Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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EAA invites all flying P-51 aircraft to Oshkosh for this summer’s activities EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 27, 2019) — World War II ace Clarence “Bud” Anderson, a National Aviation Hall of Fame member who was a triple ace during World War II, will be saluted during warbirds activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, which is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The program will be highlighted by a reunion of North American P-51 Mustangs, the aircraft flown by Anderson in his “Old Crow” markings duri... Full story
Seventy-five years after rolling off the assembly line, Miss Mitchell will be pulled out of a hangar this Spring after a long winter of maintenance. Its engines, belching smoke, will loudly come to life and the B-25 will again slowly rise into a shimmering sky. For nearly four decades the twin-engine World War II bomber has held center stage inside a hangar at South St. Paul's Fleming Field, the home of the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Though it did not see action during the wa... Full story
An RJ85 air tanker flying over the forest, dumping bright pink clouds of fire retardant, was shown to Moose Lake High School students on a video by Captain Todd Olson during Career Day on Feb. 28. Olson, who grew up and graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1978, told the students about his experiences and career as a pilot. "When I was in high school, I liked driving fast cars and operating all sorts of machines," he said. "But I didn't know what career would best suit my interests." To... Full story
Sitting right seat for most pilots means that the Pilot in Command is the person who is seated next to you and your job is to do what they ask you to do, or what the Crew Resource Manual dictates. For me it has meant something much different. As the guy in the right seat or in back in some cases, I was the one responsible for the flight. You see, I am a Flight Instructor, however, I take exception to the term Instructor. I'd rather think of my 40 years as a CFI has been one of teaching. I see... Full story
Cirrus Aircraft announced in late February that new customer aircraft deliveries for the company’s best-selling SR Series showed steady growth and reached 380 aircraft in 2018, an increase of seven percent over 2017. The company also announced acceleration of production and delivery of the Vision JetTM – the world’s first single-engine Personal JetTM – with 63 aircraft delivered, resulting in nearly 100 Vision Jets currently in service around the world. “Our annual performance at Cirrus Aircraft demonstrates our long-term commitment to contin... Full story
The dazzling drone light show that made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh last year is returning in 2019, with more than 100 lighted drones taking flight during the night air shows on July 24 and 27 during the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” The 67th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The night air shows have become a favorite of the week long event, featuring a new perspective on the precise flying skills displayed by aerobatic pilots. The E... Full story
Glenwood, MN; March 5, 2019 - Tanis Aircraft Products announced today the FAA Supplemental Type Certification SR04343CH and the availability of its helicopter preconditioning system for the Erickson S-64 Aircrane. Erickson is a leading aerospace manufacturer and global provider of aviation services that operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. Erickson owns the world’s largest S-64 Aircrane fleet of 20 helicopters with more than 50 aircraft. The Aircrane Helitanker i... Full story
The 30th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference accomplished its goal to Connect. Engage. Inspire at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, on March 14-16, 2019. This conference marked 30 years since WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian hosted 150 people for the first conference in Prescott, Arizona, hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the nearby Sheraton Hotel. “No one knew what to expect at that first conference, but after a weekend of networking, it was clear there was a need for an event where w... Full story
Generally, records are made to be broken or duplicated. Not so with this one. Ralph Johnstone and Archie Hoxsey set a flying record which has never been matched. It was a windswept day at Belmont Park, New York, Oct. 10, 1910. Their light aeroplane made an arrogant stand against the buffeting. The tie-down ropes, such as they were, strained. Spectators smiled. They had come for thrills – and some to prove that these flying things were just a fad. Only seven years before, the Wright brothers had... Full story
Charlotte, in one of the last few precious days, had some moments for laughter. She thought it would be funny I would be writing in this space instead of having her do much of the work. This is a column I have been avoiding. For those who do not know, we lost Charlotte Swanson, the editor of this magazine to brain cancer. About six years ago, Charlotte filled in for a newspaper editor of mine who was giving birth. We had chatted in the past about working together, but thought this would be a... Full story
Thanks to Bob Heavirland for the following report and photos from the recent Aitkin Fly-In for Ski planes and Wheel planes. FINALLY, we had a Saturday (2-16-19) that was a nice day to fly! There were twenty to twenty-five planes flown in and approximately 70 people in attendance. Not bad for a day with a high temp of 18º! Adam Forsberg and Pete at Adventure North in Aitkin, MN had the grass runway groomed for ski planes and the paved runway plowed. Adam had posted that he would have FREE Chili... Full story
FAIRFAX, Minn., February 5, 2019 – Agtegra Cooperative has expanded its service area to reach rural customers in 60 communities throughout North and South Dakota. One of those communities is Harrold, S.D., home of the Harrold Municipal Airport, site of Agtegra's new crop spraying hangar, complete with two hydraulic doors from Schweiss Doors. The Harrold airport, with its 2,250-foot by 200-foot asphalt runway, is just one of Agtegra's success and growth stories. The cooperative has expanded i... Full story
“Approximately 75% of tactical decision errors that led to accidents investigated by the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) were identified as plan continuation errors. These errors occur when a pilot inappropriately continues with a plan of action in the face of cues that suggest plan revision (Orasanu et al., 2001). A related phenomenon is a perceived feeling to “get there” and pilots report that they are sometimes overly influenced by this vague, unspecified pressure to get to their destination.” Submitted by Dan McDowel... Full story
Barb Wiley can be considered a pioneer in aviation in state and nation, but she doesn't want to be considered that. As one of the first commercial women pilots in the nation and the first with North Central Airlines, she just wanted to be viewed for her skill as a pilot, rather than her gender. When she first applied to North Central in 1973 at age 29, she only used her initials. She got a letter back to a "Mr. B.J. Wiley." She then wrote her full name on the application to fly for them. Now she... Full story
Bound for Alaska, Jim and Gloria Holte left this earth together on Monday, June 1st (2015). The two passed away as a result of an airplane accident near Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. The Holtes retired from the spraying business in 2014; Holte Flying Service was in business for 32 years. Since retirement, the couple had been planning for their dream destination. Their son, Brian, who is also a pilot, says the pre-planning was plenty. Jim and Gloria had always wanted to go to Alaska, he... Full story
Everyone knows where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, Mark Nelson, the owner of Hawk Aviation in Rush City included. Just the day before, he broke ground on a new hangar for his business. This did not deter the dairy farmer to continue on and expand his business, noting that even when the skies were open again, VFR flights were not allowed, so IFR flights were filed to allow students the ability to continue training. From this start, Nelson was able to continue to grow his business, facing... Full story
The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, at the Doubletree Hotel, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. Tickets to the event and dinner cost $55. Mail your checks to Mail reservations and write check to: MAHOF, 6281 Mallory Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55346, and signify if you want chicken marsala or Cuba port roasted pork. Also print your contact information, phone and e-mail. More information can be found at http://www.mnaviationhalloffame.org/awards-banquet.html Hotel reservations can be made by calling 866-271-8967. Social Hour – 4:45 pm. T... Full story
This is just a sample of the power of social media and a nice day to go flying after weeks of low visibility keeping many of us grounded. On Thursday December 13 at 6:23 p.m. Ryan Nelson posted on Facebook in a group called "MN Airshow, Fly-in and Flight Club" that he was having an "Impromptu rendezvous" at Milaca the next day, Friday December 14 at 1:00 p.m. That is short notice on a weekday and I wondered if anyone would make it. I need not have worried. It was about 12:45 when I arrived on a... Full story
Brad Thornberg takes pictures for the same reason he flies a Super Cub...for the joy of it. His interest in photography began as a child, largely due to his father's influence. "Ever since I was little, my dad had a camera in his hand," said Thornberg" Thornberg and his siblings took up the hobby as well. "A lot of it is just amateur stuff where we're out there shooting more for the fun of it than anything else," Said Thornberg. Born in Cambridge, Minnesota, raised in Bloomington, and always fee... Full story
Before engine shutdown, pilots should be able to know how much money they will have to shell out when making a pit stop at one of our nation's thousands of fixed based operators (FBOs). But the reality is that too many pilots are flying blind. Many FBOs don't clearly disclose the costs pilots will incur when making a fuel stop, parking on the ramp, or dropping off a passenger. It's time we end that practice before our pricey $100 hamburger turns into a $1,000 hamburger. Egregious pricing and... Full story
Tree of Hope had another successful year thanks to all those that made donations and volunteered. Without people like you, Tree of Hope would not be successful. We were able to supply 40 hospitals across Minnesota (including two in Wisconsin), five Ronald McDonald Houses and three homeless shelters. The weather was not conducive to flying so there were no planes that flew in. Even Santa and his reindeer couldn't land. There were many that drove in to Maple Lake Airport to drop off toys and pick... Full story
Girls in Aviation Day Long Beach will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2019, with approximately 250 girls ages 8 to 17 from the local area being introduced to the career and lifestyle possibilities available in aviation. Lt. General Stayce Harris will be the luncheon speaker. Based in Washington, D.C., she is the Inspector General of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Secure online registration is available at www.wai.org/19conference. Discounted registration is available for military personnel and full-time students.... Full story
Flight Unlimited President, Reverend Linton Scott introduces inner-city kids to general aviation for much more than the thrill of riding in an airplane. Based at Crystal Airport, Flight Unlimited's office is housed in the administration building next to the control tower. Its 1973 Piper Cherokee sits in a hangar nearby. "The first thing is not a ride," said Scott about learning how to fly. "The first thing is to get a broom and a rag and learn how to clean the plane and sweep the hangar. Kids... Full story
It takes a man of vision to see potential for a thriving restaurant in a space located away from foot traffic, devoid of retail business, housed in the last building on a dead-end road. However, restaurateur, Troy Reding is a man of vision. The last restaurant in the Holman Field Administration Building at the St. Paul Downtown Airport closed in 1999. Flooding in the early 2000s kept the space deserted until an offer was presented to Reding late last year by the Metropolitan Airport Commission... Full story
Academy College, located in Bloomington, MN, has established Preferred Hiring Agreements with CommutAir/United Express, GoJet Airlines, Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines, and Redwing Aero Company. These programs create opportunities in these companies for the students of Academy College enrolled in either the Commercial Pilot, Aircraft Dispatcher or Aviation Business programs. Preferred Hiring Agreements include many benefits for Academy College students, including the opportunity to observe training classes at airline corporate headquarters, access... Full story
