by Cassandra Isackson
Director, Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics
Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2019 Issue
Every day I learn more about aviation, and the impact our MnDOT Aeronautics office has on air transportation for Minnesotans. Although I still feel “new” at the office, it has already been more than five years since I became the Aeronautics Director – and in that time, more than half of our staff is new. While we miss those who have retired, or gone on to new challenges, we still have great people doing amazing things. We continue to work hard for aviation safety, aviators, and airports in Minnesota.
Check out our website at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aero/programs.html for a list of many functions we support. Two of the areas where I notice the biggest changes are in our Navigation Systems work, and the rapidly changing area of drone flight.
If you belong to an organization interested in supporting Minnesota aviation, please remember to invite any of our specialists to speak to your group about a topic of interest. The contact list is printed here; you too may be surprised at how many new names there are. The list might be worth posting at your airport next to the MN/DOT weather machine:
• Adopt-An-Airport – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Adopt-A-School – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Aeronautical Chart – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Aeronautical News and Tech Bulletin – Dan McDowell – 651-234-7182
• Air Service Marketing – Kevin Carlson – 651-234-7191
• Air Transportation – Scheduling (shuttle schedule – Internal MnDOT employees only) – Sheila Kvilvang – Linda Connor – 651-234-7222
• Aircraft Registration – Sandra Martinez – Jana Thompson – 651-234-7204
• Airport Directory – Kelly Akhund – 651-234-7234
• Airport Electrical and Lighting Systems – John Schroeder – 651-234-7251
• Airport Improvement Program (AIP) – Dan Boerner – 651-234-7244
• Airport Inspections – 5010 Program – Kelly Akhund – 651-234-7234
• Airport Layout Plan (ALP) – Kevin Carlson – 651-234-7191
• Airport Licenses – Kelly Akhund – 651-234-7234
• Airport Maintenance – Dan Boerner – 651-234-7244
• Airport Land Use Zoning – Ryan Gaug – 651-234-7236
• Aviation Education and Resources – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Aviation Maintenance Technician’s Conference – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Aviation Planning – Ryan Gaug – 651-234-7191
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) – Dan Boerner – 651-234-7244
• Commercial Operations – Leanne Gaiovnik – 651-234-7232
• Enforcement – Rules and Regulations – Rick Braunig – 651-234-7230
• Fly MN Airports! – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7182
• Funding and Grants – Dan Boerner – 651-234-7244 – Matt Lebens – 651-234-7243
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Rick Braunig – 651-234-7230
• Hangar Loan Program – Brian Conklin – 651-234-7241
• Heliports – Rick Braunig – 651-234-7230
• Maintenance and Operation (M and O) – Jenny Bahneman – 651-234-7240
• Navigation Aids General – Michael Hartell – 651-234-7225
• Pavement Management – Dan Boerner – 651-234-7244
• Pavement Marking and Striping – Kelly Akhund – 651-234-7251
• Promotional Programs and Activities – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7182
• Seaplane Seminar – Jeff Flynn – 651-234-7235
• Small Tower Registry – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Tall Towers – Darlene Dahlseide – 651-234-7248
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Drones – Tony Fernando – 651-234-7227
• Weather Dissemination (MN/WAS) – Michael Hartell – 651-234-7125
• Weather Observation System (AWOS) – Michael Hartell – 651-234-7225
• Replacement – Leanne Gaiovnik – 651-234-7232
