Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2024 Digital Issue
In the world of aviation, where every flight tells a story of passion and perseverance, Don Plooster of Forest Lake, Minnesota, stands out as a living legend. A man who took to the skies in 1975 fueled by the GI Bill, earned his commercial, multi-engine, and seaplane ratings. Don’s journey through the clouds is a testament to dedication and a love for aviation that spans nearly five decades.
After working in the corporate world for several years, Don was hired as the sales manager of a small, privately held company that was the pioneer in the design and manufacturing of miniature hydraulic components, pumps, and power units. The products were sold primarily to the industrial market by fluid power distributors, however, under new ownership, the company focused on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) opportunities in the rapidly expanding leisure products market.
It wasn’t long before a landing gear project was started with a major general aviation company, and Don began traveling to the new company flying one of the six aircraft he had at his disposal as a member of two flying clubs. By 1979, he was flying 225 hours a year, and it was time to purchase his own aircraft – a new Mooney 201.
Producing high-volume aviation products required additional manufacturing space and a new machining center. With this expansion, and the company’s reputation for being an on-time supplier of top-quality products, soon another program was launched, and the company became the major supplier of power tilt and trim units for outboard and stern-drive engines in the much larger boating industry. This required even more travel that included engineering and manufacturing people from both companies, and soon Don was flying over 300 hours a year.
After flying 1,000 hours in three years, Don traded his first Mooney for a new 1982 model with the latest features and avionics. The company continued to develop new products for vehicles in the recreation, military, lawn and garden, and automotive markets. Along with this activity and the increasing demands for marine products, business was booming, and the company was sold to a world supplier of fluid power products. By now, N201CC was flying over 500 hours a year.
With a spirit of servitude to its customers, and the company’s superb growth, Don retired in 1999 at age 62 with 8,250 hours on his Mooney aircraft.
Fast forward 25 years… Now at age 87, Don continues to fly as often as he can, but now with a safety pilot because of medical issues. Being an avid outdoorsman and adventurer, he has hunted and fished in many states and Canadian Provinces, and even flew his Mooney to Alaska in 1989 and 1990, long before the days of Loran and GPS, using only an ADF and VOR for navigation. After 48 years of continuous flying in 49 States, Don has now logged over 11,000 hours of flight time and made 6,771 landings at 661 airports in the U.S. and Canada, with 339 different passengers. During this period, he has flown 1,125 hours in actual instrument conditions and made 1,169 instrument approaches.
In just two short years, Don will celebrate an incredible milestone – 50 years of accident-free flying. His commitment to safety and his unyielding dedication to aviation, have made him a beacon in the aviation community, inspiring future pilots – including his grandson – and earning the respect of his peers.
Don Plooster’s journey is not just a personal accomplishment, it’s a celebration of the boundless possibilities that take flight when passion meets perseverance. As he continues to soar through the skies, his story remains an inspiration to all who dare to dream of conquering the skies.
EDITOR’S
NOTE: Don Plooster always welcomes the opportunity to reconnect with old friends in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota at dgplooster@msn.com.