On March 6-8, 2022, the North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA) held its annual Fly-ND Conference in Fargo, ND. This was the return to the in-person format, after the virtual event held the year prior. It was great to again bring all of us together and enjoy each other’s company and camaraderie. 

The conference started with a fun Ice Breaker Social at the Fargo Air Museum, which included the induction of this year’s Passport Award Winners. We had a number of great presenters throughout Monday and Tuesday, with many notable sessions. Monday night was the Exhibitor Night, with a number of fun door prizes given out, including a Garmin Watch donated by Garmin. 

On Tuesday night, we held the Hall of Fame Banquet at the Fargo Air Museum, which was a departure from typically holding it at the conference hall. This was a fun venue to hear and share the stories of the night; the event was emceed by local television personality, Dan Michaels. We congratulated Grand Forks International Airport as the 2022 Commercial Airport of the Year, and Hillsboro Municipal Airport as the 2022 General Aviation Airport of the year. The North Dakota Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) handed out a number of scholarships to student winners. Vance Emerson, from the FAA, was in attendance to hand out three diamond maintenance awards, as well as the Charles Taylor Award and the Master Pilot Award, both to Rich Altendorf. 

The main event of the evening was to welcome Leo Jostad into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. We were treated to the showing of Leo’s Hall of Fame video, and then an interview of Leo by Dan Michaels. This was truly an inspirational evening watching Leo’s dedication to aviation. Congratulations again to Leo on his selection. 

It was great to see and talk to all of you again in person, and I cannot wait to see you all in Bismarck next year!

Justin Weninger, Chairman

North Dakota Aviation Associaton

chairman@fly-nd.com