prizes to the winners. Experienced RV-4 owner, Dave Hirschman, flew the RV–10 to California in mid-January. The two-day, 15-hour flight from AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland to Livermore loosely followed the transcontinental railroad route across the Rockies and Sierras. It also highlighted the impressive capabilities of the aircraft—the first experimental-category aircraft that AOPA has given away in more than 25 years of its sweepstakes. The trip across the continent consisted of five three-hour legs: three IFR and two VFR. Altitudes ranged from 4,500 feet across the Ohio Valley to more than 11,000 (L/R) AOPA Sweepstakes RV-10 winner Aaron Benedetti with AOPA President Mark Baker shortly after Baker handed Benedetti the keys to the plane. Chris Rose Photo feet over Lake Tahoe. The aircraft was built in Canada in 2007, and SlideDown pitched in a new set of tiedowns, and Bruce’s Edwin French—the amateur builder—made sure it was Custom Covers provided a durable fuselage cover to optimized for cold temperatures, which included a Tanis protect the airplane from the elements. Tin Tail Numbers Aircraft preheat system (https://www.tanisaircraft.com/). contributed an aluminum panel painted to precisely match AOPA managed the restoration of the Sweepstakes RV–10 the Sweepstakes RV–10’s attention-getting N-number. with master craftsmen over 18-months. Rob Hickman of Van’s Aircraft will provide RV–10 transition flight training Advanced Flight Systems designed and installed a threefor Benedetti with Mike Seager, an Oregon instructor who has screen, digital IFR instrument panel with an Avidyne IFD550 given thousands of hours of dual instruction in the RV series. nav/com at its heart; Geoff Combs of Aerosport Products Benedetti has the option of doing the training in his own provided a carbon fiber panel and center console. airplane or in an RV–10 at Van’s Aircraft. South Florida Sport Aviation installed a leather interior and overhead ventilation system; Craig Barnett of Scheme EDITOR’S NOTE: Special thanks to AOPA Pilot Editor Designers drew up a distinctive new look; and a team led by at Large, Dave Hirschman; AOPA Sr. Manager of Media Kendall Horst of Lancaster Aero applied its lustrous paint. Relations and Public Affairs, Jennifer Non; and AOPA Champion Aerospace provided new magnetos for the photojournalist, Chris Rose, for the information and photos 260-horsepower engine, and Whelen installed exterior LEDs. used for this article. q Aerox gave the winner a portable oxygen system,
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Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Announces New 2021 Date To Induct Class of 2020
s promised, the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Board of Directors met in mid-January to reassess the status of the COVID-19 virus, the administration of the vaccine, and examine the possibility of gathering 400plus people in one room in April 2021. The board decided to postpone the Class of 2020 Induction Banquet for the third time, as the status of the virus is still uncertain, as is the rollout of the vaccine. The new date is Saturday, October 30, 2021, and the event will now be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South at 7800 Normandale Boulevard. 42 APRIL/MAY 2021 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
Fingers are crossed that the third time is the charm! Going forward, all current reservations will be honored for the banquet on October 30. Those who hold a banquet reservation and know they will be unable to attend, may notify the committee for a full refund or to donate their $60.00 reservation fee to the organization. Also, tickets are still available for anyone who has not yet made a reservation. Email all requests for refunds and new reservations to MAHOFBanquetReservations@gmail.com or call 952-906-2833. Be sure to include a mailing address and q telephone number.
