotions and practical technicalities as he weaves stories of 21 aircraft... Full story
Rushford Aviation, Inc. is putting out a warm welcome to avi-ators for several reasons this summer. During its July 15 fly-in a ceremony will be held announcing the airport's new name: Rushford Municipal Airport, Robert W. Bunke Field. "Rob Bunke is the gentleman primarily responsible for establishing the airport in the mid 1970's," said Rushford Aviation owner Mike Thern. The ceremony to honor Rob will begin at 10 a.m. Mark Baker, president of AOPA, and MnDOT Aeronautics officials will be... Full story
From its well attended educational sessions to the EAA Leadership Summit Saturday night, the fourth annual Minnesota Pilots Association Great Minnesota at the Anoka county Blaine Airport was another rousing success. Nestled amongst the impressive collection of vintage aircraft in the Golden Wings Museum, vendors were set up in booths for attendees to visit throughout the April 29-30 event. The Museum's Ford Trimotor was backdrop to recognition ceremonies for the most Young Eagle flights given... Full story
Inclement weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of those who gathered at Minnesota Sea Plane Association's Safety Seminar held May 19-21 at Madden's Resort in Gull Lake. The beach was full of float planes. The land air strip had a fair number of aircraft, some with tents for an under wing camping adventure. Minnesota Sea Plane Association's president Steve Guetter gave a warm welcome to attendees and vendors, keeping well attended presentations on schedule with a humorously stated comment... Full story
