The state’s 2024 transportation policy bill, which was signed by Governor Tim Walz in May and includes a measure that would categorize roadable aircraft as motor vehicles, went into effect Thursday, allowing cars that can take to the sky using wings or propellers to drive on the highway.

Minnesota joins New Hampshire as the only states to pass what legislators are dubbing “Jetsons laws.”

The measure defines roadable aircraft as “any aircraft capable of taking off and landing from a suitable airfield which is also designed to be driven on public roadways as a motor vehicle.”

“This is how we get to the future of flying cars, which sounds awesome to me,” said Minnesota State Representative Nolan West, a Republican, in March.

On the other hand, Democratic State Representative Larry Kraft said the vehicles should face further scrutiny before hitting the roads, citing fuel use and urban sprawl.

So far, there are no vehicles that are certified as roadable aircraft in the U.S., though several companies are developing what they describe as flying cars.

Samson Sky, for example, is building the “street-legal” Switchblade, a three-wheel design intended to drive as fast as 125 mph and cruise in the air at 139 knots. A Samson analyst provided input to the Minnesota Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee as the flying car bill was taking shape, and the company is pushing for similar legislation elsewhere.

Other drive-and-fly vehicle manufacturers include Alef Aeronautics and Aska, both of which have obtained FAA special airworthiness certification to begin flight testing, Doroni Aerospace, and Terrafugia.

By and large, the companies’ designs are geared toward personal, recreational flight. Owners could drive out of their garage to an airport, where they could take off and fly to a nearby destination like the beach.

Some firms, like Samson and Alef, have reported preorder sales worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Similar personal flying vehicles, such as Pivotal’s BlackFly or Lift Aircraft’s Hexa, have drawn attention and funding from the U.S. military.

The new Minnesota law classifies roadable aircraft as motor vehicles, allowing them to be driven on public roadways. They will need to adhere to FAA regulations in the sky and at airports and follow the rules of transportation regulators on the ground.

The vehicles must take off and land only at airfields and restricted landing areas. Gliding into an interstate landing, for example, would be considered a misdemeanor unless it were an emergency situation—an exception that exists for aircraft in most states.

In lieu of license plates, flying cars driving on public roadways will require registration decals clearly visible in the front and rear. The decals, provided by the state’s transportation commissioner via application, will include the make and model of the vehicle and federally issued tail number. Owners must also register the vehicle with the state as an aircraft. Drivers will be prohibited from unfurling wing and tail components on the road.

Although several flying car manufacturers have already opened the preorder process, roadable aircraft are likely still years away from taking to the road or sky.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, which similarly mesh two vehicle types—winged aircraft and rotorcraft—have yet to get off the ground despite some manufacturers having begun development more than a decade ago.

The long runway to commercial eVTOL service is due not just to the complexity of designing, building, and testing the aircraft. There’s also plenty of regulatory confusion about how to classify the vehicles and set rules around pilot training, maintenance, and operation.

Flying car manufacturers are attempting to combine two even more disparate vehicles and operate under the domain of multiple transportation regulators, which would seemingly add to the complexity of the path they face. They also lack the backing of the largest eVTOL manufacturers, some of which have raised north of $1 billion.

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The post Minnesota’s ‘Jetson Law’ Green-Lights Flying Cars on Roads appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 4 p.m., shortly after Rathbun took off from the Duluth International Airport (KDLH). Preliminary data from Flightaware.com shows the 2016 SR22 registered as N929DR reached a speed of 181 knots and an altitude of 2,975 feet. The last known contact was made at just over 1,000 feet and showed the aircraft at 128 knots. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as VFR. 

Rathbun was the sole occupant on board.

Eyewitness accounts say it appeared the aircraft had skidded across the ice before becoming partially submerged. Multiple agencies responded to the scene.

Cirrus released a statement Monday afternoon stating the company is in close contact with Rathbun’s family, and their thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

“His passing is a profound loss for the Cirrus family. His presence and character will be missed, but his legacy will be indelible,” Cirrus said in the statement. “A key contributor throughout his 26 years at Cirrus Aircraft, Dave played a crucial role in the early design and certification of the SR20.  Following similar work on the SR22 and SR22T, Dave was instrumental in the development and successful entry into service of the SF50 Vision Jet.”

Since joining Cirrus in 1996, Rathbun held a number of positions with the aircraft manufacturer, including engineering flight test pilot. He held a master’s degree in engineering from Louisiana Tech.

In a social media post, David’s brother, Daniel Rathbun, called him a “brilliant” engineer and credited him for being instrumental in the design of the Cirrus single-engine jet that recently won the coveted Robert J. Collier Trophy bestowed each year by the National Aeronautic Association. “David was indeed a gifted mover and shaker in the aviation world and will be horribly missed,” Daniel said.

The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the accident. Preliminary reports typically take around two weeks, while final NTSB reports could take more than a year to identify the cause. Cirrus says it is fully engaged in supporting all authorities but will not comment on the accident details or speculate about the cause in respect to those involved.

• READ MORE: Potential Crankshaft Flaw Prompts FAA To Issue Continental Engine AD

The accident comes just two days after an FAA airworthiness directive was released affecting thousands of U.S. aircraft concerning safety with Continental engines. However, based on its serial number, the aircraft involved in Rathbun’s accident was not impacted by the AD.

Earlier this month, prior to the FAA’s AD, Cirrus temporarily grounded aircraft manufactured in the last two years because of suspected issues with engines manufactured by Continental.  

“Cirrus Aircraft continues to operate without restriction all its SR20s, as well as SR22s and SR22Ts manufactured before June 1, 2021, or after February 7, 2023,” noted the company in a February 9 statement.

The post Cirrus Aircraft Engineer Killed in Accident appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

I immediately fell in love with the place, its warm summer temperatures, sunny blue skies, and—the best—its people. Friendly, welcoming, happy people! I made many new friends and kept returning every summer, always mentioning to those I visited that I wanted to move here someday. And my friends—being good friends, kept telling me—”you better visit in winter first.” Temperatures in Minnesota range from the 80s (Fahrenheit) in summer to the low 10s during the winter, and in the north can go even lower.

During the winter, the land of 10,000 lakes becomes the land of 10,000 frozen lakes.

I finally moved to Minnesota this year, just as winter started. As the temperatures started to go down, I was already wearing a sweater while the thermometer showed 50 degrees F. While wearing my best warm clothes, I could observe some strange behavior among the locals: they were still in shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. What is wrong with you people? It is cold! 

Without knowing it, Minnesotans were showing me how resilient and adaptable they can be and, at the same time, how they squeeze the fun out of any sunny day. And that is how flying is approached by the locals in love with it.

In summer, you will see a lot of wheels left at the hangar, and airplanes become taller in their floats. As soon as those lakes start to freeze, the floats are removed, and straight skis are installed. Any day over 32 degrees F feels like summer, and people will run to the airport with shovels to remove the snow in front of the hangars, and fly in t-shirts.

One of those adaptable Minnesotans is Paul Jackson, owner of the Jackson Seaplane Base in northern Minnesota (MN61), a small seaplane base with a hangar, dock, and cabin. It’s an excellent place to take a break or escape from bad weather—or make an emergency bathroom stop—last time to pee before Canada! So what do you do when your “runway” freezes during the winter? Easy, you start a ski fly-in.

Jackson, a retired airline pilot, started his Ski Fly-In eight years ago. Pilots will do anything for free food, so he began by offering those who flew in a bowl of chili. Eight brave pilots showed up to that first meeting, which quickly snowballed to up to 70 airplanes in the following years.

This year’s weather couldn’t be better: a gorgeous sunny day, temperatures in the 30s, and a packed-solid snow runway. For those without skis but at least 850-series tires, there was an option to land at the snowmobile trail that was rock solid, at least until I left the trail to taxi back and got stuck in the snow with my Cessna 170. Good thing I had a crew onboard that quickly jumped to the rescue, pushing the 170 to better footing.

All kinds of taildraggers (and a brave Cessna 172) showed up to enjoy a warm meal provided by Steve, Kathi Schwister, and TrickAir Skis. Cubs, Luscombes, Huskies, Cessnas, and Andy Brown’s spectacular Beaver, complete with a crew of six—all landing on the frozen Horseshoe Lake with around 17 inches of solid, thick ice.

This was my first landing on the snow and with big wheels (850s). I talked with Paul several times to confirm that this was safe, and he told me, “go for the snowmobile trail, and you will be fine.” Ski flying is not for the faint of heart. Based on a recent fly ice-fishing trip with three other airplanes, I can tell you it is 90 percent hard work and 10 percent fun. The 10 percent fun is celebrating with your friends when you finally manage to start the engine or unstick the airplane from the frozen slush. While it is hard work, it is also definitely rewarding and one of those bucket list items that every adventurous pilot should try.

My day ended in a spectacular way doing an air-to-air photo session with Andy’s Beaver, and as he tells me, “the key to Minnesota winter is to find happiness in the suffering!” And they know how to do that.

You know that you will be with people who love flying when their airplanes are on skis, and this fly-in is proof of that. Until next year!

The post A Ski Fly-In Helps in Finding Happiness in the Suffering appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Many people’s thoughts turn firmly to football during this time of year  and the college game is particularly attractive to pilots. The airport network will get you close to many venues, and the same social atmosphere and sense of anticipation that make college football games classic road trip destinations also apply to flying.

While just about any game is worth flying to as long as weather and other conditions are favorable, we have narrowed the field by focusing on rivalries. From the Big 10 Conference to the military academies and the Ivy League, certain matchups tend to draw crowds and stir emotions more than others. Below are a few of the contests we have enjoyed over the years or would like to see. 

Mississippi State University at University of Alabama

October 22

Tuscaloosa National Airport (KTCL)

This might not be among the season’s hyped “brand name” rivalries, and the Mississippi State Bulldogs have not beaten the Crimson Tide since 2007. However, the teams’ games tend to be more competitive than expected given Alabama’s powerhouse status. Could their series be ripe for an upset? 

Michigan State University at University of Michigan

October 29

Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (KARB)

These teams have played each other since the late 1890s and while the Michigan Wolverines have won nearly twice as often as Michigan State Spartans, their long history has seen numerous ups and downs with both teams enjoying strings of victories and extended periods of dominance. In 2007, Michigan player Mike Hart referred to the Spartans as the Wolverines’ “little brother” and the Spartans answered the insult with a famous series of wins.

• READ MORE: Six Sports Halls of Fame That Make Ideal Flying Destinations

Yale University at Harvard University

November 19

Laurence G Hanscom Field Airport (KBED)

In 1957, the Yale Bulldogs beat the Harvard Crimson 54-0 in this classic confrontation, but historically the teams have been well-matched. In a rivalry that dates to 1875, Yale leads with 68 victories to Harvard’s 61, with 8 ties. The games are often good, but the scene, arguably, is almost always better, with students from each school waving flags and wearing shirts emblazoned with clever insults against the other. 

University of Minnesota at University of Wisconsin

November 26

Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (KMSN)

It seems the Ivies have nothing on these tough teams from the OG Big Ten when it comes to close rivalries. The Wisconsin Badgers lead 62-61-8 in a series that began in 1890. The squads battle for a trophy known as Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Sentiments among the universities’ fans also tend to reflect those at the NFL level Those rooting for the Minnesota Golden Gophers tend to be Vikings fans while Badgers fans support the Green Bay Packers.

Army vs. Navy: Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia

December 10

Wings Field Airport (KLOM)

Another classic matchup dating to 1890, the series between the U.S. Military and Naval academies may have been a bigger deal decades ago, in terms of national championship aspirations, but it remains an institution, and occasionally a player from these teams will emerge as a star. Quarterback Roger Staubach, a 1965 Navy grad, famously led the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories and landed in the Hall of Fame.

The post Will Fly for Football: Five College Gridiron Matches Near Airports appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Cirrus’s new 189,000-square-foot Duluth Innovation Center covers 39 acres, following its recent acquisition of the former Northwest Airlines Corp. facility, which was last occupied by AAR Corp. at the Duluth International Airport (KDLH) in Minnesota. The company said it would transform the building into an innovation center and expand its team of engineers to build its new aircraft, with renovations set to begin this month.

Zean Nielsen, chief executive officer of Cirrus Aircraft, said that setting up shop in such a “massive facility…underscores [Cirrus’s] relentless pursuit of continuous innovation.” Nielsen underscores Cirrus’s “big ideas,” like putting a parachute on every airplane and its single-engine Vision Jet, which have captured the industry’s attention. “This investment solidifies Cirrus Aircraft’s commitment to continuous innovation,” the CEO said. 

• READ MORE: Cirrus Vision Jet Pilot Pulls Chute in Florida

The company said it plans to hire an additional 80 engineers over the next three years to support the current team of 300 engineers, scientists, and technicians. Nielsen said he hoped the new facility would attract top talent worldwide. “We want talent to think of Cirrus Aircraft, Duluth, and now the Innovation Center as a special place where the latest and greatest general aviation technologies come to life.”

Mayor: ‘We Are 100 percent committed to Cirrus Aircraft’s vision’

Meanwhile, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson lent support for the manufacturer’s expansion, highlighting the company’s long history in the city. “For Cirrus Aircraft to expand their footprint in their hometown of Duluth means the world to us because it further elevates Duluth throughout the world of aviation,” Larson said. Moreover, she said the expansion would benefit the city by decreasing public liability while “exponentially growing the aviation economy, and we are one hundred percent committed to Cirrus Aircraft’s vision.”

The Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) approved the sale of the former Northwest Airlines facility on August 24 with a 60-year ground lease. Before Cirrus took over, the facility had been without a tenant since May 2020, which imposed a financial burden on the city, resulting in over 200 job cuts due to the pandemic. Cirrus said that by taking over the lease, the agreement releases DEDA from its ownership of the facility and the associated financial strain. The city will now be able to save more than $600,000 annually in maintenance, operating, and tax expenses, Cirrus said.

The post Cirrus Reveals Plans for a Huge Next-Gen Aircraft Development Center appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

You can bring a bike with you, sure. But the good news is that a growing number of airports and nearby shops offer bikes that pilots can rent or even borrow for a ride into town or to check out local trails. The trails themselves have also become more plentiful and accessible in the past several years as groups like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy continue to expand, maintain, and improve the network of trails built on former railroad rights of way.

Many pilots have already grown accustomed to taking their bikes with them when they fly. This is especially convenient with modern lightweight folding bikes—or those that allow for the front wheel to come off to fit into an airplane with decent cargo space, such as a Beech Bonanza, Cessna 206, or Piper Cherokee Six. However you choose to approach it, the connection between flying and bicycling can lead to satisfying day trips and great vacations. Below are just a few of the airports that open the door to two-wheeled exploration.

Albert Lea Municipal Airport (KAEL)

Albert Lea, Minnesota

The airport is set in a rolling countryside that is well suited to bicycling and is close to the Blazing Star State Trail, which is paved and runs roughly six miles from Albert Lea Lake to Myre-Big Island State Park. But this is just an introduction. The trail connects with the city trail system in Albert Lea, and when additional links are completed the trail will stretch to 20 miles and connect with the city trail network of neighboring Austin and the Shooting Star Trail. Bike rentals are easy to find in and around Albert Lea.

Chatham Airport (KCQX)

Chatham, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is a fantastic place for bicycling, and Chatham can be an ideal starting point. Located at the “elbow” of the cape, the town is somewhat off the beaten path of Route 6, which is the main—often crowded—thoroughfare that runs all the way to Provincetown. There are quieter side roads around Chatham that are pleasant for riding and local attractions include the lighthouse, Coast Guard Station and the commercial fishing pier. Rental outlets are plentiful, and you can easily map out a short ride or tackle the 30-plus miles to the tip of the cape.

Mackinac Island Airport (KMCD)

Mackinac Island, Michigan

In some ways, this place, a vacation destination since the 1800s, is a portal to simpler times. The clopping sound of horse-drawn carriages replaces the more familiar car engines and horns. Indeed, Mackinac Island has been car-free for more than 100 years. But there are plenty of bicycles—more than 1,500 of them for rent—so getting around after landing on the island’s 3,501-foot runway is no problem. Mackinac is known for great food and a variety of unique hotels (no chains) and bed and breakfasts, and is attractive whether you visit for the day or plan to stay a while. 

Portland International Airport (KPDX)

Portland, Oregon

Portland has long been a bicycle city. When you look on the Bureau of Transportation website for the best ways to get from the airport to downtown areas, riding a bike tops the list. There is a bike path around the airport and an assembly area with tools available in the FBO for people who travel with their bikes. The city has a number of projects underway to expand the airport path network and connect it with on-street bike lanes and other exclusive bike paths.

Presque Isle International Airport (KPQI)

Presque Isle, Maine

This is a new addition to the list of Maine airports where bikes are available under the Bicycles for Pilots Program put together by the Maine Aeronautics Association. The bikes are a great way to get into town and explore nearby trails, like the Aroostook Valley Trail, part of a railroad right of way that pases by the south side of the airport and stretches for nearly 30 miles. The Aeronautics Association and its partners have also placed bikes at several other airports in the state including Bethel Airport (0B1) and Brunswick Executive Airport (KBXM) for use from May to October.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (KSTL)

St. Louis, Missouri

There is more than a century of history to explore at the former Lambert Field, including the famous arched 1956 terminal designed by Minoru Yamasaki to the first test flights of the iconic McDonnell F-4 Phantom fighter at the airport in 1958. But today we are here to talk about the remarkable Katy Trail that passes nearby. Many consider this the king of all rail trails, stretching 237 miles and passing dozens of towns, bridges, former rail depots and other historic buildings. Strong riders have on occasion ridden the full length in a day, but why hurry, with so many ice cream shops to visit along the way?

The post For Pedaling Pilots, Six Airports Near Bike Trails and Rentals appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“I started this project in 2016. At the time, I was looking for a parcel of land for myself as a homesite where I could have a runway,” he said. “I found a nice [200-acre] property that was too large for myself. But it dawned on me that it would be a great spot for an airpark, so I began working toward that goal.” 

By day, Clattenburg works for a startup light commercial aircraft company in the area as an engineer on avionics, electrical, and hybrid energy storage systems. Living at an airpark, he decided, would be a great way to further integrate aviation into he and his family’s lives. 

• READ MORE: New Billion-Dollar Fly-In Luxury Resort and Residential Community Planned for Sequatchie Valley, Tennessee

An instrument-rated private pilot, Clattenburg is thrilled about the chance to develop a property where fellow Minnesotans (and others) can live alongside their aircraft. But for a while, he’ll have to settle for secondhand flying fun at the outset of his airpark living experience.

“I have sacrificed one thing for another in the short term,” Clattenburg said. “And I couldn’t be more excited to see this project come together and finally be completed so that myself and others can start enjoying an airpark community that most people only experience if you live in Arizona or Florida.” 

He believes this sacrifice will soon start to pay dividends, with the Superior Aero Estates project set to officially break ground this spring. This initial dirt work is expected to be completed in mid-summer 2022. Once finished, the development will be closer to its final form as Duluth’s Airpark.

The self-professed title is one born of the lack of residential communities in the area with aviation ties. 

“There may be a few homes in the area with runways, but there are no formal airparks,” Clattenburg said. “That’s both a good and a bad thing for this development. The good is obviously that we catch much of the demand. The difficult part with that has been the limited local comparable properties for financing and project justification that are needed.”

Plenty of Prep Work

To even get to this point, though, has taken an impressive amount of planning and coordination from Clattenburg and others over the past few years. So far, the group has: 

• Received an FAA identifier for Superior Aero Estates Airport in 2019 (43MN)
• Lead up work for an in-depth wetland analysis
• Completed several permitting steps with the county and local municipality. 

Superior Aero Estate’s planned 3,500 ft by 100 ft grass runway is set to be the third longest of its kind in the state. It will eventually be surrounded by 18 homesites. Each property will be a minimum of 4.5 acres in size, all with access to modern-day utilities. 

“Being able to secure fiber-to-home internet was incredibly important to provide reliable fast internet for individuals that live the traveling remote-worker lifestyle,” Clattenburg said. “As well as the adventurers that will use their airpark home as a ‘basecamp’ to [aviation] adventures in the northern U.S. or even into the Canadian wilderness.” 

Backcountry Dreams

Outside of also using it as a convenient jumping point to nearby outdoor recreation, one way that Clattenburg wishes he one day will be able to enjoy the airpark is from a de Havilland Beaver. While he concedes that owning this aircraft is little more than a longstanding dream, the rugged bush airplane has served as an inspiration of sorts for the equally adventurous fly-in community.

“The spirit of Superior Aero Estates is all about backcountry adventure,” Clattenburg said. “The development is designed for the individual that wants to take their amphib Carbon Cub [for example] fishing every day after work, while staying close to a major metro area. 

“The airpark is also for the family that wants to fly into Duluth for recreation weekends and not have to think about where they’re going to stay or hangar their plane.” 

Regardless of whether these aviators enjoy hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, canoeing, or a wide array of other activities, the area is conducive to all of them and more. Some of the varied natural settings nearby the airpark are:

• Lake Superior
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area
• Cloquet Valley State Forest

The latter of these three is the setting for the project, with Cloquet Forest flanking three sides of the development. But the densely treed, 300,000-plus acre forest does provide some challenges to overcome during the initial construction stages. 

To assist in this and future parts of the development, Clattenburg has brought on a partner, who owns a major excavation company. Their company’s expertise will make light work of the roughly 40 acres of coniferous trees that must be cleared between runway and road clearing work. This will take a few dedicated weeks of bulldozer work. 

Once that work is completed, the next stage of development is contingent upon financing. Of which the team is hard at work coordinating, so that aviation enthusiasts can call Superior Aero Estates home in the near future.

“So far, we have had good interest from pilots in the area, as well as from the west coast and others who would be transplants,” Clattenburg said. “Some of them have lived in the area previously and are coming back home, and others are coming here for a lower cost of living.”

Aside from acquiring financing, Clattenburg notes that so far, the project has had fewer bumps in the road than he expected. He attributes much of this to the support he has had from local and state government, especially MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation). 

“We contacted them early [on in the project process] and [we] contact them often. They have been great to work with. Once we decided on the runway surface type and length (he previously was considering 2,500 ft, but chose 3,500 ft for additional safety), we got information from MnDOT about airports that operate in snowy conditions. They recommended that we plow the runway whenever it snows. 

“The first few weeks [of winter], runway operations may not be feasible when the runway is wet. But once it freezes, it can easily be plowed and other airports with grass runways in the area do just that.”

The post A Dream For One Pilot Becomes a Dream for Many Pilots appeared first on FLYING Magazine.