By Kyle Wanner, Executive Director

Exploring North Dakota Airports

The annual Fly-ND Summerfest is taking place on August 19, 2022, at the Williston Basin International Airport (XWA.) Check out some fun places to visit in Williston, ND, also known as Boomtown! The North Dakota airport passport stamp can be found at Overland Aviation; please ask at the desk.

Here are a few local attractions to explore:

Frontier Museum

This museum includes a rural church, restored Great Northern Depot, general store and country schoolhouse.  

Open Memorial Day through Labor Day and by appointment. 

www.thefrontiermuseum.org or (701) 580-2415.

Eagle Ridge Golf Club

An 18-hole course and Mulligan’s restaurant tucked beside the natural beauty of Spring Lake Park.   6401 3rd Ave E, Williston, ND 58801

Open daily from 7am-10pm.

www.golfateagleridge.com or (701)572-6500.

If you work up an appetite or need some caffeine while exploring Williston, here are a few recommendations:

Hula Firegrill 

Enjoy some delicious authentic Hawaiian food at a family owned business. 

Hours: Open daily from 11am-9pm. 

Address: 23 Main St, Williston, ND 58801

Website: www.hulasfiregrill.com

Daily Addiction Coffeehouse 

A homey coffee shop with a relaxing atmosphere.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm, Saturday, 9am-4pm

Address:  307 Main St, Williston, ND 58801

For more information, call (701) 572-2600.

See you in Williston for the NDAA Summerfest 2022!

Please visit these locations’ websites or call to confirm hours and availability. 

Do you have a favorite attraction to explore or a dining recommendation at your North Dakota airport to share with our readers? Submit your discoveries to editor@fly-nd.com.  

By Bob Simmers

What a gorgeous beginning to summer! I recently took an early morning flight up the Missouri River and was in awe of the beauty that was present in North Dakota. I cannot remember a spring where the greens were greener, the prairies more lush, and the river in contrasting colors. It was truly one of those flights that is etched into my memory. Spring got off to a trying start with late and heavy snows, cool temperatures, and high winds, all not lending itself to leisure flying. The last couple of weeks have turned around and we have had beautiful mornings, calm evenings, and last night another shot of moisture to feed the green of the hills. What a great time to be an aviator in central North Dakota!

This leads us into summer and the season of unstable air, which can produce severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, and an occasional tornado. There are many factors that contribute to this severe weather. Early in the season, most of the terrain is the same color, whether it be the tan of early spring or the green of a wet spring. As summer progresses, there are contrasting colors on the earth’s surface that create uneven heating of the atmosphere, and that causes midday and afternoon lifting action. In turn, this causes rough air, which makes for uncomfortable flying conditions. Add a moisture source, such as a trough that can become the avenue to feed a system with moisture from either the ocean or the Gulf, and you start to have a recipe for isolated rain and thunderstorms. The greater the temperature differences and the higher the moisture content, the greater the risk of severe weather. Then add the conversion of a cold front and a warm front and you may experience some of the most violent weather.

So, what have I learned about flying and summer weather in my over 50 years as an aviator? Here are a few things: 

It is better to be on the ground wishing you were up there rather than being up there wishing you were on the ground. 

Early morning and evening are the best times to fly. 

Thunderstorms are usually isolated and can easily be circumnavigated. Rough air is usually below the first layer of clouds. 

Do not fly under towering cumulus clouds. 

Give thunderstorms a wide area of respect (minimum of 25 miles.) Even then, you may get hailed on. Be aware of microbursts and stay clear of suspected areas. 

If you see a roller cloud, do a 180, land and let it pass over. 

Stay VMC when embedded thunderstorms are forecast. 

Summer can also be a great time to fly the prairie if you follow the above advice. But always remember that Mother Nature has a mind of her own. She is not always predictable, but she does provide you with signs to which you need to pay attention! Happy flying!

It is a common misconception that teachers don’t do any work during the summer. While they do have time to relax and are not going into school daily, teachers are still busy planning lessons for the next school year. In addition, many teachers take advantage of professional development opportunities. This summer, the North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA) and the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) partnered with the University of North Dakota – Aerospace (UND) to host several aviation focused professional development opportunities. Funding for these opportunities was provided by a workforce development grant awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

I am very excited to share that we had nearly 50 educators from around the region attend these two-day courses. It was very exciting to see teachers from all over North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota wanting to learn more about our industry. We also had teachers from a variety of backgrounds, including elementary, middle school, and high school teaching a variety of subjects. It was a great audience who came with energy, ready to learn. 

Our first two classes were offered in Grand Forks, ND and Fargo, ND. Teachers attending these courses participated in a variety of tours, highlighting aviation in North Dakota. The hands-on learning included a variety of simulations at UND as well as tours of Cirrus manufacturing, the Grand Forks Airport operations and firefighting, the Grand forks Air Force Base and CBP, UND maintenance, and Northrup Grumman. Moving a little further south, we visited the Kindred Airport, West Fargo Airport (including an aerial application demonstration) and a variety of businesses around the Fargo Airport. Teachers left with knowledge of opportunities available for their students right here in North Dakota. I think every location we toured indicated they need employees, and we hope these teachers will share the career opportunities with their students. 

After the initial week of professional development opportunities, more courses were offered at a variety of locations around the region. These courses focused on integrating aviation education into current educational environments. A full day was dedicated to unmanned aircraft and a second day highlighted the curriculum available for manned and unmanned aviation. 

Our hope is that the educators in attendance will be able to bring the material back to their schools and either integrate aviation into their current coursework or provide additional aviation opportunities through aviation classes or extracurriculars, such as drone racing clubs. We hope that by teachers exposing students to the opportunities available in the industry, we will see less pressure on the workforce in the future. We know this will take time. 

I would like to thank everyone who opened up their facility to these teachers and shared their passion for the industry. There are really too many people and businesses to mention. Your time is greatly appreciated! 

Mike McHugh, Aviation Education Coordinator 

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission

701-328-9650 | mmchugh@nd.gov

NDAA Executive Director’s Note

By The Staiger Consulting Group

I grabbed my Starbucks coffee and found a quiet, sunny corner of the airport which overlooked the runway, ramp, and taxiway. I found myself simply mesmerized, watching all the people that make every single flight happen. 

It was almost like a well-choreographed production and rightfully so; there are so many people working together to make things go and work smoothly and safely. My genuine appreciation for the individuals in this carefully crafted production was deepened even further. This immediately reminded me of the goal of the North Dakota Aviation Association and how we too are trying to convey and bring together all components of aviation. Our overall mission is one of serving aviation professionals, by providing a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and experience among their peers across aviation professionals, and enthusiasts across the state; all the different areas work together, strengthening our entire community of aviation. 

This recognition comes at a time in our world where the headlines indicate that we could all use a little dose of community connection and coming together to produce exceptional results. Let’s be that for our members and for this industry! 

On behalf of the Executive Director team, I want to thank all of you readers, volunteers, members, board of directors, and aviation enthusiasts for your role in helping to make this organization a success. I cannot stress how you too can make a difference in the organization. 

Here’s some ways to get involved and make a difference:

Summerfest in Williston – August 19, 2022, followed by the Williston Air Show on August 20.^.

Career Expo – October 6, 2022, at the Fargo Air Museum 

Fly-ND Conference – March 5-7, 2023, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck

Each one of you is part of something bigger, and your role is noted and worthy of recognition. I know we are trying new things and stretching our wings, while making great progress for the industry and having a lasting impact on the future of aviation in the state. 

 

Stacy & Mike Krumwiede

Many challenges within the aviation industry have presented themselves over the last few months. Most of the vocalized concerns that we have heard within both the public and private sectors are tied to rising project and operational costs, as well as continued difficulties in hiring and retaining a qualified workforce. These impacts are being felt throughout the airline industry, General Aviation, and airport construction sectors.

The airline industry has come a long way, since the beginning stages of COVID-19 led to a 95% drop in passenger traffic in April of 2020. Now, many of our commercial airports are within reach of a full recovery in pre-pandemic passenger demand; however, new challenges have emerged. The airlines are currently citing inability to add additional flights into the system, due to the pilot and staff shortages that are currently plaguing the industry. Additionally, increased operational costs are resulting in higher fares for the traveling public. These new realities present headwinds for retaining and attracting new air service opportunities, which hurts the overall health of an industry that is now coping with rising break-even costs. In order to once again see sustainable passenger growth above pre-pandemic levels, additional flights or larger aircraft with additional seats will need to be added into North Dakota’s system. Furthermore, systematic workforce needs must be addressed and energy costs will need to improve and stabilize. 

General Aviation activity throughout the country has also been greatly impacted by both the rising costs of fuel and the current prices of purchasing or upgrading aircraft. In conversations with aircraft operators, I have heard many concerns regarding fuel prices and the large role that those rising costs have had on their flight decisions.

The airport construction sector has also been experiencing inflationary and supply chain issues, which have substantially driven up costs. These challenges have been taking a toll on infrastructure projects as decision makers throughout the country are postponing projects, scaling back others, and reprioritizing needs. Specifically, airport project costs throughout the state of North Dakota have recently averaged 17% higher than expected, when comparisons are made to pre-bid engineering estimates. Contractors have also vocalized concerns regarding the unknown future prices of materials and the escalating energy costs that are being experienced. Acquiring new snow removal and aircraft rescue and fire fighting equipment has also become increasingly difficult, as most airport deliveries are currently projected to be out 18-24 months. 

A robust national energy policy, strong efforts to contain inflationary pressures, a reduction of regulatory burdens, and a lowering of barriers to entry for the workforce, are all areas that would have immediate and positive impacts for the aviation industry. These issues are being continually discussed at the national level and will need to be addressed as soon as possible, to alleviate the concerns that many of us within the industry have been vocalizing. 

Fortunately, good pre-planning was able to position most of our airport projects in North Dakota to be bid early in the construction season. This allowed for a greater opportunity to receive competitive prices and provided more time for contractors to secure supplies. The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is also currently in a financially sound position, which has allowed airports to secure state grants to help fill in funding gaps where appropriate. These efforts have resulted in the ability for most of our high priority airport projects that were planned in the upcoming construction season to be able to proceed. Our office will continue to engage with airport management and community leaders to readjust and plan for 2023 and beyond. 

Overall, North Dakota has done a tremendous job over the years to maintain, develop, and enhance our airport system which now allows us to help address the current challenges from a position of strength. Our priority is to work to ensure that a positive business environment exists so that the aviation industry can grow and prosper to the direct benefit of our communities and to the flying public. 

When we fly, we can’t direct the wind, but we can reroute our flight plan and adjust the aircraft controls. Challenging moments help to bring people together while also creating opportunities for positive changes to occur. I encourage all of us to positively build up our communities and to work towards making decisions that will improve the standard of living for current and future generations. 

If you have any concerns or ideas to help improve and grow aviation within your community, we would love to hear from you. I also hope that you and your family are able to enjoy the summer weather and discover opportunities to create exciting new memories in the field of aviation. 

Wishing you smooth flying, 

Kyle

A warm hello to all of you once again. I hope this issue of the Fly-ND Quarterly finds you doing well! Summer is clearly upon us, with the toasty temperatures, afternoon thunderstorms are often popping up, and the Fourth of July fireworks are behind us by a few weeks. Summer flying can be a lot of fun, with unique challenges like avoiding thunderstorms. However, one important point I’ve learned during summer flying is to remember your passenger’s comfort!

A few years back, I had to make a day trip out to Billings, MT, and back. A friend decided to join me for the day. The flight out that morning was fairly routine, with one deviation for weather, then direct to Billings. That afternoon when it was time to depart back to Bismarck, the temperature had climbed to about 95 degrees. We jumped in the airplane and I got it started up. I started reviewing the taxi diagram, getting ATIS, getting my clearance, plugging everything into the GPS and Autopilot and was finally ready to start taxiing. I looked over at my friend, and the sweat was running down him like a hose. I didn’t even notice how warm it was in the cabin, as I was consumed with getting everything ready. He surely noticed how warm it was! In my focus on getting ready, I didn’t think about taxiing out a bit and turning so the sun wasn’t coming straight into the cabin from the windscreen. Later as we climbed to our cruising altitude of 7,000 feet, the air was still quite warm and bumpy. I requested and was granted a climb up to 11,000 feet where we found smooth and cool air. My friend finally mentioned how warm it was earlier, and that this altitude was much better. 

Another evening in early July, my family and I were on our way back from another trip to Grand Forks, ND, for a Red Pepper supper. The evening had turned to night, as we passed somewhere around Carrington, ND. Suddenly, I heard a commotion from the kids in the back seat. They had spotted fireworks a ways off. Being on a VFR flight, I decided to give the passengers some enjoyment and turned toward the fireworks. We flew a couple of circles over the small-town fireworks display, and enjoyed a view not seen by many.

Enjoy your summer flying and remember to make your flight enjoyable for your passengers!

  Justin Weninger, Chairman

  North Dakota Aviation Association

  chairman@fly-nd.com

Read the NOTAM

If the headline for this story was “One Tip for Flying in to AirVenture,” this would be it. Some NOTAMS are one or two sentences — ours is 32 pages, and it’s an absolutely mandatory read before you fly in. Wittman Field in Oshkosh becomes the busiest airport in the world during the week of AirVenture, and that only works because people follow the rules in the NOTAM. It’s available as a download or you can order a printed copy and we’ll send it to you for free, as long as you promise to read it.

1. Arrive Before You Get Here If you have a PC-based simulator like Microsoft Flight Simulator X(currently available from Dovetail Games via the Steam marketplace) or X-Plane, you can fly the Fisk arrival, or any of the others, for that matter, before you leave the house. Enhanced scenery packages are available for both platforms, but even out of the box, you’ll see important landmarks and can get familiar with the routes. You’ll occasionally find prepackaged scenarios, especially on simulators from a company like RedBird, which run on a variant of Microsoft Flight Simulator, that include custom ATC and traffic, but using the simulator is more about landmarks and time and distance than it is about what you hear on the radio. If you don’t have a sim at home, you can do much the same thing on a platform like Google Earth.

2. Learn the Language Once the AirVenture NOTAM goes into effect the Thursday before opening day, you can listen in on arrivals and departures, and even the air show air boss, from anywhere in the world via LiveATC. LiveATC also has some archives available, which, while dated, can still give you a feel for what you’ll hear when you get here. YouTube is another great source for ATC audio, with examples like this and this, among hundreds. There are even some unfortunately spectacular examples of what not to do.

3. Watch Somebody Else Do It You can hop in the right seat with one of our volunteer pilots and the NOTAM chairman Fred Stadler and take a detailed look at each step of the traditional VFR arrivals as well as a typical VFR departure in this five-part video series. And, once again, YouTube is also a great place to get a pilot’s eye view of the arrival procedure, which can go a long way to letting you know what to expect. You can just head to YouTube directly and search for terms like “Oshkosh arrival.”

4. Go to School Every year, we present a live webinar that steps you through the AirVenture arrival procedures. These presentations last about an hour, and include time for questions and answers. 

5. Know Your Numbers This seems like common sense, but you might be surprised. When you arrive at Ripon, the procedure in the NOTAM mandates that you fly at 1,800 feet at a speed of 90 knots (or 2,300 feet and 135 knots for faster aircraft.) This doesn’t mean 85 knots or 97 knots — it means 90. Know your power settings so that, when the time comes, you can nail your speeds.

6. Hit the Dot Here’s another one from the common sense file: If your spot — or, in our case, dot — landing skills aren’t up to par, go out and practice. If you need to, get a little extra dual instruction. When you’re cleared to land on a given dot, our procedures only work if you do just that. Landing short or floating and touching down a couple of hundred feet past the dot can cause all kinds of separation problems.

7. Bring a Friend Just make sure it’s the right kind of friend, the kind you trust to help provide you with an extra set of eyes and ears to watch for traffic, listen to ATC, etc. The kind of friend who’s flown in to AirVenture before is a bonus. If you bring the kind of friend who’s loud and distracting, brief them thoroughly and firmly before you leave so that they know when it’s time to be quiet.

8. Check on Parking While we’re always committed to accommodating all of our visitors, sometimes being the busiest airport in the world can mean some temporary parking delays. You can check our parking status and get other updates on field conditions here.

9. Tie a Knot If your airplane is hangared full time, you might be a little out of practice when it comes to using tie downs. Take a minute to practice, and, while you’re at it, check out your tie downs themselves. If they don’t look like they’re up to the task, you can build your own. Find instructions, as well as some tips on knots, rope types, and all other things tie-down-related here.

10. Save Money Along the Way FBOs and airport managers all across the U.S. offer everything from free snacks and discounted ramp fees to courtesy cars and fuel discounts to pilots heading to AirVenture. Before you set off for Oshkosh, check out our list of special offers that might be available along your route.

Reprinted with permission from EAA.org.

Venturing to the World’s Largest Annual Fly-In 

Are you interested in flying to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer? Here are some tips to make your journey a success! 

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is July 25-31, and pilots from everywhere are already making their preparations to fly to Oshkosh for the world’s largest annual fly-in convention. An important part of those preparations is fully reading and understanding the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM, formerly Notice to Airmen) for AirVenture.

In May, the NOTAM will be available for download via the EAA website – just go to the “Flying In” area of EAA.org/AirVenture. Along with the 32-page NOTAM available for download as a PDF document, EAA’s webpage includes videos that fly the Fisk approach, including the transition points used prior to arrival at Wittman Regional Airport. 

Also available are tips for flying into major fly-ins, supplied by the National Transportation Safety Board, and FAA’s graphic NOTAM/TFR website that shows other areas that may affect your flight to Oshkosh. 

The Oshkosh NOTAM is a required part of a pilot’s AirVenture preparation and should be fully understood prior to departure for the event.

Other recommendations for flying to Oshkosh, along with all other AirVenture information, is continually updated at EAA.org/AirVenture.

Courtesy of Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications

Military aviation is an important part of our state’s aviation community. In this spotlight, we highlight some of our local military aviators, who represent North Dakota around the world, and share their stories with you. We thank them for their dedicated service to our country and community.

Our spotlight in this issue features Loren Obrigewitch, a First Sergeant (1SG) in the Army National Guard.

Q: What is your hometown?

I grew up in Beach, ND. I left at 19 to join the Army, and I left active duty in 1999 and joined the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG.) Currently, I live in Dickinson, ND.

Q: What is your job title? What does your work include?

I am a first sergeant of Company A of 1-112^th aviation battalion.Most of my career was serving as a Petroleum Supply Specialist refueling aircraft and as a platoon sergeant. I also worked in flight operations for the first couple years in the NDNG.

Q: How many years of service do you have? 

I have 35 years total, with a little over 12 as active duty army and 23 in the National Guard. I have also been a military-technician at the North Dakota Army Aviation Support Facility since 2007.

Q: What inspired you to join the military?

The first time I saw a Memorial Day ceremony, conducted by the ex-GI’s, when I was a child in Beach, ND. They provided the 21-gun salute and gave us kids the brass from their M1 Garands. 

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your job/time in the military?

Working with and training soldiers. Watching them develop their leadership skills and become professionals at their chosen career fields.

Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in military aviation?

Talk to a recruiter, pick a goal, and pursue it. It can take several tries to get the job you want in Army aviation.

UND’s first dual-credit course provides high school students with bird’s-eye view of aviation careers.

Students at Red River High School are able to try out flight simulators and learn the basics of aviation by enrolling in Aviation I, an elective long taught by UND Associate Professor Leslie Martin. This semester, UND provided students the opportunity to take the career and technical education course for dual credit – a first for the University. Photo courtesy of Leslie Martin.

Believe it or not, UND isn’t the only place in Grand Forks where you can find an “Introduction to Aviation” course.

Just visit Red River High School, where one classroom stands out with its selection of desk-mounted aircraft steering columns and throttle controls.

Since 2014, Associate Professor Leslie Martin has taught aviation year-round at the high school level, in addition to fulfilling her duties as an aviation department faculty member at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Until recently, Martin’s work between UND and Red River High School was connected in concept only. But this semester, the general aviation course she delivers as a career and technical education elective has developed into UND’s first dual-credit course offering – ever.

According to Janelle Kilgore, vice provost for strategic enrollment management, UND’s foray into offering college-level academic credit to high school students came about with recent approval at the state level to do so.

Such approval was granted with the understanding that the University wouldn’t offer courses already available from other institutions, such as Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, that have historically offered a variety of dual-credit courses.

“Aerospace is very specialized to UND, so we’re thrilled to offer this dual-credit course,” Kilgore said.

She further indicated that other courses are in the works, including one in American Indian Studies. UND is the only university in the state to offer that specific major.

“With Professor Martin already teaching the high school aviation course, it was a relatively easy lift to get that started,” Kilgore added. “We’re working on the logistics to make sure that students coming to UND for dual-credit have a great experience.”

Exploring more pathways for students

At Red River High School, the reason to start offering an aviation class was to expand the career and technical education opportunities available for students – to help them explore and start developing career pathways available in the region and nationwide, said Eric Ripley, executive director for career and technical education at Grand Forks Public Schools.

At the time of creating the course, Bismarck was home to the only other high school delivering an aviation elective in the state, Ripley said.

“We certainly felt that with UND, Grand Forks Air Force Base and even partners on the Minnesota side at Northland Community & Technical College, the presence of aviation would make a lot of sense for Grand Forks, too,” he said.

Surveys showed high student interest for the topic, and soon the search was on for a teacher.

Martin had been teaching professional development classes through UND, showing math and science teachers how to incorporate aviation topics into their classes – not far off from what she’ll be doing this summer on behalf of an FAA workforce development grant.

Ripley sat through one of the classes, spoke with Martin about the idea for the elective, and Martin later applied to teach the high school-level course.

“I got the position a couple of weeks before class started,” Martin recalled. “It was a bit of a scramble to make sure I had the appropriate teaching license.”

Intro to the industry

On a field trip to UND, Martin’s students took a spin on the air traffic control simulators. Each year, Martin works to develop field trips and tours that show students what they can do in aviation. Image courtesy of Leslie Martin.

Through the years, Martin has leveraged her connections at UND and in the regional aerospace industry to deliver a well-rounded perspective about aviation as a study, practice and industry. In addition to getting simulator stations set up in her classroom, including a cockpit simulator donated by UND, Martin has also made a point to take her students on field trips each year (pandemic notwithstanding).

“It’s a class available to sophomores, juniors and seniors, and my goal is to teach them about all aspects of aviation,” she said. “A lot of them come in thinking, ‘I want to be a pilot,’ which is great, and I do talk a lot about flight training. We practice maneuvers on simulators and talk about principles of flight. But I really just want them to have a fun class where they’re learning about the whole industry.”

On one recent excursion, Martin took students on a tour of UND’s air traffic control simulators and spent two days learning to use the equipment. Another time, the manager of GFK or Grand Forks International Airport spoke to the class about his job and what’s involved in running an airport.

Another big field trip that Martin likes to do near the end of the school year involves touring not only the Grand Forks airport, but also facilities near Hillsboro, N.D., along Interstate 29, as well as at Fargo Jet Center and Hector International Airport.

Between various guest speakers and real-world experiences, on top of the everyday curriculum, students get a 360-degree perspective throughout the year-long course.

“In the classroom, I’m also throwing in current events, scholarships, how to get a private pilot’s license and how to look into other career possibilities,” Martin said. “It’s not about whether they come to UND, or decide to become a pilot. It’s just an introduction: ‘Here’s what the industry is all about.’”

At the Hillsboro Municipal Airport, touring students saw the inner workings of aircraft maintenance and other operations at the airstrip situated along Interstate 29. Image courtesy of Leslie Martin.

New connections

Red River High School students who wanted to change their “Aviation I” enrollment to dual-credit had the opportunity to do so for the spring semester.

The change has required some restructuring, but Martin noted that Aviation I’s content was already on-par with what’s covered in UND’s Aviation 105 – the introductory course upon which the high school elective is based.

“Since this is so new, everyone is still in the same classroom,” Martin said. “They’ll all get the same assignments.”

Ripley said that the transition to dual credit for the course validates the quality of Grand Forks’ career and technical education opportunities for high school students. Partnering with a four-year institution for dual credit is a win-win when it comes to helping students see connections between high school and whatever is next for them, he added, whether that’s a degree from UND or another path to post-secondary success.

“Ultimately, I’m a huge believer in these types of agreements,” said Ripley of the new partnership with UND. “I’m appreciative for Professor Martin for delivering the course and for Associate Dean Elizabeth Bjerke, who has been a champion of this effort and has worked at the higher levels to push this through.”

Ready for the right space

And as the aviation course further develops, another burgeoning aspect of career and technical education in Grand Forks will change how it and other courses are delivered.

In recent weeks, the Career Impact Academy – a new physical location meant to deliver education experiences to the Grand Forks region – crossed an important milestone, receiving a $10 million match from the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education following a months-long fundraising effort.

According to the Grand Forks Herald, a collaborative partnership between area education, industry and business interests committed nearly $11 million in financial and in-kind contributions, resulting in the maximum state match. Since the formation of the Academy’s working group and leadership committees, UND has taken an active role in advancing the project and mapping its eventual programming.

Once the project is completed, the Career Impact Academy will likely be the home for the aviation course currently hosted by Red River High School, Ripley said.

“The current classroom is a former business education room, so it wasn’t really designed with aviation in mind,” he said. “We’re doing the best we can with the space, but our future ability to build the right space with the right design will help raise the profile of the course.

“And with the location just down the street from UND, it’s going to be a better space for serving out-of-town students and grow participation. Bringing over a somewhat established program to the Academy, with dual credit on the table, that’s huge.”

Ripley indicated that all parties are on the same page when it comes to UND offering dual credit courses where it best makes sense – allowing for regional technical colleges to continue their longstanding offerings for high school students.

“This example of aviation showcases that partnering with four-year research institutions can be done where it makes sense and fits,” Ripley remarked. “For example, offering an automotive dual-credit course wouldn’t make as much sense for UND as it does for Lake Region.

“We want to be strategic in making connections with UND that help our students make educated decisions on their next step after high school.”