Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota, will once again host the annual Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) Seminar & Fly-In, May 15-17, 2015. Floatplanes can land on Gull Lake and fixed gear aircraft can land at East Gull Lake Airport, located immediately adjacent to Madden’s. Madden’s Resort has non-oxygenated 91 fuel at its marina for floatplanes. Car rental and fuel is available at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (KBRD). Fuel is not available at East Gull Lake Airport, but Madden’s will pick up pilots and their passengers upon their arrival. For additional information on East Gull Lake Airport, call 218-828-9279. East Gull Lake Airport is a grass airstrip, 2618 x 160 feet.
Madden’s Resort is owned and operated by the Thuringer family, and Brian Thuringer and his son, Ben, are themselves pilots and aircraft owners. As active members of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association, the Thuringers extend a warm welcome to fellow pilots.
Reservations for lodging can be made online at www.maddens.com, by calling Madden’s Resort at 800-642-5363, or emailing reservations@maddens.com. Accommodations range from cottages and hotel rooms, to luxury villas.
All seaplane seminar topics are pertinent to floatplane operations, and most are pertinent to both floatplanes and fixed gear aircraft. The Saturday night banquet will feature an entertaining speaker, and watching the arrivals and departures of floatplanes on Gull Lake is spectacular!
Seminar speakers will include Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics Director, Cassandra Isackson; the chief pilot at MNDOT Aeronautics, Jeff Flynn; Seaplane Pilots Association Executive Director, Steve McCaughey; FAA aviation safety inspector, Kevin Morris; aquatic invasive species specialist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Jason Jenson; and float manufacturers Chuck Wiplinger of Wipaire, Inc., Jeff Voight of Aeroset, and Brian Huberty of Clamar. Discussing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and rules and regulations affecting their operation will be Brian Addis, chief pilot at Wipaire, Inc.; Kevin Morris of the FAA; and retired air traffic controller, Mark Schreier. Floatplane maintenance and pilot medicals will also be covered.
To register for the seminar, go to: www.MnSeaplanes.com, or contact MSPA President Randy Schoephoerster at randy@airtreknorth.com (952.594.1184), or Ben Thuringer at Ben@maddens.com (218.838.2805).
In addition to the seminar and fly-in in Brainerd, the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association will hold its annual “pig roast” on Sunday, August 9, 2015 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at Surfside Airport (8Y4) in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. For additional information refer to www.mnseaplanes.com or call Bruce Hanson at 651-332-0444 or contact Randy Schoephoerster at randy@airtreknorth.com (952-594-1184).
EDITOR’S NOTE: Pilots searching for an idyllic location to obtain their seaplane pilot certificate, while their families are enjoying various resort activities, might want to consider Madden’s “Seaplane Flight Training Package” that includes four days/three nights of lodging, golfing and breakfast and dinner each day (meals and golfing are extra for each additional family member). For additional information, contact Madden’s Resort.
