Perfect weather, a beach lined with seaplanes, and a grass airstrip for aircraft on wheels summarize the success of this year’s Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) Safety Seminar, September 20-21, 2024, at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota.
This year’s seminar was special as the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) held its quarterly board meeting at the resort the week prior. After the board meeting, GAMA members participated in Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) fly-outs exploring unique aviation destinations in Minnesota and joined MSPA attendees for social events and meals.
The weekend started Friday afternoon with Wipaire hosting its fifth annual poker run with 21 airplanes participating. The event included flying into four different lakes to draw a card and returning to Madden’s to round out the hand with a final card. This year in addition to the seaplane course, a land course was set up for the GAMA attendees. Half of the proceeds from the seaplane run were donated to MSPA, and all of the proceeds from the land run were donated to RAF. Prizes included half of the seaplane proceeds, along with headsets and a Garmin watch.
The MSPA safety education program began Friday evening with a presentation on IFR departure procedures from grass fields and lakes by the chief pilot of the Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics, Jeff Flynn.
The Saturday education sessions covered a wide variety of aviation topics from regulatory to maintenance and aeronautical decision making. Ryan Gaug, Director of the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics, provided an overview of current projects in the state and future funding for aviation infrastructure. GAMA leadership then took to the podium with a panel discussion of current issues facing our segment of the aviation community, including certification and unleaded fuel programs.
Amy Gesch of Wipaire kicked off the safety education portion of the day with a look at amphibious landing gear position indication and safety systems seen across the industry. Ari Shafer from the FAA rounded out the morning sessions.
Harry Shannon traveled from Florida to share a maintenance presentation that focused on airworthiness directives and maintaining aging aircraft. Harry reminded us that the day we close on or purchase an aircraft is the day we start being the temporary caretaker of that aircraft. Keeping up on maintenance is not only important for the resale value of an aircraft, but important in keeping pilots and their passengers safe.
Our thanks go out to Officer Jason Jensen of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, who for many years joined us for a session on invasive species. This topic is critical for us as seaplane pilots to understand and follow best practices to maintain and keep water open for seaplane operations. Jason will be retiring from the DNR prior to our next seminar.
The afternoon was rounded out with Kyle Lewis from AOPA, and fellow seaplane pilot, Doug Rozendaal, speaking about aircraft accidents. Doug asked attendees the question, “If you know on your next flight you are going to crash, what would you do prior to takeoff to prepare?” None of us plan to have an aircraft accident or incident, but it happens. We need to be trained and be prepared for that eventuality. Kyle dissected an accident with attendees and shared lessons learned.
Through the Wipaire Poker Run, LightSpeed headset raffle and the silent auction, MSPA raised over $7,000 to be used for seaplane scholarships! In 2024, MSPA sponsored three seaplane scholarships that were completed with Minnesota flight schools. The scholarship requirements are available on the MSPA website, www.mnseaplanes.com, as well as the names of scholarship recipients.
Our Saturday evening, the keynote speaker was Victor Vescovo. Victor is an extreme environment explorer and shared amazing experiences on mountains, at the deepest depths of the oceans, at the earth’s poles and in space. Through the telling of stories of his explorations, Victor also shared a safety message. He emphasized training, using quality equipment, maintaining it, having a plan and a willingness to use “outs.” He also emphasized keeping our planet clean. Garbage had beat him to the bottom of the Mariana Trench which he described as heartbreaking. During Victor’s time with us at Madden’s, he trained for and earned his single-engine seaplane rating.
Start planning now to join MSPA at our 2025 events: the Pig Roast at Surfside Seaplane Base (8Y4), August 10th, 2025, at noon; and the Safety Seminar, September 19-20th at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota.
By Steve Gueter, President
Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association
EDITOR’S NOTE: Steve Guetter is a 3,000-hour Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor with single and multi-engine land ratings, as well as a single-engine seaplane rating. Passionate about seaplane flying, Steve has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association and the Seaplane Pilots Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration. His career in aerospace began as an engineer which led him to multiple roles in operations and business leadership. Steve is currently in his dream role as the General Manager of Wipaire’s Advanced Flight Training and Leasing (AFT&L) Division. AFT&L specializes in training, focusing on the amphibious Cessna 208 and the Fire Boss AT802.
Steve is a Lifetime Member of the Seaplane Pilots Association, which is dedicated to seaplane safety, and expanding the seaplane pilot population. He and his wife own a Beech J35 Bonanza which they fly throughout the country for personal travel.
Photos above by Brad Thornberg
