Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 376 - 400 of 685
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
This year’s Flying Cloud Air Tour took participants to Park Falls Airport, right next to the Country Club where the event’s activity was a friendly golf competition. Congratulations are in order for the golf winners: Scott Johnson (long drive), James Hennen (best wedge), and Aaron Becker (crosswind influenced ball placement). Folks then flew on to Phillips, Wisconsin Airport for lunch at the Harbor View Restaurant, next to the airport and seaplane base. Flying Cloud Air Tour organizer, Ben McQ... 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
"You've been coming here a long time." It wasn't a question and I wasn't sure if it had implied age or I just looked like an Oshkosh veteran. "Over 30 years," I admitted. "This is our first time. We've had it on our bucket list for years. Now we're finally here." The wind ruffled the umbrella shade over the yellow picnic table by the Subway near the Vintage Red Barn. They were about our age, a couple from Arizona, much farther away from home than we were. "What do you recommend we see?" the... Full story
AirVenture winners in 2017 include Pat Harker's Stinson L-5, which not only won best L-5, but a Silver Wrench. The impressive aircraft is based at Anoka County Airport in Blaine. Tom Lymburn's coverage of the popular annual event held in Oshkosh.... 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
With the soaring season well underway, upper Midwest pilots are working to improve their skills to safely fly their gliders longer and farther. As a long-time glider pilot, I often meet pilots who are surprised to learn gliders do more than glide. Pilots find and work thermals to climb thousands of feet (often to near cloud base), then depart on a 100 or 200 km out-and-back, or triangle flight, stopping at thermals along the way to "refuel." Not all glider pilots fly cross-country. Many are... 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
You want to fly a more challenging (up or down) aircraft than the one you currently wear like an old pair of shoes, or you want to fly off to Salt Lake City next month when the highest terrain you have encountered in your flying career thus far is the Buffalo Ridge in western Minnesota. Where does transition training fit into this? How about on your first flight lesson? The good or bad habits we acquire during our first hours of primary training will carry forward throughout our career unless someone or some-thing intervenes to change our behav... 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...
Wipaire, Inc. is doubling the Federal Aviation Administration’s $500 ADS-B rebate for piston aircraft owners to make ADS-B equipage more affordable. Wipaire’s additional $500 rebate, which can be paired with the FAA program for a total of $1,000, is available to U.S.-registered single-engine piston fixed-wing manned airplanes registered before January 1, 2016. The Wipaire rebate is applied to installation charges for ADS-B equipment purchased through Wipaire and installed at Wipaire’s South St. Paul, Minnesota or Leesburg, Florida locat... Full story
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
What connection does small town, tourist-stop Hinckley, Minnesota have with a landmark flight from Marathon, Florida to Havana, Cuba? The answer may come as a surprise, but it's a lot more than first meets the eye. Former Hinckley resident turned Tobies co-owner, turned pilot, turned CEO of an international aircraft supplier, Tom Schrade, participated in the historical flight from Marathon to Havana organized by the International Air Rally on May 19 to 22. The Cuba Air Rally marks the first... 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
As a Flight Instructor, I have covered emergency procedures ad nauseam. Follow maintenance procedures; make sure everything is documented and up to date. Do a thorough walk-around; file a flight plan; do a safety briefing and know how to use your seatbelts; fly the airplane first, know your V speeds; use a mental emergency checklist; find the best place to land into the wind. Aviate, navigate, communicate. Use a written emergency checklist if time permits. Crack the door(s) open prior to... Full story
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame board is proud to announce the names of the 2018 Inductees. Six persons will be inducted at a Spring 2018 Induction Banquet; they are: Darrell E. Bolduc, aircraft engine specialist and seaplane pilot. Bolduc represents half of the first Father-son inductee pair, as his father, Wilmer Bolduc was inducted in 2002; Roland J. “Ron” Fagen, aerobatic pilot, prominent ethanol production businessman, Vietnam veteran and aviation museum owner; Lt. Ralph D. Gracie, WWI fighter pilot and casualty, the first Min... Full story
This year the Duluth airshow, June 3rd and 4th, featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels & Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The USAF flew the newest, and one of the most venerated planes, the F-35 Lightening II, and the P-51 Mustang in formation. The great bounds of advancement in our warbirds is clearly shown by the diggerences in form, and angle of attack! The F-35 wowed the crowd demonstrating that it is both powerful and agile and can dominate and survive n today's aerial combat arenas. The US Navy's... Full story
Many pilots are intimidated to ask for flight following, but it can be a great additional layer of safety for your flight! You'll get another set of eyes watching over you and helping you spot traffic and weather, and you'll already be talking to a professional should you have an emergency and need help. The benefits are numerous! So, how does one take advantage of this opportunity? All you have to do is ask. The biggest thing with flight following is communication. This leads into our first... Full story
