16th Annual Flying Cloud Air Tour

by Kristie Derendinger
Published in Midwest Flyer – December 2019/January 2020 issue

A rainy week cleared on Saturday morning, September 14th; perfect timing for 30 aircraft from Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) and surrounding airports to gather in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and journey south to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (KPDC) to take part in the 2019 Flying Cloud Air Tour!

The quiet morning was suddenly buzzing as the planes started to arrive. Some of the first arrivals were local aircraft taxiing over to the staging area from their hangars across the field. Then more arrived from their home airports of Crystal, Anoka County-Blaine, South St. Paul, and as far away as Aitken, Minnesota. The incoming planes, ranging from a newer Cirrus SR20 to a 1946 Taylorcraft, kept the volunteer marshals on their toes. But thanks to careful planning, every plane had a designated parking spot.

A crowd of nearly 60 pilots and passengers gathered around the coffee and donuts, and picked up their Air Tour hats provided by Air Trek North and Tanis Aircraft Products. Stories were told among old friends; introductions were made by new friends. After a short update on the weather and instructions for the day, the tower manager welcomed the group and answered any questions prior to departure.

And then they were off! Launching every minute, a continuous line of small aircraft made their way southward to Prairie du Chien, 160 miles away. There were some unexpected clouds in the distance, but the lead plane, piloted by Hiroshi Takeuchi, assured the group that the clouds wouldn’t impact our planned route.

Along the way, we flew over the beautiful hills and valleys near Winona, Minnesota. Soon the destination was in sight and plane after plane safely landed at Prairie du Chien. Huckleberry’s Restaurant, just a short walk from the airport, hosted the group for lunch. Great food and awful pilot jokes were enjoyed by all.

After lunch, pilots departed at their discretion, some choosing to visit other airports before returning home, and some routing through Iowa on their way back.

The Flying Cloud Air Tour began in 2004 to get pilots together, socialize, see new flying destinations, and most of all, have fun! This year, the planning responsibilities were bestowed on Brad Johnson, a local pilot who has participated in the tour since 2013.

This marks the 16th year of the air tour. It was a big success, thanks to the fantastic pilot skills of all who participated!

Special thanks to Bill at Flying Cloud Tower; the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) staff at Flying Cloud; the airport manager at Prairie Du Chien, Richard Yeomans and his family; Roxane and the team at Huckleberry’s; and Bill Bittman, Vanessa Sampson, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Liz Takeuchi and all of the other pilots and volunteers for all their help.