Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 685
Donald Berndt, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, lived to age 95 and passed peacefully after suffering a stroke on December 15, 2019. Donald was born at home near Mayer, Minnesota, prematurely, after his mother suffered a fall on the ice on their farm. They kept him warm on the wood stove oven door with little hope of his survival. He was strong, a survivor from the start, and thrived. Don had a lifelong passion for aircraft that was fostered by Elmer Sell, the owner of Sell Airfield across the field from his home. During WWII, when the time neared...
Spatial disorientation can be defined quite simply as the inability to correctly orient oneself with respect to the earth’s surface. It is caused by a variety of sensory illusions. Pilots are especially vulnerable at night and in certain weather conditions. This is because sensory illusions can occur regardless of a pilot’s proficiency or experience. The body’s sensory system normally provides enough information to our subconscious to adequately orient us for normal, earthbound activity. In the environment of flight, however, the sensory syste...
In 1965 Gus DeWeedt was flying over Anchorage, Alaska when he was caught in a sudden storm. He lost control of his plane and crashed, killing him. One year later his granddaughter, Joelle Petersen, was born in New Brighton, Minnesota. Peterson never knew her grandfather beyond the picture on the wall. All she knew was that he met his death flying into an Alaskan mountain. Petersen grew up and eventually left Minnesota. She spent a significant portion of her adult life living in Europe, working i...
This past year we have had the unfortunate opportunity to read about a number of aircraft accidents. Far too many of these accidents were pilot error. Worse yet, a number of these accidents ranging from GA, to corporate, military, and the airlines were caused by and effect called the normalcy bias. Normalcy bias sometimes referred to as “analysis paralysis,” is a reference to a person (or peoples) mental state when facing a disaster. When in that state of consciousness it (normalcy bias) causes people to underestimate the possibility of a dis...
This piece was submitted by Agnes A. Dansl Ph.D. It is a compilation of notes from a speaking engagement. Agnes states that she is 92 years old and has worked as a high school math teacher, counselor and principal. She was the first in her family to receive a college education. THE FLIGHT OF THE INCORRIGIBLE DAUGHTER My story doesn't hold a candle to the stories of the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. I did not fight in any battles. Most of my story begins in St. Cloud,...
Bill Hazelton was born in Minneapolis, MN. His first airplane ride was at Wold-Chamberlain Field in 1932 in a Travel Air biplane. Following High School graduation, he worked as a telephone lineman and then as a hardware store employee. He began flying at Freeman Aircraft Service in February 1933, also in an OX-5 Travel Air and received his Private, Commercial and Transport licenses in the same year. He worked briefly at Freeman as an instructor and special assignment pilot. Hazelton spent the...
Thank you for your article on the Tree of Hope which appeared on page 19 of the current issue of Minnesota Flyer. This is a well-written summary of the history and current events with Tree of Hope. The results for this year's work are impressive. This year Tree of Hope distributed toys to: -32 Minnesota hospitals -2 Wisconsin hospitals -2 North Dakota hospitals -5 Ronald McDonald houses -2 Twin Cities homeless shelters Unfortunately, the Flyer article totally neglected to mention where all the...
Charlie Wiplinger Named CEO, Bob Wiplinger announces semi-retirement and becomes Chairman, effective January 1, 2020. South Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 2020 – Wipaire announces Bob "Wip" Wiplinger has entered semi-retirement and his son, Charlie Wiplinger, is taking the helm as CEO. Bob served as President since 1979 when he purchased the company from his father and founder, Ben Wiplinger. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the company. Charlie has held the title of President since 2...
Paul Van Brunt of Lakeville, MN was awarded the 2020 CFI of the year Minnesota FISDO GL15 and FAAST team award. Paul is a CFII, MEI, IGI, and AGI with over 5,000 hour's instruction given in all types of planes from tail draggers to multi-engine. Also, an A&P, he works for Air Trek North flight school. Paul is a FAAST team representative with the Minneapolis FSDO and AOPA member. His impressive record had more than 30 students Pass their check rides last year. His success rate is very high. He...
Noel Allard shared this excerpt from his "Sherm Booen" files. He promises "more to come." Sherm Booen spent late 1943 and 1944 in Foggia and other US Air Corps bases in Italy. He served as a civilian tech rep of the Honeywell Corporation. Though not Air Corps, he was emplaced with the 5th Bomb Wing and wore an officer's uniform. His job was to instruct flight crews on the use of the Honeywell C-1 autopilot to control a bomber on its bomb run while linked to the famous Norden Bombsight....
For 73 years, Maxwell Aircraft Service has been the premiere aircraft service shop of the Upper Midwest. Maxwell Aircraft Service – which is based out of Crystal – specializes in aircraft propeller, governor repair and overhaul. They are known to pilots for their high-quality craftsmanship and fast service. All work done by them is backed by a one-year 1,000-hour warranty. Maxwell Aircraft Service is a FAA approved and licensed company. In addition, they are an official Hamilton Standard, Sen...
My name is Macklin Caruso and I will be taking the reins as the new editor at Minnesota Flyer. It is a real honor to work for such a historic Minnesota publication with longstanding ties to the aviation community. I'll put all of my cards on the table, I am not a pilot. I am however a longtime journalist. As is often the motto with journalism, those who don't can hopefully at least write about it. That's what I hope to do while working for the Minnesota Flyer. I intend to thrust myself full...
Continuing an ongoing series by Tom Lymburn. Some aircraft look right in the air. Nothing compares to the graceful elliptical wing of R.J. Mitchell's classic Merlin engine Spitfire, Kelly Johnson's elegant Lockheed P-38 Lightning, or North American's purposeful and efficient P-51 Mustang. When it comes to airliners, the Lockheed Constellation and later Super Constellation are in a category all their own. I announced the CAF Ghost Squadron shows at historic Hollman Field and Fleming Field from...
Harold H. Brown was born in Minneapolis a graduate of Minneapolis North High School, he took his first airplane ride at Wold-Chamberlain Field in 1941 and soloed at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama after enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He trained in the PT-17, BT-13 and AT-6. He earned his wings and was assigned to fly fighter aircraft. He went on to fly combat missions in the P-47N Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning and the P-51C/D Mustang. His first assignment was with the 332nd FG at Ramitelli...
Four days rafting down the Green River – a tributary of the Colorado River – in the heart of the rugged Rocky Mountain wilderness. Tim Valentine – an international business person, pastor and humanitarian – knew this untouched North American landscape was a world away from the horrors endured during Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. He hoped it would provide refuge for a group of veterans who've struggled to find anything like it since they returned home. Valentine ran an outreach program flying...
Planes flew in from across the state to deliver toys to the 30th annual Tree of Hope toy drive on Dec. 7. In Hangar 2 of the St. Cloud Regional Airport – the first time the event has ever been held in St. Cloud – hundreds of volunteers scurried frantically to sort, bag and box toys that are to be delivered to hospitals, orphanages and charities across the state for children to open on Christmas morning. "We keep hoping it will be obsolete, but the hospitals keep asking," said Tree of Hope Pre...
Barbara Wiley is a native of Robbinsdale. Her father was the pilot for her first airplane ride at the Crystal Airport. She later soloed a Cessna 150 in 1965 and earned her Private Pilot License a year later. She went on to earn her Instrument, Seaplane and ATP licenses by 1971. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota and taught in the Osseo School District. While also working as a chief pilot for charter operations, a flight instruction, private and...
Wilbur Orson has spent his entire lifetime in aviation. Orson has aged right alongside aviation. At age 78 Orson has served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as an aircraft mechanic and taught aviation engineering in college. As a commercial pilot he as acquired the following certifications: ASEL, ASES, AMEL, F.E.-TJ, AGI, CFI-A and A&P. His history of flying dates back to 1927, when Charles Lindbergh first crossed the Atlantic. In 1927 aviation had captured the imagination of the world, spreading...
Minnesota Flyer reader Warren Batzlaff sent in this report on the CrySTOL Fly-In held at Crystal Airport, Crystal Minnesota on Saturday September 14, 2019. This was celebration of sorts for being able to save the turf runway at KMIC. I served on several MAC committees about updating the 2020 comprehensive plan to a 2035 plan. The 2020 plan, completed in 2010, called for removal of the turf runways, removal of one of the parallel asphalt runways, as well as other downsizing. I worked closely and...
Established in 2016 to celebrate Academy College's 80th Anniversary, the scholarship provides $10,000 for one aviation degree seeking student pursuing a professional pilot career in honor of Sherm Booen. This year's recipient of the $10,000 Sherm Booen Scholarship is Jessica Anderson. Meet Jessica Anderson: Minnesota native, Jessica Anderson, still remembers the flight that hooked her into aviation, even though she was just two years old and in a car seat! Fascinated, albeit slightly terrified...
The first question you should ask yourself is, if I am this cold now and I haven’t even left the ramp, how cold would I be if I had to execute an emergency landing when miles from a town or even just a mile from a farm house, for instance. Am I properly dressed to be safe during this flight? The answer is no, you aren’t. You should always dress for the conditions you are likely to encounter anywhere along your route of flight. Then, in the event of an unscheduled landing, you’ll be able to protect yourself and your passengers until help arriv...
It was a very wet Saturday morning and more heavy rain was forecast. It had been a year for it. Discover Aviation Days had been rained out and Red Wing's weather was less than polite. The motel window needed cleaning, the shower curtain had mold around its hem and the air conditioner rattled faintly. The restaurant across the half-filled motel parking lot was dark. Only some lightning and the melancholy rotating RST beacon visible in the east lit up the early morning. I've been rained on as a...
What is Tree of Hope? • Tree of Hope is an all-volunteer organization that started with the private aviation community when they saw a need for hospitals to have toys to for children in the hospital over the Christmas holiday. • Tree of Hope is supported by EAA Chapters, Minnesota 99's, Flying Clubs, Zuhrah Shrine Flyers, Minnesota Pilots Association as well as individuals and families that are interested in aviation. What do we need? • Toys for children ages infant to 18 yrs. Toys or craft...
Ken Bresley was crazy about the bracing cold of winters in Walker, MN. Or maybe he was just crazy. Every February Ken would lead the "plunge." A group would cut a hole in the ice on Leech Lake, then jump in. It's all for a good cause, and part of the Eelpout Festival. It raises money for the Community Center and brightens the local economy during the long winter in Northern Minnesota. The Festival was pretty much Ken's invention. If he was crazy, it was like the proverbial fox. Walker is a...
Sawbones has had a very successful Reno run without any major mechanical problems. Not this year. On a routine flight to burn off the 100LL so the tanks could be filled with racing fuel, the canopy departed the airframe. Commander Curt Brown, drawing on his 20 plus years of air racing experience and training as an Air Force test pilot, navigated the wounded Sea Fury back to the runway. Since Sawbones was forced to stand down for the week, the focus for the crew and my annual Flyer article had...
