by Cassandra Isackson
Director, Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics
Spring is almost here and we are excited about the beginning of another “season” of great aviation events and programs, and I have much to share with you.
We started our “take-off roll” with the Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technicians Conference at the Earl Brown Conference Center, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, March 21-22, 2016. If you are a pilot and you do some of your own maintenance, you might want to attend this conference next year and learn about some of the newest tools, techniques, and guidelines for doing aircraft maintenance. Contact Darlene Dahlseide at darlene.dahlseide@state.mn.us or 651-234-7248 for more information.
Next, we will have the Minnesota Airports Conference at Maddens On Gull Lake, just north of Brainerd, Minnesota, April 20-22. This conference includes technical and safety presentations along with an awards and recognition program. There will also be industry vendors available to share the latest and greatest information and guidance to help you and your airport. For additional information contact: www.airtap.umn.edu/events/airportsconference/2016. By the way, this is a good conference for airport board members to attend!!
Then, April 29-30, 2016, at Anoka County/Blaine Airport (KANE), the Minnesota Pilots Association will hold their annual Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering. For more information, visit the Minnesota Pilots Association website at mnpilots.org. Also please stop by our booth. We’ll be there both days!
On May 20-22, 2016, the annual Minnesota Seaplane Conference will take place at Maddens On Gull Lake in Brainerd. Aeronautics Aviation Representative Chris Meyer will be there to host the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) Spring Safety Seminar. For details on the seminar, please contact: christopher.meyer@state.mn.us. For additional information on the Seaplane Conference, go to: www.mnseaplanes.com.
MnDOT Aeronautics staff will be on hand at the above events to answer your questions, share information, and to provide you with the Airport Directory, if you need one.
We are excited about the photo contest for the best aviation photo that was chosen to grace the cover of our 2016 Airport Directory! This is our first year doing the contest and our winner is Emmanuel Canaan! Registered aircraft owners should now be receiving the directory. We will announce when they are available on our website and also Facebook and Twitter. We will also have them at upcoming events we are attending. Keep in mind that we will be looking for photos later this year. Photos need to be high resolution (approximately 6 megapixels in portrait or 12 megapixels in landscape), featuring aviation in Minnesota. The photographer must be the one who submits the photo, and must provide us with the rights to use the photo in the Airport Directory or other publications and website/social media and other uses. Those who want to submit photos should watch our website for additional details and deadlines starting around August.
I want to remind you to check out our events page at: www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/. Then click on “Events.” We invite you to send us information about your aviation events. We can post it on our events web page. Send your information to: janet.dirtzu@state.mn.us. While we cannot attend every fly-in or event, we do try to go to several each year.
And don’t forget to take our “What makes an airport Minnesota nice?” survey. You’ll find it on the landing page at: www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/. You can also find the link on the pilot’s information page under “weather links.” We really want your input!
One last thought. We know that pilots and mechanics are always in the learning and sharing mode. With that in mind we ask you to help us think of ideas and ways we can work together to reach more youth and get them interested and excited about becoming a part of the aviation family and seeking careers in aviation. If you already have an idea, please share it with us at: aeroinfo.dot@state.mn.us.
