Flying Scotchman’s Karol Arneson

L/R) Roy and Karol Arneson of Flying Scotchman, Inc., Minneapolis-Crystal Airport, with their daughter-in-law and son, Becky and Randy Arneson.

MINNEAPOLIS – Karol J. Arneson of Flying Scotchman, located at Minneapolis-Crystal Airport, passed away November 17, 2011 at Minnesota Masonic Homes North Ridge in New Hope, Minnesota. She was 87.

Flying Scotchman operated for 53 years, and during that time, trained thousands of pilots, many of whom went on to successful careers in aviation. During those 53 years, not one student or instructor was ever injured.

Karol Arneson was the person customers would call to schedule planes. She treated her high school and college-age customers as her kids, although she and her husband, Roy, had seven boys of their own: Ross, Randy, Bruce, Bradley, Richard, Roger, and Robert. The Arnesons were married in 1946.

Karol Arneson was as knowledge-able about the business and industry issues as her husband, who managed the business. She spoke up at public meetings and through the media when local fixed base operators and airports were threatened. Karol Arneson would invite legislators and members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission to visit their facilities to learn more about general aviation.

Flying Scotchman began as a flying club, and in 1959, the Arnesons made it into a business. The business grew to become one of the largest fixed base operations in the Twin Cities, employing 15 people and operating 13 aircraft.

The Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATA) honored Roy and Karol Arneson in 2009 for 50 years of service to the aviation community. Flying Scotchman closed its doors on February 1, 2011, less than a month before Roy Arneson passed away.

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