Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Sorted by date Results 426 - 450 of 685
C.M. Swanson Controlled excitement just oozes out of EAA Chapter 237 members, based at Anoka County Blaine Airport. Reasons are many and varied. For some, it's Super Saturdays. The second Saturday of every month, all year long, the EAA Chapter is serving breakfast, offering Young Eagle Flights, and in engaging IMC Club gatherings. IMC Clubs are based on the premise that pilots can benefit by sharing experiential knowledge. "I call it organized hangar talk," said EAA Chapter 237 IMC Coordinator... Full story
Third Class Medical Reform has had an intense, long journey from its introduction to Congress in 2011 to its final passage and signing into law in 2016. Introduced as the Pilot’s Bill of Rights by Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), the bill was subsequently revised to the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 (PBR2), attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), became part of an FAA funding extension bill in the House and Senate, then ultimately signed into law by President Obama July 15, 2016. The FAA then adopted the Third Class Medical Ref... Full story
Duluth In January Cirrus Aircraft announced the launch of the all new 2017 G6 – the smartest, safest and most advanced models ever of the best-selling SR22T, SR22 and SR20 piston airplanes. The benchmark for high-performance, single engine aircraft has been uniquely raised once again by Cirrus to include the just unveiled, ultra-high speed Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin® flight deck, luxury automotive-inspired Cirrus Spectra™ wingtip lighting, premium cockpit connectivity solutions and m... Full story
The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame will proudly hold its 28th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota on April 22, 2017. The awards ceremony will be emceed by popular radio personality, Al Malmberg, host of WCCO Radio’s World of Aviation. Awards will be presented to six inductees, including James H. Brodie, inventor of a system of utilizing small private aircraft for sub and search patrols in the Pacific during WWII; Edward J. Chapman, Vietnam fighter pilot, United Captain, balloonist; A... Full story
When passion and drive give birth to an idea, it rarely dies. It does, however, transform. Such is the case with the Blaine Airport Promotions Group (BAPG), beginning in 2010 out of the minds (and pockets) of Harvey Karth and Roger Hansen. In the beginning, one of the motivational prompts for the duo was the security fence around the Anoka County Blaine Airport. While it served its purpose for safety, Karth and Hansen wondered aloud if it didn't also send a message to the community to keep out.... Full story
Recently I hitched a ride to Rochester International from Stanton Airfield to retrieve an aircraft. When my ride arrived, we watched his landing and commented that his white strobe lights weren't on. At half a mile from our viewpoint we finally saw them blinking. A cold overcast blanketed the Earth at 6000 AGL. The flight to RST was noneventful as we enjoyed the dense air and added performance in the Cessna 172. We received instruction to report the field in sight at 10 miles out. GPS says 12... Full story
It is not surprising to hear Santa Claus worked overtime during this season of gift giving, joy sharing, and celebrating the birth of baby Jesus. Flying about in his Super Cub, even before Christmas the jolly man in red and white visited Lino Lakes Airpark where he saw 40 children, and Park Rapids, where he saw over 100 chil- dren! This publication went to press prior to Santa's scheduled visit at Key Air at Anoka County Blaine Airport, however, a peek at his schedule indi- cated his visit was... Full story
It's more important than pride to which the Northland Aerospace program at Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) in Thief River Falls, Minnesota may righteously lay claim. It's about creating an educational foundation for emerging technology with such high impact, its full effect will only be known with passage of time. Marking a specific point in time where evolving technology and industry meet is where Northland Aerospace draws a line in the sand. The One-Two-Three Punch Northland... 
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School days in the 1950s were sometimes punctuated by "Air Raid Drills". The Cold War was on. The Soviet Union had built a nuclear bomb. It was probably false hope, but we practiced taking shelter in the school basement. Some wealthy people even had bomb shelters in their back yards. Military experts figured Soviet bombers would reach the United States by flying over the North Pole. To get us enough warning to take shelter, a series of radar stations was built to detect the incoming aircraft.... Full story
Tree of Hope Once again the Tree of Hope toy collection was held on the first Saturday of December at Maple Lake Airport. The aviation community came through to help support children and their families that are hospitalized over the holidays. The airport was kept busy with over 35 planes ( a record number) flying in to drop off toys. Even Santa took time to fly in with some toys! There was lots of activity inside also with over 65 volunteers helping to get toys ready to go to hospitals.... Full story
Since attending his first air show at two-and-a-half years old, our grandson Cash has been fascinated with airplanes and flying. To satisfy his curiosity, and possibly plant the seed for a lifetime of discovery and excitement, Carla, my wife and I arranged for Cash, now four years old, to take his first "flight lesson." On November 6, 2016 Cash, Jordan (his mother, who is also my daughter) and I went to Twin Cities Aviation based at Anoka County Blaine Airport. When we arrived, we were escorted... Full story
Heather McNevin, CFI, Air Traffic Controller, NAFI Master Aviation Educator Have you ever landed at the wrong airport? Don’t worry, you are not alone. You may think this an impossible mistake given today’s technology but I assure you, people do it every year. Culprits range from student pilots to ATPs. In fact, a highly experienced flight crew for a major carrier just had this issue. In some locations, it happens, or nearly happens, several times a month! Often, these high occurrence areas will broadcast an advisory on the ATIS to warn pil... Full story
Elbow Lake, Minnesota has earned the right to inscribe Pride of the Prairie on a sign at its municipal airport. Their modest population of 1,165 put together a thriving municipal airport that richly enhances their community. "People from Elbow Lake and the surrounding area have been involved in aviation since WWII," said Paul Brutlag, President of the current Airport Board of Directors. "In the early years, we used to have a grass strip and hangars with open fronts. Back in the 1970s we started...
Proceed direct to earth Admitting they get few requests but were happy to oblige (after confirming our arrival with the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) Tower), Orlando Approach advised us to expect the RNAV GPS 15 approach. We were on a route from Atlanta via the MCN VOR to the famous SLF. Having received vectors upon reaching KEVB, we were more than just a little excited when Orlando issued directive. "Descend to 3,000," and moments later, "You are 5 miles from Earth (IAF)...proceed direct...
Tom Lymburn The full moon was the only light on the gray gravel of lot 3-the Participants and Media lot. Race crews filtered slowly out of the banquet hangar, last good byes, hugs, slaps on the back, jokes, and joshes delivered, and wended their tired, sunburned ways toward rental cars, dusty pickups, and RV'S. Sawbones team would be taking many ways home-airliner, truck, and race plane. Sue and I trudged toward the gate, past Formula 1 racers being disassembled for trucking home. Wings and... Full story
C.M. Swanson When he was not flying, the late John Benson sat in a barber's chair next to a wood stove at his airport on his farm, sharing stories about aviation. One of the familiar stories is how, in the 1930s, his brother Roger plowed an airstrip on the farm just east of Bald Eagle Lake in White Bear Township. "John actually got his pilot's license when he was 15 years old," said EAA Chapter 745 president, Jerry Fleischhacker at the October 8 Fly-In Breakfast. The old barber chairs still sit... Full story
It didn't take long for Minnesota EAA Chapter 237 to rally once they got the call for assistance from Grantsburg Municipal Airport requesting Young Eagle rides for community members in Wisconsin. "Twenty-four airplanes flew in," said EAA Chapter 237 president Kirk Fjetand. "Forty Young Eagles fights were given to children during the event. For many of them, it was their first flight." The local media was also on hand to record the event. "It's good to see so much support for the airport in... Full story
C.M. Swanson Positive societal change doesn't happen by chance. It takes drive, dedication, and determination. Judging by those standards, the Minnesota STEM workforce call to action held by AirSpace Minnesota and Aerospace Industries Association at the Minnesota Department of Education Conference Center on October 6 was a rousing success. From the morning visit from Senator Amy Klobuchar, to keynote speakers Dr. John Olson, Vice President and General Manager of Polaris Defense and Dale... Full story
In a genuine show of support for general aviation and the importance of an airport to a community, Osceola's Airport Commission, Area Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and Village of Osceola gathered at the airport to serve the public during their annual Wheels and Wings Fly-In at the L.O. Simenstad Municipal Airport in September.... Full story
Animals and airplanes drew an interested crowd to the Commemorative Air Force hangar at Fleming Field Airport October 15 for the second annual Planes and Paws Pet Expo. Event activities included a pet costume contest complete with prizes, vendors of animal rescue services and related fields, and, of course, aircraft on display for up close public viewing. Kathy Fox, Quality Assurance Manager at Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. based at the South St. Paul Airport said the response from the event they put... Full story
C.M. Swanson On a warm Sunday evening in late August, one of Key Air's hangars at Anoka County Airport looked like a movie set. In actuality, it was more exciting than that. Folks gathered from all around to see, feel, and touch the SF50, a personal jet recently unveiled by Cirrus. Ryan and Jennifer Lake from Blaine were among those gathered. The couple currently rents an SR22 but they were curious about the new aircraft. "We're here just checking out the Vision Jet and the newer SR22 Cirrus... Full story
C.M. Swanson When just the right team is matched with compatible, effective management; when business is set in a harmonious, symbiotic location; when benefits extend to the community, brilliance happens at an airport. Brainerd Lakes Area Regional Airport captures this exact configuration of elements in the community it serves. This spring, Steven A. Wright assumed the Airport Director position, and Joe Birkemeyer became manager of Northpoint Aviation, the airport's FBO. Both men have similar... Full story
The Metropolitan Airports Commission MAC recently presented Randy Corfman and Kirk Fjetland with the Promotion of Aviation Award at Anoka County-Blaine Airport. "The work you do with the EAA, and all of your other volunteer work truly strengthens our airport community," said MAC Reliever Airports Manager Joe Harris. Following are statements given to the Minnesota Flyer upon request. "I am so honored and humbled to receive this award. Awards that one receives from those with whom one works are... Full story
Now in its ninth successful year, WomenVenture activities were expanded this year to a week-long event, but Wednesday was declared Women's Day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. WomenVenture has provided a way for women to connect at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh while having Oshkosh-style fun at the same time. WomenVenture Wednesday began at the EAA Nature Center with a sold-out Women in Aviation International Connect breakfast, sponsored by Avemco, and attended by more than 400 enthusiastic showgoers.... Full story
A well deserved congratulations to Bailey Murawski who received her private pilot license 8 August, is going to medical school, and just got engaged to be married. An energetic, smiling Murawski has been spotted, usually with a text book in her hands, at Rush City Airport, Mora Airport and others over the course of her active summer. It looks like a bright future on the horizon for this dynamic young woman. C.M.Swanson... Full story
