Christopher Roy
by Chris Roy, Director
Mn/DOT Office of Aeronautics
Well, spring is on the horizon and I know that pilots who haven’t flown since the beginning of winter are getting excited to get back in the air. Though this passing winter has not been too harsh, it still had some days that chilled you to the core. But the days are getting noticeably longer and in a few weeks we won’t have to think about freezing temperatures or ice…at least not at the surface level.
All this drives us to get outdoors and take pleasure in the boundless beauty that can be experienced through flight. Just imagine flying over the prairie and seeing vast fields full of spring clover and trillium. Picture the many sparkling lakes surrounded by wetland grasses that wave gently in the breeze. This kind of beauty cannot be as fully appreciated until you fly!
This “season of renewal” is also a great time to renew or upgrade your pilot certificate. Go talk to your favorite flight instructor and make your plans to enhance your flying, today! What better way is there to enjoy the beauty of the coming seasons than by flying? What better way can you find to expand the enjoyment of flight than by improving your skills or stepping up to the next pilot certificate level and maybe even a larger, faster aircraft?
Spring is also the perfect time to participate in the “Adopt-An-Airport Program.” It follows that one person and/or one group of people can enhance the beauty and value of their airport for their community by adopting that airport. Any public-use airport in Minnesota is eligible to participate in the program, and it provides a means by which communities may become involved in their local airports and assist in the maintenance and beautification of their airport facilities. Check it out at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/aved/adoptanairport/adopt_airport.html
I have one more important thing to share with you. This season of renewal is also an excellent point in time for every aviator, or anyone that has a significant interest in aviation, to begin preparing themselves not only for flight, but also for sharing the facts about aviation with…well…everyone in their community. If we want to continue to make aviation grow or at the very least maintain what we have, we need everyone out there in the community telling the story of aviation. It is a must that you keep your elected officials (local, county and state) well informed about the value and importance of aviation in your city, town or village.
Only you can tell the story of aviation locally with the local flavor that will drive the clear message to the elected officials. Only you can voice the issues with a level of intensity and depth that demonstrates the importance of aviation to those in community, county and state leadership. Remember one person can make a difference.
Our office has a recent publication titled “Aviation In Minnesota,” to help you do just that! It shows the important roles aviation plays in Minnesota. Contact our office and request free copies. You can also access the publication online at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page. You can download the copy (pdf) right there.
Enjoy the coming spring!
