Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
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C.M. Swanson Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restorat... Full story
Sharing a picnic lunch at an airport on a day seemingly special ordered for the event does a lot to encourage children to dream about entering the field of aviation when they grow up. Kindergartners from the University Avenue Aerospace Children's Engineering and Science Elementary (ACES) magnet school did just that as they visited Anoka County Blaine Airport in May. Blaine Airport Promotion Group Founder Harvey Karth and ACES Curriculum Integration Coordinator Kate Watson gathered an impressive... Full story
Bob Lawson attended the second annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering at Anoka County Blaine Airport as a visitor. This year he was there as a vendor. "Last year I just walked around to see who was there and who the vendors were," said Lawson. "What I realized was, there was nobody there who does the kind of work on the interior of airplanes that I do. So this year, I came as a vendor." Lawson is the owner of a Fibrenew franchise. "I do leather, vinyl and plastic repair, restoration, and... Full story
Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Award Banquet's begin with an oh-so-fun social hour where people get mill around with their favorite beverage, introduce themselves to the inductees, and catch up with each other on what's happened for the past year. Artwork is displayed. Bios on inductees are available. Conversations about aviation abound. Stan Turner was the Master of Ceremonies at the April 30 banquet and ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Inductees were Lloyd A. Alsworth, Julie E.... Full story
When John Owen Bohmer, Mike Field, and Dale Fauskee looked at the farm fields in Brooten, Minnesota, in the 1950s, they envisioned an airport...and so the journey began. It started out simple. "We set up a temporary grass strip east of town in a farmer's field," said Bohmer. It was an uncomplicated era when interest in flying was high and just about anybody who wanted a go at it was welcome. Before long, aviation activity outgrew the little grass strip. An associate of Bohmer's, Delbert Anderson... Full story
If you are lucky enough to take flight instruction from Rick's Aviation Adventures, be kind to yourself and schedule time to hear a few stories about Rick Mercil's varied background, as well. One great story you'll want to hear is how Mercil became drawn to aviation in the first place. It was after his schooling in the monastery and before he worked on the Kibutz in Israel. "One summer I had an old beat up 1949 Chevrolet pick up truck," said Mercil. "A buddy of mine and I were sitting on a grave... Full story
Academy College announced the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship at its 80th Anniversary in April. The announcement was broadcast over WCCO radio by Al Malmberg, producer of the World of Aviation, and Nancy Grazzini-Olson, president of Academy College. "We created the Sherm Booen Legacy Scholarship, up to $40,000, for any student obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in our commercial aviation or commercial pilot program," said Grazzini-Olson. "Applications are now open. Go to our website,... Full story
Wind that kept most pilots on the ground didn't hamper a fire watch flight conducted by DNR observer Ron Goetzinger and pilot Lee Casto with Eagle Air. "That's when they want us most," said Casto in an impromptu interview at the Moose Lake Airport. "When it's warm and windy, that's when fire danger is at its highest, so that's when they want us. "We're not necessarily flying in comfortable conditions. We're flying when it's a little bumpy but that's what we do." Goetzinger worked for the DNR... Full story
With the power behind the Minnesota Council of Airports, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Airport Technical Assistance program, the 2016 Minnesota Airports Conference chalked up a huge, successful, well attended event. A variety of venues were available at the Conference held at Madden's on Gull Lake in April featuring experts in aviation and aerospace fields sharing their experiences in general assembly presentations, workshops and open forums. Subject matters included Airline... Full story
conjunction with Paynesville Town and Country Days, held the second week in June. "We always have a parade on Wednesday," said pilot and Paynesville business owner Aaron Kranz. "They coronate the queen during that time, too. There's a car show, a street dance, just a lot of activity in town that week." The Fly-In will be Friday and Saturday, the last two days of Town and Country Days. A shuttle bus will be available to take people from the airport to the hotel, bars, restaurants, café, retail... Full story
You may have seen them at an air show patrolling the flight line. Maybe you saw them last summer helping security at the Burnsville Fire Muster. If a child or an adult is reported lost, odds are these well- trained young volunteers are searching for them. During the holidays they placed wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried at Ft Snelling Cemetery. If a flood or tornado should visit your area, it is likely you will also be visited by the cadets and senior members of the Civil Air Patrol.... Full story
Saturday May 21, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum will present the Holocaust Boxcar Exhibit, its most recent addition to its historical aviation facility. A program to announce the permanent exhibit will begin at 11 a.m. Special guest speakers at the event include Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and Judy Baron, Holocaust Survivor. It will be a rare opportunity to hear first hand experience of the historic occurrence. In... Full story
Being 96-years-old and yet displaying the gleam of a five-year-old in her eyes was just one of the many captivating traits of Elizabeth "Betty" Wall Strohfus. Another was how she made everybody who came in contact with her feel just a little better about themselves after meeting her. Her laughter was contagious, her stories engaging, her love of life bigger than life itself. Yes, the energetic whirling dervish of aviation wore her body out, but Elizabeth Strohfus lives on in the hearts and... Full story
Fourth and fifth graders from the University Avenue Elementary School Aerospace were asking impressive questions during their February visit to the Golden Wings Aviation Museum at Anoka County Blaine Airport. Their advanced knowledge and eagerness to learn could stem from previous visits. "This provides an awesome resources for kids because I'm hearing a lot of really great questions," said Reading Intervention teacher Karla Fox. "I'm hearing how they are taking information they have from previo... Full story
On April 29-30 your MnDOT office of Aeronautics will be at the Anoka County/Blaine Airport (KANE), where the Minnesota Pilots Association will hold their annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering 2016. For more information, please visit Minnesota Pilots Association at mnpilots.org. Feel free to stop by the Aeronautics booth. We invite your questions and comments. We'll be there both days!... Full story
Aviation, while huge in its scope of dollars and cents, and in its impact on our lives today, retains two unique elements that are at best difficult to find in almost any other industry. Those two elements are overriding passion and family. If you have been active in aviation for a number of years, you can go most anywhere in the country and run into someone you know who is in aviation, or someone who knows well, a person you know well, in aviation. It is that kind of family thing that seems to... Full story
His was an engaging voice causing people to stop their own conversations in a restaurant to listen and comment, "Do you hear that?" It caused people to rush home after church on Sunday to watch the World of Aviation on WCCO television. The amiable tone and enchanting timbre of his voice moved people to approach him at public events to say, "I know that voice. Are you Sherm Booen?" "His voice was so unbelievable," said Thunderbird Aviation president Nancy Grazzini-Olson as she shared memories of... Full story
Representatives of aviation related industries and organizations met with legislators for the Fifth Annual Aviation Day at the Capitol in March to discuss the importance of general aviation airports to their surrounding communities. Gordon Hoff, Executive Director of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) offered focus points to attendees during an informal breakfast in the Senate Building prior to meetings with legislators. Members of the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association... Full story
The Duluth Airshow found out today that they have been selected as one of only four shows in 2016 to receive the United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Demonstration Team which will perform during this summer's Duluth Airshow on July 9-10. The Harrier is arguable the loudest aircraft in the entire US Armed Forces and is arguably, the greatest breakthrough in modern day aircraft technology. The Harrier was the first VSTOL capable (vertical/short takeoff and landing) jet in the world giving the... Full story
Minnesota aviator Mitch Gossman recently completed the Fly Minnesota Passport Program. He received his custom leather flight jacket, aviator bag and hat at the Minnesota department of Transportation (MnDOT) office of Aeronautics, Friday, February 5, 2016. He was congratulated by Aeronautics Director Cassandra Isackson (left), Kathy Vesely, Assistant Director of Aeronautics (right), and Darlene Dahlseide, Fly Minnesota program manager (not shown). Gossman, (center) was all smiles as he received... Full story
"We are thrilled," said Academy College President Nancy Grazzini-Olson. "Celebrating 80 years of this college serving the community is such a milestone." Adding to the excitement of the Open House is an announcement of a New Aviation Scholarship being offered through the college, honoring a long time Minnesota aviator (to be announced at the Open House). "With employment opportunities in the aviation industry coming as fast as we can turn out graduates, we wanted to enhance the opportunity for... Full story
When he was in sixth grade in Willmar Elementary School, Brian Bollig knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. "I was building dams when the snow was melting in the gutters, pushing the water different ways," said Bollig. "That's when I knew I wanted to do try to do something with water. That's where my engineering path started." The dream never left him. In time he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Sciences from St. John's University, a Civil Engineering Degree and a Masters Degree in Env... Full story
There has been a multitude of challenges to face in the changing airline industry over the past 39 years. Such times of testing either bring one to one's knees, or build one's ability to run the gauntlet with courage and grace. Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) chose the latter path in his leadership of that organization. A partial list of Hamiel's stellar accomplishments include guiding MAC through deregulation of the airline industry in 1978,... Full story
How long has 17-year-old Mitchell Lindsey wanted to be a pilot? "Since forever," said Lindsey who soloed on his sixteenth birthday and passed his private pilot check ride on his seventeenth birthday. "I've always wanted to be a pilot." Currently a junior at Blaine High School, Lindsey's next goal is an instrument rating, though he doesn't intend to stop there. One day he envisions himself as a commercial pilot for a major air line. His dream is very close to home. Norm Lindsey, his father, is a... Full story
Wings of the North started the New Year off right with their Annual Kickoff Party and Holiday Gathering at Flying Cloud Airport in January. Planning begins now for Air Expo 2016 which will be held in July. However, the first week in May Wings of the North will have a Grand Opening for their official new air museum, something that's been in the works for years. "It really just sort of came together," said museum curator Judy Jasperson. "We have wonderful benefactors who have beautiful airplanes... Full story
