by Jay Hietpas
Assistant Director of Aeronautics
The bitter cold and snowy conditions of the winter months have given way to longer, warmer days and the promise of spring. We can already find spring and even summer clothes in the stores, and lawn mower ads on TV! Soon we will be hearing the rumble of thunder and the hearty patter of spring rain.
Now is when many pilots who did not fly during the winter will begin to get ready to once again take to the air. I urge you to plan ahead and be sure to use your best safety practices, always, both on the ground and in the air.
I also want you to know that your Office of Aeronautics continues to work hard to help keep you informed and aware through our safety seminars and technical bulletins. We also hold events with our aviation partners to help ensure we are doing what we can to make flying easier, better, and safer in Minnesota.
With that in mind, here are a few of our coming aviation learning/safety events:
• 2013 Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician Conference – March 25 – 26.
• 2013 Minnesota Airports Conference – April 17-19.
• 2013 Minnesota Seaplane Pilot’s Safety Seminar – May 3-5.
Let’s work together to make 2013 the safest year ever. Share with us and each other, your ideas, information and suggestions. Plan well before you fly. Stay alert when you fly. Have fun.
Enjoy the beauty of flight as we move toward spring and as the days get longer!