Did you know that aviation education is currently available to every high school student in North Dakota? 

Though what is available may vary from school to school, every student has the opportunity to enroll in a high school education program through either a class offered in person at their high school, virtually through the Central Region Area Career and Technical Center, or through the North Dakota Center for Distance Education. 

We currently have in person instruction offered around the state in the following locations: Bismarck, Jamestown, Kindred, West Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston. While in person instruction is the preferred method of delivery, it is exciting that schools who may not be able to offer a class because of a low number of students, do have the availability to collaborate with a distance education provider for this instruction. This allows for around 500 students in North Dakota to learn about the aviation opportunities available, including flying and non-flying career paths. 

For schools looking to start an aviation program, even small or rural schools, there are resources available. One such FREE resource is the AOPA High School STEM curriculum: https://youcanfly.aopa.org/high-school/high-school-curriculum. Though many resources exist, AOPA has put ample resources into this curriculum to ensure it remains free and available to schools. Furthermore, the curriculum is designed for any teacher, even those without an aviation background, to effectively teach the curriculum. What this means is any school with a licensed teacher may use the curriculum regardless of the teacher's content background. AOPA provides six different courses for schools to choose from and provides for a potential four year pathway, if the school chooses. 

There are many possibilities to gain access to aviation education in your local school. If you would like to help get more opportunities in your local community, I recommend first reaching out to your school to see what opportunities currently exist, and then contacting the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission to see how we can help. 

Together, we can help more students see the many opportunities that exist for careers in aviation. 

By Maria Romanick, Operations and Maintenance Manager, Minot International Airport

Winter Ops – It sure doesn’t seem like we’ve had much of a true winter yet this year, but I am not going to fall for that quite yet. At the time thi s article gets published, we will have made it through the holidays without significant snowfall to affect holiday travel. I don’t think that’s something that can be said for the last few years, and boy, am I grateful! As the Operations and Maintenance Manager for the Minot International Airport, there are a lot of things to juggle, and the juggling only intensifies during what we call a “snow event.” There are the standard day-to-day functions like monitoring the various surface areas of the airfield and notating them properly within the NOTAMs and FICONS. Daily inspections required by the FAA have to get logged appropriately and timely. Things really start to get exciting once the snow starts flying. 

As for many employers these days, it’s been challenging to get and retain skilled employees. A lot of our current employees have started out with little-to-no experience. The time and dedication our team spends on learning from within and from industry experts is vital to what we do. Our team and our equipment fleet is all ages. From brand new to Vietnam-era equipment, the skill sets needed to operate the various types of equipment are endless. And now for a word from our Operations and Maintenance Foreman, Alex Choi.

Q: What goes into keeping an airport safe and operational in the winter? 

Continue with recurrent training, continue to be knowledgeable of what we are doing as airport operations and snow removal, share our knowledge, and communicate with each other during actual operations. It is a never-ending task to ensure our equipment is safe and fully functional. Airports must have a good fleet replacement program to replace aging equipment. When the snow flies, airports are required to continuously monitor the airfield. That requires staff to stay alert and be ready to go out as needed. Operations staff must understand the situation and how to react if weather shifts/changes. We do our best to follow Department of Labor and Department of Transportation requirements as good guidelines, in order to prevent operator exhaustion. To the best of our ability, it is our goal to have a fully open and operational airfield throughout the winter, providing a safe and welcoming experience for everyone who uses the airport as their mode of transportation.

Q: How many pieces of equipment do we have working at one time during a snow event? 

With our current staffing and schedule, normally we can run one to three pieces of equipment at a time. During Wednesdays, we can run four to five pieces of equipment at once. This operation includes both airside and landside. Operations staff are available 24/7 and must update NOTAMs according to the weather.

Q: What advice do you have for pilots and passengers? And what can pilots do to assist you in this process?

It would be much appreciated if pilots would make a radio call when leaving from the ramp and coming in to land on the runway. Please read NOTAMs for what is open and closed. Any questions? Airport Operations is here to help!

As always, we like to remind the public and passengers that we are trying our best to keep the airfield open and maintain good pavement conditions for the pilot to decide whether or not it is safe to land. As much as we’d like to, we can’t control the weather and visibility. In addition, the airlines have their own policies for IFR requirements. We want you to fly in and out as safely as possible!

Welcome back to winter in North Dakota! Navigating the skies above our state during this season serves as a reminder of the incredible importance of real-time weather reporting.

For pilots, the significance of precise weather information cannot be overstated. Variables such as wind speed, turbulence, visibility, and cloud cover wield substantial influence over flight operations. Real-time weather updates emerge as indispensable tools, enabling pilots to make informed decisions, adapt flight paths, and select optimal altitudes to navigate safely through potentially adverse conditions.

Beyond ensuring safety, weather conditions play a pivotal role in fuel consumption and overall operational efficiency. Factors like headwinds, tailwinds, and temperature fluctuations directly impact fuel burn rates and weather forecasts are utilized to fine-tune flight plans which can reduce operational costs and environmental impacts. 

Over the past 15 years, North Dakota has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing weather reporting infrastructure. In 2008, the state had 23 Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS). Fast forward to 2023 and North Dakota now proudly has 35 sites delivering real-time weather reporting. This remarkable expansion has significantly benefited Part 135 and air ambulance operations and has elevated the reliability and accessibility of aviation across the entire state.

Recent additions, such as the Bottineau AWOS (2022) and the Killdeer AWOS (early 2024), exemplify North Dakota’s dedication to advancing its weather reporting capabilities. The most recent addition of the Killdeer AWOS, promises to further augment the state’s comprehensive weather reporting network in Western North Dakota. 

Ensuring the sustainability of this crucial infrastructure, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission provides on-going support for the system by covering the costs of the tri-annual inspections necessary to maintain AWOS certification. Additionally, the commission covers the expenses of the NADIN connection for each site, which allows direct internet access for the weather information to become available to the public. State grant funding is also available to install and replace equipment at AWOS sites throughout North Dakota.  The state program has alleviated the financial burden on local communities and helps to ensure that the entire state system has robust weather reporting.

Introducing innovative tools, the FAA weather camera program now also offers our airports with a weather reporting alternative, particularly when an investment in an AWOS system is not feasible. The Ashley Municipal Airport has recently become the first in North Dakota to enable a live weather camera feed. This weather reporting option can be further explored at www.weathercams.faa.gov. We encourage other airports to connect with us to also explore options to enter into this program and enhance their weather reporting capabilities.

In the realm of aviation, weather reporting stands as a cornerstone of safety and operational efficiency. To secure North Dakota’s position in a competitive economic and business climate, we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining and improving our weather reporting capabilities. As technology also continues to evolve, we embrace the challenges and opportunities that it presents, as we work to ensure a safe and efficient future for aviation in our great state.

Kyle

The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame committee announces that Dan Kasowski has been selected for induction into the state’s Aviation Hall of Fame. Dan will join the prestigious aviation hall of fame group that currently includes 48 other individuals who have all had a significant impact on the growth, development, and promotion of aviation in North Dakota. For more information on the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, visit www.fly-nd.com/hall-of-fame. 

Dan Kasowski was born in Buffalo, ND, in 1958. He grew up on his family’s farm, where his mechanical aptitude began at a young age. His journey as an aviation mechanic began immediately after high school, when he pursued his Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) training and certification at Dakota Aero Tech in Fargo, ND. In 1978, he started his career at Rugbee Air Care in Rugby, ND. After one year in Rugby, he moved back to Fargo and worked at ProAir Services for a short time, until they permanently closed operations. In the fall of 1979, he emerged as a pioneering force in the new aviation school that was formed at the University of North Dakota (UND). As the second full-time mechanic employed by the organization, Dan became an integral part of UND’s aviation program, eventually ascending to supervisory roles.

Throughout his career at UND, Dan’s influence reached beyond the mechanics and technicians that he mentored, his impact extending to aviation professionals across North Dakota and the nation. He traversed various roles, progressing from a technician to supervisor, inspector, shop manager, and quality assurance manager. Notably, he held the position of Director of Maintenance for over two decades, overseeing both the main campus and satellite operations under the FAR Part 145 certificate. He received his Inspection Authorization (IA) in 1982 and his Private Pilot Certificate from the University of North Dakota in 1988. Dan currently oversees approximately 100 full and part time employees. 

Under Dan’s leadership, UND’s flight operation consistently garnered the FAA Diamond Award, a testament to their commitment to training, safety, and professional development. His strategic guidance navigated the institution through multiple fleet changes, significantly enhancing safety across all flight operations. Dan’s humble demeanor and unwavering dedication to safety contributed to UND’s impeccable safety record, establishing North Dakota as a premier global destination for pilot training.

Beyond UND, Dan actively participated in the North Dakota Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (NDPAMA) throughout his entire career. He held various officer positions and served as its President multiple times. Dan also had a pivotal role in establishing the NDPAMA aviation mechanic scholarship which gave a preference for North Dakota students. He continually showcased his commitment to nurturing the next generation of aviation mechanic professionals.

Dan served on the North Dakota Aviation Council for seven years, and in 2004 and 2005 he assumed the role of Chair for the North Dakota Aviation Council, where he played a key role in organizing the state’s annual conference and fostering collaboration among aviation stakeholders. His involvement extended to advisory boards at area technical schools offering A&P programs, where he championed the value of giving back to the aviation community by leading through example.

"Dan’s legacy is not just a testament to his technical expertise, but also to his commitment to mentorship, safety, and the broader aviation community. His profound impact, stemming from mentorship and dedicated work in the field, has positively impacted many individuals within and beyond the North Dakota aviation community."

The induction banquet ceremony will take place in Grand Forks, ND, at the annual Fly-ND Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Alerus Center. The social will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the banquet starts at 7:00 p.m. 

To learn more about the state’s aviation conference or to purchase tickets for the hall of fame event, visit fly-nd.com/events/conference. Questions can be directed to the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission at 701-328-9650.

Thank you for demonstrating a commitment to the North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA) community. Your application will be considered active for the next 12 months and used by the Board to fulfill any vacancies. All current NDAA members are eligible to apply. 

Serving on this volunteer Board is a unique way to strengthen the North Dakota aviation community and expand your professional experience. The Board composition is designed to be diverse group of aviation professionals all with a common interest shared by the vision of NDAA in serving and growing aviation across North Dakota and beyond.

Board responsibilities include:

• Participating in committees planning events (ex: FLY-ND Conference, Summerfest and Career Expo, ND Aviation Quarterly, NDAA Membership Committee, Nominating Committee, and other professional programs)
• Representing member interests with government and community groups
• Work with Executive Director to achieve NDAA Goals
• Participation in Board meetings as scheduled – Generally 6-8 times per year (in-person and virtual options)
• Provide assistance to the Executive Committee and Executive Director as needed
• At-large board member terms are two years following the NDAA fiscal year calendar starting on July 1st

The time commitment varies with roles and interests. Plan on 2-4 hours a week. Everyone recognizes our individual business responsibilities continue to take priority. We encourage you to visit with any Board member to gain additional insight.

Requirements:

Must be a NDAA member

APPLY HERE

By Tanner Overland 

The mornings are getting cooler and the days shorter, how can it be fall already? This action-packed summer certainly flew by, with happenings and events nearly every weekend, like Fly-ND Summerfest, fly-ins, air shows, and of course Oshkosh AirVenture!

AirVenture 2023 was my third EAA AirVenture I’ve attended at the splendid Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI. Having never attended “Oshkosh” until 2021, I’m making up for lost time by going every year since then and I plan on making it my annual summer pilgrimage.

This year’s AirVenture was terrific, made even better with the unique opportunity to take in one of the daytime airshows from the air traffic control tower at Oshkosh; the busiest airport in the world (well, at least for one week in July.) What an awesome experience! While people joke “it must just be chaos up there with all those aircraft”, I was somewhat surprised and relieved to learn just the opposite after speaking with the air traffic controllers. As one of the air traffic controllers explained to me, “It’s a well-choreographed dance each year, with only the best-of-the-best air traffic controllers being invited to make up the team of about 80 Oshkosh air traffic controllers during the show.” The controllers tasked with keeping the operations at AirVenture safe and efficient come from near and far throughout the country. They each work a couple of hours before taking a break to keep them fresh, and they rotate from the control tower out to the arrival reporting points of Fisk and Ripon. It was certainly all smiles up in the tower.

This year was also my first-year tent camping on the airport grounds in Camp Scholler, named after early EAA supporters Ray and Bernice Scholler. While tent camping makes one yearn for a comfy bed and ice-cold air conditioning to offer a brief reprieve from the sizzling Wisconsin summer sun, it provides a greater, more-authentic experience and a sincere appreciation of AirVenture and the camaraderie it provides. 

While certainly a bit overwhelming in the daytime by the record-breaking crowd of 677,000 fellow aviation enthusiasts, things calm down at night and it’s easy to stroll amongst the aircraft and connect with those around you. One night, after a drenching line of thunderstorms rolled through, we met Stephan, one of our tent neighbors in Camp Scholler. Over a headlamp-lit-dinner consisting of a box of Cheez-Its and an M.R.E. pouch of dehydrated pad thai, Stephan enthusiastically described his travels from his home in Frankfurt, Germany to Oshkosh, WI. He wanted to make the trip for years, but just couldn’t make it work - until this year! This was his first time at AirVenture, and the experience was so much more than anything he ever imagined.  And it was; the nighttime air show, the rows and rows of every aircraft imaginable packed into every square foot of available grass, the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight’s salute to veterans, and the way the Pratt & Whitney radial engines reverberate deep inside your lungs when Team Aeroshell’s five AT-6 Texans fly over you in a tight formation at dusk.

EAA AirVenture is more than just an airshow, it’s an experience. An experience that provides a sincere appreciation of all-things aviation and a connection amongst everyone in our industry, whether it be a general aviation pilot from Williston, ND, or an aviation enthusiast from Frankfurt, Germany.

If you’ve put EAA AirVenture on your to-do list but just haven’t gotten around to doing it yet, put it on the top of your to-do list for next year; hopefully I’ll see you in Oshkosh at AirVenture 2024!

I am excited to write about the Fourth Annual Fly-ND Career Expo, which was held in Minot, ND, on October 5, 2023. For me, it is exciting and energizing to see students not only excited about the industry but also about the career opportunities. This year, the North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA) was able to award $15,500 in scholarships and expose students to a variety of career fields, through presentations and exhibitors. A huge thank you to all who made this a great day for these students! 

We had some exciting presentations from industry representatives from aerial application, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), meteorology, business aviation, airlines, and the military. We also had a student panel discussing post-secondary opportunities and answering questions about their experience transitioning from high school to post secondary, as well as plans for future careers. These speakers provided excellent presentations and students had great questions for them. 

It would be impossible to fit a cross-section of the industry on stage to discuss their stories and we had a great group of exhibitors share their experiences with these students. With representation from both flying and non-flying careers, as well as UAS, I heard students telling their teacher, “I found what I want to do!” on multiple occasions. 

It is tough to contain the excitement I have for these students in a short article and as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I hope the included pictures will provide you with a sense of what the day was like. 

I do have to make a few special thank yous before I conclude:

• Thank you to the University of North Dakota for being a sponsor for the event and providing a dozen students to help with a variety of logistical tasks throughout the day. 
• Thank you to the Minot Aero Center for assistance with planning and coordination and most importantly, for keeping the students well-fed. 
• Thank you to the Dakota Territory Air Museum for being a wonderful host and finding a way to work the event, even when the weather didn’t cooperate. 
• Thank you to all of the speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors who made the event possible. Know that you are appreciated and you really made the day possible for these students. 

Mike McHugh, Aviation Education Coordinator 

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission

701-328-9650 | mmchugh@nd.gov

Benjamin Franklin’s timeless quote, “Those who fail to plan... are planning to fail,” rings true in both our daily and professional lives. True success rarely occurs by chance; it demands a concerted effort to identify challenges, explore potential solutions, and ultimately chart a course with confidence towards our desired destination.

Within the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, one of our key responsibilities lies in shaping the vision and strategy for our state’s aviation system. Presently, we are gearing up for a significant undertaking by updating multiple statewide aviation system plans. These strategic initiatives will play a pivotal role in helping our state identify, prioritize, and justify projects and initiatives that are crucial to the enhancement and maintenance of our aviation infrastructure over the next decade.

In 2024, we intend to begin work to provide an update to the Statewide Pavement Condition Index Study, which is a task that our office coordinates routinely every three years.  There currently exists approximately 60 million square feet of pavement at our airports which also represents multi-billion dollars of past investments. Our pavement management system reveals the condition of each pavement section at the public-use airports throughout the state, along with deterioration details, photos, and projected future conditions.  A recommended funding plan is also provided to each airport, to ensure the pavements are maintained in the most cost beneficial way. The pavement inspections will occur on our airports in 2024 and the results are expected to be available by spring of 2025.

Also beginning in 2024, we are planning to initiate an update of both the Economic Impact of Aviation in North Dakota and the North Dakota State Aviation System Plan.

The State Aviation System Plan will evaluate the foundational principles of the previous 2014 study. It will refresh airport inventory data, redefine performance benchmarks, outline development requisites based upon our airport classifications, update system forecasts, and provide recommendations to guide our aviation system for the future.

The Economic Impact of Aviation Study will offer an updated perspective of the economic value of our airports and aviation industry.  It will build upon the economic snapshot last captured in 2015 and will provide a detailed analysis of the substantial economic contributions that our airports make to our state and local communities. The 2015 study revealed that our 89 public-use airports contributed a staggering $1.6 billion annually to our state’s economy, and we anticipate that those figures will prove to have experienced substantial growth over the past decade.

The final results of both of these studies are planned to be released in the Spring of 2026. Throughout this process, we are also committed to facilitating opportunities for the aviation community and the public to review draft materials and provide comments through an advisory committee and a project website that is planned to be established.

Overall, aviation system planning has the ability to carry profound value for a state.  It provides us with data-backed information that can help us to make informed decisions on where to appropriately invest our time and our resources. This in turn, can result in safer facilities, heightened operational efficiency, and an accelerated pace of economic growth. The benefits of good planning also extends far outside of the aviation sector, as a strong and robust aviation system positively impacts many of our other industries which contribute to the overall development and economic diversification of the state.

Through our due diligence and ongoing efforts to map out a plan for success, we can confidently work together to steer North Dakota’s aviation community in a positive direction.

Kyle

Kyle Wanner, Director

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission

701-328-9650 | kcwanner@nd.gov

As my family and I rode our bicycles up the hill from the ferry docks on Mackinac Island, MI, my daughter exclaimed her disappointment in our ride up this giant hill. Once we arrived at the Mackinac Island airport, my daughter, out of breath, told me, “Dad, if we’ve seen one airport, we’ve seen them all!” We hadn’t flown into Mackinac Island but arrived by the ferry from Mackinaw City, and I wanted to see the airport. 

After she calmed down and apologized for being upset about the ride up the giant hill and her comment, it really had me thinking. She was absolutely right; if you’ve seen one airport, you’ve seen them all, and how great is that?! 

I do have a habit of dragging my kids to the airport of nearly every city we are in, just to check it out. I think for me, it’s the familiarity that comes with it. 

We know that at all of these airports, we’re going to find a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) lobby with a pot of coffee on. Inside we’ll find the line guys running around working the airplanes coming in, and good for a fun conversation when they’re not busy.

In the back, we know we’re going to find the hard-working mechanics with their heads and hands inside a cowl, or under a dashboard or wing. We know they’re always up for a good conversation of the latest issue that may have them stumped as they work through it. 

We know that outside, we’ll find a variety of 172s, Cherokees, Bonanzas, Mooneys, Cirrus and numerous other airplanes on the ramp. Maybe we’ll find some rarer airplanes as well, and some fun taildraggers or float planes hanging out. We also know with some of these airplanes we’ll find their pilots, eager to share stories of the airplane and adventures they’ve encountered. 

As we stepped into the FBO at the Mackinac Island airport, I felt this familiarity wash over me, although I had never been here before. I felt like I was right at home, able to sit down, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the going-ons outside. Isn’t this an incredible aspect of our aviation community? No matter where we go, we know that we can find somewhere to feel right at home, because if you’ve seen one airport, you’ve seen them all. 

Justin Weninger, Chairman

North Dakota Aviation Association

chairman@fly-nd.com

By Kris Magstadt 

On May 10, 2022, my husband, Kevin, and I had the privilege of adopting two of our beautiful grandchildren, Kaiden and Michaela. It was a magical day.

As our one-year anniversary of the adoption approached, we tried to decide how we would celebrate. Michaela requested a photo at the courthouse and dinner at Olive Garden, just as we had done on adoption day. Neither had ever been in an airplane. Growing up with aviation and my father as a Cessna dealer and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) owner, there was no way I was going to have their first flight in anything but a small plane, and, hopefully, a Cessna.

I quickly contacted Jon Simmers, a good friend at Bismarck Aero Center (BAC) and proposed the idea. We sat down and planned, and oh what a plan! Red carpet, flight wing pins, cupcakes, and the whole nine yards. He immediately knew which pilot, and was as excited as me. We decided to keep it a surprise for the children.

Well, May 10 finally arrived. First we took pictures at the courthouse, and then were off to a school track meet. We quickly went home to prepare for dinner, or so the children thought! As we were driving, I asked Kevin to quickly stop at the airport to drop something off for Jon. There was no suspicion, since they were aware of my years as the Quarterly editor and my frequent conversations with them about aviation, my dad, and my aviation friends; I told them I wanted them to meet my friend, Jon. They pleaded that I not talk for long, as they so often state that adults talk too much.

SURPRISE! We got inside the FBO and there stood Clint, the lead Certified Flight Instructor at BAC! What a smile he had on his face. We walked around the corner and there were balloons, cupcakes (with TONS of frosting) and sweet tea, all arranged by Linda. What was going on? They were asked if they’d ever flown. “No,” they said. Then Clint asked them if they’d like to fly. Yes could not come out of their mouths, as they were wide-eyed and jumping for joy!

Before we went up into the beautiful blue sky, the entire staff of BAC came for refreshments and spent time telling them what role they played in the organization and about their first flight. The children learned so much. What a special treat to hear what goes on behind the scenes to insure safe flight.

Then it was time for pre-flight! I have never, in all my years around aviation, seen anyone explain, include, and excite someone about the intricacies of what makes a plane  fly as Clint. He was so easy to understand and included them in every aspect. To this day they talk about flaps, rudders, lift, and drag. Next, it was time for take off! Each took a turn in the pilot seat. Their faces beamed with delight and awe. They were actually flying! Clint let them take the controls (safely), explaining everything in words that made sense to a 10- and 11-year old. He did it all with his brilliant smile and positive, happy attitude. He was just as much a kid as they were! It was obvious that flying is his passion. They flew over our home and their school, and both kids were shocked at how small everything looked. Michaela had nice easy turns, while Kaiden was a little more daring and his turns were a bit steeper. But, best of all, they were flying.

So many of us take that gift of flight for granted. I know I did, growing up at an airport. I always thought the train or car would be more fun. I now know much better! We forget that rush of adrenaline when you first take-off and float through the sky and clouds, slowly drifting back to the ground.

Unfortunately, the flight had to end. We were met by Jon, rolling out the blue carpet and helping us out of the plane. The kids made a jump for joy photo with Clint. He took them into the FBO and straight to his office. They were confused, as they thought they were done. No, Clint promptly pinned on flight wings and sat them down. Suddenly, he was writing in a little black book. He presented each of them with their own logbook with their first lesson time already logged! What a wonderful end to a day our entire family will remember and cherish.

Without Jon, Clint, Linda, and the staff at BAC, this special day wouldn’t have happened. I believe they all shared our excitement, and we will be eternally grateful for their kindness and commitment to sharing the gift of flight with the youth in our community.

I can’t tell you if Kaiden and Michaela will be lifelong pilots, although my hope is that they will. I can tell you, however, it was another magical day in our lives.