Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 90 - 114 of 196
C.M. Swanson All through the morning of 18 September aircraft arrived at Hector Municipal Airport with such regularity it began to take on the look of MSP on a Saturday. "We have one of the biggest, if not the biggest fly-in breakfasts in Minnesota right out here in Hector," said airport manager Ed Newberg. In a town with a population of 1,100, it is an impressive statistic that the Hector Annual Fly-In Breakfast has served up to 1,600 breakfasts. This year, with near perfect weather numbers... Full story
C.M. Swanson A bit of cloud cover did not dampen the spirits of attendees of September's annual Fly-In at Mora Municipal Airport. Smiles were had at every turn, due a combination of a good breakfast prepared by the Lions Club, good organization from the Airport Board, and plenty of interesting aircraft. Fagen Fighters WWII Museum graciously displayed their Erco Ercoupe with Pilot Ray Fagen proudly emblazoned under the cockpit window. The eye-catching aircraft drew many visitors including Master... Full story
Girls in Aviation 2016 at the St. Paul Airport, organized by Stars of the North, the Minnesota Chapter of Women in Aviation, was even more successful this year than last. Along with the many aircraft on the field, the Learning Jet, and aviation related businesses in informational booths in the hangar, two inspirational speakers addressed attendees. Belinda Jensen KARE 11 television meteorologist, assisted by daughter Tory, gave a brief presentation about the weather, teaching how to measure the... Full story
Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATA) members and guests gathered at Thunderbird Aviation in August for its annual meeting. After attendees enjoyed a pleasant picnic in an open hangar, long time MATA member Darrell Bolduc was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for 37 years of service to the aviation community. Andre Schmidt received a MATA scholarship for $2,000 towards aviation education. A wild-land fire fighter with the U.S. Forest Service, Schmidt obtained his private pilot's... Full story
Photographer Ray Pittman attended the Burnett County Airport Gandy Dancer Fly-In/Drive-In in July to enjoy the day and get a few shots of the days activities. For the hungry, a wild rice pancake breakfast served by the Ag Club of Burnett County. For those on the ground there were static aircraft displays, local emergency vehicle displays, inflatable bounce houses for the kids, classic cars to view. A variety of aerobatic performances kept eyes of attendees skyward for much of the day. While many... Full story
Attitudes were positive and expectations high at the Chairman's Gala, hosted by the Consulate General of Canada, held at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth the night before the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, all with good reason. The show was attended by over 45,000 spectators. According to Expo president, Ryan Kern, the event provided a local economic impact of nearly 9 million dollars as well as educational opportunities to the public in aviation and aerospace careers. Spectators were pleased wit... Full story
In an air show masterfully emceed by aviation historian, photographer, author, and pilot Tom Lymburn, Wings of the North presented a fantastic AirExpo 2016 at Flying Cloud Airport. The huge, white, big top tent was filled with aviation dignitaries of past and present fame. One of the stars was a spry 100-year old Dick Cole, last of the Doolittle Raiders who took time to autograph books and provide photo opportunities with youth and seniors who stood in line for the privilege. Aerobatic air show... Full story
EAA Chapter 1498 at Detroit Lakes Airport packs a lot of fun into a one-day adventure. July's event included a fly-in complete with breakfast and lunch, a car show offering a few vehicles not seen at most exhibitions, and a skydiving experience from that went well beyond the usual demonstration. Skydive Fargo offered tandem jumps to attendees the day before, during, and after the days events. Much of the success of the airport's activity level is owed to three and four generations of aviation fa... Full story
The Aitkin Flyers Club and Country Road Classic Car Club sponsored the June Fly-In/Drive-In at Aitkin Aviation. In addition to a wide variety of aircraft stopping by, a silent auction, live music, and car show with prizes filled out the activities of the day. Gyrocopter pilot Bill Holzgrove provided a visual treat to attendees in the afternoon when he danced about the skies in his popular little yellow bird, a Vortex M912 Sport Copter. Later he fielded questions about his experiences in the... Full story
When Brian Weidendorf was young, he was torn between two careers, one in aviation, the other in land development. He decided to do both. He obtained his private pilot's license at age 17, after which he steadily gained additional ratings. Airlines weren't hiring in 1981 so he did a two-year stint flying for a company out of Grand Forks, during which time real estate tugged him in that direction as well.. "Real estate turned out to be a better deal," said Weidendorf. "I ended up making enough... Full story
Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) can see the skywriting on the horizon. Unmanned aircraft is not the wave of the future. It is the tsunami of right now. To that effect, they are arming willing students of all ages with the power of information and education. "We will be hosting our first National Science Foundation summer workshop for educators as well as a summer camp for high school students in August at Northland's Aerospace Campus in Thief River Falls," said... Full story
The T-6Thunder North American Flight Team rolled out to perform for the crowds at Discover Aviation Days at Anoka County Blaine Airport June 4-5 during a nearly perfect weekend. The event opened and closed with the flag ceremony conducted by the Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol, Anoka County Composite Squadron. Visitors were treated to a wide variety of aircraft.The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing's B-25 Bomber, Miss Mitchell was one of the crowd gatherers. A hometown favorite, the 1949... Full story
Stars of the North, the Minnesota Chapter of the international organization, Women in Aviation, International (WAI) have monthly gatherings emphasizing social functions, aviation based educational dissemination, career enhancement, or community outreach programs. Don't let the name Women in Aviation mislead you. Men are very much a part of the organization as well. WAI welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, unifying everyone together with the goal of learning and helping others.... Full story
"For over twenty years the Moose Lake Airport has been holding its Fly-In Breakfast on the third weekend in June. As is the norm, the success of the event is heavily weather dependent. "We haven't had such good weather the last few of years," said chief organizer Larry Peterson. "Last year we had maybe only a half a dozen airplanes or so. The year before that no one could get in." This year, the sun was shining, a mild breeze kept the heat reasonably moderate, and folks were ready to fly... Full story
Buffalo Airport drew people from around the region with its annual Fly-In Breakfast and Car Show on June 12 in Buffalo Minnesota. The Lucas Oil Jump Team opened the air show with an intriguing jump and remarkable precision landing on the warm, windy day. Jump team members include Dun Feess, Nick Halseth (team lead), Karl Lips, Erin Gibbs, and David Hage. Mike Wiskus had his first ride in a stunt plane when he was ten years old. That obviously turned his world upside down, a position Wiskus has... Full story
There is no substitute for experience. A solid reputation for work well done takes years to establish. That is exactly what Darrell Bolduc, Tim Hieb and Kevin Dunrud have accomplished with Bolduc Aviation Services, a highly acclaimed Part 145 repair station based at Anoka County Airport. Bolduc started the business in 1979. Dunrud came aboard as an AP mechanic in 1981. Hieb, also an AP, arrived in 1982. Though there are other long-term employees, Bolduc, Dunrud, and Hieb formed a business... Full story
Aaron Kranz, member of Friends of the Airport and chief organizer of the Fly-In said the blessing a good weather was the beginning of a great day for the Paynesville Fly-In Breakfast in early June. The Fly-In Breakfast was held during Paynesville's Town & Country Days, a week-long celebration of events including a parade, crowing of the Princess, street dance, beer gardens, and other activities. Helicopter rides were the order of the day. Hummingbird Aviation kept the props spinning on its bird... Full story
Not only do Chris Millerin and Mark Lukasiewicz know where they are going, they know exactly how to get there. Both are recent graduates of Lewis University in Chisago. Both have come to Minnesota to earn their Certified Flight Instructor rating as efficiently and effectively as possible. As the aviation industry steadily becomes ripe with employment opportunity, Millerin and Lukasiewicz are preparing themselves to take advantage of the times, even if it means no early summer break. "We wanted... Full story
Better seminars, food, camaraderie, weather, or fun just couldn't be ordered. The 2016 Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association's 2016 Safety Seminar at Madden's Resort was enjoyed by attendees, presenters, vendors, and perhaps even employees who had a chance to glance out a window or step outdoors to see the weekend's aviation activity, engage in captivating learning sessions, eat like royalty, and enjoy the company of others. Fun Meters were maxed during the Social Hour in the exhibit area at... Full story
"Three years ago we had our first Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering," said Gregg Strathy, one of the founding directors of the Minnesota Pilot's Association. "This is our third. They just keep getting bigger and better. We've just really enjoyed it." The event was held at the Anoka County Blaine Airport. "We enjoy having everybody out here," said Strathy." Good weather helps. We've got great airplanes on display. We've got great speakers. We hope we are providing a great service for pilots in... Full story
In a moving ceremony to present the Holocaust and POW Boxcar Exhibit at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, speaker Charles Fodor, a Jewish citizen of Budapest relates his experience as an 8-year-old child during the war. Fodor and his grandmother were saved by a stranger from a line of victims walking to their death in a mass shooting on the banks of the Danube River. German Historian Dr. Joachim "Yogi" Reppman (seated behind Fodor) shared his experience with Ron and Diane Fagen, owners of the... Full story
Brady Clark is the first recipient of the first scholarship award presented by the Blaine Airport Promotions Group (BAPG). Graduating from Blaine High School-CEMS program with a 3.99 GPA, Clark is on his way to basic training in the Air Force National Guard, after which he will attend tech school with a focus on hydraulic mechanics for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. Clark is also enrolled in the commercial aviation program for the spring semester of 2017 at the University of North Dakota which... Full story
C.M. Swanson Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restorat... Full story
Sharing a picnic lunch at an airport on a day seemingly special ordered for the event does a lot to encourage children to dream about entering the field of aviation when they grow up. Kindergartners from the University Avenue Aerospace Children's Engineering and Science Elementary (ACES) magnet school did just that as they visited Anoka County Blaine Airport in May. Blaine Airport Promotion Group Founder Harvey Karth and ACES Curriculum Integration Coordinator Kate Watson gathered an impressive... Full story
Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restoration, and... Full story
