Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine April/May 2024 Digital Issue
Michael Schweiss
FAIRFAX, MINN. – Michael L. (Mike) Schweiss, founder and owner of Schweiss Doors, will be inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHF) at ceremonies April 20, 2024, at The Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
Schweiss, a private pilot, entrepreneur and inventor, designs the globally used lift-strap bi-fold and single-piece hydraulic aircraft hangar doors. The bi-fold doors employ nylon straps to replace outdated cable door systems that used cables, pulleys and deadweights. The company’s hydraulic doors require less headroom, are easy to install, and boast the industry’s strongest hinges.
“This is truly an unexpected and humbling honor,” Schweiss says. “The great state of Minnesota is home to so many aviation pioneers and industry leaders. To be included among these folks means more to me than I can say. This is the kind of honor that makes all of us at Schweiss get to the office and work a little bit harder to make sure we’re building the most reliable bifold and hydraulic doors on the market.”
In addition to hangar doors, Schweiss has built doors for such businesses as the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis; the Red Bull HQ; Yankee Stadium; the new Columbus, Ohio, soccer stadium; Cycle City in Hawaii; and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Shanghai. The largest door built thus far is a 90-foot-wide and 60-foot-tall door for a NASA assembly building at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Other 2024 MAHF inductees include Paul F. Dye, who worked for NASA’s Manned Spaceflight Program and was the flight director for 39 Space Shuttle Missions.
Curtis L. Brown, a United States Air Force pilot and NASA astronaut, who flew six Space Shuttle missions. He is also a world-renowned airshow performer, airline pilot and motivational speaker.
Steven R. Petrich, a commercial airline and floatplane pilot, and designer of the Gear Audio Advisory System for floatplanes.
Cherise M. “Cheri” Rohlfing, a Delta Airlines Captain, and adjunct professor at Minnesota State University-Mankato, Department of Aviation, who is heavily involved with several aviation education programs for youth in the state.
William H. “Pat” Magie III, a seaplane pilot, entrepreneur, and author, who has accumulated over 40,000 flight hours having flown 700 different types of aircraft, while operating flying businesses, instructing and performing rescues.
Jonathan “Max” Haynes, an accomplished aviation photographer and artist, who worked with many aviation organizations including Veterans Airlift Command, Red Tail Squadron of the CAF, and the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP). Haynes also helped to create books to inspire young authors and illustrators.
In addition to the inductees, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame will present the 2024 Minnesota Aviation Writer of the Year Award to Paul Dye for his book “Shuttle, Houston,” and the Minnesota Aviation Art Award to Noel Dunn.
The social hour is from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, followed by dinner in the Minnetonka Ballroom and the induction ceremony.
Dress for men is coat and tie, and cocktail attire for ladies.
Cost: $75 per person and this includes free parking.
Reservations may be made with a check payable to MAHOF, 6281 Mallory Lane, Eden Prairie MN 55346. Specify your menu selection of chicken, pork (also gluten-free), or chef’s choice vegetarian salad.
Tickets can also be purchased using a credit card at
www.Eventbrite.com. The deadline for reservations is
April 12, 2024.
Email BanquetReservations@mahof.org or call Carol at 952-906-2833 should you have questions.
For hotel reservations call 952-445-9000 and mention the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame.
