Activity Continues at Wings of the North as Fall Approaches
Even as the days grow shorter, there is still plenty happening at the Wings of the North Air Museum. Our free monthly Speaker Series remains a highlight, with presentations on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM.
On August 6, we were honored to welcome Jonathon Parshall, a leading expert on the Pacific Theater of World War II, who delivered a powerful presentation on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This month on September 3, we hosted the authors of Minnesota’s Phoenix, the new book chronicling Sun Country Airlines’ rise to become “Minnesota’s Hometown Airline.” Later this fall, our lineup includes:
- Gary Black, U.S. Navy Top Gun F‑14 graduate
- Richard Snyder, the 1969 Balloon Boy at the Minnesota Viking game
- Mark Copeland from the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force, speaking about American pilots who flew with the Royal Air Force—including a Minnesotan who flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain before the U.S. entered the war
There’s truly something for every aviation enthusiast.
Looking Ahead: Celebrating Lindbergh’s Centennial
Next May marks the 100th anniversary of Minnesota native Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic. Wings of the North is proud to display the full‑size Spirit of St. Louis replica used in the 1957 film starring Jimmy Stewart.
We are planning a special fundraising event to commemorate the anniversary. If you’d like to join the planning team, please reach out to Museum Director Bob Jasperson.
Book Your Holiday Party at the Museum
It may feel early to think about winter gatherings, but now is the perfect time to reserve the museum for your holiday party or private event. This year we’ve hosted Girl Scout tours, middle‑school groups, birthday parties ranging from age 13 to 70, a high‑school graduation celebration, a Chamber of Commerce meeting, an Optimist Club event, and more.
Our unique venue makes every gathering memorable, and private events provide valuable support for museum operations. For details or to reserve a date, contact us at [email protected].
Fall Pancake Breakfast & Sweepstakes Drawing
Be sure to join us for our Fall Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, September 12. During the event, we will draw the winning ticket for the Aeronca Champ or $25,000 cash. You could be the lucky winner!
The entry deadline is Wednesday, September 9 at 5 PM, and all entries must be submitted through https://www.wotn.org/sweepstakes.
GOOD LUCK—and THANK YOU for supporting Wings of the North!
Restoration Hangar
Progress on the BT‑15 continues at a steady pace as we move closer to returning this aircraft to airworthy condition. The struts have been re‑sealed and are now holding both proper ride height and fluid. The brakes have been fully bled and tested, and new tires and tubes are on order, scheduled for installation in the coming weeks.
Fitting work is underway across several areas of the airframe. The front scoop is currently being aligned to the fuselage, and the side panels are also being fitted. The canopies are in the process of being sealed and re‑polished, and the last of the inspection panels have been re‑made, installed, and marked.
With these structural tasks nearing completion, we are very close to beginning electrical system checkouts. Each step brings us closer to seeing our BT‑15 take to the skies once again, and the team remains focused on steady, disciplined progress toward full airworthiness.
