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Happy Spring Minnesota Aviators - by Josh Root
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The State of Minnesota provides this Technical Bulletin in the interest of Aviation Safety and to Promote Aeronautical Progress in the State and Nation.
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Cassandra Isackson, Director
Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics 222 East Plato Boulevard • St. Paul, MN 55107-1618 651-234-7200 or (toll free) 1-800-657-3922
Happy Spring Minnesota Aviators!
by Josh Root
Assistant Director, MnDOT Aeronautics to MnDOT. Tim learned firsthand how critical safe airports are for communities that would like to bring commercial events to town. “Prior to joining MnDOT, my duties included first and
As I write this article, temperatures foremost safety,” said Jarvis. “The airshow environment can be are far below zero and the hazardous for obvious reasons. We all know operating aircraft decidedly non-gopher rodent at high speeds in close proximity to the ground can be very in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania told me, unforgiving.” there are weeks of winter ahead. Still, I Kyle Sullivan, Aviation Representative, is our newest addition can’t help but think of spring, new flowers to the MnDOT Aeronautics team. Kyle is no stranger to budding, birds chirping, and the smell of Josh Root aviation, having served two combat tours, including 150-plus road construction in the morning. The warmer weather seems hours over the skies of Afghanistan as a U.S. Navy Weapons to also warm our Minnesota joy for all outdoor activities, and if Systems Officer (think of his role as “Goose” from the movie this spring is anything like last year, the general aviation (GA) “Top Gun”) in the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Tim has landed in community will again be busy learning to fly or renewing skills, conditions that most of us GA pilots don’t have the thrill of buying gas, and putting more planes in the air than has been seen experiencing. I’m not sure I would want to land a PA-28 on an in some time. All this aviation activity further highlights the vitality of the MNDOT Maskhead CMYK Feb2020.indd 1 aircraft carrier deck, but to hear Kyle’s stories is certainly worth a chat. work MnDOT does to ensure our airports continue to safely Mina Carlson, Heliport Administrator, operates one of serve the diverse needs of our GA community. I encourage you to our most critical off-airport activities – helping helicopter get to know the MnDOT staff that regularly visits your airport. pilots know the helipad they are landing on meets Minnesota You can find us present in your communities, visiting FBOs standards. Most of Minnesota’s helipads are at healthcare facilities and other aviation businesses, buying gas at your airport’s pump, and are critical connections within our transportation system. having lunch in the community, and meeting with our fellow Mina works tirelessly to ensure those connections happen safely aviators. While our goal is to keep Minnesota’s general aviation and predictably. Mina got her first taste of aviation in high system running and as safe as possible, we also want to connect school and has been hooked ever since. Nearly two decades in the with Minnesota’s active aviation community as best as possible – left seat has not diminished her enthusiasm for flying, and when and hear your aviation story. not working at MnDOT, you may find her in a C-130 as a flight If you find MnDOT staff wandering around your airport, engineer with the “Flying Vikings.” don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation. We’re always happy to Wherever you might see us, I encourage you to say “Hi!” Stop explain our process. One process that begins anew every spring us anytime to chat about the local airport, the vendors, the joy of are the airport inspections commonly referred to as “5010’s”. flying, and the local community while we are there. We are here A 5010 inspection ensures that primary surfaces are free of to provide support where we can, make recommendations when obstacles (trees, crops, brush) to keep pilots safe when landing at appropriate, and work to advance the interests of the aviation any public airport in Minnesota. community in ways that benefit the system now and into the In broader terms, we are generally onsite looking at the future. airport holistically to ensure both “FAA Part 77 and Minnesota Once you get to know us, I am sure you will learn we are airport licensing standards” are met. Jim McCanney, MnDOT much like you; we are parents, spouses, and siblings, and we are Aviation Representative, conducts many of these inspections. passionate about aviation. Jim is our most experienced Aviation Representative. Prior to If you ever have questions, concerns or just want to provide joining MnDOT, Jim flew jets for corporate clients. Today you input about general aviation airport inspections and safety, will find Jim flying fixed-wing aircraft, as well as unmanned air you can reach Jim, Tim, Kyle or Mina by email or the phone systems (or “drones”) that give MnDOT a valuable perspective of numbers listed below: everything from bridge inspections to construction planning. Tim Jarvis is one of our newer Aviation Representative. He spent 15 years running airshows before bringing his eye for safety
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