by Jim Hanson Copyright 2020. All rights reserved! Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine (online) – December 2020/January 2021 issue As I write this article, I am manning my empty office…
Tag: Jim Hanson
A Positive Look At GA
Letter to the city finance director of Wayne, Nebraska. From Jim Hanson Corporate Pilot & Manager of Albert Lea Municipal Airport Albert Lea, Minnesota Published in Midwest Flyer – June/July 2020…
DICK READE
A journey back in time! by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2020 issue I’ve been flying for 58 years. You might well imagine that I’ve seen a…
Accelerated Flight Training – Is it for you?
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – August/September 2019 issue I like to fish, and I fly to Canada often. There are so many great lodges in Canada, but…
Gate Guardians
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – December 2018/January 2019 We’ve all seen them…airplanes, helicopters, tanks, artillery pieces, and other pieces of military hardware on display at military bases…
Flying The Line
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2018 I wanted to see the Air Choice One operation for myself, so I asked company officials if I could ride…
AIR CHOICE ONE
Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2018 All too often, we complain about things that go wrong in the aviation world. We fail to look at the big picture—that despite…
AOPA’s Rusty Pilots Seminars
All too often, we complain about things that go wrong in the aviation world. We fail to look at the big picture—that despite all of our complaints, we still have…
Private Airport Owner Hosts Fly-In Without Fear of Liability
Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2017 issue DE PERE, WIS. – Jay Baeten, owner of Antique Aerodrome in De Pere, Wisconsin (9WS2), was able to host a fly-in at…
Clarification On Minnesota Fuel Tax Sought & Clarified
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2017 issue Recently, an airport manager from Minnesota who is responsible for the fuel sales at his airport, was confused over…
When Things Go RIGHT!
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2017 issue As aviation consumers, all too often we complain when things go wrong – and we ought to complain. Sub-par…
Fagen Fighters WWII Museum… A Flying Treasure Created By A Flying Family
by Jim Hanson Published by Midwest Flyer – February/March 2017 I’ve been to most of the big and famous aviation museums in the United States, and elsewhere. I love visiting…
When Things Go RIGHT!
by Jim Hanson As aviation consumers, all too often, we complain when things go wrong. Perhaps it’s just human nature to complain, but as one aviation mentor told me decades…
Letter from Bob Worthington
Published in Midwest Flyer – Aug/Sept 2016 Dave: I finished reading the magazines you sent me. Looking forward to getting more! In the February/March 2016 issue, I really liked the…
A GA Pilot’s Perspective On Flying The Space Shuttle
by Jim Hanson Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine – Aug/Sept 2016 In the June/July 2016 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, I shared my experience flying a King Air 200 to…
GA Pilot Lands GA Aircraft At Cape Canaveral
by Jim Hanson I recently had the opportunity to do something REALLY different–and REALLY fun in aviation! A national association of pilots (the name cannot be revealed because by their…
OPERATION LZ… A Community Air Show To Finally Welcome Home Our Vietnam Vets
by Jim Hanson Regardless of national policy in Washington, we tend to support our military personnel, whether we agree with that policy or not. For instance, when the decision was…
Teaching Students, Teaching Teachers, Teaching Ourselves – A Great Glider Weekend!
by Jim Hanson I was recently reminded why I like gliding: • It gets you into the air. • It’s a chance to improve your aviation skills and airmanship. •…
State Legislative Sessions & AOPA Off & Running!
News & Information You’ll Want To Know In Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota & South Dakota by Bryan Budds Manager, AOPA Great Lakes Region The 2015 legislative…
Lake Area Technical Institute Thriving!
by Jim Hanson SIDEBAR: The irony of it all! At a time when pilots are in short supply, avionics technicians are in short supply, and mechanics are in short supply,…
Once-And-For-All – No Question About It – Flying Motor Gliders Is The Way To Fly Without A Medical & Much More!
by Jim Hanson I like gliders. They are pure sport. There is not pretension of being able to use them for efficient and reliable travel. Gliders fly more like jets…
Lessons Learned About GA, From Unlikely Sources
by Jim Hanson It seems like it’s been years since we had any good news in the General Aviation industry. Oh, don’t get me wrong…innovation and new products come out…
Minnesota’s Aviation Bill An Improvement
by Jim Hanson Manager of Albert Lea Airport Inc. Albert Lea, Minnesota It’s mostly good news! Eliminating the tax on aviation parts not only helps Minnesota airplane owners, but helps…
Flight Instructor Pay & The Future of Flight Training
by Jim Hanson I have received feedback from a reader on my recent article on “Student Starts and Pilot Retention.” I’m always glad to receive feedback—either brickbats or bouquets. It…
Letter From Vickie Vandenbelt
Dear Dave: I just received a complimentary copy of Midwest Flyer – August/September (2013) issue – and there are some great articles in it. I did see a great article…
Giving That First Ride In An Airplane
by Jim Hanson Most of us enjoy flying so much that we can’t wait to share it with others. We are proud that we can do something that most people…
Minnesota Inducts Industry’s Best At 24th Annual Hall of Fame
BLOOMINGTON, MINN. – Inducted April 20, 2013 at the Ramada Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington, Minn., was Darwin “Dale” Johnson of Crookston, Raymond Johnson of Marshall, John H. Kahler…
Letter From Gayle Small & Response From Jim Hanson
Dear Dave: These days, in GA conversations and publications, there are few topics that can encourage more heated discussions than that of recruiting and retaining pilots. I have just read…
Response To Article On Recruiting & Retaining Pilots
Dear Dave: I read with interest your magazine. I have followed both parts of Jim Hanson’s articles on flight training. Some of what he has said I tend to agree…
Revitalizing General Aviation By Overhauling Federal Aviation Regulations Part 2 – Air Charter
by Jim Hanson In the October/November 2012 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, I began a discussion of how most people first experience general aviation, and noted that they either get…
Letter From Jim Hanson
Dear Dave: You have to wonder what he (the filmmaker) is buying for “$7,000 to $20,000 used, but in great condition?” My single-seat Kolb Firestar – a former ultralight turned…
Six Aviators To Be Inducted Into Minnesota’s Aviation Hall of Fame In 2013
BLOOMINGTON, MINN. – Six aviators with impressive aviation backgrounds will cross the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Induction banquet stage on April 20, 2013 at the Ramada, Mall of America…
Revitalizing General Aviation By Overhauling Federal Aviation Regulations
Part 1 – Air Rides by Jim Hanson How do most people first experience General Aviation? Usually with a ride from a friend, which often leads to an interest in…
Changing Your State’s Recreational Use Statute To Include Private Airstrips
by Jim Hanson Minnesota joins 15 other states in providing protection for private airstrip owners who allow other pilots to use their airstrips. Within the region served by Midwest Flyer…
Letters To The Editor
Dave: Thanks for the great article on Jeff Baum (Oct/Nov 2011). I learned several things about Jeff I did not know. I’ve known Jeff ever since he started in the…
Part IV – FAA Reforms Needed To Help Recruit & Retain Pilots
by Jim Hanson In previous issues of Midwest Flyer Magazine, CFII Jim Hanson began a discussion on “Student Starts & Pilot Retention,” which he wrote prior to the release of…
Part III What Can We Do Nationally To Recruit & Retain Pilots?
In previous issues of Midwest Flyer Magazine, CFII Jim Hanson began a discussion on “Student Starts & Pilot Retention,” which he wrote prior to the release of findings from research…
Air Show Star, Historian & Inventor Among Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees
BLOOMINGTON, MINN. – No one could ask for a better backdrop than Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) as hundreds of people gathered at the Ramada Mall of America (Thunderbird) Hotel,…
Student Starts & Pilot Retention
by Jim Hanson EDITOR’S NOTE: Flight instructor, fixed base operator and airport manager, Jim Hanson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, responded to the article “What We Can & Cannot Do To…
Albert Lea Pilot Receives Master Pilot Award
by Jim Hanson Lawrence “Larry” Olson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, recently received the prestigious “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.” The award, which recognizes 50 consecutive years of accident and violation-free…