Minnesota Flyer - Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960

Happy Holidays...Happy Holidays...May the Merry Bells Keep Ringing...Happy Holidays to you! In the spirit of the words sung by Andy Williams, we wish our fellow Minnesota Aviators a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

By the time you are reading this you are likely well on your way to pushing the limits on your gross weight (after your Thanksgiving celebrations), and are contemplating weight and balance charts for your aircraft! Yikes! Tis the season!

I happen to be acquainted with Santa Claus, and he has been checking over his list for each of us, tallying who has been bad or nice, readying himself for his Christmas Eve flights. He has a checklist, which was prepared for him by his Elves, and he checks it twice.

Mrs. Claus is always after him about HIS weight and balance, and he is always anxious when he gets on the scales for his North Pole flight physical in the late summer, when he is about as trim as he will be all year round!

Santa wanted me to remind you that you, too, might alter your preflight checklist to be ready for ice in those clouds, for what happens if YOUR sleigh has a problem and you have to spend the unexpected night out in the cold and snowy environment.

"Have that winter sleeping bag in your sleigh, just in case Mrs. Claus isn't there to help warm you up! Ho, Ho, Ho," Santa said. He also wanted to point out that it is a good idea to have at least one of those heavy-duty contractor 3-mil garbage bags in your sleigh where you can easily get to it, as he has experience showing that you can stay very warm, dry and comfy in that should the need arise..."and they don't take up much space!"

Santa points out that you should be prepared to make a fire should your sleigh stall out on your holiday flights, so make sure you have the ability to start a fire.

Santa says there are not many things as comforting as sitting in front of a fire as you listen to the snap, crackle and pop of the campfire!

"My chief elf helps me preflight before each and every sleigh flight, but I make sure that I go through it one line at a time so as to lower the chance of forgetting something," Santa said. "Mrs. Claus reminds me that I am no spring chicken, and that I forget where I left my reading glasses, frequently (sometimes I forget that I am still wearing them! Ho, Ho, Ho!)"

Santa joins the leadership of the Minnesota Pilots Association in wishing you a wonderful time with your loved ones, and as you enjoy each other's company at your local aviation group Christmas parties.

Those parties are so awesome as we celebrate the year we have just survived, and the friendships we enjoy through our love of aviation. We are truly blessed to live in a country in which we can enjoy the Gift of Flight. "Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Wonderful Holiday Season!"