The Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) has announced the passing of Bruce R. Hanson of Surfside Seaplane Base (8Y4) in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Hanson was a founding father of MSPA and a pioneer and highly respected figure in the seaplane community in Minnesota. He passed away May 10, 2025, at the age of 94.
Inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005, Bruce Hanson was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, grew up on a dairy farm, and became an over-the-road truck driver. He also began flying as a hobby in 1963 and moved to Forest Lake, Minn. In 1970, Hanson, with some partners, bought the Surfside Seaplane Base, and shortly thereafter, he bought out his partners and began a program of improving the seaplane base each year. Surfside Seaplane Base is considered the largest seaplane facility in the lower 48 states.
Hanson completed a sod runway next to the seaplane base, dredged slips to the shore, and began hosting the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association’s annual picnic. The 1900 X 125 ft. grass airstrip is identified as MN24.