Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association Seminar A Success!

Photos by Brad Thornberg
Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association Seminar A Success!
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine – December 2021/January 2022 Online Issue

BRAINERD, MINN. – “The 2021 Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) Safety Seminar, September 17-19, 2021, is in the books,” announced MSPA President Steve Guetter in a message to members. The annual event is held at Madden’s on Gull Lake. “My thanks go out to all of our sponsors, vendors and attendees for a great weekend of seaplanes and friends!”

The beach at Madden’s was full, at least 17 aircraft landed at East Gull Lake Airport (9Y2), and the Saturday evening banquet was sold out!

Besides a great lineup of seminar speakers, Wipaire hosted their second annual poker run! Prizes included an Electro Air E-Mag system and half off someone’s registration fees. Through the poker run, Wipaire donated over $1,400.00 to MSPA.

A silent auction raised a staggering amount of money for the association. A bidding war broke out between Tanis Aircraft and Air Trek North. Both companies ended up donating $5,000.00 for a pair of AOPA-donated “Windsock Socks.”

MSPA has received overwhelming feedback that attendees like the September timing for the seminar. In the past, the seminar was held in the spring, but due to the pandemic, the dates were changed to the fall. The dates for the 2022 seminar will be announced soon.
Check out episodes 31 and 38 of the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) Water Flying podcasts, both highlighting floatplane flying in Minnesota and the MSPA Safety Seminar (https://seaplanepilotsassociation.org/captivate-podcast/).

The seminar is one of two major events sponsored by MSPA each year. The other event is a pig roast held in August. For additional information, visit www.mnseaplanes.com.
The purpose of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association is to promote seaplane flying and safety programs throughout the state of Minnesota. MSPA approaches governmental agencies to educate officials, the legislature and the public in the understanding of seaplane operations, and to create safe and compatible seaplane base facilities in the state.