Download the latest issue of On Final now. It contains a story about Niels Sorensen written by Norm Tesmar, photography tips by Peter Denny, and the introduction of a Chapter 25 history project. The newsletter also contains dates, times and directions for three upcoming events: June chapter meeting, the Annual Chapter Picnic, and the June Young Eagles. Download the June On Final now.
George Jensen, one of three original members of Chapter 25, received his 50 year plaque last weekend. George was unable to be with us on March 15th for our meeting, but shared some thoughts with Jon Cumpton. “I appreciate being recognized by the chapter, and being treated as a special member.” George began flying when he purchased a J-3 Cub after Army service. He completed building the Stits Playboy with fellow charter member Bert Sisler around 1961, and owned several other airplanes. Although George has not been able to fly for many years, he still loves aviation and has a hangar at Flying Cloud.
from On Final March 2006
This year, I have nominated our Chapter 25 member, Roger Anderson, as a candidate for the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. As most of you know, Roger was one of the founding members of Chapter 25 some fifty years ago, and his Minnesota background of aerospace education, teaching Minnesota youth about aviation technology and aircraft maintenance, makes him a solid candidate. His candidacy will face a challenge this June when his credentials are presented to the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, as he will be among nearly 70 candidates vying for the six openings. You, members of Chapter 25 who know and love Roger can help his case by writing your own comments on Roger’s contributions to the Minnesota aviation community and forwarding them to me, Noel Allard, 14155 Briarwood Drive, Menahga, MN 56464. I’ll need the letters as soon as possible to get things moving.
from On Final March 2006
We are very fortunate that Norm agreed to be the subject of our interview for this issue. Our chapter was formed 50 years ago this month, and even though Norm was a only a boy then, he brings a wealth of memories (and photos) from those early days of the chapter.
What sparked your interest in flying?
That was my father’s fault. He said I was flying in a Cub before I was born, and from the time I was two months old. He had become involved with flying long before. I have a great photo of him and his little brother standing in front of a Curtis Robin (see below). My dad built a primary glider before WWII. Before he got to fly it, the government confiscated it somehow with the broad powers they were given during the war. I have no idea what use they would have had for a primary glider. My dad also built a beautiful 1/12 scale model of the Ford Tri-Motor, all from scratch. It has a 72â€? wingspan, and we still have it. But flying was the main thing. As far back as I can remember we were always flying somewhere. I remember sitting on my mother’s lap in the J-3 Cub one winter. We were one of four or five planes flying together up to my grandfather’s farm. I remember that it was so cold in the Cub that when it came time to go back, I refused to get in the plane. My mother and I took the train back instead. Later on, my little brother Larry and I would fly with my dad and Mom would stay home. Larry never got his license, but he still flies with me every year and has become somewhat of an expert on WWI airplanes. (Read on …)
You know Bert Sisler as one of our active chapter members. You may not know that Bert was our first chapter president. Jon Cumpton interviewed Bert this month to learn more about his extensive experience in aviation.
How did you first get interested in flying?
That would have been as a kid in the early 1930’s in Grand Rapids. They didn’t have an airport then, but every year or so these barnstormers would fly in and as they flew over we would run out and catch the adver- tising bills they dropped. A group of us started building airplane models in grade school. We had no guidance, so they were pretty crude, and we never had much luck flying them – it was more like we would go out and practice breaking them! My dad said I had an obsession with airplanes, and I suppose he was right. But we were pretty much on our own, and there was really no competition and not much to focus our interest on. Later they built an airport (grass field in those days) in Grand Rapids, and that was a great help.
Do you remember your first airplane ride?
My first ride was probably in a Travel Air, in one of the barnstorming events. We would spend a couple days wiping oil off the belly of the Travel Air in return for a ride. While they were giving rides, I remember they would hold a contest. A couple of guys flying biplanes would load up a couple passengers, fly a circuit and land, take off their pants, and fly another circuit in their shorts. Whichever pilot finished first would win the prize. (Read on …)
from On Final January 2006
This month, we decided it would be a good time to profile our new chapter vice-president. The picture at left was taken at American Wings Museum before our December meeting.
Early interest in flying
My father was a Naval Aviator in the late 60’s. There was always a flight suit and helmet in the closet while I was growing up. After the military, Dad worked as a CFI to supplement his income, and I got a few flights as ride-alongs. This is probably where my interest in GA was born.
Flight training
I was flying with Dad before I could walk. My first remembered time at the controls was straight and level in a V35 Bonanza at age 8. My first take-offs and landings were around age 14 in a 1947 Aeronca 7AC Champ. My ‘non-official’ training began around age 12 in the ‘47 Champ. I didn’t log any of that time, as my Dad’s CFI had expired and we were just out for fun. My first ‘official’ lessons began while I was in my senior year at college. As part of my aerospace engineering degree, I could earn credit hours by taking basic flight training. Since I was a poor college student at the time, it didn’t matter that I’d be a little poorer from flying lessons. (Read on …)