Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame board invites Minnesota Flyer readers to join us for the 29th Annual Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, April 21, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bloomington. Six persons will be inducted. 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... Full story
My Dad and I talked about flying ever since I can remember. He flew for John and Mary Jane Rice's Willmar Air Service doing flight instruction and crop spraying in overweight, underpowered Champs. I just barely remember him spraying and once landing in the field across the road. For years Willmar Air Service held a fly-in and pancake breakfast and my Dad would give rides in John's Mooneys. At one of these fly-ins when I was 13 I saw an airplane all made from wood. It was a Pietenpol and I... Full story
Another successful year for Tree of Hope! The weather was perfect, probably the best year ever, with sunny skies and warm weather. Santa flew in in his Piper Super Cub and was on hand to welcome the twenty plus pilots that flew into the Maple Lake Airport. Many others drove in from far and wide to deliver toys for Tree of Hope. At the collection site, volunteers worked to help sort toys, make sure they all had batteries, and bag them up for the hospitals according to each hospital's needs. Bags... Full story
Twas the Season to be Jolly, and Super Cub Santa was certainly that! "Santa's Elves did a super job decorating the super cub again this year!" said Randy Corfman, President of the MN Pilots Association, who happens to know Santa quite well. "Santa is very Pro-Aviation, and there is no better way to promote Aviation than through these children!"... Full story
In 2016 a Scholarship program established in 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. Meet Erik Stitt Erik was born and raised just north of the twin cities. He graduated from St. Francis High School. Throughout his youth, he spent a lot of time with the Boy Scouts, eventually earning the highest rank as an Eagle Scout. Erik always had a strong interest... Full story
Ron Renner was attending Air Venture 2016 in Oshkosh with his grandson, who thought it would be so much fun to sit in an actual airplane cockpit. Later, back home in Glenwood, Minnesota, Ron thought how nice it would be to invite neighborhood kids to the airport and let them sit at the controls of some of the local airplanes. So, the invitation went out to both Starbuck and Alexandria area pilots to bring their planes to Glenwood Airport on July 30, 2017. This activity was the first of its kind... Full story
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHoF) is pleased to announce the availability of scholarships to be awarded at the Annual MAHoF Induction Banquet. These scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are pursuing a career in the aviation industry. Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship: This scholarship is funded by numerous anonymous Hall of Fame donors. The Hinz Family Red Tail Scholarship: The Hinz Family has sponsored this scholarship in commemoration of Donald E. Hinz who lost... Full story
In 2015, Jim Jacobson entered into an agreement with Albert Lea Municipal Airport FBO owner, Jim Hanson to provide flight instruction from a building on the airport grounds. Both understood plans for a new terminal at the airport were underway. Over 20 years of experience in aviation, as well as a lifetime of farming in the area had provided Jacobson with ample opportunity to learn how to calmly meet challenges as they arose. So, it was with confidence Jacobson established Accelerated Aviation... Full story
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
“No luggage?” It was oh-dark-thirty and we’d just left the VW at the Park-N-Fly. Sue had a small shoulder bag and I had my camera bag. “It went ahead on the semi.” “Semi?” “We’re part of an air racing team, heading to Reno for the races.” “They race airplanes?” For as long as the Reno races have existed, they are not as well known to the public as one might expect. In the Golden Age of Air Racing, from 1929 to 1939, speed in the air was a major attraction nationwide. Today, mention air raci... Full story
What is Tree of Hope? Tree of Hope is an all volunteer program that collects and distributes toys to hospitals across Minnesota for children that are in the hospital over the holidays. Who is involved? Tree of Hope was started in 1991 by a group of aviation enthusiasts who saw a need to support these children and families through a difficult time. The program has grown over the years and last year supplied 38 hospitals across the state of Minnesota with toys. Tree of Hope is supported by EAA... 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
D. Lee, SEH The airport serves as one of four international ports of entry into the United States and approximately 15,000 passengers arrive and depart from the airport daily. The airport is also one of nine in Minnesota that offers commercial airline service. The new 18,000-square-foot terminal opened on October 4 and the community celebrated with an official ribbon cutting hosted by International Falls Mayor Bob Anderson on October 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith... Full story
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
The joys of flying typically bloom in the summer for most pilots. They finally open their hangar, get some light to shine on that bird and clean off that layer of dust that forms from months of hibernation. For me it's a little different. My Supercub stays on its floats all winter. It makes its way into the shop two or three times throughout the winter for minor maintenance and/or a new mod here or there. The Cub is a working airplane and winter is a time to get it tuned up and dialed in for... 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
If there was a gathering place for hangar doors, the Waterloo Regional Airport may qualify. Schweiss Doors has been delivering bifold doors to the Waterloo, Iowa airport for the last 20 years, some doors up to 60 feet wide. The list of Schweiss hangar doors at this city-owned property numbers 13 in all. Six of the bifold liftstrap doors measure 60-feet wide by 21-feet, 6-inches high, with two more measuring 59-feet wide. The airport is also home to several smaller bifold doors, including four... Full story
Wipaire, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted approval for Supplemental Type Certificate SA2CH for the installation of Wipline® 13000 floats on the Viking Series 400 Twin Otter. Approval for Wipaire's Amphibian Gear Advisory System (Supplemental Type Certificate SA39CH) was also expanded to the Cessna 172R and 172S. The system is also available in China on the Cessna 208 Caravan, 208B Grand Caravan, Quest Kodiak, Air Tractor AT-802/80... 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
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
